Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Upgrades Now Underway

Picture of Richard Stuckey

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Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Upgrades Now Underway

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Picture of work commencing at the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
Work commencing // Credit: Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

Site conditions have now improved after heavy rain prevented access to the site in the Water Leisure Park.

The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway (LCLR) uses a narrow-gauge track just under a mile long within the park, using historically significant rolling stock.

It provides rides for the public on frequent open days. Trains are typically in push-pull configuration using pairs of small diesel locomotives dating as far back as World War 1.

Contractors began work by installing a septic tank, and will soon start the new platform and associated structures.

Picture of the site inspection
Nicola Dicker and John Chappell inspect progress //Credit: LCLR

Interestingly, many of the LCLR narrow gauge freight wagons were specifically designed to cope with the treacherous and muddy ground commonly found in the World War 1 trenches.

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When the rain affected conditions, the planners were preparing these wagons to transport materials from the railway’s headquarters to the station site.

However, after sunny and windy spells improved the conditions, these measures were no longer necessary, and contractors could use more modern transport equipment.

The older wagons may yet prove useful if further rainfall causes conditions to deteriorate. 

Project funding is from:

  • A grant of £24,250 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
  • A contribution of £8,000 from Ellis Bros Ltd, the owner of the Water Leisure Park and LCLR host.

Volunteers from the Historic Vehicles Trust will be valuable in controlling labour costs.

Historic diesel locomotives in use by the LCLR include “Major J.A. Robins R.E”, “Fred”, “Wilton”, “Nocton” and “Queen Mary”. In fact, “Major J.A. Robins R.E” headed a train taking Nicola Dicker, Contracts Manager of the South East Lincolnshire Councils’ Partnership (which manages the grant) and the Company Secretary of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Ltd., John Chappell, on a site inspection visit.

Motor Rail of Bedford built the “Major J.A. Robins R.E” 1n 1944. The carriage used to carry the party won the Morgan Award for Rolling Stock Preservation in 2023.

Picture of the site inspection train
“Major J.A. Robins R.E” heads the site inspection train //Credit: LCLR

“Jurassic” and one or two other vintage steam locomotives are in regular use on the line

The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway runs frequent special events that showcase its historic locomotives and carriages.

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