>>1785498>Built to a continental loading gaugeIt was built to allow for potential loading gauge widening on the London Extension. It was smaller than a few other railways in different dimensions.
The heartlands of the Great Central were the original route between Liverpool and Grimsby, along with the Nottingham and Yorkshire coal lines.
The London Extension was built too late and had too much competition from other routes to make a decent return.
Though I do agree that selling off the land for the route was short sighted. But when you're strapped for cash and everyone is screaming at you to stop losing money, stupid mistakes are easily made.
