This as a class 153 diesel unit, used on the about-hourly each way train between Spalding and Peterborough. (Gats had just boarded on his way back to London). This one is a through working from Lincoln to Peterborough
Nice pictures Alan; I like the contrast between the Victorian station buildings and structures (in their Railtrack Plc (in administration) colours) and the 1970s(?) diesel units. One of the most uncomfortable railway journeys I have ever had was from Wainfleet to Grantham at the end of a holiday in Tetford; it was just after a bank holiday weekend and hordes of trippers were on their way home from Skeggy to "Dottigub" and Leicester; the train (a 2 car diesel unit I think) was virtually full already when it reached Wainfleet and not only did I have to stand with my luggage, but the standing was in sardine tin conditions more reminiscent of rush hour on the Underground; almost unbearable when it was for a lengthy (90 mins or so) journey out in the wilds of Lincolnshire! The operators did not seem to know or care that vast numbers of people would obviously be using the trains that day and did nothing to alleviate the crush by putting on a few extra units. Happy days! Ben
Nice pics! We have the funny coloured versions down ere... (lets see if I can get this picture business to work ) We've got the plain ones... "Wessex" painted ones... "Heart of Wales" painted ones (this ones at Par in Cornwall!) And "Devon & Cornwall branches" ones, which photograph really badly unless you're the sunny side of them, sorry Colourful down 'ere!
Ben, long gone are the days of many special trains to Skeggy every weekend during the summer! Including the "Butlins Holiday Expresses" from King's Cross to Skegness. Martyn, thanks for the "variety" You have some pretty trains down there But the last time I was in Exeter, there were Bulleid pacifics, GW Castles, Kings, Halls, etc.
Years ago (but not enough for me to remember Bullieds & Kings ) I travelled to Skegness & back to London, I think it was probably just a railfanning trip. On the way back to Grantham? we had a nine car formation of tyseley based slam door DMU's (3x3) that was pretty cool, I'd not seen a DMU set that long before. That was the era that the class 20's were doing Skeggy trains, but I'd managed to miss them! I guess these days we have a different kind of variety (I was about to say variety isn't what it used to be, but that isn't quite what I mean!) All the best
