SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2022 

A “BLUE BOYS” MULTI-TRACTION TOUR TO LINCOLN, OUT AND BACK BY DEVIOUS ROUTES, LINKS AND CHORDS

A tour with much to offer for track and locomotive ‘bashers’, featuring four different traction types and around a dozen sections of track that are either ‘goods lines’ or are otherwise difficult to cover. 

Straightforward enough to Leicester, with just a couple of chords and a goods line to get in the book, then three goods loops to Leicester, via New England Yard Reception to a reversal in the Peterborough area and north via the new dive-under onto the Joint Line through to Lincoln, for a 90 minute break while the carriages are serviced. 

Restarting we head across to Newark and south to Grantham Goods Loop, where another locomotive is attached at the rear, and we head back north double-headed.

A couple of passenger loops feature on the way north to Retford, where the train turns west to Worksop and down the ‘Robin Hood’ line to Kirkby-in-Ashfield. The next section to Ironville Junction now sees passenger trains once again, but not at the most convenient times!  Southward then to Toton, where we enter the yard from the south after routing via the Lenton Curve and the Trent High Level lines. 

A last locomotive change and the return journey starts, setting down as outward from Leicester, but with an additional stop at Birmingham New Street after forced routing via Sutton Park due to an engineering possession.

REQUESTED ROUTE:
(Amended 15.12.2021)

Class 68 As per the joining stations to Dorridge, then Bordesley Jn – Up Washwood Heath Goods Loop – Coleshill Parkway – Abbey Jn – Up Nuneaton Chord – Wigston North Chord – Leicester – Melton Mowbray Up Goods Loop – Oakham Up Goods – New England North Jn – Up Arrival / South Departure – Peterborough (Rev), Class 66 – Werrington Diveunder – Spalding – Sleaford Avoider – Lincoln (break) – Newark North Gate Down/Up Goods Loop (Rev), Class 88 + Class 68 – Carlton Down Passenger Loop – Retford – Worksop – Mansfield – Ironville Junction – Up & Down Erewash Slow – Trowell Jn – Lenton Curve – Attenborough Jn – Meadow Lane Jn – Toton Yard (Rev), Class 57 – Meadow Lane Jn – Leicester – Water Orton – Sutton Park – Bescot Stadium – Soho Loop – Birmingham New Street – Bordesley Jn and as outward.

(Please note that Claypole Up Passenger Loop, Grantham Down/Up Goods, Claypole Down Passenger Loop and Humberstone Road Up/Down Goods are now unavailable)

CONFIRMED TIMINGS:

Motive power is expected to be as set out in the text above.

Onboard catering will include a full buffet service with the Gricers Grill hot food menu, plus a selection of real ales & cider.

A sales stand will also be open, and a charity raffle will be organised.