Scarborough Spa Express

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Date: Jul 22, 2010 6:38 PM

Courtesy Dave Rodgers................

Subject: Todays Scarborough Spa Express

After a failure yesterday afternoon when part of the rocking grate collapsed the Carnforth fitters came across to York early this morning and with the firebox cooled down somewhat were able to make a repair enabling the Scot to work the Scarborough Spa Express today.

Second steam fix of the week for me with a morning trip (for a change) from Wakefield via Leeds and Castleford to York on the Scarborough Spa Express with a really excellent run with 46115 Scots Guardsman. The deafening 3-cylinder continuous roar on the climb north from Wakefield on the mainline to Ardsley was well worth the trip alone!

South African driver Peter Odell, who was in the first window, was 'over the moon' at least until his drivers hat complete with SAR insignia blew off at speed at Colton Jct., near York!

A couple of pictures taken at York during the brief stop in the main northbound platform (No.5) before heading off to Scarborough.

Dave