Ricster Diaries Episode 56 - East Coast Diverts at Lincoln Central | 04/12/2021

Filmed on 04/12/2021. After 6 long years, would this be the year we finally get to see a steam loco at Lincoln Central? Well, it looks promising for it on this day.

Starting the journey at Scarborough, we catch the 07:34 Transpennine Express class 185 service to York. This is the once a day train that runs between Scarborough through to Leeds before returning to Scarborough a few hours later. A trouble free journey to York where we change for the 08:57 LNER Azuma service to Doncaster.

On this day, there are also East Coast diverts diverting via Lincoln Central due to engineering works. At Doncaster, the original plan would be to catch a rail replacement bus service operated on behalf of East Midlands Railway to Doncaster but this oddly was cancelled. After speaking to LNER, they are luckily running some trains to call at Lincoln Central to allow for direct services between London through to Leeds and Scotland.

We then catch the 10:16 LNER Azuma service to Lincoln Central. Even though this is a 9 carriage Azuma service, the train was very busy prior to Lincoln Christmas Market which results in every train being very full. A nice ride nevertheless through to Lincoln Central where we get straight down to trainspotting.

East Midlands Railway and RMT Union were in dispute which meant reduced services and even though the RMT Union decided to call off their industrial action, it was very short notice for East Midlands Railway which sadly meant they had no choice but to run to their 'current' reduced service. But, they did put on additional services the best they could and also additional compacity with Meridians on some EMR Regional services. Not many people know but First Class is declassified on any EMR Regional services. The big bonus was LMS Black Five no. 44871 made it to Lincoln Central 2 minutes early which was a welcome sight that worked 'The Lincoln Christmas Express'

In order for the rail tour to run back to London Kings Cross, 44871 would have to be turned around with its train to be ready for the return journey home. After a decent 2 1/2 trainspotting, we decided to catch up on some family time with a relative.

The journey home proved to be a needle in a haystack as we catch the heavily delayed 18:16 LNER Azuma service back through to York. The train was late departing London Kings Cross which meant the train didn't make up for a lot of lost time. At Doncaster, more problems along the East Coast Mainline through to York due to overhead line damage, all Hitachi trains ran on diesel mode through to York. This resulted in our train arriving into York well over 35 minutes late.

At York, we then catch the 22:00 Transpennine Express Nova 3 service back to Scarborough. But, this journey was horrific: Due to a big fight which broke out on the train between 2 parties and a family with a child and me being trapped in my seat. I had made a decision which will have a big impact on weekend outings.
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