“The train 🚂 now standing at Market Cross, is the 0930 to Millington, calling at Etton, Market Weighton, Londesborough, Burnby, Nunburnholme, Kilnwick Percy and Millington”. “All abooooard”. “Anyone without a valid travel pass should leave the train 🚉 now”. Those were the days, thanks Dr Beeching 🙄.
Jonathan, recovering from recent surgery turned out to see the departing train. Also on the platform was Nick, along with recent family addition. Hopefully we will see them both join the train once more in the near future.
Five carriages joined up for the journey. “Matt, the Rocky Mountaineer” took up the initial pace setting, as the train headed over the Westwood on the Newbald Road. Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack went the “Flying Scotsman” who then took to the front after Manor House until superceded on reaching the “railroad” crossing at Bishop Burton, when the Rocky Mountaineer performed a slick maneuver, dodging the traffic like a youngster with no fear, while the rest of the carriages waited for a safer chance to cross.
Mike the” Yorkshire Pullman” followed by Stephen the “Ulster Express” and Paul the “Scarborough Flyer” set off in hot pursuit once the way was clear. The going got a little tough as the train turned into the wind towards Kiplingcotes. We did have some brief assistance from passing express train, however with his extra power available we soon fell back.
The Rocky Mountaineer, showing impressive form, continued to take the lion’s share of the pace setting until the Yorkshire Pullman changed tracks to head for Sancton and return to depot. As the train continued to Market Weighton the lead changed several times as each carriage took turns to “break wind” 😉.
The Ulster Express 
The Scarborough Flyer
Climbing up Intake Hill the huffing and puffing made it sound like a steam train passing. The long downhill into Burnby was therefore welcome and a great chance to recover before turning towards Nunburnholme. The brief respite from the head wind was short lived as we turned head on once more as we proceeded to Kilnwick Percy.
The final outward leg was now in sight. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the buffet car is now open”. The Rocky Mountaineer took this as his cue and rushed off to book his place at the table. Corporal Jones would have been proud. With the sun shining the train decided to enjoy the open air.
All too soon it was time for the return journey, hopefully looking forward to some wind assistance. There was no sign of “leaves on the line” as we made our way along Millington Pastures, however there sufficient gravel, mud and rough road surface to hinder our passage. The Ulster Express and the Scarborough Flyer led the way gingerly through the Woodgate S-bend then along Millington Dale.
On reaching Huggate, the tail wind really kicked in as we headed towards Tibthorpe. 🎶 “The runaway train went over the hill and she blew “🎶 Woo Hooooooo. It was an exhilarating run into Tibthorpe with each carriage giving full gas. The rest of the journey saw the train pass through Southburn, Bracken and Etton before having a well earned rest back in depot.