Tour No. 43 : The White Rose

(ITG Railtours)

Saturday 05^th December 2009

1Z50 07.48 Kings Cross-Scarborough

Kings Cross-Potters Bar-Stevenage-Peterborough-York-Scarborough

1Z51 15.17 Scarborough-York

Scarborough-Driffield-Beverley-Hessle-Gilberdyke-Selby-York

1Z52 19.01 York-Kings Cross

York-Peterborough-Stevenage-Potters Bar-Kings Cross

After having successfully received attention to a cracked cylinder head D1015 was once again at the head of a tour, this time heading north out of Kings Cross with York and Scarborough as the destinations. This was the first time a Western had worked out of Kings Cross since D1023 Western Fusilier did the honours on the 20^th November 1976.

It had rained for days and it was therefore a pleasant change that the journey northwards was made in excellent weather, picking up at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough. The journey to York was uneventful and arrival was roughly on time. Many of our tour participants left for a day fighting the Christmas crowds around York but these were replaced by many more who joined for the trip to Scarborough.

The line from York direct to Scarborough and then back via Hull and Selby was, unsurprisingly, new for a Class 52 Western and the photographers were once again out in force. Arrival in Scarborough was around midday and there was a good three and a half hour break for the local shops and hostelries to be enjoyed.

The trip back down the coast to Hull was made at a leisurely restricted 45mph and after a brief stop at Bridlington the remainder of the journey was in darkness. Arrival and departure at York was a few minutes late but some spirited running up the East Coast soon put that to rights. The highlight of the journey was a fast and noisy run through the centre road at Doncaster.

Arrival back at Kings Cross signalled an end to another successful D1015 tour and brought the curtain down on our programme for 2009.

Above : Western Champion stands at Kings Cross having arrived with the Tour ECS from Wembley Yard. Photo : Paul Winter.

Above : Another View of D1015 at Kings Cross awaiting departure for Scarborough. Photo: Paul Winter

Below : D1015 caught passing eaton crossing en route to York and Scarborough. Photo : Roger Geach.

D1015 throws out some clag after opening up passing through Doncaster Photo : Geoff Griffiths.

Below : Huge crowds greeted D1015 on arrival at York as she makes a great site and sound under the famous roof, prior to departing to Scarborough. Photo : Marvin Peanuts.

D1023 "Western Fusilier" the first Western to work out of Kings Cross with the Western Talisman railtour on November 20th 1976, inside its home at the NRM York. Photo : Trev Shattock.

Below: Running one side as D1072 Western Glory through the DTG Nameplate Offer waiting time at York before departure to Scarborough. Photo: Paul Winter

Below :D1015 basks in the Winter Sunshine upon arrival at Scarborough. Photo : Paul Winter

D1015 reverses the railtour stock out of Scarborough station to the sidings below a fine signal gantry. Photo : Paul Winter

D1015 waits to depart Scarborough with the 1517 for Kings Cross. Photo : Paul Winter

Below : Back in London and on the blocks at Kings Cross D1015 upon arrival back from Scarborough. Photo : Paul Winter