The Mansfield & Pinxton Railway, the oldest continuously-running commercial railway in England, celebrated its 200th anniversary last year ­— and to help commemorate the achievement a heritage trail has been officially launched.

Members of the Mansfield & Pinxton Railway Project group, who designed the trail information boards, met at the Boat Inn, Pinxton to officially launch the initiative.

The Boat Inn has been on the same site as the start of the original railway for the full life of the line.

Seven heritage information boards have been erected along the eight-mile long railway, starting at The Boat Inn and ending at Mansfield Railway Station.

Each has been strategically located to commemorate specific parts of the original railway and located in a way that both commuters and walkers can easily access them.

Other sites include Sutton Parkway Station; Lowmoor Road, Kirkby; Aldi, Urban Road, Kirkby; Portland Park, Kirkby; and near the Level Crossing on Station Road, Pinxton. Each board shares basic information, but they also discuss the heritage around their specific location.

To accompany the trail, the group has published a self-guiding walk booklet. The free 40-page booklet has split the railway into three sections and directs readers step by step close to the old line. At the same time, you can learn about the heritage of the railway.

The group is trying to find organisations to hold a stock of the leaflets to make them readily available to anyone interested.

If you are able to help, contact Denis Hill at [email protected]. They are currently available at The Boat Inn and several libraries, amongst a few other locations.

The group is aiming to conduct guided walks along the route soon, subject to government guidance. Contact Denis if you would like to be informed about the walks.

A spokesperson added: “The whole project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to which we offer our thanks to all those who play the lottery.

“We also acknowledge the support of local authorities and local business owners who have allowed us to erect the boards on their property.

“We are also about to publish a book and video on the history of the railway. If anyone is interested, contact Denis on the above email.

More information is at www.mansfieldandpinxton200.btck.co.uk or Facebook www.facebook.com/pinxtonandmansfieldrailway200