Although I have lived less than twenty miles away for many years this is the first time I have been to explore the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Sundays are usually running days where you can get a ride on a train, look round their museum and enjoy a cream tea. Tuesdays and Saturdays are often working days where rolling stock and track maintenance are conducted. Visitors can have a look round the station and sidings but all the extra facilities are closed.
As I had chosen a Saturday I was not expecting to see anything working but hoped fewer visitors would give me the chance for some quiet exploration. As it happened I only saw one other visitor.
When I arrived I was delighted to see a loco making steam as it stood near one of the platforms.
It looked as though it was about to move some coal and wood to the other end of the line.
As luck would have it it started to move so time for a hurried video.
I was also able to catch the same loco later in my visit:
Oh, how the sound of a real locomotive chuffing its way down the track brings back memories of travelling by rail in my youth before the Beeching axe closed so many branch lines.
Next was a walk across the road to the main platform and have a look round.
View from the end of the platform.
No visitors allowed past here but on my way back along the platform I spied a gap between two buildings where there was a notice giving some details of the locos and rolling stock they have.
Walking past that led to a path which visitors are allowed to follow.
This runs next to sidings where some of the rolling stock, old and refurbished, can be seen.
Then back to the platform, heading for the car park.
First a look at the station clock.
and a last look at 'Spitfire'
The amount of work put in by the volunteers is mind boggling. From rebuilding the signal box and station, restoring carriages and laying track (BR removed all rails, sleepers and ballast when they closed the line) to the ten years it took to restore 'Spitfire'. Not to mention the money that has to be raised to pay for materials. To date the trains run on an approximate 1.5 mile (2.4km) track between Ludborough and North Thoresby.
There is a link to the LWR site near the beginning if you are interested.
There is also some information on Wikipedia.
It was a hot, Sunny, very enjoyable afternoon exploring.
I was grateful that the air conditioning in the car now works at full strength.
All photos and video were taken with the Nikon Coolpix S9050
John - Thank you so much for this post - I did enjoy it and it brought back so many memories of many years ago.
ReplyDeleteWeaver: I really enjoyed visiting and writing about it.
DeleteThis looks a very interesting place. The saddle tank has had a wonderful paint job.
ReplyDeleteI suspect it is well worth another visit.
Adrian: I bet you would have liked to look round the workshops. I had a quick look. I will be going back from time to time. Next time will probably be on a 'running' day. I will also have a look at North Thoresby to see what is at the other end of the track.
DeleteJohn, the bits are a little heavy for an old man. I struggle splitting a tractor for a clutch swap these days.
DeleteI am still doing a bit. A bloke has a Matchless or AJS G50 engine, It's brand new CNC machined from the solid. God knows what it is worth but I did the code to make the engine/gearbox plates in posh alloy. The plasma cutter took some power but after a load of trial cuts I got the job done. A proper bloke did the 3 Axis milling and drilling for a perfect job. What is interesting is that it will run an electronically controlled magneto so in theory it won't need a battery once the engine fires. I love these challenges but I wish I had the cash and brains required to do them for myself. Other folk can look but not touch.
I love these steam preservation railways. Whenever we're away and there's one nearby I always try and visit.
ReplyDeleteDave: The only other one I have visited, and ridden on several times, is the North Yorksire Moors Railway.
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