“Cleethorpes”:http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/place/146693-review-cleethorpes is an old fashioned and, in many ways, traditional sea side holiday resort with a pier and donkey rides on the beach in the summer. It also has a a 15” gauge steam railway which runs for a couple of miles along the Humber estuary.
There is something special about the smell and sound of steam engines and this is no exception. The line was built in 1948 as a tourist attraction and is a reminder of childhood holidays at the sea side. It is still enjoyed by oldies and also by young Thomas the Tank engine fans.
The line runs from Kingsway Station by the leisure centre to Humberston North Sea Lane, which is close to Pleasure Island. Taking about 50 minutes for the return journey, it is a gentle ride. There are no gradients, so the locos don’t have to work hard, although they clickety clack over the short sections of track. The track runs past the fishing and boating lakes, the Discovery Centre and loco shed to Lakeside Station. There aren’t many views along this stretch as there is a grassy bank separating the track from the lakes and sea buckthorn scrub on the seaward side. Footpaths lead down to the beach.
Beyond Lakeside, the track runs along the Humber estuary with the remains of old sand dunes inland and salt marsh towards the sea, ending at Humberston North Sea Lane. There is access to the coast with views across the estuary, often busy with shipping.
There is a ten minute stop at Lakeside for the steam loco to take on water. This gives time for a quick visit to the Signal Box Inn, described as ‘the smallest pub in the world’. For those wanting to get of, there is a cafe here as well as a small museum which is open during the summer months. The only toilets are here.
Drinks and snacks are also available at Kingsway station which has a small shop as well as a Thomas the Tank engine for the children.
The railway is child friendly and everything is child size from the diminutive signal boxes and locos to the carriages. There is a choice of open wagons (make sure you have a sweater as the wind can be cold) or open sided, roofed coaches. These are very low with a shallow step and can present problems for the less mobile. The railway does have one open coach which can take wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Staff are excellent and very helpful. Children are encouraged to sit in the loco and pull the whistle at Kingsway before it runs round the train ready for the next service. They also cater for Children’s birthday parties and offer the chance to drive a loco experience.
When we visited a return ticket was £4 for adults and £3.50 for children with a family ticket £12. The railway was running a 30 minute service using two sets which passed just before Lakeside station. There is parking near all of the stations.
This is a gentle ride but is great fun as the engine whistles its was along the line and over level crossings. There is chance to wave to people walking along the footpath which runs alongside much of the track. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
“Website”:http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk/
