TRIP:
SOUTHEND TO OXFORD AT CHRISTMAS
DEPARTS:
THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2020
FROM:
SOUTHEND EAST , UPMINSTER , BARKING
*UPDATE - Unfortunately, the train company have emailed that due to continuing uncertainty, we have no choice but to postpone our trip from Southend East to Oxford on Thursday 10 December* Sad another good tour has been denied.
This trip will start out, steam hauled, from Southend and head along the Thames Estuary towards London, picking up passengers at Upminster and Barking on the way. We skirt the Capital and join the Great Western Main Line, crossing the Thames several times before reaching Didcot. From here we join the Cherwell Valley Line to Oxford. On the return journey, this trip will be be diesel-hauled between West London and Southend East. The carriages stay the same.
OXFORD AT CHRISTMAS
Although the Oxford Christmas Market has been cancelled this year, the city is still welcoming guests and many of the attractions, including Oxford Castle, The Ashmolean Museum, Bodelian Library and Oxford Walking Tours have taken the necessary steps to welcome visitors back safely.
TRAVELLING SAFELY
We fully expect to operate this trip with our usual level of service. Please rest assured we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment on board, whilst adhering to Public Health regulations. We will be in touch with all customers prior to your trip, with further information about what to expect on board and what to bring with you.
LOCOMOTIVE [61306 Mayflower]
The B1's were designed as mixed traffic locomotives capable of hauling express passenger trains as well as freight traffic. As powerful, go anywhere engines, the B1's worked across most of the UK rail network from East Anglia to Scotland.
Mayflower was built in 1948 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow but was delivered post-nationalisation and acquired the number 61306 by British Railways. She was first allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens Depot followed by a spell at Hull Dairycotes Depot before being finally transferred to Low Moor Depot, Bradford. She was the last B1 in service, her final trip was hauling the 'Yorkshire Pullman' from Leeds in September 1967.
Mayflower was immediately purchased for preservation and was initially based at Steamtown in Carnforth. She was fully restored for mainline operation and worked a number of rail tours in the 1970's. Acquired by Steam Dreams owner David Buck in 2014, she returned to the mainline in 2015 before being withdrawn for an extensive overhaul. Resplendent in the early British Railways apple green livery as she was originally given when delivered in 1948 she returned to full mainline operation in early 2019.
Estimated Timings Outward Return
Southend East 0905 2150
Upminster 0940 2100
Barking 1000 2045
Oxford 1440 1700
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