Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction Railway
The Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction Railway was an early British railway company which opened in 1849 between Sheffield and Gainsborough and Lincoln.
1836 The line originated with a plan to connect the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway (SA&MR) at Sheffield with the proposed Midland Counties Railway at a time when the latter was planning to run to Chesterfield.
This was changed to a proposal for the Sheffield Union Railway to connect instead with the North Midland Railway at Woodhouse Mill.
1844 This plan, in turn, was superseded by one for a connection to Chesterfield. At this point, in 1844, it was suggested that the people of Sheffield would be better served by extending the SA&MR eastwards. This was supported, not only by the SA&MR, but by the councillors of Retford and Worksop.
1846 The line received approval along with the Sheffield and Lincolnshire extension, which was the branch to Lincoln, which would run from near Retford. Parliamentary decree meant that the way from Saxilby to Lincoln would be shared with the Great Northern. The latter built this part of the line and shared it with the S&LE with the agreement that it could have running powers from Retford to Sheffield.
1846 Construction had begun in October 1846 with the section between Sheffield and to what was by then the Midland Railway at Beighton.
1847 The first board meeting of the amalgamated Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway took place on 6 January 1847.
1847 The proposed line was merged with other lines and became the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway
1849 The final link in the line between Sheffield and Gainsborough was completed with stations at Kiveton Park, Shireoaks, Worksop, Retford and Sturton.