Scarborough Spa Express
Encyclopedia
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.
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 1982, these were extended to run over the circular route from York to Harrogate and Leeds and back to York, before running to Scarborough. These ran until 1985.
. It was not until 2006 that regular trips were run. These were introduced by the National Railway Museum
, and began running directly from York to Scarborough on 18 July 2006. The following year, this was extended to include the Harrogate Loop once more.
In 2010 the route was changed to go round the Normanton loop.
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.
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
service between York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and Scarborough via Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
and Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
. It is operated by the West Coast Railway Company
West Coast Railway Company
West Coast Railways, also known as West Coast Railway Company, is a railway spot-hire company and charter train operator, based at Carnforth in Lancashire, on the site of the old Steamtown heritage depot...
, however has been operated in previous years by different companies, including the Railway Touring Company.
History
Regular steam operations on most of British RailBritish Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
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 1982, these were extended to run over the circular route from York to Harrogate and Leeds and back to York, before running to Scarborough. These ran until 1985.
In the 2000s
Since 1985, there had been occasional steam railtours to Scarborough, including the 'Ride the Legend' tours using LNER Class A3 4472 Flying ScotsmanLNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
The LNER Class A3 Pacific locomotive No. 4472 Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway at Doncaster Works to a design of H.N. Gresley...
. It was not until 2006 that regular trips were run. These were introduced by the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...
, and began running directly from York to Scarborough on 18 July 2006. The following year, this was extended to include the Harrogate Loop once more.
In 2010 the route was changed to go round the Normanton loop.
Locomotives
In recent years, the following locomotives have been used:- LNER Class A3 Flying ScotsmanLNER Class A3 4472 Flying ScotsmanThe LNER Class A3 Pacific locomotive No. 4472 Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway at Doncaster Works to a design of H.N. Gresley...
- LNER Class A4 Union of South AfricaLNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa60009 Union of South Africa is an LNER Class A4 steam locomotive built in Doncaster in 1937. Originally named Osprey, it is one of six surviving Gresley A4s and is presently undergoing an extensive overhaul.-Names:...
- LMS Coronation Class Duchess of SutherlandLMS Princess Coronation Class 6233 Duchess of SutherlandLondon Midland and Scottish Railway Princess Coronation Class 6233 Duchess of Sutherland is a preserved steam locomotive.- Service :6233 was outshopped in July 1938 from Crewe Works and was part of the third batch of her class...
- LMS Stanier Class 5 The Sherwood ForesterLMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 5231London Midland and Scottish Railway Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 5231 is a preserved British steam locomotive...
- LMS Stanier Class 5 The Lancashire FusilierLMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 45407LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' is a LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive engine built at Armstrong Whitworth in 1937.It is one of 18 surviving Black 5's.- Shed allocations :During its working life no...
- SR Battle Of Britain Class Tangmere
- LMS Jubilee Class LeanderLMS Jubilee Class 5690 LeanderLondon Midland and Scottish Railway Jubilee Class No. 5690 Leander is a preserved British steam locomotive.- Overview :...
- LMS Stanier Class 8F Gauge O'GuildLMS Stanier Class 8FThe London Midland and Scottish Railway's 8F class 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive is a class of steam locomotive designed for hauling heavy freight...
- BR Standard Class 7 Oliver CromwellBR standard class 7 70013 Oliver Cromwell70013 Oliver Cromwell is a British Railways standard class 7 preserved steam locomotive. The locomotive is notable as one of the four steam locomotives which worked the last steam railtour on British Railways in 1968 before the introduction of a steam ban.-Career:One of 55 of the "Britannia"...
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.