SUCCESS OF LCLR’S FIRST OPEN
WEEKEND IN 20 YEARS
BOOSTS PLANS TO REOPEN RAILWAY
IN SKEGNESS
Preparations to reopen the Lincolnshire Coast
Light Railway on its new site in the Skegness Water Leisure Park have been
greatly helped by the success of the Railway’s
first Open Weekend for 20 years.
"Major" and an Ashover coach on the very wet Saturday.
The event was part of
the Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days for 2005, (Saturday and Sunday 10 and
11 September, 2005), which was in turn,
part of Heritage Open
Days held all over Europe. The theme in the county was appropriately “Transport
in Lincolnshire.”
It enabled the handful
of volunteers who have been rebuilding the Railway at Skegness Water Leisure
Park to show what they have achieved in just over
10 years’ determined
work on the site. Despite torrential rain on Saturday which prevented many
of the historic trains from being moved out of doors, visitors
from as far away as Lancashire,
the West and East Midlands and West Yorkshire made the journey to Skegness
for this first chance in 20 years to see the
unique collection. Many
were so enthusiastic, they arrived an hour before the official opening
time.
"Major" and the restored Ashover coach
On the Sunday drier weather
enabled most of the exhibits to be moved outdoors and to be displayed for
photographers and visitors.
The result was many people
volunteering to help with restoration, track laying and preparation for
opening the railway, as well as donations and offers of materials and support.
The LCLR’s volunteers
were always aware that a static collection of very specialised railway
items on display on a weekend when there where many other railway events
competing
for attention around
the country and the county, might limit the number of visitors: they had
privately agreed that 50 would be a great success – however to their great
delight, they got triple that number.
(photo - Mike Newbold)
The Railway was extensively
featured in advance on the BBC Look North regional television programme,
in regional newspapers, local and regional radio,
specialist railway magazines
and websites, thus enabling many thousands more to see progress. Generous
help and support from Skegness Water Leisure
Park helped prepare the
site for the visitors.
So, the Open Days proved
to be a significant moment in the Railway’s history, coming 20 years after
the closure of the original site at Humberston, south of
Grimsby and 45 years
after its pioneering line had opened. It was the first line to have been
built by railway enthusiasts – a true pioneer among the hugely popular
“Heritage Railway” movement.
Many visitors told the LCLR’s workers that they had feared the line was
dead and gone forever when it closed in 1985 – and were delighted
and impressed by the
progress in construction of the new line and restoration of its historic
locomotives, carriages and wagons.
Now emboldened by the
success of the Open Days and the enthusiasm of visitors for what has been
achieved, the volunteers feel encouraged to press on
with plans for operating
public trains, which it’s felt, could be possible within two years.
The LCLR fleet displayed outside the shed prior to opening on Sunday
11th Sept 2005.
Left to right: Restored Ashover coach, Simplex loco "Paul" with
Nocton coach and second Ashover,
Simplex loco "Wilton" with Sand Hutton coach
Another view of "Paul"and the Nocton Estates coach.
"Paul" sporting its metal body - first loco in service at Humberston.
Wooden bodied Simplex "Wilton" and Sand Hutton coach.
Star of the show - "Jurassic" in shed awaiting restoration - how
long before Skegness
hears the sound of narrow gauge steam traction?
LCLR Historic Vehicle Trusts Ambulance Van and Class D bogie wagon
with Simplex loco.
Second class D bogie wagon with class P ration wagon on board.
Driver Jim Smith at controls of "Major" shunts exhibits into position
as visitors arrive.
View of site from entrance looking back towards the shed