BLS to try again for Whitby with a ‘Hoover’ for haulage

WITH a planned tour to Whitby last October thwarted due to pathing issues, and an alternative to Saltburn as the replacement, the Branch Line Society is having a second bid to reach the fishing port and seaside town on March 18.

Appropriately called ‘The Second Bite’, this charity tour will begin at Derby (circa 05.00), and call to pick up at Nottingham, Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield and York, before running to Whitby via Middlesbrough and Battersby Jct.

There will be a stop at Grosmont for passengers wanting to ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, while at Whitby a break of around 90 minutes is planned.

The train will set down as per the outward journey with an approximate arrival time back in Derby at 23.20. A photostop at Battersby is planned for the return working – and proceeds from a charity raffle will be donated to Railway Benefit Fund.

Motive power for this excursion will be a Class 37 locomotive operating top ‘n tail with Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer, with Rail Adventure being the train operator.

A buffet car will serve a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light refreshments as well as real ales and ciders.

Fares are first class, nondining at a guaranteed table for two £195, first class, nondining £170 and standard class £115. There is no surcharge for not being a Branch Line Society member on this fixture. Accompanied under 18s benefit from a £57.50 reduction across all fares. Bookings are being taken online at branchline.uk

■ The society has outlined a diary marker for another main line tour on May 1, but no details are available yet.

JACK BOSKETT Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer works through Leamington Spa on January 14 with a Branch Line Society railtour from London to Stratford-upon-Avon. The excursion, which ran over a large part of the Chiltern Railway network was dedicated for former Chiltern chairman Adrian Shooter, who died last year.