the curve around stapleford park was a nuisance for the express trains and, in 1880 when the midland and great northern joint railway built a branch from bourne in lincolnshire to saxby, the opportunity was taken to reduce the curve with saxby station being moved in the process. lord harborough had died in the meantime and the estate had been bought by lord gretton of burton upon trent, who was more sympathetic to the railway. the midland had, after all, made his fortune by taking his beer all over the country and, indeed, his son was later to build the stapleford miniature railway within the park.