London North Eastern Railway (LNER) completed a test run from Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire and London King’s Cross, with the view to operating a direct service in the future.
A first test train travelled from Doncaster on 26 June which called at Grimsby Town, Cleethorpes, Barnetby and Market Rasen. At each station, a series of platform and train validations were performed to ensure that a service could be compatible in the future.
On the journey itself, a specialist team travelled onboard, carried out a number of checks and assessments which is required for any potential new route or extension. A detailed assessment was undertaken. The findings will now be reviewed by the stakeholders.
The validation process has been supported by Rail Operations Group, Network Rail and Hitachi Rail.
David Horne, managing director at LNER said: “This is a really positive step to see whether LNER can reinstate its direct services between Cleethorpes and London King’s Cross. It is early stages yet and there is a lot more work to do to see whether these services can come back for the first time in decades, but today we have shown that with willpower and cross-industry collaboration, we might be able to see LNER services connect Cleethorpes to London once again.”
The test run for the possible introduction of a new service has long had backing from MP’s with Lia Nici, MP for Great Grimsby, Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes and Sir Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough.
Since COVID-19 ended, LNER has welcomed back one million more passengers than it did in 2018-19 and topped the table of rail franchisee’s for two years for passengers carried according to the Office of Road and Rail.
Video Credit: LNER
Photo Credit: LNER
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