e Great Northern loop line, connecting Boston and Lincoln with
Peterborough and Grantham, and so with the further north and south, was
opened in October, 1848. At that date, except the "Navigation" for heavy
goods, such as corn, coal, &c., there were only coaches, once a day, for
public conveyance to Boston, Lincoln, Market Rasen, and Louth. But
through the enterprise of Mr. Samuel Sketchley, of Horncastle, Solicitor,
of the old firm of Selwood and Conington, an Act of Parliament was, not
without difficulty, obtained, July 10th, 1854, for the construction of a
branch line, running from Kirkstead to Horncastle; the importance of this
event being recognised by a joyous peal of the parish church bells being
rung, and crowds parading the streets, at 10 o'clock at night, at which
hour the news arrived. The next day the rejoicings were continued, the
bells of St. Mary's Church being again rung, while the tower of the
church was adorned with a tricolour flag, bearing the inscription "God
speed the railway," and crowds again passed through the streets, headed
by the town band and a large tricolour standard.

The construction of the line was begun in April of the following year,
1855; the contractors being Messrs. Smith & Knight. The original capital
of the company was 48,000 pounds, in 10 pound shares, but the ultimate
cost was about 60,000 pounds. The G.N.R. Company undertook the working,
paying half the receipts to the shareholders; and as, for the distance
(about 7.5 miles), the expenditure was, compared with that of many such
undertakings, small, so, as an investment, the enterprise proved a
profitable one, few lines yielding so good a return for the outlay; the
10 pound shares still (in 1907) sell at nearly half as much again (14
pounds 17s. 3d., July, 1907).

A brief account may well here be given of the opening ceremony of this
important event in the town's history, condensed from the public journals
of the day. The line was examined by the Government Inspector, Colonel
Wynn, and a few days later Mr. Seymour Clarke, the G.N.R. manager, stated
that it could not be in a more efficient condition. The opening ceremony
was fixed for Aug. 12th, 1855. At an early hour the town was crowded
with visitors and shops were closed. At 7 a.m. 2,500 lbs. of beef were
distributed among the poorer people. Peals of bells were rung, the
Horncastle and Spilsby bands added their music of popular airs. The
streets and station were p