Historic Tiger Moth planes set to fly over Skegness for special WWI railway weekend

Two historic Tiger Moth aircraft are set to make a special appearance over Skegness this weekend as part of a two-day event celebrating the town's First World War railway heritage.

The aircraft are due to visit the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway during its World War One Weekend on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13.

Depending on flying conditions, the Tiger Moths are expected to either land at or fly over the aerodrome beside the heritage railway at Skegness Water Leisure Park, between Skegness and Ingoldmells.

The appearance will add an aviation element to a weekend already packed with historic railway displays, military re-enactment and demonstrations.

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway has confirmed that the event will run across both Saturday and Sunday. Its official programme includes passenger trains between Walls Lane and Seathorne Bank stations, displays of its surviving First World War trench railway equipment and demonstrations from the Hull Rifles re-enactment group.

Visitors will also be able to see Trixie the pony demonstrate how narrow-gauge wagons could be moved using horse power — a method once used to transport supplies in wartime conditions.

The railway's collection has strong links with the military light railways used during the First World War to move soldiers, ammunition, supplies and casualties around the Western Front.

Many of the diesel locomotive designs later used on agricultural and industrial railways in Lincolnshire were developed from equipment originally associated with those wartime systems.

The Tiger Moths had been hoped for at last year's event, but poor weather prevented them from flying.

Richard Shepherd, chairman of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic Vehicles Trust, said organisers were hoping conditions would be more favourable this year.

Passenger trains are scheduled to begin at 10.30am, with the railway's published timetable showing its final service at around 3.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the day and advance booking is not required.

The railway is based at Skegness Water Leisure Park on Walls Lane, around two-and-a-half miles north of central Skegness.

The heritage line is approximately three-quarters of a mile long and operates between Walls Lane station and Seathorne Bank. It is run by volunteers and maintains an important collection of historic narrow-gauge rolling stock.

The Tiger Moth appearance will be weather-dependent, so visitors hoping specifically to see the aircraft should check the railway's latest updates before travelling.