Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
The Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway (CCLR) is a 15 in gauge miniature railway running for around 2 miles along the seafront at Cleethorpes in north-east Lincolnshire. Founded in 1948, it is one of the longest-established seaside miniature railways in Britain, and over more than seven decades it has steadily expanded from a short pleasure-pier line into a substantial heritage operation.
Trains run between Lakeside station, alongside Cleethorpes Boating Lake, and Kingsway station near the Pier, with intermediate halts. The railway operates a varied fleet of steam and diesel miniature locomotives, including some unusual one-off home-built engines, and runs an extensive year-round service that is unusual for a UK miniature line.
History
The line was founded in 1948 as a short seaside attraction near the Pier, and has been progressively extended along the seafront over the decades. A major rebuilding in the 1990s gave the railway its current double-track section near Lakeside, larger station facilities, and the workshop where its more unusual locomotives have been built.
Stations and infrastructure
Lakeside is the principal station and headquarters, with the workshops, signal box and main locomotive shed. Kingsway serves the Pier end of the seafront, with intermediate halts at Old Station and Beachlands.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The railway runs year-round services with steam galas, beer festivals, dining trains, ghost trains for Halloween, and Santa Specials. Its position on the Cleethorpes seafront ensures strong tourist footfall during summer.
Visitor information
Cleethorpes is on the East Coast at the mouth of the Humber, served by trains from Doncaster, Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle. The CCLR is a short walk from Cleethorpes National Rail station.