Kings Lynn Line
Littleport
Littleport is the first station North of Ely on the Kings Lynn line. North from here the line is single, so with a 23 minute run to Kings Lynn, as 12 minute turn round and a 23 minute run back, the hourly services cross here. 387128 works the 12.35 Cambridge to Kings Lynn and 387109 the 12.42 Kings Lynn to Cambridge on 1st August 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Although the signals at Littleport are worked from a small panel in the Box, the gates are still manually operated - a delightful anachronism. 1st August 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Soft ground is a perennial problem in Eastern England and signal boxes are highly susceptible to it! In common with boxes such as Twenty Feet River and Little Steeping, Littleport Box has suffered from subsidence and is extensively supported at the rear. 1st August 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Kings Lynn
The glass canopy at the entrance to Kings Lynn station is magnificent and a very welcome feature, whilst the totem logos around the station clearly show a fondness for the British Railways era. Perhaps there will be a J15 shunting in the goods yard? Photo: Michael Smyth.
The interior of Kings Lynn station is also well presented, with the beautifully painted wooden café next to the platform entrance. It is worth arriving at the station early just to be able to have a cup of tea before departing! Photo: Michael Smyth.
A nice touch at Kings Lynn station is a totem and a nameplate commemorating former Kings Lynn driver the late Paul Barnes, who sadly passed away shortly after retirement. Photo: Michael Smyth.
All the benches on Kings Lynn's platform 1 and 2 island have Great Eastern ironwork, as shown here, although the woodwork has clearly been renewed. A lovely touch! Photo: Michael Smyth.
Kings Lynn trains are generally formed of pairs of Great Northern 'Electrostar' Class 387 units. On August 17th 2023, 387124 and 387104 arrive at the terminus with 1T34, the 13.42 departure from Kings Cross. With only a 12 minute turnaround, timings are tight and late running inwards can frequently result in late running back to London. Photo: Michael Smyth.
The small BR Totems are a nice touch to the station nameboards at Kings Lynn, with the colour blue emphasising the Eastern Region heritage. Great Northern Class 387s Nos. 387124 and 387104 arrive with the 13.42 from Kings Cross on August 17th 2023. The Morrisons supermarket to the left stands on the site of the former engine shed. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Looking into the station from roughly where the former turntable used to be shows the single platform still in use (platform 1 with the Class 387s) and the bay to the right. Units 387129 and 387301 have just arrived and will shortly depart with the 13.42 to Kings Cross on August 17th 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Kings Lynn Junction box is now the only remaining box in the town. It is a Great Eastern Type 2 box, dating from circa 1880. The box controls the main line to the station, as well at the branch to Middleton Towers and the run-round loop (formerly the docks branch) used by sand trains - not to mention the very busy level crossing. Class 387 units Nos. 387301 and 387129 depart with the 13.42 to Kings Cross on August 17th 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
There are generally two sand trains per day from Middleton Towers, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. On August 17th 2023 the afternoon working of 25 wagons (hauled by Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622) arrives at Kings Lynn and runs into the loop for reversal, which usually takes in the region of 20 minutes, and the onward journey to Peterborough, Crewe and St Helens. Photo: Michael Smyth.
After running round, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 pulls out of Kings Lynn on August 17th 2023 and passes the Junction with 6M84, the 14.25 Middleton Towers to Crewe Basford Hall and St Helens. Although the terrain is flat, the load of nearly 2,500 tonnes will take quite some effort to move and also to stop. Photo: Michael Smyth.