Bygone Railways of East Lincolnshire

The following Stills from British Transpprt Films "The Diesel Train Driver" give a fascinating opportunity to see the approaches to Skegness in 1959. The film was intended as an introduction for drivers to the new Diesel Multiple Units, a cab, from which, these scenes were filmed. In the first view we have a glimpse of the once numerous sidings. On the extreme left can be seen a section of the former Retort house alongside the nearby Gas Works. The train on the left is supplying coal for this in the era of Town Gas. Moving a little further, a rather fine example of a Great Northern Somersault Signal can be seen as can the signalbox in the distance. Now passing the signalbox on the right, our train takes the rails for Platform 3. The points on the left lead to platforms 1 and 2 and the Goods Yard. The roof of the Goods Shed can be seen in the distance. We make our way down platform 3. The platforms still appear to be gas lit in this era.

An early 1980's view sees 31146 passing through Spalding with a British Industrial Sand train from Middleton Towers bound for the Rockware Glass factory at Barnby Dun. At this time it would have been routed via the direct March to Spalding line which was still open. The tracks over which it is passing in Spalding have long since been lifted and the site now occupied by housing. 31146 entered service on 12th November 1959 as D5564, allocated to  March. At the time of the photograph, it was based at Leeds Holbeck. After over 40 years service, it was withdrawn on 24th March 2000 and cut up by C.F. Booth (Rotherham) in July 2004.

The "Flying Scotsman" locomotive has, to date, visited the East Lincolnshire Main Line on four occaisions. The first took place on Saturday October 21st 1967 when it hauled the Lincolnshire Standard Group's "The Standard Flyer". The 11 carriage special ran ftom Grimsby (Town) to London (King's Cross). The booklet for the tour. Please click on images for a larger version. A newspaper feature on the trip (please click to enlarge). Details of the trip from a local newspaper. Various more items from the local newspaper. Please click on images for a larger version. Some more pictures of the train at Grimsby can be  seen here. Some Stills taken from a cine film by Frank Holbourn and Harold Jackson of the train arriving at Louth.  Ticket for the charter. Boarding pass for the train. Tbe next visit took place on Saturday 21st September