How artist helped bring railway 'back to life'

An artist has shared how she painted a mural on a railway ticket office in Lincolnshire to help bring life and history back to the station.

Nikita Spires, from Louth, depicted how the office in Great Coates could have looked in Victorian times, complete with an inspector waiting for tickets.

She painted the mural as part of a series at stations including Stallingborough, Cleethorpes, Grimsby Docks and New Clee, which are located on the line between Barton-upon-Humber and Cleethorpes.

Ms Spires said she wanted the painting to be a "nod to the generations who passed through that station".

She added: "I wanted to create more than just an image, I wanted to transport people.

"The Victorian ticket office and window aren't just painted, they're a bridge to the past, a nod to the generations who passed through that station.

"It's a joy to see how art can transform a forgotten corner into something that sparks imagination, pride and local connection."

The murals were painted as part of the Railway 200 project to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.

Ms Spires said she wanted the mural to "bring life and history" back to the station

The Barton-to-Cleethorpes line opened in stages between 1848 and 1863. It also survived the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, while being recommended for closure at the same time.

The project has been helped by funding from East Midlands Railway and the Community Rail Network (CRN).

Dawn Branton, an officer at CRN, said each mural "beautifully captures a piece of the Barton line".

"We hope passengers and visitors alike will have a day out on the line, explore the route, and discover these fantastic artworks for themselves," Ms Branton said.

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