Althorpe, Barnetby, Brigg and Appleby/Frodingham Railway - May 2026
The 9th May 2026 provided a unique opportunity to travel on the Appleby and Froddingham Railway. The Appleby Frodingham Railway - Scunthorpe (AFR-S) is based at Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire. The society owns locomotives and rolling stock but not the railway it runs on. The name comes from the Appleby-Frodingham Steel Company, now known as British Steel Limited, Scunthorpe, after the company's buyout in 2016, and after going into compulsory liquidation in 2019. The railway operates entirely within the Steelworks limits over tracks normally used for moving molten iron, steel, and raw materials. Trains travel between 7 and 15 miles, all within the steelworks. Private charter trips using either a steam or diesel locomotive with three or four brake vans allow passengers to visit the huge Scunthorpe Steelworks Complex. On the day of our visit, we were provided with a preserved Yorkshire Engine Company 'Janus', as the preservation centre had run out of coal for their steam locomotive because it was stuck on a ship in Rotterdam and had not arrived at Immingham.. Photos are allowed, but ONLY those taken at the Appleby and Froddingham Shed or Froddingham Station are allowed to be shared online. The three-hour excursion is an incredible tour of the British Steel site with informative commentary from workers/volunteers from British Steel. In conjunction with the steeworks trip, due to the distance involved, we stayed locally, which allowed some images of heavy freight being moved on the mainline to also be obtained. Our visit had coincided with ships having docked loaded with Biomass and Iron Ore (which Scunthorpe now buys in from as far away as Australia).
Althorpe:
Northern Class 158 No.158907 arrives into Althorpe Station on the 8th May 2026. The two-car northern service was operating 2P20 16:48 Scunthorpe - Doncaster.
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With the incorect destination displayed, Trans Pennine Express Class 185 No.185107 passes Althorpe on Friday 8th May 2026 while operating 1B97 16:26 Cleethorpes - Liverpoool Lime Street service.
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A pair of Trans Pennine Express Class 185 units No.185144 and No.185110 pass eastbound through Althorpe Station on the 8th May 2026 while operating 1B82 14:19 Liverpool Lime Street - Cleethorpes.
DB Cargo Maritime Class 66 No.66162 heads westbound through Althrope Station on Friday, 8th May 2026. The loco was operating 6H77 16:19 Immingham - Drax loaded biomass.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.66207 powers west through Althorpe Station on the 8th May 2026, while hauling 6D12 13:15 Lackenby - Scunthorpe steel empties for loading at Scunthopre Steelworks.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.66124 passes westbound through Althorpe Station on the 8th May 2026. The loco was hauling the 4R54 16:40 Drax - Immingham biomas trains for loading at Immingham Docks.
Barnetby
In the low evening sunlight DB Cargo Class 66 No.66007 heads eastbound passing Knabbs Bridge (Melton Ross) with a loaded Biomass. The loco was operating 6H78 18:19 Immingham - Drax.
In the low evening sunlight DB Cargo Class 66 No.66007 heads eastbound passing Knabbs Bridge (Melton Ross) with a loaded Biomass. The loco was operating 6H78 18:19 Immingham - Drax.
In the fading light at Barnetby a pair of Transpennine Class 185 units arrive on the 8th May 2026. No.185122 and No.185143 were operating 1B88 18:19 Liverpool Lime Street - Cleethorpes.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.66019 arrives into Barnetby on the 8th May 2026 in the last of the daylight while operating 4R55 18:50 Drax - Immingham with empty biomass wagons for loading at Immingham Dock.
Brigg
DB Cargo Class 66 No.66124 passes eastbound through Brigg on the 9th May 2026 while operating 4B49 08:30 Drax - Immingham with empty Biomas Wagons for loading at the Immingham Terminal.
Appleby/Froddingham Railway
Yorkshire Engine Company Janus No.1 is pictured at the Appleby and Froddingham Railway, Scunthorpe Steelworks on the 9th May 2026.
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Yorkshire Engine Company Janus No.1 is pictured at the Appleby and Froddingham Railway, Scunthorpe Steelworks on the 9th May 2026.
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