Hello again! Today, I will be proposing the Lincolnshire Loop Line with the Horncastle Branch line included, totalling around 65 miles.This will be set in 1960. Please note: Sections between Lincoln-Boston and Boston-Spalding closed during the Beeching Cuts. The Line The Lincolnshire Loop The Lincolnshire Loop line is a 58 mile line stretching from Gainsborough Lea Road in the North to Peterborough in the south. This route doesn't, however, follow the track still used by trains today, instead diverging at Lincoln and hugging the River Witham until Woodhall Junction, where it leaves the banks of the Witham and leaves it behind, until Dogdyke, where it meets the Witham again Then we reach Boston, an Industrial Town which is where that city in Massachusetts is named after. This is also where the line leaves the Witham for good. It then heads through the villages of Sutterton, Algerkirk, Kirton and Surfleet where it then joins the Lincoln-Peterborough via Sleaford line at Spalding. It then heads down this line toward Peterborough. Horncastle Branch Line This 7 mile branch line diverts off at the aptly named 'Woodhall Junction' heading toward Horncastle via Woodhall Spa. I feel this should be added to add service variety. (Passenger services ended in 1954 but Goods services carried on until 1971 but it wouldn't hurt to have a fictional timetable for this line with the Craven DMUs running up and down the line.) Stations featured on the Loop Line and Horncastle Line (Stations Highlighted in Bold are still open) Gainsborough Lea Road Stow Park Saxilby Lincoln Central Five Mile House Bardney Southrey Stixwould Woodhall Junction (Change for Horncastle Line, shown in brackets.) (Woodhall Spa) (Horncastle) Tattershall Dogdyke Langrick Boston Kirton Sutterton & Algarkirk Surfleet Spalding (This station had 7 platforms during this time) Littleworth Deeping St James Peakirk Peterborough Rolling Stock BR Class 105 'Cravens' DMU (There were freight workings and steamers working up and down the line but I couldn't find out what they were, so please feel free to suggest any locos or DMUs that you feel could work on this line. Keep in mind it would have to have been built prior to 1960, thanks) Landscape and Important places Just as a warning pretty much the entire county of Lincolnshire is flat, full of fields and can seem boring to many but don't go anywhere yet! As there are some good features that might cater to you. Holmes Yard- Lincoln. This is located on the approach to Lincoln from Gainsborough and is used to drop off Goods such as Coal and other materials. Also, a GNR engine shed is found here and there are lots of sidings in case the shunting fanatics feel like moving coal wagons around! St Botolph's Church- Boston. Its huge tower can be seen on the approach to Boston from Langrick, poking out from behind some houses and across the river. Boston Docks Branch Line- I had completely forgot about this! A line that heads over a swing bridge toward the docks, providing some sidings to park some trains and even shunt around ready for the next ship to transport materials across Europe. Spalding Goods Yard- A small goods yard with some sidings and a goods shed to provide shunting activities. Scenario Ideas A tree is blocking the line at Woodhall Junction. Send a train from Tattershall goods shed to help out. A train has brought in goods to Boston Docks, shunt these in preparation for loading the boats. Attach some Coal wagons at Boston Docks and drive to Lincoln Holmes yard to drop them off Drive this Class 105 for a trip between Boston and Horncastle. Be warned as there is another stopper in front of you. What I would like to see used in Scenario Planner At least some of the sidings at Lincoln Holmes Yard All 3 Platforms at Woodhall Junction Boston Docks Some of the Goods sheds at stations And Obviously all of the stations! Pictures A Steam train crossing the Boston Docks Swing Bridge. Lincoln Central Station A diagram of Homes Yard in Lincoln Bardney Station Thank you for reading this long winded proposal and please leave any thoughts below. Oh, and please answer the poll and put why you thought what you have voted below.
