Kirkstead / Woodhall Junction Station

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Kirkstead was one of the intermediate stations on the Great Northern Railway Loop Line between Boston and Lincoln. It was opened to both Passengers and Goods on 17th October 1848. At the time this was the main railway route to the North until the opening of the "Towns Line" through Grantham some four years later.

Just to the south of the station, a branch line to Horncastle diverged from the main line, opening on 11th August 1855. As the junction faced away from the station, it meant trains would have to reverse a short distance, before accessing the branch. 

Further south, the "New Line" from Bellwater Junction was opened to Coningsby Junction on 1st July 1913.

From the 10th July 1922, the London & North Eastern Railway renamed the station Woodhall Junction. For one year only, in 1935, it was also one of three locations in Lincolnshire to be allocated a Camping Carriage.

Just north of the station, the opposite bank of the River Witham could be reached by a ferry. This was replaced.when the Great Northern Railway constructed a swing bridge 1891. This too was replaced with the present bridge, further north, in 1968, the oroginal bridge being demolished soon after.

The passenger service to Horncastle was withdrawn on 13th September 1954, and the section of the Loop Line beween Boston and Coningsby Junction, closed completely on 17th June 1963. This left Woodhall Junction being served only by passenger services, as an Unstaffed Station (since 4th November 1968) along the "New Line" until they too ceased on 5th October 1970. It was until the latter date, also the termination point of many Fishermen's special trains.

It was closed completely along with the Horncastle Branch, when freight services were withdrawn from 5th April 1971.

The station still remains, now a private residence. The trackbed north is now used as a foot/cyclepath.

The station when still open viewed from the new road bridge, looking South. The GNR Swing Bridge can be seen on the right shortly before it was demolished. The level crossing too was redundant as soon as the new road bridge ooened in 1968 (Horncastle History & Heritage Society). 
A later view from the same location l around 1969, swing bridge since removed (Disused Railways).
My photo taken in 1981.
A more recent view from the same location. The vegetation has grown so much it partially obscures the view of the station (Google Street View).
A recent view from the other side of the River Witham towards the station, close to the point where the GNR bridge was located (Google Street View).
The station a few years before closure, looking North (LEYTR Collection).
My 1981 photo from the trackbed looking North.
My 1981 photo, taken from the trackbed and (approximately) the point where the Horncastle Branch diverged towards the right.
The following photos taken during my visit on 19th September 2020. The main station build still looks impressive. Other stations to have towers in the same style were at Dogdyke, Tattershall, Bardney, and Lincoln Central. Sadly, Dogdyke and Bardney have both since been demolished.
Note the former level crossing gates for the the road giving access to the old bridge, are still in situ.
Looking south along the alignment of the trackbed.
Further views of the building and approach road to the old bridge.
A view looking north from the former level crossing and the 1968 road bridge over the River Witham.
A sign informs visitors of the railway.
More information about the station can be found here.

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