The Norseman

[Trestrol]

I have a question about the Kings Cross - Tyne Commissioners Quay boat train the Norseman. Does anybody know when it gained the name The Norseman? I have seen conflicting dates of 1931 and 1947 for its start but was it named from 1931.

[4812]

C J Allen ('Titled Trains' 3rd edition) says that the 'Norseman' first appeared in the summer of 1950.

[Darryl Tooley]

According to 'Yeadon's Register of Named Trains on LNER lines' (Book Law, 2004), the 'Norseman' was introduced with the Summer timetable of 1931, and furnished with coach nameboards reading 'The Norseman'. At some stage in the 30s it was given a headboard reading just 'Norseman', but W B Yeadon was only able to discover one photograph of it in use, a fact which he attributes to the North Eastern Area's aversion to headboards.

According to WBY, the 'Norseman' was not immediately re-instated after the war, the traffic being dealt with wholly by through portions on ECML trains attached and detached at Newcastle. The 'Norseman' returned as direct up and down services in 1950, this time with a headboard reading 'The Norseman', which seems to have seen more use that its predecessor.

D

[harvester]

I think it was The Norseman I travelled from York to Tyne Commision on in 1966 . Five of us were joining the Fred Holsen sailing to Oslo for a cycle tour of Norway , Sweden and Denmark . The boat train arrived a bit late into York and we finished up mid train with our five bikes to load . We were told to hurry to the front coach (full brake , I think ) on arrival there I've never seen platform staff moving so quick throwing suit cases on board . Any way three of us boarded got three bikes on board then the train set off with the double doors still open ! We would have pulled the communication cord but we were locked inside the "caged " area . Now speeding north the leading door closed easily but the other took some heaving shut , two of us holding on to one of the lads whilst he edged out finally managing to close it . We were eventually released by the guard who did not appear to believe us about the doors and just said we should have loaded the bikes quicker ! The two club mate we left followed us north on the next train to Central and rode down to the docks in time to catch the ship.

[52D]

I travelled on the Norseman hauled by a 9F and two Thompsons in 1967. Anyone guess where i was lol.

[STAFFORDA4]

Alnwick Alnmouth 52D!

[STAFFORDA4]

And I think you may have meant 1966

[52D]

Yes and a slip of the trigger finger lol

[52D]

Heres my contribution, on the last day of steam on the Alnwick Branch John Bellwood sent 92099 to do the honours and someone added the Norseman headboard, it can be seen on the Maurice Burns B&W shot, i dont know who did the colour shot.

[Trestrol]

Thanks for all the replies. I can now get a roof board painted.

[Hatfield Shed]

... the last day of steam on the Alnwick Branch John Bellwood sent 92099 to do the honours ... i dont know who did the colour shot.

Both Maurice Johnson and D.C. Johnson took colour pictures that have subsequently been published that same day 18th June 1966, so they are two 'possibles' for the colour photo credit.

[STAFFORDA4]

I have another teaser....in 1965 The Norseman headboard adorned a LNER Pacific for the last time in service.
However its not certain that it got very far (the headboard that is)
So where am I and what date please?
A L Syne

[52D]

I have a feeling it was No.4

[STAFFORDA4]

Not sure about that 52D
BUT the answer is 60145 31st Dec 65**
The BR Final Steam Run York to Newcastle 6.30pm ( & return 8.30pm)
from what I have gleaned a "The Norseman" headboard was placed on the top lamp bracket at York station before departure
I have two photos of it thus adorned both at York, however I've heard it was removed by "a member of staff" before departure

There are published shots elsewhere such as Darlington and Newcastle all without a headboard
Does anyone know the background to this?
Also a name that keeps cropping up around this event is a John Arnott-Brown; was he an enthusiast and/or a railwayman?

**= hence the A L Syne!

[52D]

52A has mentioned Arnott Brown in passing he might know.