I decided to visit the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway on a steam running day. The idea was the get there in time to travel on the 11:45 run. I though I had timed things so I could video the train arriving back from its 10:45 run. At first there was no sign of the train so I waited on the North platform to get a clear view of it arriving. Eventually it slowly came in view, very slowly, but before it reached the platform it come to a stop.
There it stayed as a few of the staff went to see what was happening. After some time there was an announcement that a diesel shunter would be started up and sent to the rescue. While we waited for that I watched a combine in the field next to the platform doing its job on the Oilseed Rape.
Lots of people on the South platform waiting for their ride on a steam train.
Eventually the diesel shunter came in view and went to the rescue.
Sorry about the wind noise on this video:
As all this had taken so long the 11:45 was cancelled, the next being at 12:45.
Once the train was back at the South platform I was able to have a look inside the cab:
Not much room for the driver in those small locos.
I waited patiently for the 12:45 to set off and took this piece of video:
This train was well and truly full with passengers and I decided to postpone my train journey for another visit. The 10:45 train was only half full so I'll arrive in time for that one next time. I still enjoyed the visit though. The weather was just right. Plenty of Sunshine but not too hot for standing around.
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
