Scarborough Spa Express - in The 2000s

In The 2000s

Since 1988, there had been occasional steam railtours to Scarborough, featuring locomotives including 60800 "Green Arrow", 46229, Duchess of Hamilton, 48151, 3440, City of Truro and 45596 Bahamas. It was not until 2002 that regular trips began again. These were introduced by West Coast Railways and ran from Scarborough to York and return for three days a week during July and August. The same format was used again in 2003. The National Railway Museum began running directly from York to Scarborough in 2004 from 20 July. 4472, Flying Scotsman having just been acquired by the NRM was the main loco used but supported by 45407 in the event of any loco failure. the NRM sponsored the SSE until the of 2006 when they decided hand over the running of the SSE to the Railway Touring Company. So in 2007 RTC (Railway Touring Company) included the Harrogate Loop in the SSE itinerary once more and ran a very successful number of tours during July and August. In 2008-2009 WCR took over the running of the SSE and they again utilised the Harrogate loop running on three days a week during July and August. In 2010 the route was changed as gauging problems on the Harrogate loop put a stop to any steam locomotive using this route. This is how the Wakefield Circle was born, so WCR again running three days a week during July and August sponsored the SSE. The route was York-Normanton-Wakefield Kirkgate-Wakefield Westgate, Woodlesford, Castleford and back to York. Then from York the usual trip to Scarborough and back to York and the Wakefield Circle as per the morning run, returning to York at 21-00. It is intended that the same route will be used in 2012.