Railway Heritage
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 Great
Northern 'Loop' Line
The
Horncastle & Woodhall Junction Railway
The
New Line - Kirkstead to Little Steeping
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| Great
Northern 'Loop' line |
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 In
1846 the Great Northern purchased the Witham Navigation and construction
of a 58 mile Lincolnshire 'loop' line from Peterborough to Lincoln
via Spalding and Boston commenced early in 1847. Kirkstead, later
renamed Woodhall Junction was one of seven stations constructed on
the section between Boston and Lincoln. The line opened in 1848 and
for a brief period was the main route to the north and Scotland until
the main line from Peterborough to Doncaster via Grantham and Newark
opened. |
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Travelling
north from Woodhall Junction to Lincoln there were three stations,
sited at Stixwould, Southrey and Bardney. Travelling south the
stations were at Tattershall, Dogdyke and Langrick
The
disused track bed is being used to create a new off-road route
along the River Witham from Kirkstead Bridge near Woodhall Spa
to Lincoln via Bardney (The Bardney to Lincoln section has already
been completed). The route is called the 'Water
Rail Way'. |
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| The
Horncastle & Woodhall Junction Railway |
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 The
branch line from Woodhall Junction to Horncastle opened for traffic
on the 11th of August 1855 and finally closed in April 1971. Woodhall
Spa station was demolished during the 70s, however, the Woodhall
Junction Station buildings remain standing in private ownership. |
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The track
bed beyond Woodhall Spa golf course to Horncastle now forms part
of the Viking Way and Spa
Trail footpaths. |
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 The
site of Woodhall Spa railway station is now used as a car park. This
view is looking west and the back of the shops on 'The Broadway'
are to the left. |
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Woodhall Junction to Woodhall Spa rail
ticket
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| The
New Line |
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The
line between Kirkstead and Little Steeping opened to goods traffic
on Sunday the 1st of June 1913. The route providing a more direct
and faster link between Lincoln and Skegness than previously offered
by the Lincoln-Boston, Lincoln-Louth routes. There were five stations
along the route, at Coningsby, Tumby Woodsde, New Bolingbroke,
Stickney and Midville, before joining the East Lincolnshire line
near Firsby. |
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| Further
Reading |
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| Title |
Author |
Publisher |
Year |
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| The
Lincolnshire Loop Line (GNR) and the River Witham |
A.J.
Ludlam |
The
Oakwood Press |
1995 |
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| The
Horncastle & Woodhall Junction Railway |
A.J.Ludlam |
The
Oakwood Press
ISBN
0 85361 326 5 |
1986 |
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| The
New Line, Kirkstead-Little Steeping including Lincoln to Skegness
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Stephen
Walker |
KMS
Books, Boston, Lincs
ISBN
0948017 02 3 |
1985 |
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| Why
not make Woodhall Spa your base while you visit and learn more
about the railway heritage sites of Lincolnshire? The village
has a fine selection of hotels, guest houses and camping/caravanning
sites. Select the accommodation page
for more information. |
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There
are plenty of places to eat out. Select the Wining
and Dining page for more information |
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last updated 14 Mar 07 |
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