The Lincolnshire Coast Express

Join us on this unusual tour visiting the rarely travelled railways of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire hauled by one of the great steam survivors – Britain Pacific 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’. Forty-one years ago ‘Oliver Cromwell’ hauled British Rail’s very last steam train ending an era that began as far back as 1804.

For this memorable journey we depart from London Liverpool Street at approximately 08:20 hauled by 70013 Oliver Cromwell to pick up passengers at Totthenham Hale, Bishop Stortford and Cambridge. We call at Ely  and here our locomotive will take on water. From Ely we follow the Cross Country Line to Peterborough here we join the East Coast Main Line.

 

Soon Oliver Cromwell will be tackling the 15 mile climb up Stoke Bank where in 1936 Mallard achieved a record 126mph flight in the opposite direction – a record that is still stands unbeaten today.

 

Over the summit we descend to Newark here we join the Old Midland Railway Line to Lincoln. As we come into Lincoln we enjoy fine views of the Magnificent Cathedral perched on a hill. We continue through the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds as we pass through Market Rasen. We join the Main Line from Doncaster at Wraby Junction and we continue through Grimsby to Cleethorpes, an early example of an English seaside resort created by the railways.

 

After a two hour break we will be pulled by a diesel locomotive to New Holland, the former departure point for the old ferry service to Hull. 70013 Oliver Cromwell hauls our train from New Holland to Barnetby where we join the Old Great Central Main Line to Sheffield. We pass through Brigg and the attractive market town of Kirton and Lindey before passing through Gainsborough and on to Worksop where we say goodbye to Oliver Cromwell. From Worksop we will be hauled by a diesel locomotive back to London Liverpool Street calling to set down passengers at Peterborough, Ely, Cambridge, Bishops Stortford, Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street.

• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)