Steam train powers into Cleethorpes
NOSTALGIA-lovers enjoyed a rare opportunity to turn back the clock and recapture the sights and sounds of the steam era at the weekend.
Preserved loco No 70013 Oliver Cromwell visited Cleethorpes on Saturday, at the head of a special train from London to Cleethorpes.
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The Oliver Cromwell steam train on its way into Cleethorpes.
The arrival of the Oliver Cromwell into Cleethorpes.
The historic engine passed through North Kelsey, Howsham, Wrawby Junction, Barnetby, Melton Ross, Ulceby, New Holland, Kettleby, Brigg, Scawby and Hibaldstow, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Northorpe and Blyton.
Crowds flocked to greet the arrival, at about 3pm.
British Railways withdrew the last of its steam engines based at Frodingham and Immingham depots back in March 1966.
Crowds wait to catch the arrival on camera.
Two years later, Oliver Cromwell was specially selected for the very last steam-hauled mainline passenger train operated by British Railways – the 40 Guinea Special in the north west.
The engine then steamed into preservation, passing through Lincolnshire on its way to its new home in Norfolk.
Crowds greet the Oliver Cromwell's arrival.
Piper John Best greets the train's passengers arrival in Cleethorpes.
Comments
by Brian, Peterborough
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:11PM
“I spent my childhood days in Grimsby; we often travelled to Cleethorpes from Docks station by train, (2 old pennies).... If we were hard up, we walked! I travelled to Peterborough in the early 60¿s to pursue a career in engineering and travelled by a Britannia Class - like Oliver Cromwell on the East Lincs Line, from Grimsby through Louth, Alford, Boston and Spalding to Peterborough, sadly that route is long gone. My trip to Cleethorpes was pure nostalgia ¿ but what an eye opener it was ¿ What a welcome at Cleethorpes, they certainly pulled out all the stops! Even a piper! Fabulous! Amazing! The welcome all along the route from London to Cleethorpes was truly amazing! Every City/Town/Village ¿ in fact every vantage point along the line ¿ there was somebody waving... Thousands of people ¿ all ages ¿ girls/boys/granddads and grandma¿s - My arms ached after 50 miles! I had never seen so many people taking photos and video ¿ Wonderful. I did email a friend of mine and told him what was happening, he knew nothing and came to meet me, but I missed him, he could not get through the crowds at Cleethorpes! If you want to know all the steam specials try ¿ www.uksteam.info, they will all be there, not that many are going to Grimsby and Cleethorpes, but if there is one - it will be there.... Enjoy....”