Notes & Observations pre-1980

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The following observations from our area were recorded in various railway journals.
A notable arrival at Immingham depot on June 10 was A4 No. 60022. The purpose of its visit was apparent two days later when it took over at Grimsby Town a private excursion, titled "The Lincolnshire Poacher", from Alford to Edinburgh. The A4 did not pursue its usual path to the north for the train was routed via the Leeds - Carlisle and Waverly routes, pausing at Hellifield, Appleby and Hawick for the Pacific to take water.
(Trains Illustrated, August 1960)

The first 2-10-0s noted at Skegness were on May 30 and 31, when Nos. 92188 and 92202 respectively appeared to move coaches from their winter store there. Amongs Whit Sunday excursions to this resort was one from King's Cross hauled throughout by Brush Type 2 diesel No. D5615, also making the debut of its type at Skegness.
(Trains Illustrated, August 1960)

The "Britannia" Pacifics at Immingham are now being employed on the fish trains from Grimsby to the G.C. line.
(Modern Railways, May 1962)

The greater part of the relief and extra passenger trains were steam-hauled; this also applies to the entire traffic with Skegness, Cleethorpes and Scarborough. The average (East Coast Main Line) express load was 12 bogies and trains appeared to be well-filled, with the exception of the Grimsby service and almost empty "Butlin's Special" to Skegness.
(Modern Railways, September 1962)

Amongst other duties, the Brush 2,750 h.p. Type 4s have been hauling the Saturday "Butlin's Express" from King's Cross to Skegness. Despite the threat of rail service withdrawal to this resort, its excursion traffic this summer has been substantial. A high proportion is now diesel powered, with English Electric Type 3s as well as Brush Type 2s appearing from the Sheffield arwa. On July 6 a "Jubilee" 4-6-0 No. 45635, brought in a special from Bury.
(Modern Railways, September 1963)

The "Northumbrian", partly because it had become a train of no great distinction, and also because the same stock is used to work the 0653 from Grimsby to King's Cross before its down Newcastle journey, with the 1845 from King's Cross to Grimsby in the opposite direction, is losing its name. Incidentally, of these two Grimsby trains the former is being speeded up by 11min to reach London at 1015, and the latter by 10min to reach Grimsby at 2207. 
(Modern Railways, June 1964)

Another stranger to the North Lincolnshire area during May waa one of York's English Electric Type 4 diesels, No. D347, which was noted passing Scunthorpe with an excursion for Cleethorpes on Whit Monday. Our correspondent believes this to be the first working of one of these locomotives on this route since D209 was tested for clearances about three years ago.
(Modern Railways, July 1964)

No. 4472 will be used on a special run for invited guests from Darlington to Peterborough with a train composed of "Tees-Tyne Pullman" stock. The train is scheduled to leave Darlington at 1020 and arrive at Peterborough at 1310. On the return journey it is routed via March, Spalding and Sleaford then via Barkston North Junction to rejoin the East Coast main line back to Darlington. It is booked to leave Peterborough at 1325, call at Sleaford from 1444 to 1452 and arrive Darlington at approximately 1735.
(Modern Railways, April 1965)

The East Lincolnshire passenger services between Lincoln Central and Firsby, Peterborough and Boston, Firsby and Grimsby, Willoughby and Mablethorpe are continuing until at least October 4 next because of delays in completing organisation of the substitute bus services. All but one of these had been licensed by the Traffic Commissioners in May, but certain other procedures were not concluded. Until a firm withdrawal date is decided, the through trains between Cleethorpes, Grimsby and King's Cross still operate via Louth, Boston and Spalding, and not via Market Rasen, Lincoln and Newark, as shown in the new E.R. timetable book.
(Modern Railways, July 1970)

The first excursion of the summer seaaon to Cleethorpes ran on May 1. It was from Coventry, and headed by 47013 of Bescot. On 24 April, however, there had been an excursion from Cleethorpes to Bournemouth. This provided the unexpected sight of Toton 25s 25120/210 working the empty stock to Cleethorpes through Barnetby.
(Railway World, July 1976)

Excursions from the Leeds area to Cleethorpes have broken the usual pattern of Class 40 haulage. On May 30 Nos. 31117 and 31268 both arrived on excursions from South Elmsall, while 31319 and 31253 came with extras from Wakefield.
(Railway World, August 1976)

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