With a route length of around 80 miles, the Nottingham to Skegness line was well known back in the days for appearances of just about every type of BR Diesel Loco on summer additional services from places such as Leeds, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackpool and Manchester. The most common of these was the Class 20s and 25s, although a multitude of other locos could fit in thanks to the beauty of timetable layering. Proposed Rolling Stock Class 108 in BR Blue/Grey livery These 2 car units often formed the local services along this route, alongside other classes such as the Class 101s (could layer in) and 114s. They also seem to have worked quite a few local services out of Leeds, so would provide some much needed AI traffic at that station on Northern Trans Pennine. Class 20 in BR Blue Livery Arguably the loco best associated with the Skegness summer workings, the Class 20's were regular service providers on Skegness services that started and terminated at Derby, Leicester, Burton On Trent and Nottingham. These services were almost always double headers due to their length. Class 25 in BR Blue livery Another of the Skegness regulars from 1978 to 1985, the Class 25s were widespread across the British Rail network for over 20 years, with their final withdrawal coming in 1987. As mentioned earlier on in this post, Skegness used to see quite the variety of visitors during the summer, and a a list of what would layer into this timetable and on what services is included below Heavy Freight Pack Class 40 Used on: Services to/from Blackpool (this service exclusive to Class 40 layer) and Manchester (alongside NTP Class 47 and Class 31 DLC) Northern Trans Pennine Class 45 Used on all services available. Class 47 Used on services from Leeds, Sheffield & Manchester. Class 31 (Standalone DLC) Used on same services as Class 20 & 25.
Although it became a bit of a trek after the East Lincolnshire Line shut every year since I was born my family have gone to Skeggy by train so I would adore to see this route and is set in the perfect era as we need more BR Blue routes to use our existing stock on. From experience this route is best enjoyed from the cab of a peak!!
I must agree that another BR route is needed but also a route in the east of England so this route would be brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring it on and for owners of the route the Class 20 will share Tees Valley Line BR Speedlink colours version
This would be a great route to see developed, especially set in this period. There was always a lot of interest in summer Saturday loco hauled services to places like Skegness, they often provided traction you wouldn't normally get to ride behind. The class 108 would be good to see too, it could easily layer in on NTP as Neville Hill had a lot of these units. I do wonder if a class 114 and wouldn't be more common on this route as they were the Lincolnshire DMU. Lincoln depot also had some class 105's too.
