Nodes

Bedfordshire Link

Cambridge & Huntingdon Link

Derbyshire Link

Hertfordshire & Essex borders Link

Leicestershire & Rutland Link

Lincolnshire Link

Nottinghamshire Link

Yorkshire South Link

Yorkshire West Link

Great Northern Railway

1 London to Peterborough

1.1 Main Line

Kings Cross terminus - KX (Maiden Lane)

Maiden Lane - Finsbury Park
Great Northern Railway
7/8/1850 - line opened
open current

Finsbury Park - Hatfield
Great Northern Railway
7/8/1850 - line opened
open current
Original GNR line used easter Hadley Wood and Potters Bar tunnels

Hatfield - Hitchin, GN sta
7/8/1850 - line opened
open current

Hitchin, GN sta - Sandy, GN sta

Sandy, GN sta - Huntingdon, GN sta

Huntingdon, GN sta - Peterborough, GN sta

1.2 London Area

Moorgate & North London

Barnet & Edgware Branches

Finsbury Park - Finchley

Enfield & Hertford Loop

Wood Green Up Jn - Bowes Park sta

Bowes Park sta - Enfield Jn

Enfield Jn - Enfield Goods
converted to goods 4/04/1910

Enfield Jn - Enfield Chase sta

Enfield Chase sta - Cuffley 1910 limit

Cuffley 1910 limit - Hertford Link N Jn
auth 1865, renewed 1898
4/3/1918 - line opened, goods & occasionaldiverted pass
24/12/1920 - line doubled
2/6/1924 - pass & full service, LNER
inc Ponsbourne Tunnel 2864yd, longest on GNR

Hertford Link N Jn - Hertford N sta
auth 1865, renewed 1898
4/3/1918 - line opened, goods & occasionaldiverted pass
24/12/1920 - line doubled
2/6/1924 - pass & full service, LNER

Hertford N sta - Langley Jn
auth 1865, renewed 1898
4/3/1918 - line opened, goods & occasionaldiverted pass
24/12/1920 - line doubled
2/6/1924 - pass & full service, LNER

Stevenage Down Side

1.3 Hatfield Branches

St Albans Branch
Hatfield & St Albans Railway Ha&StA
As with Dunstable, St Albans got a pair of east-west branches off LNWR and GNR and a shared station, in an area there was not yet a north-south route into London. The Midland’s London Extension obviated most of the demand.
30/6/1862 Ha&StA authorised, Hatfield – St Albans 25&26 Vict 86
16/10/1865 Ha&StA opened, Hatfield – St Albans; pass service as far as London Road (GNR sta)
1/2/1866 @ Smallford
1/11/1866 pass service extended to St Albans Abbey (LNWR sta)
1/8/1899 @ Hill End (unofficially, since /3/1899)
1/8/1942 @ Lemsford Rd, for use of aircraft factory workers
1/10/1951 pass service withdrawn
5/10/1964 closed goods, Butterwick – St Albans; residual banana traffic to Butterwick siding
31/12/1968 closed final, Hatfield – Butterwick
Refs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield_and_St_Albans_Railway
Wrottesley vol I, ch 10 ; vol 2, ch 7

Hatfield, St Albans Line Jn - Butterwick, line limit
GNR (Ha&StA)
30/6/1862 - Ha&StA authorised - 25&26 Vict 86
1/11/1883 - Ha&StA absorbed by GNR - 46&47 Vict 175
1/10/1951 - pass service withdrawn
31/12/1968 - closed final

Butterwick, line limit - St Albans GN sta
GNR (Ha&StA)
30/6/1862 - Ha&StA authorised - 25&26 Vict 86
1/11/1883 - Ha&StA absorbed by GNR - 46&47 Vict 175
1/10/1951 - pass service withdrawn
5/10/1964 - closed final

St Albans GN sta - St Albans Jn
GNR (Ha&StA)
30/6/1862 - Ha&StA authorised - 25&26 Vict 86
16/10/1865 - line opened goods
1/11/1866 - pass service
1/11/1883 - Ha&StA absorbed by GNR - 46&47 Vict 175
1/10/1951 - pass service withdrawn
5/10/1964 - closed final

Hertford Branch
Hertford & Welwyn Junction Railway H&WJn
Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Railway HL&D
The H&WJn built a branch off the GNR main line to meet the ECR at Hertford. It merged with the LD&W on the other side of the line and was later taken over by the GNR. Services were diverted to the new Hertford North sta in the 1920s. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1951 and the line closed completely piecewise from the 1960s.
3/7/1854 H&WJn auth, Welwyn – Hertford 17&18 Vict 127
1/3/1858 H&WJn opened, Welwyn – Hertford (ECR); jointly worked jointly by GNR+ECR; @ Welwyn Jn, Hertford Cowbridge
28/6/1858 H&WJn merged into HL&D 21&22 Vict 74
/12/1858 @ Cole Geen, Hertingfordbury
29/5/1859 HL&D auth, capital raising 22&23 Vict 33
1/10/1860 Welwyn Junction sta closed
16/6/1861 HL&D absorbed by GNR 24&25 Vict 70
3/7/1876 line extended from Welwn back to Hatfield & Welwyn Jn abolished
8/4/1905 short-lived stas @ Attimore Hall, Hatfield Hyde
2/6/1924 services transferred to Hertford N; means of connection uncertain
20/9/1926 pemanent sta @ Welwyn GC
18/6/1951 pass service withdrawn, Welwyn GC – Hertford N
18/4/1966 general goods service withdrawn; residual service to Attimore factory sidings
23/5/1966 line closed, Attimore sidings – Hertford E
12/11/1981 line closed, Welwyn – Attimore Sdg
Refs:
Wrottesley vol I, ch 7

Welwyn, Hertford Line (1858) Jn - Attimore Hall
GNR (Hertford & Welwyn Jn)
1/3/1858 - opened (joint GN + EC)
12/6/1861 - absobed by GN
18/4/1966 - general goods service withdrawn; residual service to factory sidings

Attimore Hall - Hertford Link S Jn
GNR (Hertford & Welwyn Jn)
1/3/1858 - opened (joint GN + EC)
12/6/1861 - absobed by GN
18/4/1966 - general goods service withdrawn
23/5/1966 - line closed

Hertford Link S Jn - Hertford, Cowbridge sta
GNR (Hertford & Welwyn Jn)
1/3/1858 - opened (joint GN + EC)
12/6/1861 - absobed by GN
2/6/1924 - pass service transferred to Hertford N
18/4/1966 - general goods service withdrawn
23/5/1966 - line closed

Hertford, Cowbridge sta - Hertford Jn
2/6/1924 - pass service transferred to Hertford N
18/4/1966 - general goods service withdrawn
23/5/1966 - line closed
55ch by RCH maps

Hertford Link, South - Centre Jn
LNER
24/12/1920 - opened, wh Hertford Loop doubled?
2/6/1924 - opened pass?
Southern connection between old and new GN lines at Hertford.
Wrottesley [vol II p202] states were connections between the two GNR lines at Hertford both north and south of the new Hertford North station. There was certainly one from the new line toward Cowbridge south of the station, possibly opened w duplication in 1920, but it seems to have been little used. North of the station looks geographically unlikely. I can find no map, documentary or photographic evidence of a southern transfer line from Hatfield toward Hertford North sta, though there are hints on OS maps from 1922. [Wrot vol III p146] suggests this might have been a transfer line during construction.
Cowbridge station closed in 1924, so where did trains from Hatfield stop in Hertford? There is no evidence of a bay platform at Hertford N, or of a transfer into the main platforms. Maybe this transfer chord did exist.

Hertford Link, Centre - North Jn
24/12/1920 - opened goods, wh Hertford Loop doubled?
Southern connection between old and new GN lines at Hertford.
Wrottesley [vol II p202] states were connections between the two GNR lines at Hertford both north and south of the new Hertford North station. There was certainly one from the new line toward Cowbridge south of the station, possibly opened w duplication in 1920, but it seems to have been little used. North of the station looks geographically unlikely. I can find no map, documentary or photographic evidence of a southern transfer line from Hatfield toward Hertford North sta, though there are hints on OS maps from 1922. [Wrot vol III p146] suggests this might have been a transfer line during construction.

Hertford Basin Branch

Horns Mill Branch

Luton & Dunstable Branch
Luton, Dunstable & Welwyn Junction Railway LD&W
Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Railway HL&D
Dunstable was never on anybody’s main line, but had a shared station at the end of two branches, from the GNR (HL&D) at Welwyn via Luton, and the from LNWR at Leighton Buzzard. It was the LNWR who operated the initial service to Luton, where the railway terminated, the first in the town. Like the Hertford branch, the junction was later moved back to Welwyn.
The Dunstable was the last of the Hatfield branches to retain a passenger service, up to 1965. The last section to close, from Luton to Dunstable, is now a guided busway.
16/7/1855 LD&W auth, Welwyn – Luton – Dunstable 18&19 Vict 146
7/7/1856 LD&W, revised jn w LNWR @ Watling St, Dunstable 19&20 Vict 69
5/4/1858 LD&W opened goods, Luton – Dunstable, single track, op by LNWR
3/5/1858 LD&W opened pass, Luton – Dunstable, op by LNWR; @ Luton (1st railway in town)
28/6/1858 LD&W merged into HL&D 21&22 Vict 74
29/5/1859 HL&D auth, ext of time 22&23 Vict 33
1/9/1860 LD&W opened, Welwyn – Luton; whole line op by GNR; LNWR running rights from Luton; @ Wheathampstead, Harpenden, Luton Hoo
16/6/1861 HL&D absorbed by GNR 24&25 Vict 70
/3/1869 line extended from Welwyn back to Hatfield; Welwyn Jn abolished
11/5/1891 GNR auth, dupl of Luton – Dunstable 54&55 Vict 19
10/9/1899 line doubled, Luton – Dunstable; rest of line remained single
14/8/1920 temp sta @ Welwyn GC; plat on Dunstable line only
20/9/1926 pemanent sta @ Welwyn GC
26/4/1965 pass service withdrawn, Welwyn – Dunstable
/11/1965 access to Dunstable via new chord off Mid line @ Luton
26/6/1967 line closed, Blackbridge – Luton S; residual cement traffic to Dunstable and rubbish to Blackbridge
24/5/1971 line closed, Welwyn – Blackbridge
//1989 line closed, Luton S – Dunstable
Refs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunstable_Branch_Lines
Wrottesley vol I, ch 7

Welwyn, Dunstable Line Jn - Blackbridge Sidings
GNR (Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Rly)
16/6/1861 - HL&D absorbed by GNR - 24&25 Vict 70
26/6/1967 line closed

Blackbridge Sidings - Luton, E limit (1967)
GNR (Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Rly)
16/6/1861 - HL&D absorbed by GNR - 24&25 Vict 70
24/5/1971 - line closed, Welwyn – Blackbridge

Luton, E limit (1967) - Luton, Bute St sta
GNR (Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Rly)
16/6/1861 - HL&D absorbed by GNR - 24&25 Vict 70
/11/1965 - access to Dunstable via new chord off Mid line @ Luton
//1989 - line closed

Luton, Bute St sta - Dunstable, Church St sta
5/4/1858 - line opened goods; op by LNWR
3/5/1858 - line opened pass
1/9/1860 - op by GNR on opening thru to Welwyn; LNWR op rights
1/12/1860 - Dunstable Church St sta opened
//1989 - line closed

Dunstable, Church St sta - Cement Works Jn
5/4/1858 - line opened goods; op by LNWR
3/5/1858 - line opened pass
1/9/1860 - op by GNR on opening thru to Welwyn; LNWR op rights
1/12/1860 - Dunstable Church St sta opened
//1989 - line closed

Dunstable, Cement Works Jn - property bdy
7/7/1856 LD&W, revised jn w LNWR @ Watling St, Dunstable - 19&20 Vict 69
5/4/1858 - line opened goods; op by LNWR
3/5/1858 - line opened pass
1/9/1860 - op by GNR on opening thru to Welwyn; LNWR op rights
1/12/1860 - Dunstable Church St sta opened
26/4/1965 pass service withdrawn & Dunstable North closed pass
9/10/1967 Dunstable closed gen goods
23/3/1969 line closed

Dunstable, GN goods jn - GN goods sta
Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Rly
coal yard
12ch, by RCH maps

Dunstable Cement Works Branch

Untitled Path

Welwyn & Hatfield

Hatfield, St Albans Line plat - St Albans Line Jn
GNR

Hatfield - Welwyn, Dunstable Line Jn
/3/1868 Later incorporated into Main Line Down Sub
From 1887 there were six tracks between Hatfield and Welwyn.
From west to east: Dunstable, Down Goods, Down Main, Up Main, Up Goods, Hertford
As far as I can gather there was never a junction between the Dunstable and Hertford branches and the slow lines at Welwyn, although the new Welwyn GC station had platforms.
I have traced the Dunstable branch across along the Down Goods and the Hertford branch along the Up Goods, talothough this is technically incorrect. 2mi59ch [Wrot II, p67]

Hatfield - Welwyn, Hertford side
Parallel to main line for 300yd [Wrot I, p125]

Hatfield - Welwyn, Hertford side
GNR
Parallel to the Main Line in the east side. In fact the Hertford line was slightly to the east of the Up Sub, but I have used the Up Sub for tracing.

Down Side Slow

Up Side Slow

A1.4 Hitchin to Cambridge

Hitchin - Royston
Royston & Hitchin Rly
1/4/1852 - leased to ECR (later GER)
1/4/1866 - lease expired, operated by GNR

Royston - Shepreth
Great Northern Railway (Royston & Hitchin)
3/8/1851 - opened (some sources say 1/8/1851)
1/4/1852 -ECR line to Camb opened; R&H subleased to ECR (later GER)
1/4/1866 - ECR sublease expired, operated by GNR

Shepreth sta - property bdy
Great Northern Railway (Royston & Hitchin)
No physical connection at Shepreth till Feb 1852
Subleased to ECR 2/1852 - 4/1866
11ch by RCH maps

A1.5 Fenland

Huntingdon, S Jn - Joint sta
There were two curves here, on almost identical alignments but temporally separated by 30yrs.
(i) EA line from Gogmanchester Jn to St Ives, 1851-62
(ii)GN+GE line, from 1/5/1883
,
curve is almost identical to the former EA line to St Ives 1851-62.

Ramsey Branch
Ramsey Railway Ram
There were two stub branches to the isolated fenland town. The Ramsey Railway left the GNR main line at Holme. After a decade of benign operation it was purchased by the Great Eastern as part of a planned connection from Somersham, That never happened, so it was leased back to the GNR.
22/7/1861 Ram auth, Holme – Ramsey 24&25 Vict 70
22/7/1863 Ram opened, Holme – Ramsey, op by GNR; @ St Marys, Ramsey
1/7/1875 Ram purchased by GER and leased to GNR 38&39 Vict 110 29/6/1875
1/7/1917 lease renewed
6/10/1947 pass service withdrawn
2/10/1970 line closed
Wrottesley, vol I, 2144; vol II p25; vol III, pp55,141

Holme - Ramsey
GER / GNR (Ramsey Railway)
22/7/1863 line opened, op by GNRy
1/7/1875 Ram purchased by GER and leased to GNR
6/10/1947 pass service withdrawn

2 Peterborough to Doncaster

Towns Line
The railway between Peterborough and Doncaster, known as the Towns Line, was in the original GNR Act, and was the last major part to open, creating the East Coast Main Line of today.
26/6/1846 – GNR authorised, London – Peterborough – Doncaster – York – 9&10 Vict 71
22/7/1847 – GNR auth, dev to run alongside Mid btw Pboro & Helpston; temp jn @ Walton – 10&11 Vict 287
6/6/1849 – line opened, Arksey – Askern Jn, to connect w L&Y
5/8/1849 – line opened, Doncaster – Arksey
4/9/1849 – line opened, Retford – Doncaster, inc curve to MS&L @ Retford
6/6/1850 – independent line from Askern to York abandoned
7/8/1850 – line opened, Peterborough – Werrington, in conjunction w Main Line from London;
connection made w Lincs Loop and Walton chord w Midland removed
15/7/1852 – line opened goods, Werrington Jn – Retford
1/8/1852 – line opened pass, Werrington Jn – Retford; also connection to Ambergate line @ Grantham
2/2/1871 – NER opened Askern (Shaftholme Jn) – Selby – York (Chaloner’s Whin Jn)
line open current
Wrottesley, vol I, chs 2, 4

Peterborough Stn - Peterborough, Werrington Jn

Peterborough, Werrington Jn - Grantham sta
22/7/1847 - auth, dev to run alongside Mid btw Pboro & Helpston - 10&11 Vict 287
15/7/1852 - line opened goods
line open current

Grantham sta - Newark sta
15/7/1852 - line opened goods
line open current

Newark sta - Retford sta

Retford sta - Doncaster sta

Doncaster - Arksey

Arksey - Shaftholme Jn
5/6/1849 - line opened formal
6/6/1849 - line opened formal
The first GNR line in service: from temp terminus on Bentley Rd, Arksey, originally known as Stockbridge, to end jn with L&Y @ Askern Jn.

Shaftholme Jn - Askern Jn
5/6/1849 - line opened formal
Wrottesley quotes a chainage of 2mi45ch dist from Bentley Rd Arksey to Askern Jn. The exact location of Askern Jn is unclear. Arksey to Askern is about 2mi14ch, so that quote would put Askern Jn 30ch N of Shaftholme. RCH maps put the distance btw Shaftholme and Askern Jns considerably shorter at 10ch. I have picked an intermediate point around 15ch N of Shaftholme.

3 East Midlands

Ambergate lines
Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston & Eastern Junction Railway Amb
Nottingham & Grantham Railway & Canal N&G
This line was promoted by independent interests from the East Midlands to the port at Boston. The unwieldy name was invariably shortened to the ‘Ambergate’, a place it never reached, nor Boston, for another 20 years. There was a contest between the GNR and Mid for control, with the GNR winning out following the ‘Battle of Nottingham’, furnishing lucrative access to the East Midlands coalfields.
16/7/1846 – Amb auth, Ambergate (Mid) – Nottingham – Grantham – Spalding – Boston – 9&10 Vict 155
2/7/1847 – Amb auth, connection to GNR @ Grantham – 10&11 Vict 78
15/7/1850 – Amb opened, Grantham canal - Colwick, Mid Jn
15/7/1852 – connection into Grantham, on opening of GNR Towns Line
2/8/1852 – 1st GNR train into Nottingham: Battle of Nottingham
3/7/1854 – Amb auth, extension into Nottingham and separate station – 17&18 Vict 138
24/7/1854 – Amb auth, reduction in capital. Abandonment of Derby and Boston parts? – 17&18 Vict 171
3/10/1857 independent access from Carlton to Nottingham, London Road
15/5/1860 – Ambergate renamed Nottingham and Grantham Railway and Canal Company – 23&24 Vict 36
23/8/1875 – 1st lines into Derbys coalfield from Colwick Jn
29/10/1875 – Allington chord opened, connection Ambergate and Boston lines
1/1/1923 – No&Gr merged into LNER
Wrottesley, vol I, ch 2

Grantham, Canal Basin Jn - Colwick, Rectory Jn
Great Northern Railway (Ambergate)
15/7/1850 – line opened

Grantham, Canal Basin branch
Great Northern Railway (Ambergate)
15/7/1850 – line opened
2/8/1852 - pass services diverted to Grantham GNR sta; goods only henceforth

Colwick, Rectory Jn - Colwick W Jn
Great Northern Railway (Ambergate)
15/7/1850 – line opened

Colwick W Jn - Carlton (GN) Jn
Through Netherfield & Colwick sta

Carlton (GN) Jn - Carlton (Midland) Jn
3/10/1857 - closed, wh GNR gained indep access to Nottm
//1964 - reopened
This is the original 1950 route (approx) of the Ambergate railway to the junction with the Midland Nottingham - Lincoln line. It seems to have been taken out shortly after the Ambergate / GN built their own route to Nottingham London Road, and reinstated in BR days when the London Road route was closed.

Carlton (GN) deviation - Nottingham, Trent Lane W Jn
3/7/1854 – Amb auth, extension into Nottingham and separate station – 17&18 Vict 138
Cannot find most of the path. From old maps, it appears to run v close to the south of the Midland line from Carlton to the racecourse.

Nottingham, Trent Lane W Jn - Nottingham, London Road LL
3/7/1854 – Amb auth, extension into Nottingham and separate station – 17&18 Vict 138

Grantham, Nottingham Jine Plat - Canal Basin Jn

Grantham, Nottingham Line Crossover
This was the reverse crossover where the Down Scotch night mail crashed in 1906.

Leicestershire lines

GNR

Leicester Belgrave Rd - Marefield W Jn

Marefield S Jn - Marefield W Jn

Marefield W Jn - Marefield N Jn

Bottesford W - Bottesford N

Bottesford N Jn - Newark

Peterborough, Fletton Jn - Peterborough, Longville Jn
opened perm 2/7/1883

Humberstone Rd Curve
opened ca 1883.
Purchased by GNR from Mid 1884.
No regular traffic, and junction at Mid end closed 8/6/1908.

Mineral branches

Waltham 1

Waltham 2

Waltham 3

Derbyshire and Staffordshire

Colwick, Rectory Jn - Colwick N Jn
The running lines through Colwick were reconstructed and realigned may times as the sidings were extended. This is one possible alignment, see
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101603277

Colwick W Jn - Colwick N Jn

Colwick N Jn - Leen Valley Jn

Leen Valley Jn - Basford W Jn

Basford W Jn - Awsworth Jn

Awsworth Jn - Derby, Friargate

Heanor branch

Awsworth Jn - Pinxton

Derby Friargate - Egginton E Jn

Egginton W Jn - Dove Jn

Bromshall Jn - Stafford

Stafford, GNR Goods branch

Brinsley - Codnor Park, GN Jn
1899
55cj (RCH maps)

Palmerston Jn - Wharf Lane

Leen Valley

Leen Valley Jn - Moorbridge Jn

Moorbridge Jn - Annesley Coll Jn

Annesley Coll Jn - Newstead sta

Newstead sta - Annesley N Jn
Presumed opened at the sme time as the GCR Annesley - Beighton line.

Kirkby S Jn - East Kirkby Jn
opened goods 9/1896
resurrected in BR days for Mansfield service

East Kirkby Jn - Kirkby Summit Jn
opened goods 9/1896
resurrected in BR days for Mansfield service

Kirkby Summit Jn - Sutton-in-Ashfield sta
opened goods 8/2/1897
opened pass 4/4/1898

Sutton-in-Ashfield - Skegby

Skegby Jn - Pleasley
opened coal & goods 1/3/1898
opened pass 1/11/1901

Pleasley - Shirebrook sta

Shirebrook sta - Langwith Jn
opened coal & goods 29/5/1901
opened pass 1/2/1903
Passenger service withdrawn N of Shirebrook, from shortly after introduction, and not restored until LNER days. (Wrottesley)

Teversal branch
Skegby Jn - Teversal & Silverhill collieries
opened coal 8/2/1897
Occasional passenger service

Untitled Path
Short-lived curve, constructed 1897

Nottingham local lines

St Anns Well line
Nottingham, Trent Lane W Jn - Daybrook Jn

Nottingham, Trent Lane W Jn - London Rd HL sta

Nottingham, London Rd HL sta - Weekday Cross Jn

Bagthorpe Curve Down
Bagthorpe Jn - Basford E Jn - Down Line

Bagthorpe Curve Up

4 Lincolnshire lines

4.1 Lincolnshire Loop & Branches

Lincolnshire Loop
Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint Railway
The Lincolnshire Loop line was part of the original Great Northern Act, and the first part opened, being cheap to build along the dykes. It ran from Peterborough through Spalding, Boston, Lincoln and Gainsborough, rejoining the main line south of Doncaster. The Loop provided a railway connection to Lincoln and gave the West Riding access to sea at Boston. For a short time it was part of the main route to the north.
The Loop was never completed as planned to Bawtry, with trains using the MS&L and its junction at Retford instead. There were links built to the main line at Doncaster and the Great Eastern at March were built a couple of decades later. These links, plus much of the original Loop, were transferred to the GN+GE joint operation.
Much of the Loop and later accretions around Lincolnshire closed in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
26/6/1846 - GNR auth, Loop from Peterborough to Bawtry via Boston and Lincoln - 9&10 Vict 71
17/10/48 - line opened, Peterborough (Walton) – Boston – Lincoln
9/4/1849 - line opened, Lincoln – Gainsborough (MS&L)
1/8/1849 - auth, deviations at Boston, Arksey; new stas @ Boston, Lincoln 12&13 Vict 84
11/5/1850 - GNR+ELi, doubling & realignment away from Witham bank @ Boston
1/4/1867 - line opened, March – Spalding
1/7/1867 - line opened, Gainsborough (Bole) – Black Carr
6/3/1882 - GN+GE opened, Spalding – Ruskington; March – Spalding transferred to GN+GE
1/7/1882 - GN+GE opened, Ruskington – Lincoln and Lincoln Loop
7/6/1883 - GN+GE opened, Greetwell deviation (Lincoln)
8/6/1883 - Lincoln (Pyewipe Jn)– Gainsborough and Bole – Black Carr transferred to GN+GE
4/6/1962 - line closed, original Witham bank track, Washingborough Jn – Pelham St Jn, following accident
17/6/1963 - line closed, Boston – Coningsby Jn
5/10/1970 - pass service withdrawn, Peterborough – Spalding – Boston; line closed, Spalding – Boston
5/10/1970 line clo, Little Steeping – Coningsby – Kirkstead; residual goods Lincoln – Kirkstead – Horncastle
5/4/1971 - line closed, Kirkstead – Bardney & Horncastle Branch; residual beet traffic Lincoln – Bardney
7/6/1971 - pass service reinstated, Peterborough – Spalding
21/1/1981 - line closed, Lincoln – Bardney
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincolnshire_loop_line
Wrottesley vol I, II

Peterborough (Walton Jn) - Peterborough (Werrington Jn)
22/7/1847 - GNR auth, temp jn w Mid @ Walton - 10&11 Vict 287
7/8/1850 - removed, when Main Line from London through Pboro completed
Original route of Loop line from interim Walton Jn on the Midland line, to the site of the later Werrington off the GN main line.

Werrington Jn - Spalding S Jn
7/6/1971 - pass service reinstated

Spalding, S Jn - N Jn

Spalding N Jn - Boston, Sleaford Line Jn

Boston, Sleaford Line Jn - Boston sta

Boston stn - Boston, 1850 S deviation
2/10/1848 - opened to temp term for E Lincs
17/10/1848 - Lincs Loop opened
1/8/1849 - auth, deviations & new sta at Boston - 12&13 Vict 84
11/5/1850 - deviation and doubilng on E bank of Witham

Boston, 1848 path
Boston, 1850 S - N deviation
17/10/1848 - line opened, single track
11/5/1850 - line closed, replace by deviation to E
The original track through Boston ran along the E side dyke of the Witham. This proved awkward and the track was realinged and double a couple of years later, to the east of Witham Town.
Wrottesley says the lengths of realignment was "52 ch, inc 13ch of the E Lincs".
I find all this hard to tally with geography, without building a new bridge.

1850 S deviation - Grand Sluice Jn (1850)
1/8/1849 - auth, deviations & new sta at Boston - 12&13 Vict 84
11/5/1850 - line opened, replacing route along Witham bank

Boston, Grand Sluice Jn - 1850 N dev
1/8/1849 - auth, deviations & new sta at Boston - 12&13 Vict 84
11/5/1850 - line opened, replacing route along Witham bank

Boston, Grand Sluice Jn - Coningsby Jn

Coningsby Jn - Kirkstead sta

Kirkstead sta - Bardney sta
5/4/1971 – line closed final

Bardney sta - Lincoln Washingborough Jn
21/1/1981 – line closed final

Lincoln Washingborough Jn - Lincoln Sincil Jn
4/6/1962 – line closed final, following accident @ Pelham St Jn

Lincoln Sincil Jn - Lincoln Central Sta
26/6/1846 – auth under GNR Act – 9&10 Vict 71

Spalding, Bourne Line Jn - sta
1/8/1866 - opened, completing Spalding & Bourne line
2/3/1959 - closed pass

Horncastle Branch
Horncastle Railway Horn
The Horncastle Railway built a branch line from the Loop at Kirkstead on the Witham, through the emerging Woodhall Spa, to the market town of Horncastle. The GNR worked the branch from the outset though the Horncastle company retained its independence till Grouping. It was a rare, profitable, rural branch line.
10/7/1854 - Horncastle auth, Kirkstead – Horncastle – 17&18 Vict 143
11/8/1855– line opened, Kirkstead – Horncastle, operated by GNR
1/1/1923 – Horncastle merged into LNER
13/9/1954 – pass service withdrawn
5/4/1971 – line closed final
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horncastle_Railway
Wrottesley vol I

Kirkstead Jn - Horncastle, line limit
GNR (Horncastle Railway)
10/7/1854 - Horncastle auth, Kirkstead – Horncastle - 17&18 Vict 143
11/8/1855 - line opened, Kirkstead – Horncastle, operated by GNR
1/1/1923 – Horncastle merged into LNER
13/9/1954 – pass service withdrawn

Kirkstead, branch plat - headshunt
GNR (Horncastle Railway)
10/7/1854 - Horncastle auth, Kirkstead – Horncastle - 17&18 Vict 143
11/8/1855 - line opened, Kirkstead – Horncastle, operated by GNR
1/1/1923 – Horncastle merged into LNER
13/9/1954 – pass service withdrawn
There was no direct running onto the Horncastle branch. Trains had to go down the headshunt, and reverse.

Wolds Line
Louth & Lincoln Railway Lo&Li
The GNR promoted the Louth and Lincoln as a way to connect the county town to Louth and Grimsby. Financial and land acquisition problems reduced the scheme to a branch from Bardsey, where the junction faced the wrong way, as so often in Lincolnshire. The promised ironstone of the Wolds wasn’t realised either and the company passed into GNR hands.
The line closed in the 1950’s, relatively early.
6/8/1866 - Lo&Li auth, Five Mile House – Louth - 29&30 Vict 344
18/7/1872 - Lo&Li auth, junction moved to Bardney, and other deviations - 35&36 Vict 117
9/11/1874 - line opened goods, Bardney – South Willingham, op by GNR
27/9/1875 - line opened goods, South Willingham – Donington, op by GNR
26/6/1876 - line opened goods, Donington – Louth, op by GNR
1/12/1876 - line opened pass throughout;
stas @ Kingthorpe, Wragby, East Barkwith, South Willingham, Donington-on-Bain, Hallington
1/8/1882 - sta @ Withcall
5/11/1951 - line closed pass
15/9/1956 - line closed final, Donington – Louth
1/12/1958 - line closed final, Wragby – Donington
1/2/1960 - line closed final, Bardney – Wragby
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louth_to_Bardney_Line
Wrottesley vol II, ch 2

Bardney, Louth Line Jn - Wragby
Louth & Lincoln Railway Lo&Li
6/8/1866 - Lo&Li auth, Five Mile House – Louth - 29&30 Vict 344
18/7/1872 - Lo&Li auth, junction moved to Bardney - 35&36 Vict 117
9/11/1874 - line opened goods, op by GNR
5/11/1951 - line closed pass
1/2/1960 - line closed final

Bardney, Goods Jn - Louth Line Jn

Wragby - South Willingham
Louth & Lincoln Railway Lo&Li
6/8/1866 - Lo&Li auth, Five Mile House – Louth - 29&30 Vict 344
9/11/1874 - line opened goods, op by GNR
5/11/1951 - line closed pass
1/12/1958 - line closed final

South Willingham - Donington-on-Bain
27/9/1875 - line opened goods, op by GNR
1/12/1958 - line closed final

Donington - Louth, Wragby Jn

Kirkstead & Little Steeping
Kirkstead & Little Steeping line - Great Northern Railway
The resort of Skegness wanted a better route to the towns and cities of the northern England and the GNR developed the Kirkstead & Little Steeping scheme. It was produced under a Light Railway Order, but there was nothing light about the construction. It was a double track line for holiday traffic, leaving the Loop at Coningsby to the E Lincs line just south of the Skegness junction at Firsby. However WWI started before traffic could develop properly, and the line was singled and track and stock shipped to France as a war measure, leaving a only a skeleton service.
Kirkstead & Little Steeping came into its own when holiday traffic boomed after WWI, and again during and after WWII to reach RAF Coningsby. The line even outlasted the original Loop to Boston, by a few years.
27/12/1911 - Kirstead & Little Steeping LRO
1/7/1913 - line opened, double track (Wrot states 1/8/1913);
stas @ Coningsby, Tumby Woodside, New Bolingbroke, Stickney, Midville
/4/1915 - line singled as a war measure
30/3/1964 - local goods service withdrawn
Wrottesley vol III, chs 9, 10, 12

Coningsby Jn - Bellwater Jn
Great Northern Railway (Kirkstead & Little Steeping)
27/12/1911 - Kirstead & Little Steeping LRO
1/7/1913 - line opened, double track (Wrot states 1/8/1913)
/4/1915 - line singled as a war measure
30/3/1964 - local goods service withdrawn

March Line
Transferred to GN+GE

Washingborough Jn - Greetwell E Jn
3/7/1879 – auth under GN+GE joint lines Act – 42&43 Vict 110

Lincoln Central Stn - Pyewipe Jn
26/6/1846 – auth under GNR Act – 9&10 Vict 71
9/4/1849 – line opened; MS&L running powers

Lincoln, Holmes Goods Loop

Boston Docks Branch

Durham Ox Curve
GNR part
Lincoln E Jn - Durham Ox prop bdy
/6/1849 - line opened (date uncertain)
24/7/1851 - line auth (2 years in arrear!) - 14&15 Vict 114
This curve, bewteen the GNR and MS&L lines at the Durham Ox crossing east of central Lincoln, was installed by agreement bewteen the two companies' traffic operators sometime between April and October 1849. The property boundary was at the midpoint. It is part of the Lincoln - Grimsby line today.

Gainsborough, 1849 curve
Postulated GNR connection 1849

4.2 East Lincolnshire

East Lincolnshire Railway
East Lincolnshire Railway ELi
The East Lincolnshire was leased and worked as part of the GNR system, though it retained a nominally independence through to Grouping railway. With the allied GNR and Gt Grimsby, it formed a chain of communication to the Humber and saw a brief heyday as the mail route to Hull via the New Holland Ferry.
The railway ran through the flats of eastern Lincolnshire and operated a number of canals in the area. Side branches grew to the new coast resorts of Skegness, Sutton-on-Sea and Mablethorpe. It mostly closed in 1970, bar the Skegness line.
26/6/1846 - ELi auth, Boston – Grimsby (Pasture St), in conj w GNR and Gt Grimsby, auth same day - 9&10 Vict 88
2/7/1847 - ELi auth, purchase of Louth Navigation - 10&11 Vict 113
2/7/1847 - ELI auth, Junction w GtGrim @ Pasture St for Grimsby Docks 10&11 Vict 125
1/3/1848 - ELi opened, Louth – Grimsby; jointly op by GNR & GtGrim to New Holland, opened same day.
22/7/1848 - ELi auth retrospective, Garden St curve, giving direct access to Grimsby Town sta - 11&12 Vict 62
3/9/1848 - ELi opened, Firsby – Louth, op by GNR
2/10/1848 - ELi opened, Boston (temp sta) – Firsby, op by GNR
17/10/1848 - GNR opened, Loop line, with new sta & jn @ Boston
11/5/1850 - GNR+ELi, realignment away from Witham bank @ Boston
1/1/1923 - ELi merged into LNER
5/10/1970 pass service withdrawn, Firsby – Louth – Grimsby;
line closed, Firsby – Louth; residual brewery traffic to Louth
//1972 - line closed, Pasture St curve @ Grimsby
/12/1980 - line closed, Louth – Grimsby
line remains open, Boston – Firsby, and Skegness branch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Lincolnshire_Railway
Wrottesley vol I, ch 2

Boston, Grand Sluice Jn (1850) - 1850 E dev
Great Northern Railway (East Lincolnshire)
11/5/1850 - line opened, replacing route along Witham bank

Boston, Grand Sluice Jn (1848) - 1850 E deviation
Great Northern Railway (East Lincolnshire)
11/5/1850 - line closed, replace by deviation to E
Trace uncertain
There is some suggestion of a temp terminus for the E Lincs in this area (Wrot I ch2)

Boston, 1850 E dev - Firsby W Jn
Great Northern Railway (East Lincolnshire)

Firsby W Jn - Firsby sta

Firsby sta - Louth sta

Louth sta - Grimsby, Goods Jn

Grimsby, Goods Jn - Grimsby, Garden St Jn
26/6/1846 - ELi auth, Boston – Grimsby (Pasture St) - 9&10 Vict 88
22/7/1848 - ELi auth retrospective, Garden St curve, giving direct access to Grimsby Town sta - 11&12 Vict 62
22/7/1848 - auth, junctions at Grimsby

Grimsby, Goods Jn - Grimsby, Pasture St Jn
26/6/1846 - auth, ELi Act, Boston – Grimsby (Pasture St) - 9&10 Vict 88
2/7/1847 - ELI auth, Junction w GtGrim @ Pasture St for Grimsby Docks 10&11 Vict 125
There is some mystery about the opening of this curve. It was sanctioned by the 1847 Act, and apparently constructed, but Cobb and others suggest it was not opened until 1853. The Royal Train passed over in 1854.

Skegness Branch
Wainfleet and Firsby Railway Wa&Fi
Wainfleet was once a small port, before the marshes were drained, and like Spilsby, it got a branch off the East Lincolnshire line. Meanwhile, Skegness along the coast, so bracing, was turning into a classic Victorian seaside resort. The railway came and the town boomed.
The rest of the East Lincolnshire network has closed, but the line to Skegness survives.
13/5/1869 - Wa&Fi auth, Firsby – Wainfleet - 32&33 Vict 5
11/9/1871 - line opened goods, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, single track, op by GNR
24/10/1871 - line opened pass, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, op by GNR
18/7/1872 - Wa&Fi auth, Wainfleet – Skegness - 35&36 Vict 89
28/7/1873 - line opened, Wainfleet – Skegness, single track, op by GNR
30/7/1874 - auth, Firsby south curve; allowed to lapse - 37&38 Vict 158
24/5/1881 - Firsby south curve opened - retro auth 44&45 Vict 156 18/7 1881
1/1/1896 - Wa&Fi absorbed by GNR - auth 30/5/1895
25/7/1898 - GNR auth, doubling of line - 61&62 Vict 165
/6/1900 - line doubling completed
5/10/1970 - Firsby sta and junctions closed, leaving only the route to Boston via Firsby south curve
balance of line open current
Wrottesley vol II, ch 1, 2, 5; vol III, ch 3

Firsby South Curve
Wainfleet and Firsby Railway Wa&Fi
Firsby S Jn - Firsby E Jn
30/7/1874 - auth, Firsby south curve; allowed to lapse - 37&38 Vict 158
1/1/1896 - Wa&Fi absorbed by GNR - auth 30/5/1895
25/7/1898 - GNR auth, doubling of line - 61&62 Vict 165
/6/1900 - line doubling completed
5/10/1970 - sta and jns @ Firsby closed, leaving only route via S Curve

Firsby North Curve
Wainfleet and Firsby Railway Wa&Fi
Firsby N Jn - Firsby E Jn
13/5/1869 - Wa&Fi auth, Firsby – Wainfleet - 32&33 Vict 5
11/9/1871 - line opened goods, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, single track, op by GNR
24/10/1871 - line opened pass, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, op by GNR
28/7/1873 - line extended to Skegness
24/5/1881 - Firsby S Curve opened
1/1/1896 - Wa&Fi absorbed by GNR - auth 30/5/1895
25/7/1898 - GNR auth, doubling of line - 61&62 Vict 165
/6/1900 - line doubling completed
5/10/1970 - line closed, leaving only route via S Curve

Skegness Branch
Firsby E Jn - Wainfleet
13/5/1869 - Wa&Fi auth, Firsby – Wainfleet - 32&33 Vict 5
11/9/1871 - line opened goods, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, single track, op by GNR
24/10/1871 - line opened pass, Firsby sta – Wainfleet, op by GNR
28/7/1873 - line extended to Skegness
24/5/1881 - Firsby S Curve opened
5/10/1970 - Firsby sta and junctions closed

Skegness Branch
Wainfleet sta - Skegness sta
18/7/1872 - Wa&Fi auth, Wainfleet – Skegness - 35&36 Vict 89
28/7/1873 - line opened, Wainfleet – Skegness, single track, op by GNR
24/5/1881 - Firsby south curve opened
/6/1900 line doubling completed
5/10/1970 Firsby sta and junctions closed

Spilsby Branch
Spilsby and Firsby Railway Sp&Fi
The Spilsby and Firsby was an independently promoted line between the named towns, operated and eventually absorbed by the GNR. It was always a backwater, the passenger service was withdrawn as a wartime measure, and the line closed in the 1950’s.
1/5/1868 - line opened, Firsby – Spilsby, op by GNR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spilsby_branch
Wrottesley vol II, ch 1

Spilsby Branch
Spilsby and Firsby Railway Sp&Fi
Firsby N Jn - Spilsby sta
1/5/1868 - line opened, op by GNR

Mablethorpe Loop
Louth & East Coast Railway Lo&EC
Sutton & Willoughby Railway & Dock Su&Wi
The Lo&EC and Su&Wi were two local lines off the East Lincs line to the coast. Both promised docks, but neither came to anything. The later Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast promised to take over the Sutton dock scheme, but that too faltered. Instead the two lines formed a useful loop to two of the smaller seaside resorts. The 1960's saw the expected closures, despite decent trade.
18/12/1872 - Lo&EC auth, Louth – Mablethorpe, branches to Saltfleetby Haven & N Somercoates - 35&36 Vict 110
17/5/1877 - Lo&EC auth, extension of time and deviation of branches (not constructed) - 40&41 Vict 10
17/10/1877 - Lo&EC opened, Louth – Mablethorpe, operated by GNR
28/7/1884 - Su&Wi auth, Willoughby – Sutton-le-Marsh (as then known), and docks at Sutton - 47&48 Vict 170
25/9/1886 - Su&Wi auth, Sutton-on-Sea (as renamed) – Mablethorpe - 44&45 Vict 56
4/10/1886 - Su&Wi opened public, Willoughby – Sutton-on-Sea, operated by GNR; formal opening 23/9/1886
14/7/1888 - Su&Wi opened, Sutton-on-Sea – Mablethorpe, operated by GNR
/3/1902 - Su&Wi absorbed by GNR
1/8/1908 - Lo&EC absorbed by GNR
5/12/1960 - line closed, Louth – Mablethorpe
30/6/1964 - local good service withdrawn
5/10/1970 - line closed, Willoughby – Sutton-on-Sea – Mablethorpe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mablethorpe_loop_railway
Wrottesley vol II, chs 3, 7; vol III chs 2, 6

Louth, Mablethorpe Jn - Mablethorpe
Louth & East Coast Railway Lo&EC
18/12/1872 - Lo&EC auth, Louth – Mablethorpe - 35&36 Vict 110
17/10/1877 - line opened, operated by GNR
1/8/1908 - Lo&EC absorbed by GNR

Willoughby, Coast line plat - Sutton-on-Sea
Sutton & Willoughby Railway & Dock Su&Wi
28/7/1884 - Su&Wi auth, Willoughby – Sutton-on-Sea - 47&48 Vict 170
4/10/1886 - line opened public, operated by GNR; formal opening 23/9/1886
/3/1902 - Su&Wi absorbed by GNR
30/6/1964 - local good service withdrawn

Willoughby Transfer
Sutton & Willoughby Railway & Dock Su&Wi
Crossover to allow trains from E Lincs line to access Sutton line directly

Sutton-on-Sea - Mablethorpe
25/9/1886 - Su&Wi auth, Sutton-on-Sea – Mablethorpe - 44&45 Vict 56
14/7/1888 - lineopened,operated by GNR
/3/1902 - Su&Wi absorbed by GNR
30/6/1964 - local good service withdrawn

4.3 South Lincs lines

Stamford Branch
Stamford & Essendine Railway St&Es
The GNR bypassed Stamford, partly on the objection of the Marquis of Exeter at Burleigh House. The Marquis came to realise his town needed the railway, and so built one himself, and for a while, ran it.
Later came an unremunerative extension was to the LNWR at Wansford. The junction faced the wrong way for Peterborough at both Essendine and Wansford, and services were transferred to the former Midland route post nationalisation.
15/8/1853 - St&Es auth, Essendine – Stamford - 16&17 Vict 199
1/11/1856 - St&Es opened, Essendine – Stamford, op by GNR
27/7/1857 - St&Es auth, capital raising - 20&21 Vict 82
25/7/1864 - St&Es auth, Sibson extension, Stamford – Wansford - 27&28 Vict 220
1/1/1865 - St&Es self operated (Marquis of Exeter)
1/7/1867 - connection to Mid @ Stamford; through running to Essendine
9/7/1867 - St&Es opened, Stamford – Wansford (LNWR)
1/1/1870 - junction w LNWR @ Wansford removed; temp term @ Sibson, just short of Wansford Jn
1/1/1872 - St&Es operated by GNR (again), inc Sibson line
1/3/1878 - junction w LNWR @ Wansford reinstated; Sibson sta closed
1/1/1923 - St&Es merged into LNER
29/6/1929 - line closed, Stamford – Wansford
4/3/1957 - GNR sta @ Stamford closed; services transferred to Midland sta
15/6/1959 - passenger services withdrawn, Essendine – Stamford; residual goods (lime) to Priory siding
//1969 - Stamford Priory siding closed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford_and_Essendine_Railway
Wrottesley, vol I, ch 8; vol II, ch 2

Essendine, Stamford Line Plat - Stamford, Mid-GN Chord E
Stamford & Essendine Railway St&Es
15/8/1853 - St&Es auth, Essendine – Stamford – 16&17 Vict 199
1/11/1856 - line opened, Essendine – Stamford
1/1/1865 - St&Es self operated (Marquis of Exeter)
1/7/1867 - connection to Mid @ Stamford; through running to Essendine
1/1/1872 - St&Es operated by GNR (again)
15/6/1959 - passenger services withdrawn and closed N of Priory siding; residual goods (lime) to Priory siding
//1969 - Stamford Priory siding closed

Stamford, Wansford Jn - Stamford GN sta
Stamford & Essendine Railway St&Es
15/8/1853 - St&Es auth, Essendine – Stamford – 16&17 Vict 199
1/11/1856 - line opened, Essendine – Stamford
1/1/1865 - St&Es self operated (Marquis of Exeter)
1/7/1867 - connection to Mid @ Stamford; through running to Essendine
1/1/1872 - St&Es operated by GNR (again)
4/7/1957 - line closed; traffic diverted to Stamford (Mid)

Stamford, Mid-GN chord
15/6/1959 - passenger services withdrawn; residual goods (lime) to Priory siding
//1969 - Stamford Priory siding closed
This chord allowed Mid trains to reach Bourne through Essendine

Sibson - Mid-GN Chord E
25/7/1864 - St&Es auth, Sibson extension, Stamford – Wansford - 27&28 Vict 220
9/8/1867 - line opened, Stamford – Wansford (LNWR)
1/1/1870 - junction w LNWR @ Wansford removed; temp term @ Sibson
1/3/1878 - junction w LNWR @ Wansford reinstated; Sibson sta closed
29/6/1929 - line closed, Stamford – Wansford

Wansford Jn - Sibson
25/7/1864 - St&Es auth, Sibson extension, Stamford – Wansford - 27&28 Vict 220
9/8/1867 - line opened, Stamford – Wansford (LNWR)
1/1/1870 - line temp closed; junction w LNWR @ Wansford removed
1/3/1878 - line reopened; junction w LNWR @ Wansford reinstated
29/6/1929 - line closed, Stamford – Wansford

Bourne & Essendine
Bourn & Essendine Railway St&Es
This was a short branch to the market town of Bourne, then spelt without the final ‘e’. The GNR worked it from the start and soon absorbed it. It was never very useful, and Bourne got better connections.
27/7/1857 - Bo&Es auth, Essendine – Bourne - 20&21 Vict 112
16/5/1860 - Bo&Es opened, Essendine – Bourne, op by GNR
1/8/1866 - M&E opened, Bourne – Spalding
2/1/1872 - GNR opened, Bourne – Sleaford
5/6/1893 - Direct MGN route opened, Saxby – Bourne
18/6/1951 - line closed, Essendine – Bourne
2/3/1959 - Bourne sta closed pass
5/4/1965 - Bourne sta closed final
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourn_and_Essendine_Railway
Wrottesley, vol I, ch 8

Essendine - Bourne W Jn
GNR (Bourn & Essendine)
16/5/1860 - opened, op by GNR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourn_and_Essendine_Railway

Bourne W Jn - Bourne sta
GNR (Bourn & Essendine)
16/5/1860 - opened, op by GNR
5/6/1893 - Saxby connection (MGN)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourn_and_Essendine_Railway
8ch (RCH maps). The sector is marked GNR on RCH, but MGN on Cobb.

Bourne sta - Bourne, property bdy
GNR (Bourn & Essendine)
16/5/1860 - opened, op by GNR
//1866 - M&E connection to Spalding
//1959 - pass service withdrawn
//1965 - line closed final
12ch (RCH maps). The sector is marked GNR on RCH, but MGN on Cobb.

Sleaford & Bourne
Great Northern Railway GNR
The GNR Sleaford and Bourne line was a north-south line through rural Lincolnshire which was rendered rather pointless by the GN+GE joint railway from Spalding a decade later.
29/6/1865 - GNR auth, Bourne – Sleaford - 28&29 Vict 182
24/7/1871 - GNR auth, deviation @ Bourne jn w M&E 34&35 Vict 162
10/10/1871 - line opened goods, Bourne – Billingborough
2/1/1972 - line opened pass and throughout, Bourne – Billingborough – Sleaford
22/9/1930 - regular pass service withdrawn
/9/1939 - final pass service; continuing goods service
28/7/1956 - line closed, Billingborough – Sleaford
15/6/1964 line closed, Haconby – Billingborough
2/4/1965 line closed final, Bourne – Haconby
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourne_and_Sleaford_Railway
Wrottesley vol II, ch 1

Bourne, E Jn - Haconby Siding
22/9/1930 - regular pass services withdrawn

Haconby Siding - Billingborough
22/9/1930 - regular pass services withdrawn

Billingborough - Sleaford, Station Jn
22/9/1930 - regular pass services withdrawn
The Bourne line into Sleaford ran parallel with both Boston and Spalding lines as far as the level crossing E of Sleaford sta.

Sleaford sta, Bourne line plat
The Bourne - Sleaford line had its own plat @ Sleaford and there was no physical junction E of level crossing.

Grantham & Nottingham to Sleaford & Boston
Boston, Sleaford and Midland Counties Railway BSMC
This line was a GNR-sponsored east-west line across Lincs from Grantham to Boston, later connected to the Nottingham line, which complete the plans of the Ambergate from 1850. It is still alive, providing the railway for Boston and Skegness.
20/8/1853 - BSMC auth, Barkston – Boston - 16&17 Vict 223
16/6/1857 - BSMC opened goods, Barkston S Jn – Sleaford, op by GNR
1/9/1857 - BSMC opened pass, Barkston S Jn – Sleaford
12/4/1859 - BSMC opened, Sleaford – Boston, op by GNR
28/7/1873 - GNR auth, Sedgebrook (N&G) – Barkston - 36&37 Vict 208
29/6/1875 - GNR auth, realignment of Allington line & flyover @ Barkston - 38&39 Vict 110
29/10/1875 GNR opened, Sedgebrook Jn – Barkston (goods only: through pass services from 1876)
29/3/1882 - GNR opened, Barkston north curve - 45&56 Vict 191 10/8/1882 retrospective
1/5/1972 - Barkston north curve closed
3/10/2005 - Allington chord opened; Barkstone S curve removed
balance of network open current
Wrottesley vol I, ch 8; vol II, ch 2

Allington Line
Sedgebrook Jn - Barkston E Jn
28/7/1873 - GNR auth, Sedgebrook (N&G) – Barkston - 36&37 Vict 208
29/6/1875 - GNR auth, realignment of Allington line & flyover @ Barkston - 38&39 Vict 110
29/10/1875 line opened, Sedgebrook Jn – Barkston (goods only: through pass services from 1876)
3/10/2005 - Allington chord opened; Barkstone S curve removed

Barkston North Curve
Barkston N Jn - Barkston E Jn

Barkston South Curve
Barkston S Jn - Barkston E Jn
20/8/1853 - BSMC auth, Barkston – Boston - 16&17 Vict 223
3/10/2005 - line losed w opening of Allington chord

Barkston E Jn - Sleaford sta
Great Northern Railway (BSMC)
20/8/1853 - BSMC auth, Barkston – Boston - 16&17 Vict 223

Sleaford sta - Boston S Jn
Great Northern Railway (BSMC)
12/4/1859 - line opened, Sleaford – Boston, op by GNR

Sleaford E Jn - Sleaford Station Jn
3/7/1879 – auth under GN+GE joint lines Act – 42&43 Vict 110
The last half mile of the GN+GE line from Spalding into Sleaford was GN-owned and ran alongside the earlier GN line to Boston. The physical junction was at the level crossing E of Sleaford sta. I suspect there was some track slewing, with the Boston line being moved northward.
Sometime in BR days the parallel line was removed, and a new Sleaford E Jn constructed at the point of divergence.
44ch (RCH maps)

Honington to Lincoln
Great Northern Railway GNR
This was a spur line off the Barkston – Sleaford line from the village of Honington, Lincs, one of several GNR schemes in Lincolnshire in the 1860’s. It was the shortest route from Lincoln to London. An E-N chord was constructed at Honington but never opened and the other, more useful, routes to Lincoln were preferred.
25/7/1864 – GNR auth, Honington – Lincoln – 27&28 Vict 242
15/4/1867 – line opened, Honington Jn – Lincoln, Pelham St Jn [Quick : 12/4/1857]
1/11/1965 – pass service withdrawn & line closed Honington W Jn – Bracebridge Gas Siding;
Newark chord opened same day, to continue Grantham – Lincoln services.
7/12/1970 – line closed final, Bracebridge Gas Siding – Lincoln

Honington Jn - Bracebridge Gas Siding
1/11/1965 – line closed

Bracebridge Gas Siding - Lincoln, Sincil W Jn

Lincoln, Sincli W Jn - Pelham St Jn

Honington East Curve
Authorised and constructed 1867, but not used
Dismantled c1882

5 West Riding

Leeds Central Station Area

Leeds Holbeck - Armley Exchange Jn (NER)

Leeds Gelderd Rd Jn - Leeds Central LL
Joint w L&T / NER
Leeds Central Low Level was the GNR terminus in leeds 1850-1854

Leeds Central Terminus - Leeds Three Signal Bridge Jn
Leeds Central Joint Committee

Leeds, Three Signal Bridge Jn - Holbeck High Level Stn
Joint w L&Y

Holbeck High Level - New Holbeck Jn

LBHJ Lines
Leeds, Bradford & Halifax Junction, 1852-1865

Leeds, New Holbeck Jn - Holbeck S Jn

Leeds, Holbeck S Jn - Wortley W Jn

Wortley W Jn - Laisterdyke E Jn

Laisterdyke E Jn - Laisterdyke W Jn

Laisterdyke W Jn - Bowling Jn

Laiserdyke W Jn - Bradford Hammerton St Jn

Bradford Adolphus St

Bradford Hammerton St Jn - Bradford Mill Lane Jn (Exchange Stn)

Laisterdyke E Jn - Dudley Hill

Dudley Hill - Adwalton Jn

Adwalton Jn - Gildersome

Gildersome - Ardsley

Upper Batley - Adwalton

Batley LNWR - Upper Batley
LBHJ / GN used the LNWR stn at Batley until the opening of the Dewsbury route.

BWL Lines
Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railwy (later West Yorkshire), 1854-1865

Wakefield Ings Rd Jn - Wakefield West Riding Jn

Wakefield West Riding Jn - Wakefield Westgate

Wakefield Westgate - Ardsley Jn

Ardsley Jn - Wortley S Jn

Wortley S Jn - Holbeck Jn

Wortley S Jn - Wortley W Jn

Wrenthorpe Jn - Flushdyke

Flushdyke - Ossett

Ossett - Runtlings Lane Jn

Chickenley Heath line
Osset Runtlings Lane Jn - Batley Jn
Original BW&L line to Batley direct
Joins LBHJ line just N of Batley LNW
BW&L stn at Batley just before junction
Little used after opening of Dewsbury route

Queensbury Lines

St Dunstans N - W Curve
Opened goods to Clayton 09/08/1877
Opened goods to Thornton 04/1878
Opened pass 14/10/1878

St Dunstans E - W curve
Opened goods to Clayton 09/08/1877
Opened goods to Thornton 04/1878
Opened pass 14/10/1878

St Dunstans W Jn - Clayton
Opened goods to Clayton 09/08/1877
Opened goods to Thornton 04/1878
Opened pass 14/10/1878

Clayton - Queensbury E Jn

Queensbury N Curve

Queensbury N Jn - Thornton

Thornton - Denholme
Auth 05/08/1873 (Halifax, Thornton & Keighley)

Denholme - Keighley
Auth 05/08/1873 (Halifax, Thornton & Keighley)
Includes the long, curving Lees Moor tunnel

Keighley, spur to Midland sta

Keighley, GN goods line

Queensbury S Curve

Queensbury W Curve

Queensbury - Holmfield sta
Auth 05/08/1873 (Halifax, Thornton & Keighley)

Brick Lane Branch
Horton Park Jn - City Rd Goods Stn
Auth 24/07/1871 (Bradford & Thornton)
Opened (goods) 11/1876

GN Batley area

Runtlings Lane Jn - Dewsbury Goods Jn

Dewsbury GN Stn
Dewsbury Goods Jn - Dewsbury GN Stn
Originally a passenger stn until the opening of the through route to Batley, then a goods stn.
Location is a total guess.

Dewsbury - Batley
Path through Dewsbury a total guess.
Unclear how line crosses LNWR to access Batley stn.

Dewsbury L&Y link
Dewsbury Goods Jn - Dewsbury Headfield Jn
opened goods 1/8/1887

Wrenthorpe Curve
Wrenthorpe N Jn - Wrenthorpe W Jn

Beeston Jn - Tingley E Jn

Tingley W Jn - Batley Jn

GN Dudley Hill area

Laisterdyke E Jn - Laisterdyke Quarry Gap Jn

Laisterdyke Cutlers Jn - Laisterdyke Quarry Gap Jn

Laisterdyke Quarry Gap Jn - Idle

Idle - Shipley

Shipley Midland Link

Staningley - Pudsey Lowtown Jn
Closed 1/12/1895 w the opening of the E curve toward Bramley

Pudsey Lowtown Jn - Pudsey Greenside

Bramley W Jn - Pudsey Low Town

Laisterdyke Cutlers Jn - Tyersal Jn

Dudley Hill Broad Lane Jn - Tyersal Jn

Dudley Hill - Pudsey Greenside

Dudley Hill - Low Moor

Misc Yorkshire

Cherry Tree Lane - Doncaster, St James St Jn

Balby Bridge Jn - Balby Jn

South Parade (GN) goods station
opened 1889

Tickhill Light Railway

Bawtry - Haxey
One of Britain's shortest-lived railways, 1912-1914

Joint Lines

CLC Link

GN/GE Joint Link

Halifax Joint Lines Link

LNW / GN Joint Link

Methley Joint Link

Nottingham Victoria Link

MGN Link

WR&G Link

Axholme Joint Railway

Haxey Junction - Epworth
Axholme Joint Railway, L&Y+ NER
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axholme_Joint_Railway

Epworth - Crowle
Axholme Joint Railway, L&Y+ NER
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axholme_Joint_Railway

Epworth - Hatfield Moor

Crowle - Reedness Jn

Fockerby - Reedness Jn

Reedness Jn - Marshland Jn

MGN - temp

Little Bytham, prop bdy - Bourne W Jn
Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway

Bourne property bdy - Bourne E Jn
Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway (Bourn & Lynn / M&E)
2/3/1959 - closed pass
3ch (RCH maps), or 143 yd (Wrot II)

Bourne E Jn - Spalding
Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway (Bourn & Lynn / M&E) 2/3/1959 - closed pass

Newark : Mid+GNR

Newark, Maltings Curve
Joint Mid+GNR
This connection was used by both railways to access Newark maltings on the River Trent. It was not a through route.
44ch, by RCH maps

Newark Maltings Branch

Peterborough (Wisbech Jn) - Wisbech, MGN sta
Peterborough, Wisbech & Sutton Bridge Railway
opened goods 1/6/1866
operated by Midland Rly
to Eastern & Midlands Railway (joint Mid+GNR) 1/7/1883
to MGN Joint 1/7/1893 (ratified 9/6/1893)

Peterborough (Westwood Jn) - Peterborough (Wisbech Jn)

Peterborough (Westwood Jn) - Westwood, GN+Mid property bdy

Westwood, GN+Mid property bdy - Peterborough (Wisbech Jn)
Midland Railway

GN+GE - temp

Sykes Jn - Gainsborough, Trent S Jn
auth GNR Act, 26/6/1846
Transferred to GNGE 3/7/1879

Gainsborough Wharf Branch
GNR 1871
Later transferred to GE/GN Joint

GN running powers
Lines owned and operated by other railways, over which the GNR had established runnin rights, frequently exercised.

LNER additions

BR and post-BR additions

Newark, Lincoln Chord
BR 1965
1/11/1965 - opened. The Honington - Lincoln line was closed hte same day

New Sleaford E Chord
Deviation and rationalisaton put in sometime in BR days

Allington Chord
Network Rail Allington E - Allington N Jn
3/10/2005 - line opened; Barkstone S curve removed

Lincoln, Boultham Curve
BR Lincoln, Boultham S Deviation - Boultham E Deviation
12/5/1985 - line opened, w closure of St Marks and diversion of Newark trains to Central

Luton Chord
British Rail
//989 - closed

Hitchin, Cambridge Flyover

Port, Industrial, Private & Tramway

St Albans, Hertford County Asylum branch

St Alband, Buterwick Siding