History
The CCLR began as the ''Cleethorpes Miniature Railway'' in 1948, and ran for a distance of near the sea front in Cleethorpes. The line was relocated and extended the following year, and between 1949 and 1971 ran southwards for from ''Cleethorpes Town'' to ''Thrunscoe'' (near the current ''Discovery Halt''). The line was extended at both ends in 1972: the northern terminus was relocated slightly closer to the town centre, while at its southern end it now ran as far as the Zoo. It became the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway when it was privatised in 1991, and the new company renamed the termini ''Kingsway'' and ''Witts End''. ''Witts End'' (located at zoo, which by this time had closed to visitors) was abandoned in 1994, and a new southern terminus was built at ''Meridian'' (now ''Lakeside''). A new extension from ''Lakeside'' to ''Humberston North Sea Lane'' was opened in 2007, lengthening the railway from to . In the 1960s, the line used battery locomotives. On being regauged in the 1970s, two Rio Grande steam outline locomotives built by Severn Lamb were used. Since being taken into private ownership, a variety of steam and diesel locomotives have been used, followed by petrol-driven engines with a steam outline, though genuine steam locomotives are now in operation. A National Lottery grant enabled the railways supporter association to acquirePresent operations
Trains run from Cleethorpes Kingsway station, next to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, over a viaduct and along the sea wall, turning SSW to run past the sheds to the intermediate main station named Lakeside. The track will continue south-east to a station named Humberston, close to the Meridian Line car park, and the mouth of the Buck Beck. The Humberston section of the line has been closed to the public since the 2019 running season due to level crossing upgrades.Stations
*Cleethorpes Kingsway: Original station dismantled in 1998 and the current station built and opened in 1999 with a viaduct over the boating lake on way into the station. Station building houses a gift shop. *Discovery Halt: No longer in use, but platform exists, accessed by means of footpath alongside. *Lakeside: The main terminus with engine sheds and workshops, passing loop and on the platforms a cafe, multi-function space and the Signal Box Inn 'The Smallest Pub on the Planet'. *Humberston: Opened in 2007, features a signal box. (currently closed to the public)Operations
There is only one operational timetable for the 2022 season. The first train departs Lakeside Station at 10:30 and runs every thirty minutes between Lakeside and Kingsway Station. Special timetables are put in place on special event days and busy periods throughout the season. The railway owns two steam locomotives and five internal combustion locomotives. Passenger rolling stock consists of eight fully enclosed bogie carriages, one articulated set and two open top carriages.Steam locomotives
Locomotives which have worked on the railway but have since left are listed inDiesel locomotives
Rolling stock
References
Sources
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*External links