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. ...

Summer 1982, a Class 114 diesel multiple unit with E56003 leading, is seen at the sidings near Boston station with the Tower of St Botolph's church dominating the background. This will have waited for the 2D10 0740 to Doncaster to depart and clear the platform  before forming the 2D63 0810 service to Grantham. The Yellow Line beneath the roof shows that First Class accommodation was still available even on local services although would be withdrawn by May the following year and  accommodation downgraded for use by Second Class ticket holders.  Passengers from Skegness, myself included, had travelled by a connecting bus service (ex 0625) as this was an era when the line between Boston and Skegness had no early morning/late evening trains as an ecomomy measure introduced on 3rd October 1977; a situation that would continue until the introduction of the 15th May 1989 timetable. 56013 was new in December 1956 (as 54013), and was withdrawn in March 1989, and scrapp...

Of all the through train services to Skegness over the years, one of the most unusual ran on Saturdays between 11th May and 12th September in 1992, which ran from Scarborough.  Usually composed of two Class 117 First Generation Multiple Units based at Tyseley, it would set out ECS to Derby and thence work a service at 0610 to Scarborough, arriving there at 0855. It would then work the 1D20 service to Skegness as follows: 09d49 Scarborough 09d55 Seamer 10a39 York 10d42 York 11a15 Doncaster 11d22 Doncaster 11d51 Gainsborough (Lea Road) 12a14 Lincoln 12d15 Lincoln 12a45 Sleaford 12d50 Sleaford 13d18 Boston 14a05 Skegness a: arrival time d: departure time After this, it would work the 1M18 1440 service from Skegness to Derby, and thence ECS back to Tyseley. On the 27th June it is seen approaching Hubbert's Bridge with 51371, 59509, 51413 + 51407, 59517, 51365 (Photo: Wil Curtis) It is illustrated deparing Scarborough assing beneath the Falsgrave Gantry on 5th September (Pho...