The Jolly Fisherman

Join us on this unusual tour to the east coast of England and the popular seaside resort of Skegness. We plan to recreate the Jolly Fisherman experience that was a popular excursion planned by the Great Northern Railway. We will head northwards from London’s King’s Cross station steam hauled along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) to Peterborough, Boston and then to Skegness. With contrasting scenery all the way, what better way to spend the day than travelling on a traditional seaside express to the bracing east coast.

We leave London King’s Cross in the morning, and head northwards along the ECML, picking up at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough. Here, we leave the ECML at Werrington Junction and head across rural Lincolnshire along the former Great Northern line towards Spalding, a town noted for its flower growing industry. We continue along the Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint line via Helpringham to the market town of Sleaford.

Following a reversal, we now head eastwards diesel hauled, with our locomotive at the rear, along the former Great Northern line towards Boston, noted for its famous landmark of St Botolph’s church, otherwise known as the Boston Stump. We take the remaining section of the former East Lincolnshire line that once went through to Louth and Grimsby, but now it only runs as far at the junction at Firsby with the Skegness line. The line is very straight and flat for miles and is pleasantly rural in outlook as we head for Firsby, where there is a sharp curve towards Skegness all that is left of the remaining side of a former triangular junction.

We will make a stop at Wainfleet should you wish to visit this attractive town with its interesting Batemans Brewery visitors centre. It is then just a short distance to our afternoon destination at Skegness. Time will be available to visit the resorts many attractions, including the promenade, the clock tower and the Jolly Fisherman statue and fountain. There are ample restaurants and many typical seaside shops to visit, or just have a quiet stroll along the sea front.

After an afternoon in Skegness, we will retrace our earlier route back to Sleaford, where we will continue to Grantham and join the ECML. After a spirited climb up to Stoke Tunnel, we now head for Peterborough, before heading back to London, setting down at our outward calling points. We can expect some fast running from our steam locomotive, up to maximum speed along the ECML. Our arrival back in London King’s Cross will reluctantly bring to an end a splendid day out to the seaside on the Jolly Fisherman.

On Board Catering