Newark Castle Station celebrates 175th anniversary of Castle Line

A party on the platform at Newark Castle Station celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Castle Line.

The line, which runs between Nottingham and Lincoln through towns and villages alongside the River Trent, opened on August 4, 1846, as a 33-mile extension to the Derby to Nottingham route.

At Newark, the anniversary was marked on the platform with live music and re-enactors. Many members of the public also dressed up for the occasion.

David Moore, trustee of Lowdham Railway Heritage, helped to organise the day’s events.

He said: “It’s a great anniversary to celebrate, and information boards are now at the station for the anniversary.”

Kaye Robinson, East Midlands Railway community ambassador, organised the volunteers and made sure the new information boards and bunting were put up for the occasion.

The celebrations were spread out across the line, set in Newark all morning, followed by Lincoln, then back to Newark, and finished the day at Lowdham.

Old-fashioned sweets and chocolates had also been made to give out to passengers on the train.

Providing the live music was Nottingham singer Jane Darling, who said: “I think it’s fantastic. What a joyful event, and the sun’s out shining.”

Sharon Taylor, of Grantham, was one of many visitors dancing along to the music and showing off their era-appropriate dance moves.

She said: “I’m loving it. My favourite part is the dressing up, the music and the dancing, even though I only know one.”

Many Newark Steampunk Society members also attended, including Jeff and Parvin Mannering, from Hougham, and Tina Gibson, from Grantham.

Jeff said: “It has been a fantastic day with more people than I thought, it’s been great.”

Parvin said: “We were there to create an atmosphere of celebration through the ages and to mingle with the public and officials alike, ensuring a celebratory day for the railway.

“The station at Lincoln invited the 1940s re-enactors and entertainment to perform and Newark had the Victorian theme which embraces the Steampunk movement.”

Kaye Robinson said: “We were delighted to mark this anniversary and highlight the history of the Castle Line, as well as promote all the hidden gems that the route connects.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped us organise all the events, especially our station adopters who gave up many hours to make the week possible.

“I would also like to say a special thanks to Friends of Burton Joyce and Lowdham, as they were very much the catalyst for the celebrations and also thank you to David Moore who lovingly restored the signal box.”