The sight of 31128 on the tour stock was much more welcome, as was the 'whistling' sound of bonus 20107 & 20096 atop 47828 on the other end. The new (warm!) café was doing good business as tour participants arrived from various parts of the country or the earlier Sherwood Forest Railway visit.

Our four coach train was soon loaded ready for departure at 12.15 and even the rain had eased off.

The 20s hauled the tour the short distance along the Springwell branch and were sadly detached. The 31 took over for the short run to Barrow Hill South Jn but this took much longer with the possession still being on, so no early running! Reversal saw 47828 take over for the short distance to the North Jn (four locos in an hour...). Another reversal and 31128 was back in charge as the tour headed to the next pick up point of Chesterfield (the first of several visits) taking the Staveley Goods Line en route.

The Derby area had been badly affected by the downpours in the days before the tour and it was mentioned that some of the lines were still under varying depths of water. While this would cause a minor omission on the return journey, there was no problem on the outwards run with the recently shortened Broadholme Loop (altered with the Ambergate Jn remodelling) and the Up Slow from Breadsall Jn (130m 50ch) successfully covered. Following a brief pause to collect a few participants, it was off to the main course of the day, Bombardier Litchurch Lane, although the question was exactly how far we would go? As you would expect, this was in fact much further than many anticipated and the only grumbles heard related to a lack of numbers on the many newly built units seen! The tour went far left on remodelled track (new even for those who had been in here before) towards the shed built to accommodate a whole Crossrail unit, reaching the line adjacent to the Test Track in the Works.

This was a most interesting location, only available on walking tours in recent years, and a big success.



Following reversal, there was a quick visit to Chaddesden Sidings Road 7 (furthest right on arrival) and past the points to the end of line buffer stops before returning through Derby. Next came the Down Toton Goods Line en route to Shirebrook P1. A quick reversal here gave the trailing crossover and the rare opportunity for a loco hauled passenger train on the Robin Hood Line via Newstead, including the loop there and also that at Bestwood Park for added enjoyment.

The enjoyment continued as the much sought after bidirectional Lenton Curve (in this direction), with the facing crossover before, the Down Nottingham Slow in the Up direction and the trailing crossover before Beeston followed as the tour headed to Peterborough P6.

The reversal here was quicker than expected and we were soon off in search of more rare track, starting with the 1¼ mile, 15mph, Down Goods Line (rather than a loop) from Oakham to Langham Jn which it had not been possible to cover on our Breckland Freighter tour. No such issues this time and the line was successfully traversed. Then, before Leicester at Humberstone Road Jn it was right across the layout to the Up & Down Goods and back at Leicester North Jn to P3. At Wigston North Jn we went across to the Up & Down Slow to reverse before Kilby Bridge Jn and return north. As you would guess this was via the facing crossover, now 40mph, at Leicester South Jn and the rare (for passenger trains) Up & Down Slow avoiding the station.

Passengers were set down at East Midlands Parkway and Derby before the final course was served. Flooding at Derby meant that it was not possible to cover the Down Slow line from St Mary's North Jn to Breadsall Jn, the screenshot from https://traksy.uk/live explains.

























































The recently shortened Down Broadholme Loop (remodelled with Ambergate Jn) was unaffected and duly covered. Arrival at Chesterfield allowed participants to leave the train but I suspect none actually did since reversal here allowed another huge section of ultra-rare track to be covered, Chesterfield Down Sidings - at one time out of use - which are off, and separate from, the former Brampton branch (latterly to Tube Investments). I have to be honest, coming from Kent, I wasn't even aware that these existed until the tour was advertised! Fully consumed to the stop blocks, reversal allowed return to the station to set down passengers but only after a nonstop run through P1 for a further reversal to reach P3. Now if anybody had been watching the tour at Leicester and left scratching their head at the goings on, quite what they would have made of it at Chesterfield is anyone's guess.

The train returned to Barrow Hill ending another hugely enjoyable and successful tour. Thanks to all involved in the operation, particularly Kev Adlam ('Fixit' Secretary) for negotiating the last minute visit to Litchurch Lane. We raised almost £3,000 for Barrow Hill's half cab (steam loco restoration) appeal.