Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

 

In a nutshell

Gauge:         61cm

Length:      ¾ mile

Opened:     1960 / 2009 (on present site)

Location:

   

 Skegness Water Leisure Park 
Walls Lane 
 Ingoldmells
Lincolnshire
PE25 1JF

Web:      http://www.lclr.co.uk/

Email:    https://lclr.bravesites.com/contact

 

Date of visit:     16 July 2025

 

Key Facts

• The railway was originally located at Humberston near Cleethorpes, where it opened in 1960
• It closed there in 1985 and reopened on its present site on 3 May 2009
• It originally used equipment from the Nocton Potato Estate railway and operated there until 1985. 
• It was the first heritage railway in the world to be built on a greenfield site.
• The first services used a Motor Rail "Simplex" locomotive and a bogie carriage converted from a wagon
• The line now has seven Simplex locos of various vintages and a Peckett 0-6-0T steam loco, Jurassic.
• In addition to its original bogie coach, it has two former Ashover Railway coaches (one in the process of renovation) and a coach from the Sand Hutton Railway (also undergoing renovation)
• It also has several former WD wagons which have been beautifully restored under the auspices of the LCLR Heritage Vehicles Trust

 

Route

My Impressions

After making my way through the barrier to the Caravan Park (there is no entrance fee BTW), I parked up outside the station building and bought my modestly priced (£2.00 GBP) ticket. 

The train was already awaiting its passengers, and so I boarded. 

 

I opted for the open carriage which is basically an ex-WD bogie open wagon equipped with seats.

 

Before long, we set off, passing the railway's workshops where the line's Peckett steam loco, Jurassic was parked with one of the railway's ex-Ashover Railway coaches.

 Passing behind the hangars for the airfield ......

 .... we soon struck out into open countryside.

 The track skirts the airfield ......

  ..... and eventually arrives at the line's second station.

 

This has recently been completely rebuilt and now houses information about the line's history and other memorabilia. Meanwhile, our loco, 1940 vintage Simplex 7481 No. 4 Wilton, formerly at Humberston Brickworks, was running around our train.

 

After a short while, we began our return journey, this time with a close-upview of the loco and its driver.

Passing Jurassic once more......

 ..... we coasted back into the main terminus.

.... where I alighted and watched the loco running round its train of appreciative passengers.

 After chatting with the staff, I was given the privilege of having a guided tour of the workshops, where I was provided with detailed information about the railway's stock and its present and planned renovations.

The railway's impressive Peckett loco wasn't in steam during my visit, but it is usually in operation at weekends and open days during the summer.  It certainly is a beauty and, one day, I will return to see it in action - though its boiler is scheduled for renewal soon.

I was particularly impressed with the renovated Ashover coach. It has been sensitively restored, retaining as much of the original as possible and mounted on appropriate ex-WD bogies.

Inside the workshop, was the line's Sand Hutton coach, awaiting refurbishment, together with a fine collection of ex-WD wagons which have been painstakingly restored to their former glory

The railway's second Ashover coach is currently receiving attention and looks like it may soon be entering service. I was informed it will have First Class upholstered accommodation. Another reason to return.....

 The various Simplex locos were much in evidence, some with cabs and some without. I must admit to preferring the uncabbed versions, but then, I don't have to drive them!

Outside the shed, a privately owned Simplex was having a test run (or three). I find there is something very atmospheric about hearing the pom-pom sound of their two cylinder motors in action. 

 Overall, I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the LCLR. It's a great little railway with a great deal to interest both railway enthusiasts and those who just like stepping back in time.

The staff and volunteers - though I suspect everyone is a volunteer - were clearly very proud of what they have achieved and were eager to share their experiences with visitors. I can honestly say, without a shadow of doubt, that this is one of the most welcoming and helpful railway visits I have encountered since I have started my quest to visit all the (12"+) narrow gauge railways in the UK and Ireland.

It is definitely on my list for a return visit - maybe when Jurassic is in steam.

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North Ings Farm Museum

 In a nutshell

Gauge:          2 foot (610cm)

Length:        600 yards (548m)

Opened:       1972 (Private railway) - 1990 (Public railway)

Location:    

Fen Rd, 
Dorrington, 
Ruskington, 
Lincoln 
LN4 3QB

Web:      https://northingsfarmmuseum.co.uk/

Email:    https://northingsfarmmuseum.co.uk/contact-us/

Tel.:        01526 833100

Date of visit:     3rd July 2022

Key Facts

• The railway was first established in 1972 to provide transportation for the farm's chicken and egg production facilities
• By 1981, poultry farming on the site had ceased and the railway and collecting agricultural equipment became a hobby
• In 1990, the local council suggested that the museum's collection of artefacts should be opened to the public
• The railway has eight industrial diesel locomotives and two further locos on loan from the Talyllyn Railway's Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
• There is also a freelance vertical boilered steam locomotive which is currently out of action awaiting a new boiler
• The three passenger coaches were acquired from the Abbey Light Railway after its closure in 2012
• The signal box, which is prominent on the site, was acquired from Holmes Yard at Lincoln, where it was used as a paraffin store. The lever frame inside the box is from  Skellingthorpe near Lincoln.
• The farm site is a treasure trove of farming and construction machinery and industrial narrow gauge wagons
• The museum opens on the first Sunday of each month from April to October.
• The modest entrance fee allows you to roam freely over the site and have unlimited rides on the railway.
• Hot and cold drinks and biscuits and confectionary are available

Route

My Impressions

After Google maps navigated me down various narrow winding lanes I had very little idea of where I was. Fortunately, there was a reassuring sign at the end of a farm track informing me that I had arrived and, furthermore, that the museum was open.

There was a pleasing air of informality about the museum with the owners and volunteers clutching mugs of tea, discussing the relative merits of dog clutches and the intricacies of gearboxes, or demonstrating and explaining the exhibits to visitors.

I was invited to wander the sheds and the grounds at my leisure. I started with the sheds, wherein were stored an impressive array of industrial locos .....

...... tractors of various vintages ......

..... and a lightweight Commer truck.

The grounds proved equally intriguing, with a vast array of industrial narrow gauge wagons and locos in various states and stages of renovation.

After a chat with the staff who were keen and well informed to answer any questions I posed, I took a ride on the train.

After curving round beside the signal box, the train made a descent .......

..... to the nether regions of the site.

We wound our way through the lush undergrowth ....

.... passing by the lake and then made a 1:35 climb back up towards the main part of the museum

......  and passed through the station (Pear Tree Junction), .....

before repeating the journey and then arriving back at the start.

I spent a very pleasant morning at the Museum and gained considerable knowledge of industrial locomotives and the history of the museum from the well informed and helpful staff who were in attendance.

I can thoroughly recommend a visit if you happen to be in the area on the first Sunday of a summer month. It's far more interesting than an impersonal, regimented and formalised railway museum. Particularly if you want to get down to the nitty gritty of how these things work.

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Snowdon Mountain Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:          2'  7½"(800cm)

Length:        4 ²/₃ miles (7.5km)

Opened:      1896

Location:   

Web:        https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/

Email:     info@snowdonrailway.co.uk 
Tel.:         +44 (0) 1286 870 223

Snowdon Mountain Railway
Llanberis
Gwynedd
LL55 4TT 

 

Date of visit:     20 September 2019

Key Facts

• The Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only rack assisted railway in the UK
• There has only been one accident on the line, on the day it first opened when one passenger died after the first downward train became derailed probably because it was overloaded
• The line was constructed between December 1894 and February 1896
• The rack system used by the railway was devised by Roman Abt, a Swiss locomotive engineer. Two racks are positioned between the rails, staggered by half a tooth to ensure there is always a complete tooth on the pinions engaged with the rack
• The locomotive is not coupled to the carriage, so that the carriage would not be dragged down the mountainside if the locomotive became derailed
• Gripper rails are fitted to either side of the rack to prevent the pinion from disengaging with the rack
• Each locomotive and carriage has a manual brake which operates on the pinion
• The locomotives also have a compression brake which uses air in the cylinders to slow the descent
• The locomotives and carriages also have automatic brakes which engage if they exceed a certain speed
• The railway has eight steam locomotives, five of which were built for the line's opening.
• There are also four diesel hydraulic locomotives, powered by Rolls Royce engines
• The line has ordered a diesel/battery hybrid locomotive which is intended to enter service in 2020. The batteries will be recharged on the descent.
• There is a cafe and visitor centre at the summit (3560ft (1085m) above sea level) which was opened in 2009
• There is also a cafe and toilet facilities at Llanberis station
• During the winter or bad weather, trains will only run to Halfway station
• It is advisable to book in advance as the number of tickets are limited each day

Route

Source: By MickMacNee at en.wikipedia - I created this work entirely by myself., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13430621

My Impressions

The last time I travelled on the Snowdon Mountain Railway was over fifty years ago, so I was anxious to see how things had changed.

We arrived at Llanberis in good time to pick up our pre-booked tickets. While waiting we indulged in a cup of coffee and a snack, sitting outside in the early September sunshine.

There was a good selection of food available at the cafe and so we were spoiled for choice.

There was time to watch the departure of one of the diesel hauled trains ......

 ..... and our train being marshalled from the sheds. We were booked on one of the vintage steam services. We figured that as this was likely to be a one-off, we would travel in style.

Before long, we boarded. Although not first in the queue, we were able to get a good seat at the rear of the carriage close to the loco.

After crossing the Waterfall viaduct, we soon left the treeline......

......  and reached the first station / passing place at Hebron.

After passing a downward diesel train, we progressed further, the mountain scenery becoming more rugged, until we reached Halfway Station, where we paused to wait for another downward train.

Our guard/train manager took the opportunity to point out some of the scenic features observable from our vantage point ......

..... until the downward train passed us on the loop.

We continued upwards, allowing a fine view of the downward train and the emerging landscape towards Anglesey.

As we laboured further up the mountain, the views began to open out, here looking towards the Rivals on the Lleyn Peninsula.

As we approached Clogwyn Station, the train traversed a stretch of line on a ridge, which permitted views down to the left of the Llanberis Pass in the valley below. Apart from the summit, this is probably the most spectacular view on the trip.

We paused again at Clogwyn Station to await another downward train which we could see approaching from further up the line. There seemed to be a considerable number of people walking the path from Llanberis to the summit, hardly surprising as the weather was unseasonably warm and the sky very clear.

Eventually, the train came nearer, passing over the curve on which the first passenger carrying train derailed on the line's opening day.

Then it was our turn to tackle the last section of the railway to the summit. The views opened out even more, giving a fine view out of the whole island of Anglesey .......

..... and along the north coast of the Lleyn Peninsula ......

....... before our train gently eased itself into the station at the summit.........

............  where the loco was given a well deserved rest

 We were given 30 minutes at the summit which allowed plenty of time to browse through the souvenirs and walking equipment in the shop, ...

.... grab a cuppa and a pie in the cafe .......

 ...... and join the crowd at the summit.

The views from the summit were spectacular in all directions.

Looking North West ........

...... looking East

...... South West .....

..... South East.

.... and West.

It was very blustery at the top and so it was somewhat of a relief to re-board our train and start the descent. With our destination visible in the distance .....

..... we passed many walkers toiling their way towards or away from the summit.

At Hebron, we met another steam heritage train making its way up towards the summit.

Eventually, we arrived at Llanberis ......

...... where our train was shunted back into its siding.......

..... and we could watch the departure of another train towards the summit.

Passing through the railway's shop on the way towards the exit, I bought a handy little guide on the railway's history but avoided the temptation of buying a snow globe or fridge magnet.

I was impressed by how efficiently the railway is operated and also by the enthusiasm and willingness of the staff to help and/or discuss the railway.

The stock was scrupulously clean and well maintained, particularly considering the age of the steam locomotives and the heritage carriages. The fare is not cheap, but then it is a unique experience in the UK and presumably the cost of maintaining the track and railway infrastructure.

It is possible to take a one way journey, but I would advise you to check the long term weather forecast. We were extremely fortunate in having booked the perfect day for viewing the landscape. This was partly luck and partly due to careful scrutiny of the weather forecasts by my partner - who, incidentally, funded the trip as part of an unexpected Christmas present two years ago. It took us that long to find the ideal conditions in relation to weather and our availability. A previous booking we had made a year earlier had to be cancelled because steam hauled trains had been withdrawn owing to fire risk during the drought at the start of the 2018 summer season.

It pays to be patient!

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