A six day a week service is coming to Gainsborough Central station

It has been 25 years since trains have called at Gainsborough Central six days a week.
New train service at Gainsborough Central to start in December, pictured are Commercial Director for Stagecoach East Midlands, Dave Skepper, West Lindsey District Council Grant White, vice chair of North Notts & Lincs Community Rail Partnership Rick Brand and chair Barry CowardNew train service at Gainsborough Central to start in December, pictured are Commercial Director for Stagecoach East Midlands, Dave Skepper, West Lindsey District Council Grant White, vice chair of North Notts & Lincs Community Rail Partnership Rick Brand and chair Barry Coward
New train service at Gainsborough Central to start in December, pictured are Commercial Director for Stagecoach East Midlands, Dave Skepper, West Lindsey District Council Grant White, vice chair of North Notts & Lincs Community Rail Partnership Rick Brand and chair Barry Coward

And now, after years of campaigning, not only is there to be trains Monday to Saturday they will be hourly.

Which is something Gainsborough Central station has never experienced since it opened in 1849.

The new service, starting in December, will call at all stations between Sheffield and Gainsborough Central.

Meanwhile the existing service between Lincoln and Sheffield will become faster as trains will run non-stop between Worksop and Sheffield.

The Saturday only trains to Cleethorpes will continue to operate as well.

The new service is the result of negotiations between West Lindsey District Council, Bassetlaw District Council and Lincolnshire County Council with Arriva Rail North who operate Northern trains.

These negotiations arose from the efforts of the North Notts and Lincolnshire Community Rail Partnership, formed just a year ago.

However campaigns to secure a regular train service to Gainsborough Central had been ongoing at various times over the past 25 years.

Chair of the North Notts and Lincs Community Rail Partnership, Barry Coward, said: “Over the past campaigns have tried and failed to restore Gainsborough Central as the town’s principal station.

“I am delighted that this time, with the co-operation of all concerned a regular service will return, but we have not forgotten the line on to Cleethorpes. The Community Rail Partnership is working on that too.”

“Not only will the service help Gainsborough residents, including those coming to live in the town’s new homes, it will enable Gainsborough to market itself as a place to visit for shopping, tourism and leisure and of course it will help employers find staff to fill their vacancies.

“Retford and Worksop also benefit by having two trains each hour to Sheffield and Gainsborough, split between Central and Lea Road stations.

“Meanwhile Network Rail has prepared for the new service by renewing signals and points at Gainsborough Central and at Worksop station a major restoration is under way.

“Virgin Trains East Coast has improved the waiting areas at Retford by fitting doors, windows and air conditioning.

“Gainsborough Central station, in its present state, is not fit to host an hourly train service, so watch out for improvements between now and December.

“Once the new train service demonstrates that it is bringing people into our town centre we can expect further improvements to the station and its environment.”