HELLO WELLOW

 Heading vaguely east out of Retford (the map here explains it all), we arrive at Clarborough Junction, where one line went towards Gainsboriugh, hte other a short cut to Lincoln.

Sturton staion, GCR, on the line to Gainsborough. The station closed many years ago, but the tailway remains open.

Further towards Gainsborough is West Burton Power Station. Rail traffic to here has since ceased as the facility is no longer coal powered. 56017 is seen there in 1980.

Leverton station was on the other line, again operated by the GCR.

The Plough at South Leverton, until recently, doubled as the village post office.

Further south, the Duke William at Askham.

The Queens Hotel at East Markham is an Everards house.

Now we're back on the GNR main line, at Tuxford station.

There was a derailment here in 1931.

The Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway (later part of the GCR) also served Tuxford and had a loco shed there. Here are some views in LNER days.

Where the LD&ECR crossed the GNR's main line, there was an interchange station called Dukeries Junction.

To the west is the large mining village of Ollerton. Here's the church.

The Memorial Park at Ollerton, an old postcard view.

The GNR's Royal Train calls at the LD&ECR's Ollerton station in 1903.

A Sam Smith's house, the White Hart at Ollerton is now closed.

Another church. This one is at nearby Edwinstowe.

GCR 0-4-4T no. 150B is seen at Edwinstowe station.

Our last stop of today's post is at Wellow village. This postcard gives you some idea of what's there.

Here is the Maypole.

The Durham Ox in Wellow is still open, now called the Maypole Inn.

There's also the Olde Red Lion. Both pubs serve good beer.

We'll continue to meander south in the next post.

RETFORD

In this post (it's quite a big one) we just look at the town of Retford (East Retford if you want to be exact) in North Nottnghamshire. Let's start at the railway station, on the East Coast Main Line. Though it was a GNR station, it was also served by the GCR.

Three scenes at Retford in LNER days.

The GNR built a loco shed just behind the station. Ex H&BR no. 2590 is receiving attention here in 1925 (W Ashton).

Freight and passenger services at Retford in BR steam days.

Here's Retford North signal box, now long gone.

The class 55 Deltics took over many ECML duties.

The exterior of Retford station in 1982.

An up HST approaches the remodelled station in 1982.

Hull Trains serves Retford on a regular basis, though the class 180 units have been replaced.

Of course, the main service on the ECML is provided by the new LNER.

The GCR line crossed the ECML on the level just south of the station.

Just behind the station was the Market Hotel, now sadly gone.

A dive-under replaced the flat crossing and new platforms were built at the lower level. That's Flying Scotsman arriving. 

A DMU arrives at the low level platforms circa 1971.

The 1980s saw regular coal workings to the Trent Valley power stations and the occasional through train to the coast.

Until recently, Northern provided Pacers for the passenger service on the GCR line.

Retford Thrumpton signal box was retained for many years to control the level crossing.

Alongside the line was the GCR loco shed.

The GC shed yard in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

63663 "on shed" at Retford GC in 1962.

The Chesterfield Canal passes through Retford and crosses the River Idle by means of a small aqueduct.

A couple of scenes on the canal in Retford.

Time now to look at the town itself. Here's Grove Street in the early 20th century.

The Parish Church in 1988.

The Town Hall (Creative Commons License).

The iconic Sebastopol Cannon in the town centre.

Sheffield Transport once reached as far as Retford (and beyond to Gainsborough).

East Midland Motor Services was the main bus operator, with a depot in the town.

Stagecoach now operate most services.

Other operators over the years have included Unity Coaches, Kettlewells, Gash of Newark, Wrights (also from Newark), Marshalls, Dunn-Line, Your Bus and Veolia.

Close to the canal is the Ship, seen here when it was called the Rum Runner.

Close by was the Packet Inn (no real ale these days) and Grafton Brewery, now closed.

There's a Wetherspoons. the Dominie Cross.

The Joiners Arms closed in 2011.

The future of the Whitehouses seems to be unclear.

The Turk's Head is a former Ward's house, worth seeking out.

Another decent boozer, the Galway Arms.

BeerHeadZ was a micropub by the town hall. It's since been renamed.

Another new addition in town is Brew Shed.

Just off the town centre, the Black Boy, another ex Ward's house.

Not far away, the Brick & Tile.

We conclude this visit to Retford at the excellent Idle Valley Tap.

Next time, we'll be looking around some North Notts villages.