The information is extracted a entitled Spalding M&GN Saxby to Long Sutton by Michael Back.
On to yet another fen name, a “Drove” being a rough track or road, in this case also next to the Drain of the same name. The station was sited here to provide an interchange for the barges, which once loaded and unloaded produce at the wharf. This was served by one of the yard sidings, which ran over the road and onto the wharf via a wagon table. This map is from 1904.
Approaching the station and look at the goods yard from the Bourne end on 17th August 1960. The ground frame working the connection off the single line is behind us; originally this was the only one but on 2nd March 1959 another connection was installed facing from the Spalding direction, so that trains could call at the yard both outwards as well as returning. This can just be seen at the end of the platform; the Caution “C'” board is for the relaying necessary.
The wooden station building and goods yard are viewed from the adjacent road, after which the station was named. The Spalding Radial delivery lorry stands by the office. Parcels and small items were delivered over a wide area from Spalding Goods Depot, the local station yards only dealing with wagon load traffic. This yard was once extremely busy, the siding to the wharf already mentioned ran past the front of the weighbridge hut on the left. The goods yard closed on 30th March 1964.
A train hauled by a 4MT 2-6-0 approaches the station in December 1958. The original bridge was constructed over the river. The crossing cabin on the right replaced the 1891 signal box brick platform on the right was replaced by the wooden platform on 19th August 1894, after a new bridge was constructed over the river. The crossing cabin on the right replaced the 1891 signal box opposite in August 1924.
Looking along the line from the level crossing on 2nd August 1958, we can enjoy the station garden and rosebushes on the site of the original platform. The slew in the line needed in 1894 is evident, as is the emptiness of the Fen beyond. Also noticeable is the recent repainting of the waiting room. All the signal boxes and buildings were thus dealt with in the Summer, even though it was known that the line was to close for passengers! (D.Soggee)
The line soon crosses the final Fen waterway, the South Drove Drain, and we take a look at the substantial girder bridge no. 216 reflected in the still waters of the Drain in May 1965. The level crossing of this name is on the right, with the gate cabin adjacent. The longer hut is a lamp and storeroom. The crossing house is out of sight on the right, having had to be rebuilt around 1924. The signal post seen was Cuckoo Junction down distant. The gate cabin was taken out of use on 28th February 1959, the level crossing gates being thereafter worked by the traincrew.
