The railway line through Brigg, which only sees passenger trains on Saturdays, also doubles up as an important diversionary route for heavy freight when other routes, such as Barnetby-Scunthorpe-Doncaster, become unavailable for various reasons. This helps to keep the wheels of heavy industry turning.
There are MANY "booked diversions" over the Brigg line through today (Sunday, May 30) until approximately 4am on Monday morning. They will be running in close succession for some periods.
These will be heavy trains, so Brigg residents who live within earshot of the railway line, will now know the source if they hear some rumbling.
It will also mean some delays for drivers as the level crossing barriers will be down for each train.
The freights diverted through Brigg will feature wagons that are used to carry a range of products including biomass, iron ore and oil, and some will be 'empties'.
Destinations include Scunthorpe (via Wrawby Junction), Immingham, Killingholme, Lackenby, Jarrow, Drax and Redcar.
The Brigg route formed part of the original Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire railway mainline.
Sections of it in northern Lincolnshire were reduced to single line many years ago but double lines were retained in Brigg and through Northorpe so trains can pass each other during busy periods.
PICTURED: A train of empty biomass wagons from Drax power station in Yorkshire returning to Immingham during an earlier period of "booked diversions" through Brigg. This scene was recorded in June 2020 as it trundled over the level crossing on Bigby Road.