East Midlands Rover - September 2017 - Brian Garrett Photography

East Midlands Rover Ticket - September 2017

The East Midlands Rover ticket covers a vast area of the UK rail network. During a week in September I spent time with three fellow enthusiasts using this ticket to its full effect. Because of allowable travel area we decided to spend two days based in Doncaster and the rest of the week based in Nottingham. This gave us more range and interest from our tickets. The full priced East Midlands Rover is £111(discounts are available for those with Railcards) and the ticket valid for seven consecutive days, this works out at £15.80 a day. The Rover is valid after 09:00 in the morning and can be used with Virgin East Coast, East Midlands Trains, Cross Country, Northern Trains, and First Hull Trains. Because of the freedom to travel we also had allowable time each day to explore towns and cities covered by the ticket. Further images taken during the week can also be found on the Building/ Architecture pages and Light Rail pages of this website.

The map to the left is the official East Midlands Ticket coverage map which can be downloaded from the National Rail Website, the map on the right shows the locations we managed to visit ourselves during the week long visit to the East Midlands Area.

Day 1: 10th September 2017

The first day of our trip was spent getting to Doncaster from Taunton. After catching a GWR HST service to London Paddington, we crossed London by Tube, and caught the 13:48 Grand Central service at far as York. Our Grand Central service did not stop at Doncaster so we had planned a short break in York before we then returned south back to Doncaster with Virgin East Coast.

43467 43480 1N92 13:48 London Kings Cross - Sunderland, stands at King Cross on the 10th September 2017 prior to boarding passengers

91121 1D17 13:57 Kings Cross - Leeds stands at Kings Cross prior to departure on the 10th September 2017

Grand Central HST lead by No.43484 and No.43468 arrive into York working the 1A65 14:12 Sunderland - Kings Cross service.

Virgin East Coast HST No.43318 leads No.43307 in York station while working the 1E17 09:40 Inverness - Kings Cross service on the 10th September 2017

West Coast Railways Class 37's No.37685 and No.37669 are pictured stabled at York with DRS Class 66/4 No.66424 on the 10th September 2017

Northern Trains Class 142 No.142070 is picutred stabled between services at Doncaster on the 10th Septmeber 2017

Following the failure of Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91108 at Leeds, DB 'Thunderbird' Locomotive No.67028 was called upon to haul 82229 & 91108 as a service train (the 1A41 16:45 Leeds - Kings Cross). No.67028 is pictured leaving Doncaster heading for Kings Cross on the 10th Septmeber 2017.

Virgin East Coast Class 82 No.82210 leads No.91129 at Doncaster on the 10th Septmeber while working the 1Y42 15:52 Newcastle - London Kings Cross

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' passes through the centre roads at Doncaster while working the 4N64 17:25 Doncaster Royal Mail - Tyne Coal Terminal on the 10th September 2017

Day 2: 11th September 2017

Day 2 of our trip saw us awake to a few hours of torrential rain from a slow moving overnight storm which had passed through the area. Thankfully this cleared through and by mid day the sun was out providing some excellent lighting. Our planned route for the day two took us from Doncaster through to Scunthorpe, Barnetby, Grimsby and Cleethorpes and back. Sadley we did not make our planned connection at Cleethorpes to also visit Barton-on-Humber so we returned on an earlier service to Doncaster where the late afternoon sun provided some wonderful light for photography of passing trains.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66513 arrives into Docnaster working the 6D65 07:51 Leeds Holbeck - Doncaster Decoy on the 11th September 2017

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91114 arrives into Doncaster in the pouring rain while working the 1S06 07:30 Kinds Cross - Edinburgh on the 11th September 2017.

IEP No.800001 and No.800002 arrive into Doncaster while working the 5X83 08:55 Doncaster Decoy - London Kings Cross test run on the 11th September 2017

Trans Pennine Class 185 No.185114 stands at Cleethorpes having arrived with the 1B76 11:55 Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes which would then return as the 1B85 15:26 Cleethorpes - Manchester Airport on the 11th September 2017.

An original feature of Cleethorpes Station still in place.

Northern Class 158 No.158794 departs from Doncaster on the 11th September 2017 while working the 1J30 15:11 Bridlington - Sheffield service.

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91124 arrives into Doncaster working the 1S23 15:30 Kings Cross - Glasgow on the 11th September 2017

Virgin East Coast HST lead by No.43206 and No.43317 speeds through Doncaster while working the 1S24 16:00 Kings Cross - Aberdeen, on the 11th Setpember 2017

Grand Central Class 180 No.180114 passes Doncaster while working the 1A66 15:18 Sunderland - Kings Cross service.

Colas Rail Freight Class 47/7 No.47749 'City of Truro' passes through Doncaster while working the 5Z47 09:10 Polmadie - Doncaster Decoy with one Mk2e No.9506 Virgin coach in tow on the 11th September 2017

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91129 arrives onto Doncaster on the 11th September 2017 working the 1D21 16:06 Kings Cross - Leeds service.

Trans Pennine Express Class 185 No.185111 departs from Doncaster on the 11th Septmeber 2017 working the 1B87 16:26 Cleethorpes - Manchester Airport service.

Northern Trains Class 158 No.158853 crosses the ladder junction at Doncaster departing with the 1J31 16:11 Bridlington - Sheffield service on the 11th September 2017

Northern Trains Class 153 No.153360 departs from Doncaster on the 11th September 2017 working the 2R42 17:19 Scunthorpe - Sheffield service.

DB Cargo hire in to Virgin East Coast Class 90 No.90036 pushes the 1A43 17:15 Leeds - Kings Cross away from Doncaster on the 11th September 2017

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66760 arrives into Doncaster hauling the 6Z33 17:12 Wrenthorpe - Doncaster Decoy stone train on the 11th September 2017

Day 3: 12th September 2017

The 12th September provided a clear moving to capture some of the pre 09:00 trains passing through Doncaster. The station is served by Northern Trains, First Hull Trains, Grand Central, Virgin East Coast, and Cross Country and is also busy with freight trains from many locations around the UK. For our third day of travel we decided to visit Lincoln from Doncaster via Retford and then return to Doncaster before taking an afternoon trip down the East Coast Mainline to Peterborough and Grantham.

Cross Country Voyager No.220001 departs from Doncaster while working the 1O84 07:25 Newcastle - Southampton on the 12th September 2017. In the background Royal Class 67 No.67005 is seen stabled as the Doncaster 'Thunderbird' Locomotive.

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91115 arrives into Doncaster with the 1N80 07:08 Kings Cross - York service on the 12th September 2017

Northern Trains Class 158 No.158790 departs from Doncaster on the 12th September 2017 while working the 1J22 07:12 Bridlington - Sheffield service.

Northern Trains Class 153 No.153301 departs from Doncaster on the 12th September 2017 working the 2P61 08:19 Scunthorpe - Sheffield service.

First Hull Trains Class 180 No.180110 arrives into Doncaster with the 1H01 07:22 Kings Cross - Hull on the 12th September 2017

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91118 pushed the 1S06 07:30 Kings Cross - Edinburgh into Doncaster on the 12th September 2017

Virgin East Coast hire in locomotive No.90036 arrives into Doncaster working the 1D04 07:35 Kings Cross - Leeds on the 12th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 153 No.153313 prepares to depart from Lincoln with the 2K23 11:10 Lincoln - Peterborough service on the 12th September 2017

Virgin East Coast hire in powercars from East Midlands Trains No.43061 and No.43058 stand at Doncaster while working the 1D11 11:05 Kings Cross - Leeds service on the 12th September 2017

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66014 passes Doncaster working the 06:22 Tunstead to Drax limestone on the 12th September 2017

A Virgin East Coast HST speeds through Donaster on the 12th September 2017 heading for London Kings Cross

A Hull Trains Class 180 departs Doncaster for Hull while passengers wait for their trains.

Direct Rail Services carried out a snow plough test on the 12th September using Class 66 No.66301 and No.66424, the pair are seen here reaady to 7Z98 13:49 Doncaster West Yard - knottongly East Jn

Freightliner Class 66/9 No.66953 pases through the back of Doncaster Station while hauling the 6E40 09:15 Ipswich - Lindsey fuel tanks on the 12th September 2017.

Having returned from a snow plough test at Doncaster on the 12th September 2017, DRS Class 66/3 and 66/4 No.66304 & No.66424 depart Doncaster with the 16:28 Doncaster Decoy - Thrall Europa York conveying point carriers.

DB Cargo Class 90 No.90036 stands at Grantham on the 12th September working the 1A40 16:15 Leeds - Kings Cross service while on hire to Virgin East Coast.

Virgin East Coast HST No.43307 and No.43318 arrive into Grantham on the 1B88 16:09 Kings Cross - Newark North Gate service as DB Class 90 departs on the 1A40 16:15 Leeds - Kings Cross on 12th September 2017

A general view of Doncaster Station taken from the Car Park on 12th Septmeber 2017

A view over Doncaster Works on the 12th September 2017, including 08724 and 47715

Day 4: 13th September 2017

Day 4 was changeover day which meant having checked out of one hotel in Doncaster then travelling with luggage until 14:00 until we were able to check in at the next hotel in Nottingham. Here we were able to off load our baggage before then heading out for an afternoon of travel. The 13th September saw us visit Grantham, Peterborough, Nottingham and Matlock.

Northern Trains Class 158 No.158901 departs from Doncaster with the 1J22 07:12 Bridlington - Sheffield on the 13th Septmeber 2017

Virgin East Coast Class 91 No.91105 arrives into Doncaster while operating the 1N80 07:08 Kings Cross - York on the 13th Septmeber 2017

First Hull Trains Class 180 No.180110 arrives into Doncaster on the 13th September 2017 with the 1H01 07:22 Kings Cross - Doncaster.

Driving Van Trailer (DVT) No.82216 is pictured on the rear of the 1S06 07:30 Kings Cross - Edinburgh with 91104 leading at Doncaster on the 13th Septmeber 2017

Brand new IEP's No.800002 and No.800001 arrive into Peterborough on test working the 5X83 08:56 Doncaster IEP - Kings Cross on the 13th September 2017

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66778 passes Peterborough working the 6M60 11:12 Whitemoor - Mountsorrel on the 13th September 2017

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66112 passes through Peterborough hauling the 6L41 08:55 Mountsorrel - Barham aggregates traffic on the 13th September 2017

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66112 passes through Peterborough hauling the 6L41 08:55 Mountsorrel - Barham aggregates traffic on the 13th September 2017.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66112 departs Peterbrorough hauling the 6L41 08:55 Mountsorrel - Barham passing DRS Class 66 No.66304 returning light engine as the 0E30 11:32 Whitemoor - Doncaster through Peterborough, on the 13th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 153 No.153302 stands at Peterborough ready to depart with the 2T46 12:41 Peterborough - Lincoln Central serivce on the 13th September 2017

Virgin East Coast HST No.43295 leads No.43208 into its booked stop at Peterborough while working the 1D13 12:03 Kings Cross - Leeds on the 13th September 2017

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66063 powers through Peterborough hauling the 4E26 08:10 Dollands Moor - Scunthorpe Redborne Sidings empty steel on the 13th September 2017

DB Cargo Class 90 No.90036 arrives into Peterborough hauling the 1B84 12:08 Kings Cross - Newark North Gate for Virgin East Coast on the 13th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 153's No.153310 and No. 153379 prepare to depart Matlock with the 2A55 16:37 Matlock - Nottingham sat adjacent to Peak Rail Steam Locmotive on the 13th September 2017.

Reigonal Railways liveried Class 31 No.37270 prepares to depart with the last train of the day from Matlock to Rowsley on Peak Rail on 13th September 2017

Day 5: 14th September 2017

Having a new base in Nottinghamshire provided us with a new central radius to work from each day. The wide and varied locations we were able to visit each day were roughly planned out each night, to give us scope to change that plan should we wish. Day five our trip allowed us to visit Derby, Stoke on Trent, Sheffield, Meadowhall, Worksop and back to Nottingham via The Robin Hood line.

Class 20's No.20106 No.20311 are see at the head of the 7X10 04:22 Banbury Down Goods Loop to Derby Litchurch Lane, while No.20096 No.20905 are at the rear ready to lead back into Derby Litchurch Lane on the 14th September 2017

20096 20905 are seen on the rear of the 7X10 04:22 Banbury Down Goods Loop to Derby Litchurch Lane at Derby on the 14th Septmeber 2017

DB Cargo liveried Class 66 No.66114 passes through Derby station hauling the 10:01 Washwood Heath - Peak Forest on the 14th September 2017

Former EWS Class 37 No.37411 no longer operates on the mainline, however when the locomotive was cut up it's cab was saved for prosperity and now resides in the Alexandra Hotel Car Park in Derby, which is a short walk from Derby Station. The hotel also features many other railway memorabilia items such as signs, signals, name boards and even a station bench.

stabled just yards from the cut up cab of Class 47/4 No.37411 is Rail Operations Group Class 37 No.37884 is pictured stabled at Derby on the 14th September 2017

Northern Class 142 No.142089 stops at Meadowhall while working the 2R21 13:53 Sheffield to Adwick service.

Northern Trains Class 158 No.158902 arrives into Meadowhall Interchange with the 1J27 11:28 Scarborough to Sheffield service.

Transpennie Class 185 No.185139 pauses at Meadowhall while working the 1B78 12:55 Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes service on the 14th September 2017

Northern Trains Class 144 No.144005 departs Worksop with the 2P73 14:18 Scunthorpe to Lincoln Central via Sheffield service on the 14th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 156 No.156415 approaches Worksop working a Nottingham - Worksop service via The Robin Hood route, on the 14th September 2017

Day 6: 15th September 2017

Our sixth full day on the rails exploring the East Midlands saw us visit Market Harborough, Bedford, Bletchley, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway, Beeston, Attenborough before returning to Nottingham. The weather strugged during the morning period but provided some good periods of light for the afternoon and evening.

East Midlands Trains Meridian Class 222 No.220023 prepares to depart Nottingham with the 09:05 to London St Pancras on the 15th September 2017

East Midlands Trains HST set No.43075 and No.43082 arrive into Nottingham in time to work the 1B28 09:32 Nottingham - London St Pancras service.

Thameslink Class 700 No.700101 is seen at Bedford on the 15th September ready to depart with the 11:40 service to Brighton.

Thameslink Class 700 No.700045 stands at Bedford ready to form the 2W43 13:54 Bedford to Three Bridges service on the 15th September 2017.

London Midland Class 150 No.150109 stands at Bletchley on the 15th Septmeber 2017 ready to work the 2S15 13:01 Bletchlet - Bedford service.

A view of Leicester Depot ont he 15th September 2017. 43082, 37510, 56077, 56032, 37905, 56006, 321404, 58016, 37884

A view of Leicester Depot ont he 15th September 2017. 37510, 56077, 56032, 37905, 56006, 321404, 58016, 37884

East Midlands Trains HSE No.43081 (partnered with No.43064) pause at East Midlands Parkway working the 1D42 14:15 St Pancras - Nottingham service.

East Midlands Trains Class 158 No.158858 passes Attenborough while working the 2L70 15:36 Lincoln to Leicester service on the 15th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 156 No.156405 arrives into East Midlands Parkway on the 15th September 2017 working the 2L68 14:36 Lincoln - Leicester service.

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66005 passes through Attenborough station on the 15th September while working the 6V97 Beeston Sims to Newport Docks loaded scrap.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66763 passes through Attenborough Station on the 15th September 2017 while working the 6M81 13:45 Immingham HIT to Ratcliffe Power Station coal.

DB Cargo Class 60 No.60020 passes Attenborough Station while working the 6M00 14:27 Humber - Kingsbury fuel on the 15th Septmeber 2017

East Midlands Trains HST No.43066 leads into Nottingham Station on the 15th Septmeber 2017 working the 1D52 16:15 St Pancras to Nottingham with No.43045 out of sight on the rear of the set.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66768 passes through Nottingham Station on the 15th September 2017 while working the 6E45 11:35 Westerleigh to Immmingham fuel empties.

Day 7: 15th September 2017

Our last day on the rails of the East Midlands saw the most amount of miles covered and places visited. Once a week on a Saturday there's on particular line in the UK which is only served on a Saturday. Brigg (located between Gainsborough and Barnetby) does not get a service during the week. We opted to travel from Nottingham to Sheffield before picking up the Cleethorpes service from Sheffield via Worksop to Barnetby before returning to Lincoln and Nottingham.

East Midlands Trains HST No.43046 and No.43058 stand at Nottingham on the 16th September 2017

East Midlands Trains units No.158864 and No.156415 at pictured at Nottingham on the 16th September 2017

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66107 passes through Nottingham Station on the 16th September 2017, hauling the 07:09 Lindsey to Kingsbury fuel tanks.

Northern Trains Class 142 No.142089 calls at Barnetby working the 2H05 12:03 Sheffield - Cleethorpes service on the 16th September 2017

Trans Penninie Class 185 No.185127 arrives into Barnetby working a Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport service on the 16th September 2017

East Midlands Trains Class 153 No.153385 stands at Lincoln having arrived with partner No.153383 working the 2T48 13:48 Grimbsy Town to Newark North Gate service on the 16th September 2017

East Midlands Trains HST No.43060 departs from Leicester with the 1B63 16:32 Nottingham - St Pancras service having recieved a graffiti attack while stabled during the day at Neville Hill depot on the 16th September 2017

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66164 departs from Nottingham station hauling the 16:35 Lincoln Terrace CHS to Cardiff Tidal scrap on the 16th September 2017.

Day 8: 17th September 2017

The 17th September was our last day in the East Midlands and saw us return home to the South West. We caught a service direct to London St Pancras from Nottingham before transferring back to London Paddington using the tube and picking up a GWR service back to the South West.

East Midlands Trains Class 158's at Nottingham on the 17th Septmeber 2017. No.158773 is pictured closest to the camera.

IEP Class 800 No.800008 stands at London Paddington on the 17th September 2017 ready to depart for a test run to Maidenhead.

Class 800 No.800006 prepares to depart London Paddington on a test run to Maidenhead on the 17th September 2017

Heathrow Class 332 No.332005 stands at London Paddington having arrived with a service from Heathrow Airport.