Southwell station opened on 1 July 1847 as a short branch line on the Midland Railway. There was no regular passenger service by steam locomotives until 1860. Gas lighting was introduced in 1862.
On 3 April 1871 the line was extended to Mansfield with other stations opened at Kirklington, Farnsfield and Rainworth. Southwell station building was also re-built in stone in 1871 to coincide with the line extension. The contractors for the construction were Eckersley and Baylis. The cast iron bridges on the route were built by Handyside & Co of Derby. The former station masters house was dismantled and rebuilt at Beeston railway station.
The Southwell to Mansfield section was closed to passengers in 1929. The Southwell to Rolleston Junction section closed on 16 June 1959 for passengers but the National Coal Board still used the line until 1968.
This route is now a footpath belonging to Nottinghamshire County Council and has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.
--------------------------------------------
THE CACHE
At the coordinates look at the plaque. Note the LAST date. Take this as ABCD.
The cache can be found at:
N 53 05. (B-(D+A)) B C
W 000 56. B (C-A) (B-(D+A))