Images from today – taken from a railway bridge at around 1045.
Sir Nigel Gresley (locomotive 60007) is scheduled to be on the East Coast mainline in November 2025, but there are no published timings specifically confirming a pass over the Doddington Lane bridge – see below. The locomotive is rostered for several rail-tours and light engine movements around that period, including runs between York, East Anglia, and other destinations.
Current Schedule Highlights
- Tuesday 18 November 2025 – Christmas White Rose railtour (St Albans City → York) with 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.
- Thursday 20 November 2025 – Listed light engine movement for 60007.
- Friday 21 November 2025 – Sir Nigel Gresley steam locomotive will be running a Steam Dreams railtour from the East Anglia area to York for the Christmas Market.
- The train is expected to pass through Newark Northgate Station at approximately 10:40 AM on its outbound journey and again around 6:50 PM (18:50) on its return run.
- Saturday 22 November 2025 – Another light engine movement scheduled for 60007.
What This Means for Stubton
- The Newark–Grantham corridor is a common path for these tours.
- However, until final timings are released (usually 24–48 hours before the run), it’s not possible to guarantee a pass under Doddington Lane bridge.
- Enthusiasts typically monitor Realtime Trains for confirmed schedules, which show exact passing times at bridges, junctions, and minor stations.
Practical Advice
- Keep an eye on RailAdvent’s live steam movement listings and Steam Dreams’ locomotive updates.
- Check Realtime Trains a day or two before the scheduled tours for precise timings.
- If you’re keen to catch it at Stubton, the 21 November East Anglia–York run is the most likely candidate to route through the area.
Sir Nigel Gresley (locomotive 60007) was manufactured at Doncaster Works in South Yorkshire, England, in 1937.
Manufacturing Details
- Builder: Doncaster Works, the principal locomotive works of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).
- Works Number: 1863.
- Build Date: Released to traffic on 30 October 1937.
- Class: LNER A4 Pacific (4-6-2 wheel arrangement).
- Designer: Sir Nigel Gresley himself, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LNER.
Historical Context
- Sir Nigel Gresley was the 100th Gresley Pacific built by the LNER, marking a milestone in the production of these streamlined locomotives.
- It was named at London Marylebone station on 26 November 1937 in honour of its designer.
- The locomotive entered service at London King’s Cross “Top Shed”, later working from Grantham during WWII, and eventually became one of the most famous A4s alongside Mallard and Bittern.
Legacy
- Doncaster Works, often nicknamed “The Plant,” was responsible for building many iconic locomotives, including Flying Scotsman and Mallard.
- Sir Nigel Gresley went on to set the post-war steam speed record of 112 mph in 1959, cementing its place in railway history.
- Today, it is preserved and operated by the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust, continuing to run on mainline tours and heritage railways.
