Diesel Day will see locos form a cavalcade of old trains from the trenches
DESIGNS USED IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR LOVINGLY RESTORED BY DEDICATED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS ON EAST COAST
VISITORS to Skegness Water Park are in for a treat next month as no fewer than nine heritage diesel locomotives will form a cavalcade on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway when it stages Diesel Day 2024 on Saturday, June 15.
The designs go back to the trench railways of the First World War, intended and built for moving train loads of soldiers, armaments, water, medical supplies and fodder for horses over the notoriously deep and dangerous mud which would otherwise have prevented access to the trenches and the fighting.
Those designs were adapted and modified over the years by the builders, Motor Rail Ltd., of Bedford – using the brand name Simplex – and in 2024 they are proving just as reliable, sturdy and useful. The basic design, with some modifications, continued to be built up to, during and after the Second World War. The firm lasted right up until 1992, when its business largely involved building Simplexes for use in South African mines.
They were particularly useful in Lincolnshire moving heavy loads of potatoes, sugar beet, fertiliser, clay, bricks and timber –as well as holidaymakers – until improving roads and road vehicles made them redundant.
Spokesman John Chappell said: “It’s our 1903-vintage steam engine Jurassic which attracts most attention but many people come to see this remarkable range of diesel locomotives, some built as long ago as 1920 and 1926.
“Diesel Day 2024 will showcase them running in a variety of combinations, with varying rolling stock, representing periods from
1960 – when the LCLR opened near Cleethorpes as the first heritage railway in the world to be built by enthusiasts – through to the reopening in the Skegness Water Leisure Park in 2009 and our popular 2024 services from Walls Lane station.
“We’re hoping the event will be equally attractive to those who want to ride in period passenger carriages with the differing combinations.” He added: “A similar cavalcade was staged after the end of the Covid lock-down when volunteers were allowed back on site, but the line was not open to the public, so we’re delighted to be able to offer the public
Spokesman John Chappell the opportunity to participate”.
The volunteers from the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic Vehicles Trust are preparing the locos and carriages for the event, which will start at 11am and conclude with the cavalcade of nine diesel locos at 3.50pm.
Passengers will be charged just £2 for a return ticket with a family ticket costing just £5 (two adults and up to three children 3-16); with under 3s and dogs travelling free. Supervised lineside access for those with dayglo vests will be available for a minimum donation of £10.
It’s our 1903-vintage steam engine Jurassic which attracts most attention.