THE NORTH LINDSEY LIGHT RAILWAY
The main reasion for the construction of this branch was to exploit the iron ore reserves to the north of Scunthorpe. Being built by the Great Central railway, the first section from Scunthorpe to West Halton was opened in September 1906. It was extended another 2½ miles to Winteringham on July 15th, 1907, where a short line was constructed to the bank of the Humber where it linked with a cargo ferry to Hull. The final stage saw the line extended to Whitton which was opened on December 1st, 1910, where it also connected with a packet sailing between Gainsborough and Hull which operated three days per week. There were plans to link the line with the Fockerby branch on the other side of the Trent but these came to nothing. Passenger traffic was light and ceased on July 13th, 1925. Freight continued for some time after, the West Halton to Whitton section closing to all traffic on October 11th, 1951, a section of this in later years being used for wagon storage. Most of the remainder disappeared in the early 1960's although a short stretch near Scunthorpe remains open today as part of a freight route to Filxborough.
A map which shows the route if the N.L.L.R.
A 1922 timetable for the N.L.L.R.
First passenger train on the North Lindsey Light Railway (Scunthorpe
to Winterton) in 1906.
(Humberside Libraries)
Winterton box in 1963
(Photo : J. Jennison)
K1 2-6-0 62035 with a brakevan enthusiasts special at Winterton and Thealby; 21.4.63
(Photo : LEYTR archives)
A similar view of 62035
(Photo : LEYTR archives)
Iron Ore train at Winterton on its way to Crosby
(Photo : J. Jennison)