Has event delivered a rail asset? The visit of record breaking steam locomotive, A4 pacific Mallard, to Grantham at the RailRail LincsLincs beginning of September, has been hailed an outstanding success by the organisers. Number 67 = October 2013 = ISSN 1350-0031 With major sponsorship from Lincolnshire County Council, District Lincolnshire & South Humberside Branch of the Council and Carillion Rail; good weather and free admission, the event gave Grantham Railway Development Society N e w s l e t t e r high profile media interest, attracting in excess of 15,000 visitors (some five times the original estimate). Branch has a busy weekend at One noticeable achievement has been the reconstruction of a siding resulting in the clearing of an ‘eyesore’ piece of land at Grantham station, which forms a gateway to the Grantham Rail Show town. The success of the weekend has encouraged the idea for a similar heritage event Thank you to everyone who helped us The weekend was also a very in the future. over the Grantham Rail Show weekend. successful fund raising event which has However, when the piece of land was cleared and the Up side siding reinstated, it This year, the Rail Show was held in left our stock of donated items very became apparent that Grantham had, possibly, unintentionally received a valuable association with the Mallard Festival of depleted. If you have any unwanted items commercial railway asset. Here is a siding connected to the national rail network with Speed event at Grantham station, with a that we could sell at future events, we easy road level access only yards from main roads, forming the ideal location for a small free vintage bus service linking the two would like to hear from you. Preferably intermodal freight facility. With unused railway land being rapidly developed, this is sites. It was exceptionally busy; more transport related, but we can usually find probably a unique situation on the . The railway press frequently visitors on the first day than we usually a buyer for almost anything. A special carries reports of local authorities and developers, in other parts of the country, see over the whole weekend. Not only did request is for your unwanted picture struggling with planning and funding to establish freight facilities, but Grantham has the we have a lot of visitors to our stand we frames, large or small, contents ready-made basis for a similar asset. It just needs the forethought for the siding to be also recruited a new member (albeit irrelevant. Offers to David Harby, please. protected for use in the future. Indeed, whatever the economic viability for such a freight someone living in !). facility in the present climate, some commercial presence will be needed to maintain the Our stand promoted a Railfuture site if aspirations for future heritage events are to be fulfilled. (PM) success: Lea Bridge station in East London; a partial success: East – West Photograph: Having rail and a future success: re-opening hauled the special Lewes to Uckfield. All three schemes have train the previous day, benefited from funding from the Devon & Cornwall Railfuture Fighting Fund. Railways Class 57 at As well as looking after our stand, we the head of the rolling also organised a DVD show promoting the stock display in Grantham’s Up siding Great Central Railway, “Bridge to the two days before the Future” campaign, which is raising funds event was opened. to pay for the GCR extension linking the Station Road East is in present line to the northern section the background. based at Ruddington, with a bridge over Sue Dovey and Don Peacock oversee the Midland Main Line at Loughborough. the extensive branch display and sales stand (above and left) at the Grantham Rail Show. Rail Lincs 68 will be published in February 2014. Railfuture is the campaigning name for the Below: Mallard arrives, passing the Please let the Editor have copy by 11 January. Railway Development Society. south end of platform 1 at Grantham. The views and comments expressed in Rail Lincs The Railway Development Society Limited is a (not are not necessarily those of the Railway for profit) Company Limited by Guarantee. Development Society. Registered in & Wales No. 5011634. Registered Office: 24 Chedworth Place, Tattingstone, Suffolk IP9 2ND

www.railfuture.org.uk Refer to page 2 for contact details of branch officers mentioned in Rail Lincs. Railfuture Lincolnshire Branch Committee 2013 to 2014 PRELIMINARY NOTICE Alphabetical list of members: Francis Wallace Lee RAILFUTURE LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH AGM 14 Thirlmere Close, , The Committee has set the AGM for Saturday 15th March 2014 at Anthony Berridge Lincoln LN6 8ES Friends of the Barton Line 01522 686592 in the Festival Hall. Further details including the Agenda and Branch Officers’ Representative [email protected] reports will be in the next Rail Lincs. 47 Eastfield Road, Barton on Humber Colin Lingard - Branch Treasurer DN18 6AW 01724 721397 The purpose of this notice is to remind members that the posts of Hon. 12 Home Close, , Chairman, Hon Vice Chairman, Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary are open to all Lynda Bowen Lincoln LN4 2LP 01522 526620 fully paid up members of the Lincolnshire Branch of Railfuture. Market Rasen Rail User Group [email protected] Low Moor Farm, , Lincolnshire LN8 3XH Phil Mason - Rail Lincs Editor In accordance with the Branch procedures, members wishing to stand for [email protected] Branch Vice-Chairman these posts are invited to inform the Hon Secretary in writing before 31st Chris Brown 10 Cottesmore Close, Grantham NG31 9JL December 2013. National International Committee Member 01476 407569 24a Lannimore Close, Lincoln LN5 8SF [email protected] Any person wishing to stand should provide the Hon Secretary with a signed 01522 544913 07766496466 Geoffrey Meanwell written declaration of willingness to stand along with a 100 word manifesto which [email protected] 39 Alexandra Road, LN10 6RE will be published in the next Rail Lincs. The declaration must be supported in Ralph Coulson 01526 352389 writing by another fully paid up member of the Lincolnshire Branch of Railfuture. 24 Willingham Road, Market Rasen LN8 3DR Tim Mickleburgh 01673 842177 07792947498 No canvassing for votes is permitted other than the manifesto published in Rail Corresponding Member Lincs and the question and answer session at the AGM. Andrew Court 11 Boulevard Avenue, DN31 2JP Rock Cottage, 91 High Street, [email protected] Similarly fully paid up members of the Lincolnshire Branch of Railfuture should Lincoln LN1 2HA 01522 702651 Nigel Morley provide a signed declaration of willingness to stand with signed support by Alan Gouldthorpe 52-58 High St., , Lincs NG34 QT another fully paid up member of the Lincolnshire Branch of Railfuture to the Hon 48 Overton Court, Barton on Humber, 01529 460624 [email protected] Secretary by 31st December 2013. No manifesto is required for Committee N Lincs DN18 5QH 07412060971 Don Peacock - Hon Branch Secretary membership. [email protected] National Passenger Committee Member David Harby - Branch Chairman, 1 Queens Road, , If there is only one candidate for each of the four executive posts then there will Exhibition Screen Officer, N Lincs DN38 6JH 01652 688549 be no election and the meeting will be asked to ratify the selection. In this case National Treasurer, Media Spokesman [email protected] the manifestos will not be published. National Freight Committee Member Tom Rookes - Minutes Secretary Dr Don Peacock Hon Secretary. 6 Carral Close, Brant Road, Lincoln LN5 9BD 77 Ruskin Avenue, St. Giles, Lincoln LN2 4DE 01522 874513 [email protected] 01522 540513 [email protected] continued from previous page Brian Hastings - Emeritus Chairman Friends of the Barton Line Mike Savage part up to 20 October. That equates to Media Spokesman (North) Corresponding Member =A cycle hire and repair facility has Rail Lincs Northern Correspondent 15.3 services a week when the maximum 260 Grimsby Road, , DN35 7ET opened in the old parcels office at 312 Wharf Road, , , under the 2% unreliability aimed for in 01472 235721 Grimsby Town station. N Lincs DN17 4JW 01724 710528 TPE’s Passenger Charter would be 4.5 [email protected] [email protected] services a week. =On Saturday, 26 October a Branch Carolyn Sharp Paul Jowett - Corresponding Member, ASLEF have announced that they have Line Society arrived at Barton 33 Firbeck Ave., , Lincs PE25 3LA Rail Lincs Southern Correspondent called their drivers at TPE out on strike on 01754 766581 from . The return route was via Branch Representative on [email protected] 5 and 9 November. TPE have written to Marsh Junction, Ulceby and District Council’s Partnership Group all stakeholders confirming the strike and the line. 8 Deepdale Drive, , , promising to run as many trains as they Lincs NG34 8LR can on the days in question. The misery =On Saturday, 7 December, the Barton goes on for the weary rail travellers of Cleethorpes Community Rail Partnership Northern Lincolnshire! (MS) are organising a Santa Special on two return train trips from Barton to Cleethorpes and back. (AASB)

Rail Lincs 67 - 2 Rail Lincs 67 - 11 ECML Disruptions explained From the Chairman Disrupted journeys can be annoying, but at least we have the satisfaction that More than 30,000 East Coast Trains’ overhead line equipment (OHLE). I must open my missive on a sad note. a great deal of money is currently being passengers were affected by major Pointing out that it was the third time so Chris Precey the branch delays on 22 October after overhead far this year that services have been spent bringing our local rail infrastructure wires came down on to the tracks at severely disrupted by similar problems liaison member who attended our branch up to date. . Almost 90 East Coast services and that OHLE failures are the biggest committee meetings, sadly passed away A consequence of the Hatfield had to be cancelled. cause for delays to East Coast Trains’ on 5th September. Chris devoted a blockage was that some freight trains The most severely delayed train, the services. A spokesman considerable amount of his time to were diverted via Lincoln and 11:00 Kings Cross to service, stated that early indications suggested Railfuture. Not only did he attend almost Gainsborough. In some hours more extra was passing Tallington at the moment that the broken wires were caused by an all Lincs and East Midlands branch freight trains per hour than we will see when the overhead power lines failed. A inherent design issue that was not activities, he was also Returning Officer when the Joint Line upgrade is rescue diesel locomotive was attached to detectable. for national Railfuture elections and completed. Which brings me to the topic the train and as soon as Network Rail had The press release also mentioned organised the annual draw. He will be of the level crossing on Lincoln's High cleared the line, the service resumed its incidents earlier in the year where OHLE missed by all his friends within Railfuture. Street. journey north. Unfortunately the hired-in problems had caused severe delays. 2 Sue Dovey and myself represented the There was a lot of fuss in the local locomotive failed at Dunbar and a miles of wire came down at Gamston, replacement had to be brought from near Retford, in August; while in February branch at his funeral along with members media recently, predicting doom and Edinburgh. The train finally reached its a kilometre on overhead wire collapsed from East Midlands and West Midlands gloom for Lincoln because a few ECML destination some 7 hours 20 minutes on to the tracks at St. Neots. branches. trains were diverted via Lincoln on some late. Some comments from within the During 2013 members travelling by rail weekends. We were told to expect the In a press release issued mid-day on industry, suggest that a fraction of the will have stood a good chance of having road traffic around the Lincoln High 22 October, East Coast Trains profusely cost of HS2 could be used to reconstruct their journey disrupted by work on our Street level crossing to be gridlocked. In apologised for the disruption, but all the East Coast Main Line overhead local rail infrastructure. As anyone who reality traffic seemed to flow exactly the emphasised (with ‘gloves off’) that it was equipment! has recently travelled along the Joint Line same as usual just as it did whilst the entirely due to the failure Network Rail’s will have seen, a great deal of work is extra diverted freight trains were running. being done to raise bridges, renew Elsewhere in this edition you will find Ups and Downs on TransPennine signalling and relay track and all seems to details of the RailFAIR! campaign. This The proposed South TransPennine direction (the first) so as to get the right be on course for the planned completion has been taking up quite a bit of my time Express (TPE) timetable from 18 May trains in the right place for the benefit of in summer 2014. The Nottingham recently, with visits to see City of Lincoln 2014 shows all services except 19:26 Sheffield – Manchester commuters. resignalling project proceeded as Council leader, Ric Metcalfe, my MP Karl Cleethorpes - Sheffield and 21:34 return Railfuture will be arguing against this loss planned and the railway reopened on McCartney and an opportunity to address being covered by 4 car (2 x 2 car) Class and for the extension of the 19:26 ex time on 26th August. The work to rebuild the Environment Committee of North 170 or 3 car Class 185 units. This is a Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport and Hykeham Town Council. A pleasing result of TPE introducing new electric the 19:55 ex Manchester Airport to the railway where it had been destroyed multiple units between Manchester and Cleethorpes. We think Northern by the spoil tip slippage at Hatfield was aspect was that not only did they all offer Scotland on that date, which will allow Lincolnshire deserves an even interval unexpected, but Network Rail engineers their support, there were also offers to seven Class 185s to be cascaded on to through service over the whole of the pulled out all the stops and got the route lobby in favour of the strategy. other routes. TPE’s idea is to have as route from early morning until late reopened sooner than many of us I am writing this on the same day that many seats as possible to cover the peak evening. expected. the government announced that they flows between Manchester and Sheffield The Hatfield landslip has not been The pedestrian bridge over Brayford were reducing the maximum fare in the morning and at tea time. However, TPE’s only woe of the year. They have also Wharf, Lincoln has planning permission increase for regulated fares from 9.1% to we will be pushing TPE to consider the had significant staff problems since and work should start soon. The last I 6.1%. I was interviewed by Lincs FM and summer peak flows to and from Hatfield re opened on 8 July 2013, which heard from Network Rail is that the made the point that it was all smoke and Cleethorpes, as well. has been mainly responsible for 231 planning application for the High Street mirrors with little in it for most rail The proposed timetable also includes services being cancelled in whole or in bridge should be submitted this year. the loss of one through service in each continued on page 11 continued on page 4

Rail Lincs 67 - 10 Rail Lincs 67 - 3 continued from previous page ACoRP Awards continued from previous page Charter Trains passengers. The maximum fare increase Key to getting financial support is The following charter trains are due in has been capped but the average fare for Lincolnshire convincing Lincolnshire County Council that the wider economic benefit to the Branch area in the coming months. increase is unchanged, so in effect, other Lincolnshire stations received Lincolnshire exceeds their financial Three trains destined for the Lincoln fares will go up to pay for the fare cap. recognition at the Association of input, so if you are in a position to help Christmas Market are included. At the same time as rail fares are rising Community Rail Partnership awards held with this, Lincolnshire branch chairman, Saturday, 30 November faster than inflation, the government is at Llandudno at the end of September. DavidHarby Statesman Rail charter from freezing road fuel tax. Yet again the In the Innovative Project at Small [email protected] would like , Grantham, Newark North government are giving in to the motoring Stations section sponsored by Network to hear from you. Gate, Retford and Doncaster to lobby. Not everyone has a car and it is Rail, Second place went to Lincolnshire Edinburgh. Class 47 hauled. County Council, Network Rail, East As you will see from the briefing paper, often the people on low incomes who Midlands Trains and Poacher Line the business case for the track upgrade Friday, 6 December cannot afford a car who are going to be Community Rail Partnership for and signalling improvements in stage 3 Orient Express from London Victoria to worst hit by the fare increase. That is, of Skegness station – Revival & depends on us getting the passenger Lincoln. Class 67 hauled. course, if they don’t live in a rural village Redevelopment. number increase, which will come from Saturday, 7 December miles away from the nearest rail station Skegness with its iconic Jolly the first stage outlined above. It is crucial West Coast Railways’ charter from and where the bus service has already Fisherman brand has been welcoming therefore that we do all we can to promote Peterborough, Grantham, Newark North been cut. holidaymakers to the coast for stage 1. Without it the route, which has Gate, Retford and Doncaster to Nights are drawing in, leaves are generations. This Victorian station, which seen no significant change since the Edinburgh. Class 47 hauled. 1960s, will probably remain fossilised for starting to get their autumn colours so sees a throughput of several thousand Charter from Saltburn to Lincoln. another thirty years. (DH) the end of the year will soon be with us. I passengers each summer Saturday, had Hauled by Class 47 and 57 will therefore finish my notes by wishing become unsuited for modern day visitors How it should be! Saturday, 15 February 2014 and so Lincolnshire County Council you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy West Coast Railways’ charter from sought to redevelop the station area into Passengers using ’ New Year. Lincoln to Leicester service on 17 Peterborough, Grantham, Newark North something more appropriate and eye Gate, Retford and Doncaster to catching. October, were delighted to find a 4-car Railfuture Diary Dates: 125mph Meridian unit working the Shrewsbury. Hauled by Class 47 and Working in partnership with Network steam Crewe-Shrewsbury-Crewe. National Annual General Meeting Rail, East Midland Trains and the local diagram. Saturday, 19 April 10 May 2014 in Sheffield. Community Rail Partnership, the creation All that is now needed is for the track of a plaza and other improvements at the between Lincoln and Nottingham to be Statesman Rail charter from Summer Conference 21 June 2014 site, mean the new Skegness upgraded for 125mph running, to match Peterborough, Grantham, Newark North in Cambridge Interchange now offers holidaymakers a the train’s performance capacity. At least, Gate, Retford, and Doncaster to Carlisle. pleasing welcome to the coast. for one day, there was not overcrowding. Class 47 hauled. County Signal Boxes The partnership behind the Skegness (DH) Compiled by Geoffrey Meanwell station Revival & Redevelopment was Listed also highly commended in the Network Signal Boxes at Skegness and Wainfleet Rail sponsored outstanding teamwork Footpath to Greylees are amongst twenty-six boxes given section. Member, Paul Jowett continues to attend North Kesteven District Council’s Better Grade II listed status by the Department Mike Gathercole, of Barton- Transport Committee meetings, which keep Railfuture’s profile high. Whilst business for Culture, Media and Sport as part of a Cleethorpes Community Rail Partnership covers many local transport aspects, Paul keeps rail issues going, if they are discussed. joint project by English Heritage and was short listed in the Outstanding The plans for a tarmac surfaced and illuminated footpath from the Greylees housing Network Rail to safeguard the nation’s Volunteer Contribution award sponsored development, on the old hospital site, to the station has been dropped on the grounds railway signalling heritage. The listing by Network Rail. (AG) that it would not be viable with only three trains each way daily. Paul disagreed and it was comes as many signal boxes are being decided that if agreement with householders and developers could ensue, then a line of decommissioned as part of a major thirty an unmade footpath should be set, which in future could be made-up, once a better train year modification project to consolidate service at Rauceby can be arrived at. The coming franchise renewal will be the time to signalling into twelve regional centres. push for more calls at the station. (PBJ)

Rail Lincs 67 - 4 Rail Lincs 67 - 9 The RailFAIR! Campaign ?Two trains an hour to/from Nottingham Market Rasen News Railway Rambles between 07:00 and 18:00. Nottingham to Lincoln ?Through trains to Long Eaton and Branch members have assisted Market Railfuture member, Stuart Parker of – Proposed Train Service Derby restored and a new through service Rasen Rail User Group in carrying out a Lincoln, is also Area Secretary of the to Matlock. survey on the usage of Market Rasen Lincolnshire Ramblers and reports that Improvements station. The survey results are now being the following walks by train are being Key to the success of the strategy is analysed. As members will be well aware, for a route held: obtaining the funding to pay for it, with a Out of 276 replies from residents of the linking two major East Midlands cities, Saturday 7th December 2013 maximum of £700,000 per annum local LN8 postcode, 97 of these never the service between Lincoln and an 11 mile circular walk at Gainsborough required for the first three years. catch a train at Market Rasen. 36 of Nottingham is totally inadequate. The Lea Road (bus opt out at 6 miles) Department for Transport has refused these do travel by train, mainly from fastest journey time is slower than over Depart: Lincoln (NT) 09:25, funding, stating that it must be funded by Lincoln and Newark Northgate. The 100 years ago with an average time of no Saxilby 09:34 to Lea Road Local Authorities for the first three years. remainder give a wide range of reasons less than 60 minutes for the 33¾ mile OR Nottinghamshire County Council has for not using the train, ranging from too journey. Depart: Sheffield (NT) 08:44, set aside a significant level of funding but expensive, overcrowded, not reliable and A strategy that will, within five years, Worksop 09:13, more is needed. This is where we need not frequent enough. restore the two trains per hour service Retford 09:23 to Lea Road. your help. We need to convince Initial analysis highlights that around has been drawn up by the Nottingham to Lincolnshire County Council, especially 25% of respondents choose to drive Saturday 8th March 2014 Lincoln Stakeholder Board. This will be the elected members, that this scheme is direct to Newark Northgate for their train. an 8 mile circular walk at Barnetby. done on a staged basis with faster important for the Lincolnshire economy Around 12% drive to Barnetby. The Depart: Lincoln (EMT) 08:12, journey times at each stage. Stage 1 will and that they should provide some reason given by almost all of them is Market Rasen 08:30 to Barnetby 08:52 bring benefits to Lincoln, Hykeham and funding. overcrowding on trains from Market OR Newark Castle as follows: Depart Cleethorpes (TPE) 08:26, To enable the public to show their Rasen. In view of the number of Grimsby 08:34, Lincoln gets in stage 1: support, Newark Business Club have complaints we are receiving about ? 08:44 to Barnetby. Two additional morning trains to produced a briefing paper and set up a overcrowding on the route, it is not Nottingham, both arriving before 07:45. website www.railfair.co.uk where support surprising that many respondents said For details, call Stuart on 01522- ? An evening service every hour in both can be registered online. As you will see, they would travel more if there was less 534655. directions. we already have local support from overcrowding. There was also a strong ? Average journey times from Nottingham University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire demand for a more frequent service. Ancaster is spruced up 7 minutes faster than at present. Chamber of Commerce, City of Lincoln After standing empty for some time the ? Ancaster station now has an Adopter. It Faster journey times to Nottingham – Council and Lincoln Business Club. In station building is now up for sale. At the mostly (10 out of 13) 52 minutes or under time of writing, a meeting is being looks very tidy and with help from the addition Karl McCartney MP and Patrick Community Rail Officer, now has flower between 08:00 and 19:00. Mercer MP (Newark) are lobbying on our organised to see if it can be purchased for community use. (DH) tubs and is looking very spruce. (PJB) The Hykeham service is transformed in behalf. stage 1: We are asking members who live in ? Service frequency at least doubled – Lincolnshire to contact your County Booking Office Upgrades from 8 to 18 trains eastbound and from 9 Councillor and tell them you want Sleaford Booking Office and Booking Hall has received a splendid make-over. Mrs K. to 18 trains westbound. Lincolnshire County Council to provide Cinivas, Sleaford Booking Clerk, who gained Best Booking Office Clerk last year has, this ? A regular service with one train every their share of the funding. You can find year, gained a highly commended award. hour in each direction. your councillors’ contact details via this Grantham Booking Office has also received an upgrade, with a new counter giving a ?Faster journey times, averaging 46 link: spacious appearance with ‘customer friendly’ facilities. Unfortunately, at the time of minutes to Nottingham (currently 54) and http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/mg writing, plaques commemorating previous awards and opening ceremonies have been averaging 45 minutes from Nottingham FindMember.aspx. We are also asking removed. (currently 49). you to go to the RailFAIR! website On platform 1, the Grantham Civic Society has provided an illustrated signboard Newark Castle has a massive www.railfair.co.uk, read the briefing celebrating Mallard’s record breaking run and giving a brief outline of Grantham’s improvement in stage 1: paper and register your support. railway history. The raised flower beds on the island platform have been revamped after continued on page 9 a period of neglect. (PBJ/PM)

Rail Lincs 67 - 8 Rail Lincs 67 - 5 Joint Line Upgrade rebalanced to increase capacity. It is Skegness News Music Trains return understood that axle counters may be At Skegness station, the dilapidated The popular Music Trains return this Work on the Joint Line upgrade continues provided in lieu of track circuits. ‘sheds’ on the plaza were removed in the autumn, providing an unusual venue for a and the pace quickens towards the All the former GNR arched bridges middle of October to reveal the ‘waves’ variety of live music acts, plus time for a completion date next spring. At along the Joint Line are being replaced to feature, which are now ‘sandhills’ to be stop at Batemans Brewery in Wainfleet, (and ) large permit a larger loading gauge and future decorated with ornamental shells and where passengers are offered a warm power distribution boxes have been electrification. As reported in Rail Lincs starfish (to deter climbers etc.) New welcome and refreshments at the constructed to provide power for 66, the rebuilding of three bridges in structures, representing ‘waves’, are to Windmill Bar. signalling equipment. Station platforms Ruskington, and the subsequent road be created. At present, a 7ft. steel fence Up coming dates are: now have yellow lines and “mind the gap” closures and diversions has raised the surrounds the area. The ‘new’ Jolly Thursday 28 November lettering. Trackwork in the area and issue of the arched bridge at Donington, Fisherman model is due to be installed in Jet - playing a mix of sing a long popular around Sleaford is now completed. north of Spalding, carrying the A52 trunk his new home on the Plaza in November – music originating in skiffle style of the Member, Paul Jowett, was invited to a road. If the bridge is closed for a month sadly missed from the concourse. late 1950s and early 1960s on guitar, tea meeting with Ruskington Parish Council there would be major disruptions to A52 During the summer months, all went chest bass, washboard and kazoo. and Network Rail concerning Network road traffic as there is no suitable well on the Skegness – Grantham line Thursday 19 December Rail’s plans to close the foot crossing diversionary route. In view of this, the which did not suffer as a result of the Christmas Carols: Community between platform 2 (car park side) and arched bridge will remain and the railway Nottingham station works. There were, Choir & Friends - join us for an evening of platform 1. Network Rail will not provide a track suitably lowered (this was relaid however, fewer day trippers through the carol singing, a fine start to the festive footbridge, claiming cost, planning within the last 18 months). The bridge peak season. On Saturdays, a High Speed season. issues, complaints from a nearby approach road will be upgraded with Train was well used with its new route via Normal scheduled service trains are resident and railway safety issues. The safety barriers. Peterborough and Grantham. used for the Music Train events between plan means that passengers using Informed sources explain that when On Saturday, 14 May 2014, a steam- Sleaford and Wainfleet. A normal rail platform 1 will have a 400 yard plus trek the Joint Line upgrade is completed and hauled excursion to Scarborough is ticket is required for the journey (current by public roads, up a steep humped road signalling between Gainsborough and starting at Skegness calling at Wainfleet, train fares apply) and can be purchased bridge and then by a steep ramp to/from Peterborough is controlled from Lincoln, as usual from stations/conductor on Boston, Heckington and Sleaford, then the platform. Paul presented an eight there will be much greater capacity for train. Passengers can take advantage of via Lincoln, Doncaster and York. The page dossier showing how the plan is a additional freight and passenger paths GroupSave ticket availability that offers return journey to Skegness will be diesel- disaster for rail users; it appears that than the four paths each way stated in the the opportunity for three or four people to hauled from Scarborough along the Network Rail is intent on rushing through public relations exercise. Looking to the travel at the price for two adults. There is Wolds Coast line. Fares: Standard £64, the plan. future, the Joint Line will have the means no additional charge above the current First Class £84, Premier Dining £169.00. The Up line on the Sleaford Avoiding to become a 24/7 rail route again. Freight train fare to join a Music Train event. Supplement for tables for two in First line has been relaid and continues in use, traffic will grow as the economy improves For more information visit: Class and dining £9.00 per person. but although the Down line has been and planning of engineering works on the www.poacherline.org.uk or contact Jane Booking Forms and further details from relaid, the old semaphore signals remain East Coast Main Line can be improved, Wingad at Lincolnshire County Council on Carolyn Sharpe (see page 2). (CS) out of use. with opportunities to divert traffic on to 01522 782070 (customer services). Cross-overs have been left in place the Joint Line on weekday night as well as between Werrington Junction and weekends. (PBJ) 50 plus campaign for transport in North East Lincs Lincoln, at , Spalding I was pleased there was a good turn out for the Cleethorpes AGM. For though you say station (two) north and south of the Is East Midlands Trains’ (Rail Lincs 66) that the resort “is not the easiest place to reach from the south of the station, , Sleaford South advertising agent in need of a county”, the same goes the other way round with venues in the south not being Junction, Sleaford North Junction and geography lesson? necessarily easy to get to by train from the north! Nevertheless, I hope that nothing will Metheringham. The cross-over at Blotoft Advertisements have appeared on stop me attending the 2014 AGM in Market Rasen, and that I can be of help as a corresponding member of the branch committee. near has been removed. At bus shelters in Grantham, less than I would add that I Chair an organisation called Eng-age, a campaigning body for those Metheringham, the Down siding before 2 miles from the station (and yards from your Editor’s home), promoting aged 50 plus living in . We do have a sub-group devoted solely to the station has been removed, but the Up transport-related interests, and this meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at siding remains. Signal bases are now the Company’s Nottingham to St. Pancras service! 10:00am in Grimsby Central Library. All are welcome to attend our meetings, and there evident along the line with signal spacing is neither an admission fee nor subscription to pay. (TM)

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