Scarborough Spa Express
The Scarborough Spa Express is a regular summer heritage steam locomotive service between York and Scarborough via Harrogate and Leeds. It is operated by the West Coast Railway Company, however has been operated in previous years by different companies, including The Railway Touring Company.
History
Regular steam operations on most of British Rail ended in 1968. In the early 1970s, British Rail allowed steam back on the main line, using preserved steam locomotives, and by the late 1970s, the company ran a series of trains during the summer months from York to Scarborough and back. In 1981, BR introduced the Scarborough Spa Express, which ran from York to Scarborough and return twice a week. The following year these were extended to run over the circular route from York to Harrogate and Leeds, returning to York before continuing to Scarborough.[1] These ran until 1988.[2]
In the 2000s
Since 1988, there had been occasional steam railtours to Scarborough, featuring locomotives including 60800 Green Arrow, 46229 Duchess of Hamilton, 48151 Gauge O' Guild, 3440 City of Truro and 45596 Bahamas. It was not until 2002 that regular trips began again. These were introduced by West Coast Railways and ran from Scarborough to York and return for three days a week during July and August. The same format was used again in 2003. The National Railway Museum began running directly from York to Scarborough in 2004 from 20 July. 4472 Flying Scotsman having just been acquired by the NRM was the main loco used but supported by LMS Stanier Class 5 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' in the event of any loco failure.[3] The NRM sponsored the SSE until the of 2006 when they decided hand over the running of the SSE to the Railway Touring Company. So in 2007, the Railway Touring Company included the Harrogate Loop in the SSE itinerary once more and ran a very successful number of tours during July and August. In 2008-2009, WCR took over the running of the SSE and they again utilised the Harrogate loop running on three days a week during July and August. In 2010 the route was changed as gauging problems on the Harrogate loop put a stop to any steam locomotive using this route. This is how the Wakefield Circle was born, so WCR again running three days a week during July and August sponsored the SSE. The route was York-Normanton-Wakefield Kirkgate-Wakefield Westgate-Woodlesford-Castleford and back to York. Then from York the usual trip to Scarborough and back to York and the Wakefield Circle as per the morning run, returning to York at 21-00. It is intended that the same route will be used in 2012.
Locomotives
In recent years, the following locomotives have been used:
- LNER Class A3 No.4472 Flying Scotsman
- LNER Class A4 No.60009 Union of South Africa
- LMS Coronation Class No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland
- LMS Stanier Class 5 No.45231 The Sherwood Forester
- LMS Stanier Class 5 No.45407 The Lancashire Fusilier
- SR Battle Of Britain Class No.34067 Tangmere
- LMS Jubilee Class No.5690 Leander
- LMS Stanier Class 8F No.48151 Gauge O'Guild
- BR Standard Class 7 No.70013 Oliver Cromwell
On its first run, 6233 Duchess of Sutherland hit a bridge between Harrogate and Leeds, causing minor damage, and was not used on this route subsequently.[citation needed]
