2. Railways

March/Peterborough to Spalding

The March to Spalding line closed on 27th November 1982. It was always an interesting line for the enthusiast especially on Summer Saturdays with hauled trains from the Midlands to/from Great Yarmouth and during the Spalding Flower Festival. Here are a few shots of the line in it's final years.

"Memories of the Spalding to March line" A video of the line from 1982, just prior to closure, by John Honner, produced by Roy Harrison.
https://youtu.be/hsxmEO6xAcw

"Rediscovering the March to Spalding Line" A survey of the line in 2018, thirty six years after closure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRaRhdrkmQc
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Excellent shot of Inkerson Fen Crossing, south of French Drove during track removal, after the line closed. View facing north. French Drove signal box can just about be made out in the distance. Looks like the crossing gates have already been removed.<br /> <br /> I love this photo. Although it's a sad view, in respect of the line closing, Mark's shot really characterises the landscape that the joint line passed through. A scene of flat fields, wide skies and isolated communities with remote roads and droveways criss crossing the line. It is also symbolic not only of the passing of a railway line, with the track being lifted ; but also the passing of a way of life. The isolated crossing house and hut with the crossing keeper probably helped by his wife; working long shifts. A time unfortunately now nearly gone for ever. Much more interesting and photogenic than an A.H.B.<br /> <br /> Photo with kind permission of Mark Brammer.
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Excellent shot of Inkerson Fen Crossing, south of French Drove during track removal, after the line closed. View facing north. French Drove signal box can just about be made out in the distance. Looks like the crossing gates have already been removed.

I love this photo. Although it's a sad view, in respect of the line closing, Mark's shot really characterises the landscape that the joint line passed through. A scene of flat fields, wide skies and isolated communities with remote roads and droveways criss crossing the line. It is also symbolic not only of the passing of a railway line, with the track being lifted ; but also the passing of a way of life. The isolated crossing house and hut with the crossing keeper probably helped by his wife; working long shifts. A time unfortunately now nearly gone for ever. Much more interesting and photogenic than an A.H.B.

Photo with kind permission of Mark Brammer.

inkersonfen

  • Excellent shot of Inkerson Fen Crossing, south of French Drove during track removal, after the line closed. View facing north. French Drove signal box can just about be made out in the distance. Looks like the crossing gates have already been removed.<br /> <br /> I love this photo. Although it's a sad view, in respect of the line closing, Mark's shot really characterises the landscape that the joint line passed through. A scene of flat fields, wide skies and isolated communities with remote roads and droveways criss crossing the line. It is also symbolic not only of the passing of a railway line, with the track being lifted ; but also the passing of a way of life. The isolated crossing house and hut with the crossing keeper probably helped by his wife; working long shifts. A time unfortunately now nearly gone for ever. Much more interesting and photogenic than an A.H.B.<br /> <br /> Photo with kind permission of Mark Brammer.
  • Inkerson Fen Crossing with a class 31 approaching southbound from the French Drove direction.<br /> <br /> Photo with kind permission of Mark Brammer.
  • 47094 passes French Drove and Gedney Hill with empty Western Region coaching stock from the Spalding Flower Festival on a rather wet 9th May 1981. In the background can be seen the Up and Down goods loop signals.
  • French Drove and Gedney Hill in May 2018. The signal box has been preserved and nicely restored as a private dwelling. The scene is in stark contrast to my visit here in 1981, previous photo, but at least the box still exists. Image with kind permission of Emma Romaine.
  • French Drove Down Goods Loop split signals. May 1982
  • French Drove, facing March showing the Up and Down goods loop split signals. The Up loop exit signal is to the extreme left. The signal box and station can be seen in the background.<br /> <br /> Image with kind permission of Mark Brammer.
  • French Drove, view from the signal box after closure. Image with kind permission of Norman Pannell
  • French Drove station buildings after closure. Image with kind permission of Norman Pannell.
  • View from Postland Signal Box towards Spalding. September 1982
  • Postland Signal Box
  • Postland
  • Postland box. May 2018. Image with kind permission of Emma Romaine.
  • Postland
  • Postland September 1982
  • Postland facing Spalding. May2018. Image with kind permission of Emma Romaine.
  • Postland. September 1982
  • Cowbit Signal Box. September 1982
  • Two months before closure a Doncaster to Cambridge dmu passes Cowbit Box. September 1982
  • Cowbit, station house. May 2018. Image with kind permission of Emma Romaine.
  • Cowbit goods shed. May 2018. Image with kind permission of Emma Romaine
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