| ECML DIVERSIONS THROUGH LINCOLN |
| In the era before the electrification of the
East Coast Main line, engineering work between Doncaster
and Peterborough would result in services being routed
over the "Joint" line via Lincoln. Certain
trains would call at Sleaford where a shuttle service
would convey passengers to/from Grantham, others would
use the Sleaford Avoiding line and, despite it officially
closing in October 1983, still saw heavy use by these
diverted services for many years after ! The Lincoln
Avoiding line closed the same time, but this resulted in
all services being routed through Central Station - a
bonus for rail enthusiasts if not for the motorists held
up at the High Street level crossing ! Trains not
stopping at Lincoln would use the "middle roads"
(normally traversed by freight trains). A shuttle service
operated between Lincoln and Newark Northgate and
passengers from Retford had to change at Gainsborough Lea
Road. These diversions have long since ceased.
Occasionally, there are a few diversions between Newark
Northgate and Doncaster, but these use the Boultham Curve
and thus effectively bypass Central Station, electric
trains being dragged by diesel locomotives. The table and photographs below focus on the diversions in 1987, in particular those that took place on Sunday, February 15th. Immediately below is a table listing the various ECML service routed through Lincoln (including sleepers !). There were also diversions further north and some services were diverted via the Leamside route. The 2325 (Saturday) ex King's Cross to Edinburgh "Nightrider" was one example, encountering both diversions, arriving at Edinburgh just over an hour later than the normal scheduled arrival time ! |
| ECML Trains
Diverted via Lincoln Sunday, Feburary 15th, 1987 §: Indicates locomotive hauled c: Crew Change |
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| ECML Diversions Observations Sunday, Feburary 15th, 1987 |
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| d: depart; a: arrive; p: pass * : Stop for crew change only. No passengers picked up. § : Crew change & passengers picked up # : Reversed at Lincoln. Stock: E4789, E4484, E4474, E4366, E34675, E7930, E4425, E4821, E4420. |
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On other services: Newark Shuttle: E53014+E54029 Newak Shuttle: E53009+E54007+E54039+E53001 1425 to Crewe: 150107 1510 to Sheffield: E53007+E54036 |
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| Although diagrammed for an HST set, the
Cleethorpes to King's Cross, there were exceptions, February 15th, 1987, being one such instance when 47566 was at the head of the train. On arrival at Newark it was necessary for the train to reverse and the loco on arrival (above photo) was detached and run around the train and (below) is shown attached to the other end awaiting departure. |
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| Although the majority of ECML services were
HST operated, some runs and additionals were locomotive hauled. The top view taken on February 15th, 1987, shows 47660 on the 1115 1L06 King's Cross to Leeds. The centre view, taken on the same date, shows 47497 on the 1235 1L07 King's Cross to Leeds whilst the bottom view, on another date, shows northbound 47485 on the middle road at Lincoln. |
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| (Above) On February 15th, 1987, 43157
approaches Lincoln with the 1056 Harrogate to King's Cross. (Below) On the same date 43155 approaches from the opposite direction on the 1230 King's Cross to Edinburgh. |
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| No mistaking where this photo was taken ! |
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| Four views of HSTs taken at various dates in
1987. (Top) 43049 on the middle road bound for King's Cross (Above) King's Cross bound 43117 viewed from the footbridge at Central Station (Below) 43068 arrives on platfom 5 bound for King's Cross beneath a very threatening sky ! (Bottom) Northbound 43083 passes 43074 on the High Street level crossing. |
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| Those interested in HSTs are recommended to visit the excellent 125 Group's site |