THE ROUTE TO WROOT AND BEYOND

 The last post concluded at Hatfield & Stainforth railway station. Just to the north was Hatfield Colliery.

Movement of the pit's tip caused rail chaos in 2013 (Network Rail).

Dunscroft (see the map here) was a housing estate for pit workers. It was here that the depot of T Severn & Sons could be found.

After SYPTE took over, Severn's depot continued to be used for a while.

The last day of operation of Doncaster Corporation's buses in 1974, saw fleet no. 188 being photographed at Dunscroft.

The Broadway in Dunscroft is still going, but keg only.

Just off the main road into Hatfield was the garage of Felix Motors. 

No. 49, when newly delivered, in the yard in 1969.

Into Hatfield Village centre. Here's a view circa 1900. The Red Lion closed in 1908.

Two views of central Hatfield, both showing the Ingram Arms, still in business today.

The Bay Horse, seen here as a Darley's house, is still worth a visit.

Onwards to Hatfield Woodhouse. This was Low Street.

The Spotted Bull in Hatfield Woodhouse has vanished into history.

To the south was Lindholme Hall.

Nearby RAF Lindholme was opened in WW2. After the war regular "At Home" days were held. An AVRO bomber is seen here in the 1950s.

Felix bus no. 42 leaves RAF Lindholme in 1976 (Jim Sambrooks). A prison now occupies the site.

Across the moorland to Wroot, just in Nottinghamshire.

The village pub, the Cross Keys, was built in 1909. It recently ceased selling cask beer.

Into Lincolnshire now, to a small town called Epworth, capital of the Isle of Axholme. It was home to John Wesley, who founded the Methodist Church. Here's an early view of Epworth.

The area around the market.

Epworth Parish Church (Creative Commons License).

The Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth. Here's the cutting under construction, north of the station.

The new bridge takes shape.

Here, the station is virtually complete.

The opening display in Epworth.

Awaiting the first train in January 1905.

There's a wait for you as well, as that concludes this post. Next time, more Axholme views.

FLAT, RURAL LAND, THEN A COMPLETE CONTRAST

 Heading east, we cross the East Coast Main Line at Fenwick. 66 730 passes by (Creative Commons License).

Here's Fenwick village (Creative Commons License).

The Baxter Arms usually has a couple of cask beers waiting for you.

Further east, through flat countryside, to Sykehouse.

Here's Holy Trinity Church in Sykehouse.

The Three Horseshoes has long gone.

Sykehouse once had a station, on the H&B & GCR Joint. It never saw a passenger train.

A bus service to Doncaster was operated by Severn's of Dunscroft.

South now, to Fishlake (see the map here). This is Bank End in Fishlake.

Inside Fishlake church.

The village pub is the Hare & Hounds.

Nearby Stainforth was once just a village.

Stainforth was served by the canal, on its way to Keadby.

With the arrival of the colliery, Stainforth expanded rapidly. Here's Princess Avenue.

Sadly, Stainforth is a bit of a real ale desert. The King George closed in 1999.

The Fox didn't last much longer. It once served as the focal point of the local buses.

Stainforth was served by Reliance buses, based in the village.

Here's a Leyland Fleetline at the depot, not long before SYPTE took over.

Another bus operator based in Stainforth was Premier Coaches, owned by a certain Harold Wilson (no, not that one). Here are a few vehicles in the depot yard.

Roeville Coaches, who did not operate bus services, had a garage here too.

A forrmer bus, new as Doncaster Corporation no. 80, a Guy Arab I, was found in Stainforth in the hands of a showman.

We travel along Station Road now.

Many moons ago, here's the original two track level crossing at Stainforth & Hatfield station.

The rebuilt station in LNER times.

A similar view from around 1968, with the colliery on the horizon.

The signal box was on the platform.

A Wilfreda-Beehive minibus seen outside the station.

Today, the station is called Hatfield & Stainforth and is served by Northern, while Trans Pennine Expresses pass through.

I'll end this post here. We'll head for the Isle of Axholme next time.