Middlesbrough to Kings Cross

[ainsworth74]

Hi,

I was wondering a couple of things about this route, firstly when did direct services between MBR and KGX finish, my Mum only knows that it was some time in the 1980s? Secondly I have always wondered what kind of traction provided the service, I assume it would have been HSTs (at least after their introduction in the 70s), but what else worked the route?

Thanks.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I think I travelled on KX to middlesborough service at end of 1991, or possibly later

 

[Greenback]

IIRC, the service was still running during the 1992 election.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thanks for the answers so far, I'm not suprised my mum got the date wrong for the services end, she aint much of a rail enthusiast!

Anyone know anything about the traction on it?

 

[Greenback]

No, sorry, I nevwer travelled on it, although I have seen pictures in an old magazine of it being an HST when it was called, I think, The Cleveland Executive!

 

[flymo]

All the times I travelled on it, it was an HST. Good for bashing too, wonderful run down the Durham coast in the early light.

Times from 1985. No up journey on Sundays but the down ran every day. Only the Cleveland Executive Mon - Fri, other times no name.

 

[dk1]

1989 GBTT shows it as 05.10SX 05.36SO Newcastle to Kings Cross via Durham Coast calling Sunderland, Hartlepool, Middlesborough, Thornaby SO, Eaglescliffe SO, Northalleton, York, Doncaster SO, Grantham, Peterborough SO & Stevenage SX. Due Kings Cross 09.33SX 10.13SO. No down working at all or any service on Sundays. The Cleveland Executive name was only used SX.

 

[Capybara]

Did it not act, for a few years at least, as the parliamentary service for Eaglescliffe to Northallerton via Yarm until trans-pennine services started using the route again?

 

[flymo]

I would vote NO to that as there were plenty of trains between Eaglescliffe and Northallerton every day, although mainly freight. The only station now on the line, Yarm, only (re)opened in 1996. The route from Northallerton to Durham via Eaglescliffe & Ferryhill was a regular diversion on Sundays so no I wouldn't describe this route as having a Parliamentary service.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thanks for the info flymo, very interesting and helpful!

dk1 could you elaborate as to what SO and SX mean?

 

[gordonthemoron]

SO - Saturdays Only
SX - Saturdays Excepted

 

[ainsworth74]

Ahh, thanks!