A Trip To The Seaside: The Scarborough Spa Express...

Hi all.. Today saw me finally able to tick something off my bucket list that I've been wanting to do a for a while now... a trip on The Scarborough Spa Express. Having never found the time to travel on this before due to other commitments, I jumped at the chance when asked by good friend David if I wanted to join him for the day.

The day started at 6am, waking up, showering and getting dressed before catching a lift from my dad to the station to catch the 7:30am service to York, the journey to York was fairly standard with stops at Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield... and before long...York, arriving just after 9:30am. I was soon joined by good friend and fellow Youtuber David, who is mention in one of my previous posts from 2018 which can be found here. Pleasantries over, we headed to the North end of York station to wait for 45699 "Galatea", which was due to come off York NRM Depot at 10:00am, to collect her train from York Holgate sidings which had been brought over from Carnforth by two West Coast Railways Class 37s. 

Whilst waiting for Galatea, I spotted 37402 as she trundled her way through York station on a route learner for Scarborough. With the time now well after 10, we began to get a bit concerned that todays trip to Scarborough would be diesel hauled throughout... however at around 10:40 the sound of a Stanier hooter could be heard, marking 45699's departure off the the NRM yard, as she trundled past us through the station to Holgate sidings... Phew...

Few minutes later, she returned with her train bound for Scarborough. After finding seats on the train, we settled down for the run to Scarborough. Before long we were leaving York crossing over the river with 45699 sounding in fine fettle, the guard came down to sell tickets. Tickets purchased and David busy filming for his YouTube Channel, I sat back and enjoyed the journey.

The journey was fairly standard, passing through fantastic scenery, the engine sounding in fine fettle. Malton soon came and went as we passed through the station and over the level crossing North of the station, before long we were slowing down for Scarborough itself, as we passed the turntable and sidings just south of the station, where the locomotive and coaching stock would be serviced prior to the return journey. 

As we rolled into the platform the sun was out, after donning my sun glasses, we disembarked before walking up to the engine to take photos before heading down to the seafront to get some lunch.

After taking many photos and watching 45627 propel her empty train out of the platform into the carriage sidings just south of the station, we left the station and took a steady walk down the high street towards the seafront. We soon made it to the sea front, and David directed us to a fish and chip shop for lunch. 

Lunch purchased, we crossed the road and found a bench to sit down on and eat our fish and chips while watching the hive of activity on the beach and seafront.

Lunch finished, we decided to head up to a café buy drinks and snacks, before standing on a suspension bridge to take photos of the magnificent view of the seafront. 

Lunch finished, we decided to head up to a café buy drinks and snacks, before standing on a suspension bridge to take photos of the magnificent view of the seafront. With many photos taken, some of which I have added in this post, I managed to take a sneaky photo of David photographing the views from the bridge... sorry David. lol

Before long it was time to take a steady walk back to the station ready for our return journey to York. To my surprise, the train was already in the platform, resting in the mid afternoon sunshine. With our train not due to depart till 16:41, we had plenty of time to take some more photos. 

Soon it was time to re-join the train for our return journey to York, departing Scarborough at 16:41. We were soon on our way speeding along through the countryside, leaving the sunny seaside town of Scarborough behind. Before long we were slowing for Malton Level Crossing, where we were pathed through the station to David's surprise. Leaving Malton behind, we were soon back up to line speed with the engine sounding in fine fettle. 

Before long we were slowing once again as we approached York, crossing over the River Ouse before entering the station beneath the famous train shed station canopy, leaving the train, we walked up to the engine, watch the departure as she trundled into Holgate Sidings where the 37s would once again take over the train for the final leg to Carnforth.. It was soon time for me and David to go our separate ways as my train home arrived. The end to another very enjoyable day. Until next time.. Cheers all...Jake...