Dates of operation 1913–1970 Locale England | Length 15 mi (24 km) | |
Successor British Rail (Eastern Region) Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) | ||
The Kirkstead and Little Steeping Railway, locally known as the New Line, was a railway line linking the East Lincolnshire Railway to the Lincoln to Boston railway through the Lincolnshire Fens in Lincolnshire, England. It was opened in 1913 by the Great Northern Railway (GNR).
The land used for the line was generally flat so there were no engineering difficulties and only three roads required the provision of bridges. Opened as a Light Railway, in the beginning a 25 mph speed restriction was imposed by the Board of Trade, but this was later increased to 50 mph for most of the route.
Although laid as double track, one line was lifted in 1916 to provide materials for use in France. Although the track was lifted it was not used for the War Effort as the vessel carrying it was sunk in the English Channel. The missing track was restored in 1923.
The line was closed on 5 October 1970, after 57 years of operation.
After closure
The line left the Lincoln to Boston line at Woodhall Junction railway station. Since closure in 1970, the whole route has largely returned to nature and farmland.