The Isle of Axholme Jont Railway – Railway Magazine September 1934

Reference has been made in a recent issue of The Railway Magazine to the closing of passenger traffic on the Isle of Axholme Joint Railway, which took effect on July 15 last, and a few notes on the subject from Mr Robert B. Parr, who made one of the last passenger journeys, are therefore of the more interest.

Originally built as a joint enterprise of the North Eastern and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways, the line passed into joint L.N.E. and L.M.S. ownership at the time of grouping. It runs from Marshland Junction, south-east of Goole, to Haxey, on the late G.N. & G.E. Joint Line, a distance of 19.5 miles, with a branch, 5.5 miles long from Reedness to Fockerby. At Crowle the main Axholme line crosses the Doncaster and Grimsby Line of the late Great Central Railway, and near that station there is a swing-bridge over one of the navigable waterways of the district. South of Crowle the line passes through Epworth, birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, the famous preachers.

For passenger working the L. & Y.R. was at first responsible, but latterly a Sentinel Cammell coach worked the traffic, except the Fockerby branch, which is worked by 2-4-2 (L. & Y.) tank, or an L.M.S. 0-6-0 with an ex-Midland clerestory composite coach. The Sentinell-Cammell coach was a London & North Eastern vehicle numbered in the L.N.E. stock, carrying the title “Axholme Joint Railway” instead of the usual name, but manned by a crew of the L.M.S. from Goole (C.10) shed – a combination of motive power and manning which must have been unique.

Freight traffic on the Isle of Axholme Joint has been, and presumably still is, worked by L. & Y. 0-6-0 locomotives of Class 2 stationed at Goole.

The line in single, save for passing places at Crowle, Belton, Epworth and Haxey.