Volunteers are set to unveil a new celebration of the Robin Hood railway — a line that has linked Mansfield to Worksop since 1875 – at an event open to the public.

Originally built by the Midland Railway Company as an extension of the well-established Mansfield to Nottingham route, today it is part of the Robin Hood Line.

The story of the line is being told through heritage interpretation panels at stations (from Kirkby through to Worksop, with the ones at Mansfield and Shirebrook, a mobile exhibition touring the area, a new booklet, and talks in the community.

The project has been led by the Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership and dedicated volunteers are due to see their work officially launched at Shirebrook Station carpark on 24th October, from 10am to 2pm.

The event, which will be attended by civic dignitaries, will include an official launch of the panels, booklet, and exhibition, as well as a thank-you to those who volunteered in the project.

Open to the public, there will be an opportunity to view the exhibition, talk to those involved in the project and receive a free copy of the booklet.

The thank-you at Shirebrook Station will highlight the volunteers’ efforts to celebrate the rich heritage of the line.

The volunteers’ research shows how the railway has boosted the local economy and was more than a simple railway to connect Mansfield and Worksop — it stimulated the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs, bringing prosperity to the area, and enabling thousands of people to commute more freely for work, school, or leisure.

These included traditional English pastimes such as day trips to the seaside and football ‘away games’.

The exhibition will be on display in Mansfield Library throughout January, and in Worksop Library the following month.

Talks on the railway will be given on:
3rd November at The Railway & Canal Historical Society, Beeston.
16th January at Mansfield Library.
21st February at Worksop Library.
7th March at Creswell Local History Society.
11th April at Mansfield Woodhouse u3a at Mansfield Woodhouse.

Copies of the booklet are in Worksop and Mansfield libraries, Mansfield Museum, East Midlands Designer Outlet, Wellow Heritage Centre, and Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre.

They will also be available at the exhibitions and can be obtained by contacting project officer Denis Hill at [email protected]

Among the many organisations involved in the scheme are Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Bolsover and Mansfield district councils, Bolsover Partnership, Community Rail Network, Cross Country Trains, East Midland Railway, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.