CLAN LINE’S ECML JAUNT TO LINCOLN

If your idea of a good day out is a ‘Merchant Navy’ on the East Coast Main Line, pencil in August 25. That is what’s planned for a trip currently referred to, somewhat cryptically on Clan Line’s website, as “Somewhere North of the Thames”. PR man Paul Blowfield tells me the intention is to run from King’s Cross to Lincoln, out via Spalding and back over Stoke Bank, with UK Railtours. ‘SNotT’ is part of a programme that’s increasingly making up for the years of No. 35028’s diary having been dominated by the ‘British Pullman’ – other forthcoming appearances include a trip to the West Somerset Railway on May 26 (also with UK Railtours), as well as ‘Torbay Express’ trains this summer. Plus, of course, there’s the first-ever ‘MN’ run into Cornwall (June 17) – as detailed in SR476.