LAST IRONSTONE TRAIN ON HIGH DYKE MINERAL BRANCHLINE REMEMBERED

Fifty years ago this month the last train of ironstone bound for Scunthorpe steelworks traversed the High Dyke mineral branchline in South Lincolnshire bringing an end to local ironstone mining that had commenced during the First World War. The last train of ironstone left Stainby Glebe sidings on Thursday 26th July 1973 with two trains of empty wagons being collected the next day.
This sad anniversary will be marked on an Open Day to be held at the Museum on Sunday 30th July by placing a black flag on the last wagon to leave the museums mock ironstone quarry at the end of the afternoon.
The Museum will be open from 10am to 4pm and normal admission prices will apply.

The local Grantham Journal newspaper was on hand in July 1973 to record the last rites as the extract of an article demonstrates: