In 1886 the Willoughby & Sutton Railway was completed and this was joined to the Mablethorpe line in 1888. In the 1960's commuters could board a train at Alford station and travel through to King's Cross without changing! Sadly, the station was axed by Dr. Beeching in 1970 which cut off the Lincolnshire Boston to Grimsby loop.

The Great Northern Railway became the London and North Eastern Railway and eventually, British Rail.