Historic narrow gauge locomotive ‘Fred’ is set to return to Sutton-on-Sea to mark the 70th anniversary of the East Coast Flood disaster of 1953, where it worked on sea defences both before and after the devastating flood.

The locomotive will return on Saturday the 4th of March 2023 for the anniversary and a ceremony which will inaugurate work to replace the now demolished seafront Colonnade.

‘Fred’ is a 4wd Diesel Mechanical 20 hp straight frame “Simplex” which was built back in 1947 for a Mablethorpe company by Motor Rail Ltd of Bedford and numbered 9264. The locomotive was number 8 in the fleet of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway and based at the popular Skegness Water Leisure Park in Walls Lane, Ingoldmells.

Restoration of the locomotive began almost 25 years ago by volunteer members of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic Vehicles Trust. The work was completed to such a high standard that it saw them win two ‘runners up’ commendations at the annual awards ‘Railway Oscars’ of the Heritage Railway Association in 2020.

‘Fred’s’ fascinating history saw the loco delivered new contractors, W.G.C. Hammond Ltd in Mablethorpe where it was used in strengthening coastal defences and during this time experienced the devastating East Coast Flood of 1953 which saw Sutton-on-Sea, Mablethorpe and parts of the East Coast of England, Scotland, the North Sea coasts of Belgium and The Netherlands completely overwhelmed by the Flood which was driven by strong winds, killing 1,836 people.

The little locomotives strong and reliable ‘Simplex’ design was demonstrated as the loco was raised from the flood area, sand, seawater and debris flushed out before being topped up with fresh diesel, oil and water and restarted. ‘Fred’ was immediately able to get back to work in raising and strengthening the sea defences.

Railway spokesman John Chappell said:

“The skill and dedication of the LCLR’s volunteers brought back to life a small locomotive which has played a very large part in making the Lincolnshire Coast one of the most popular destinations in the country for families on holiday, by helping to protect the towns and villages and literally providing the motive power to build much of them, in its everyday work”.

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Trust Chairman Richard Shepherd:

“It’s a great honour for us to be able to show people in Sutton-on-Sea this little locomotive, which played such a significant role in rebuilding the area and protecting it from further incursions by the sea. Many may not be aware of our collection of Lincolnshire narrow gauge railway equipment – locomotives, carriages and wagons – which were once a vital part of the county’s infrastructure and economy. We hope visitors to the events in Sutton-on-Sea will come and see them in operation when we run trains in the summer”.

The locomotive will be exhibited near the seafront at Sutton-on-Sea Pullover (LN12 2ET) from 10am til 4pm and marks the spot where reconstruction will begin at approximately noon with an address from MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins MP. The address will also make the beginning of work for a new Gallery which has been funded via a several million-pound grant for East Lindsey District Council by the government through the Connected Coast Towns Fund.

The Anniversary event has been organised by local a Coastal Community Team which are based at Tide Turners, 44 Sutton-on-Sea High Street with the support of Mablethorpe and Sutton Town Council who awarded them a grant towards putting on the event alongside help from the Environment Agency who have facilitated arrangements. The event will see members of the Agency attend at the foot of the Pullover and will have details regarding its current work on sea defences.

Presentations at the event will also see displays by:

• Sutton-on-Sea Gardening Group
• The Sutton Railway Group
• The Sutton-on-Sea and Trusthorpe Carnival Committee
• The Sutton-on-Sea Residents’ Association.

Meridale (the former Lifeboat Station) will have refreshments available at the foot of the Pullover.

If you have any photographs of the locomotive hard at work on the sea defences for Hammonds of Mablethorpe please get in touch with the volunteers of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway as they would love to see them and get a copy. To get in touch, please visit: www.lclr.co.uk