Main line closure 50 years ago was a ‘disaster for Lincolnshire’

THANK you for the great article on the up-and-coming EL50 Festival later this year, as published in issue 262.

Regarding Royal Scot being saved by Billy Butlin and being displayed at Butlin’s Skegness, as a young man (nine years old), our whole street holidayed at Butlin’s every year. It was fantastic and I eventually became a redcoat for eight seasons.

It was great to see the engine there and now going to Skegness again. I will definitely be there at Skegness station and the auction at Batemans.

A small engine in light lime green colour – maybe it was a little dock shunter – was displayed next to Royal Scot at Butlin’s. I remember it well, but can’t remember the number. Does anyone know what happened to it?

I don’t believe that it is 50 years since our beloved Grimsby-peterborough line closed. What a waste – it would have been a gold mine now with that direct line to King’s Cross, and how big Louth is now with no railway station – a travesty.

I have many happy memories of trainspotting along the line (I cried when it closed). The straight line section from Hainton Street (Grimsby-louth) was wonderful and I stood at Peaks tunnel watching the engines. Kids today have no idea what they have missed.

I also stood at Firsby station waiting to go to Skegness Butlins. Firsby is unrecognisable – like it’s been wiped off the face of the earth. The closure was the worst thing that ever happened to Lincolnshire.

Is there any DVD footage of the line? Someone must have some cine of it.

Good luck to the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway – let’s get to Louth.

Peter Palow, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

North Thoresby in the day when it was part of the East Lincolnshire Coast Line, looking towards Grimsby. It has been revived as part of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. LWRS/A. LUDLAM COLLECTION.