Spilsby branch

The passenger service was withdrawn as an economy measure on the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and never reinstated, and the line closed completely in 1958.

[1][2][3] The new company had difficulty in raising its £25,000 authorised share capital, and the building of the short line of 4 miles and 14 chains was delayed.

[2] The Great Northern Railway had to provide direct financial support of £250 annually to keep the line going, but the agricultural depression of the 1880s pushed the line under, and there remained no option but to sell to the GNR; this took effect on 1 January 1891, by Act of 25 July 1890;[5] the purchase price was £28,000.

[note 2][6] The line was generally level, but the last three-quarters of a mile to Spilsby climbed at 1 in 66, placing a limitation on the loading of locomotives.

The branch closed completely after the passage of the last train on 30 November 1958; the bridge over the Steeping River would have needed reconstruction, and the income on the line could hardly bear the cost.