Help regarding visit to the UK

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:51 pm

Hi everyone!
I have decided to extend a forthcoming visit to the UK by a couple of days, and top of my visit list is the NRM at York to take plenty of photographs.
However I would also like to visit one or two live steam locations, using public transport from my "home base" at Newark, Notts. The relevant dates are 23, 24 and 25 April, one of which will be spent at York.
I would be most obliged if anyone could suggest an itinerary for the other two days, bearing in mind that I must end up at Stansted airport by 16:00 on the 25 April.
Of course the Nene valley and Loughborough are the two nearest locations, but I would be happy to travel further afield, especially if ex-LNER locomotives could be involved!

Post by **richard** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:10 pm

There's the North Norfolk Railway as well.

They're home to the J15, B12, one of the Y7s, the J21 (for restoration when they get around to it).
Is the N7 there as well, or just a frequent visitor?

Richard

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:15 pm

What I am after is engines in steam, although perhaps it is too early in the season.
Here in Sweden we are enjoying cloudless skies and 18 degree temperature on my balcony at the moment!

karlrestall · Post by **karlrestall** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:19 pm

Theres always the NYMR. Probably not many LNER engines in steam but the grand old lady (or gentleman, depending on your point of view), Sir Nigel Gresley is usually running at least one of the trains. There is also one of the restored Gresley buffet cars running as well. May be a bit far to see these two things alone.

Regards

Karl

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:58 pm

Thanks for the NYMR tip - if I stayed the night in York, could I get to the NYMR from there (and back to York the same day?) by public transport?
What is happening at Bressingham these days?
I guess Carnforth would be a bit too far away, assuming that any locomotives are still there!
I've been out of the UK for the last 30 years so I need to get up to speed!

karlrestall · Post by **karlrestall** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:21 pm

Yes you could make it in one day.

Leave York at 9:26 from platform 11
arrive at Middlesbrough at 10:30
Leave Middlesbrough at 10:38 from platform 1
arrive at Grosmont at 11:44
Take 11:50 from Grosmont
arrive at Pickering at 13.00
Leave Pickering at 13.20
arrive at Grosmont at 14.25
take the 14.50 from Grosmont to Goathland
get off the train at Goathland and move over to the other platform and catch the 15.10 to Grosmont.
Arrive in Grosmont at 15.25
Have about 45 minutes at Grosmont engine sheds.
Take the 16.22 from Grosmont, Platform 1 to Middlesbrough,
get into Middlesbrough at 17.35
Change at Middlesbrough and get on the 17.50 to York
Arrive at York at 18.51.

This is a rough plan for the day. You will probably be able to ride behind SNG at least once (If hes running that is) Hope this helps any.

My sources were http://www.nymr.co.uk and http://www.traveline.org.uk/index.htm

Regards

Karl

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:30 pm

Many thanks for that, karlrestall, but it seems a bit gruelling! I shall check out the possibility of renting a car for the day, but it may well be that I shall content myself with visits to Loughborough and/or the Nene Valley. Does anyone know if they shall have engines in steam on those dates, and which locomotives thay are currently operating?

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:09 am

Archibald Sturrock wrote:Many thanks for that, karlrestall, but it seems a bit gruelling! I shall check out the possibility of renting a car for the day, but it may well be that I shall content myself with visits to Loughborough and/or the Nene Valley. Does anyone know if they shall have engines in steam on those dates, and which locomotives thay are currently operating?

The Nene Valley will be running steam services over the weekend using a British Railways Standard Class 5 No 73050, They do have an LNER B1 there, No 1306 Mayflower, unfortunatly for you though, that wont be running! If only you had your trip booked for the weekend after!!

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:26 pm

karlrestall, I have had another look at your proposed day out, and it really does seem feasible now! Perhaps a bus from York to Pickering and return (if there is one) might be better instead of going all the way up to Middlesbrough and back down to Grosmont, though? I have now looked at the NYMR web site and it looks like a very interesting and busy railway!
Any suggestions as to a bed & breakfast place in York?
Do trains run from Middlesbrough direct to Newark?
Thanks again for your helpful suggestion.

karlrestall · Post by **karlrestall** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:59 pm

Hi,

There are no direct train services to Newark from Middlesbrough they all require at least one change such as at Darlington or Leeds. Also there are no direct bus links from York to Pickering they all require numerous changes which I personally would find daunting; so the only way to go is by train

As for B&B try here http://www.chelmsfordplace.co.uk/ plenty of parking and reasonably cheap as well. There are plenty of places in York it just depends on budget and how close to the city centre you would like to be.

Regards

Karl

x568wcn · Post by **x568wcn** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:23 pm

If you get Yorkshire Coastliner route 840 from York Station, or various places in York, it goes all they way to Whitby, and as for trains from Middlesbrough to Newark...no, you will have to change in York, and catch a GNER down to Newark North Gate.

But not this GNER passing through York tonight, A) it was going the wrong way, and B) it wasn't under it's own diesel!

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:42 pm

Thanks agin, folks!
B&B booking is now requested, and considering car rental for the day with return to Newark by road so I could stay longer at the NYMR!

karlrestall · Post by **karlrestall** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:47 pm

There is always the Camping coaches at the NYMR (They may be fully booked though) As an alternative you could try the Station Tavern, literally on Grosmont Station door step.

Regards

Karl

x568wcn · Post by **x568wcn** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:50 pm

Camping coaches???
Got a leaflet on these from the York Show...no prices, but £150 deposit, then I turned off!
Camp in a field next to it cheaper!

Archibald Sturrock · Post by **Archibald Sturrock** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:55 pm

Excuse my English - I meant that I have already requested a booking from the B&B you mentioned, Karl! However the pub at Grosmont sounds interesting, too! That could be a back-up if the York B&B is full, I expect to hear from them tomorrow.
Time for another photo!
Not LNER, but is this the Jinty 47406?