All aboard the 'Goats Train' - furry passengers prove popular on Skegness railway trip
A fun train ride with goats proved to be a hit when three full carriages rode through Skegness last week.
Those with poor hearing may have been expecting a spooky experience – but this ‘Goats Train’ simply offered a bit of furry charm on board the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway (LCLR).
“All three carriages were filled to capacity on Wednesday 26th August for the visit of two therapy goats,” a spokesperson for LCLR explained.
“The pygmy goats - from the Hensell Goat Rescue Centre at Huttoft – journeyed from Walls Lane station to Seathorne Bank under the watchful eye of a film crew from ITV.”
The goats, Noel and Lisa, are normally based in the centre meeting visitors and helping with therapy work where their “calming and charming” personalities help people at health establishments, schools catering for SEND students and elsewhere .
When they took the train in the Skegness Water Leisure Park, their train carried a special locomotive headboard reading ‘Goats Train’ - made by traditional signwriter Tim Fry, from the Woodhall Spa area.
The spokesperson added: “Tim has long supported the pioneering volunteer-run railway with his magnificent signwriting for special events and commemorating special occasions.”
The goats had complimentary tickets - everyone else paid the normal fares of £2 and £5 for a family of two adults and up to three children (over three years). The railway donated prizes for a fundraising tombola towards a new winter barn for the centre to accommodate more animals.
Richard Shepherd, Chairman of the LCLR's Historic Vehicles Trust, said: "Noel and Lisa enjoyed their train rides as much as our passengers and volunteers. The Hensell Goat Rescue Centre does a great job and we're pleased to have helped their fund raising and boost their profile.”