The former route of the Axholme Joint Railway in Haxey

Image: © Marathon Taken: 8 Sep 2019

Construction of the Axholme Joint Railway between Haxey and Goole started in 1899 and opened in August 1903 but the part to Haxey was not opened until  2nd January 1905. For several years, there were two passenger trains and one goods train on weekdays, but extra trains were run on Saturdays and on some Market days. Local farmers used to cart their produce to Haxey Town and Haxey Junction stations and load it into trucks. The goods train brought mail, coal and all the other things that the villagers needed as there was no other way of transporting them. The line began to decline after 1924 with the introduction of bus services in the Isle of Axholme and lorries coming onto the roads to transport goods. Passenger services ceased on 15th July 1933 and the section from Haxey Junction to Epworth was finally closed completely on 1st February 1956. The land is now managed by North Lincolnshire Council as a footpath and linear nature trail, running from the High Street in Haxey to Epworth. Much of it is in a wooded cutting until it reaches Cliff Hill where it is on an embankment. This is the view further south from High Street. A much fuller account can be seen at http://www.axholme.info/railway.html  and at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axholme_Joint_Railway   More information can be found at https://www.haxeywalkers.co.uk/pictures-of-the-isle-of-axholme-light-railway-near-haxey/

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