The Plant

Saturday 18th April 2026

Since 1853, Doncaster’s Railway Works, known simply as ‘The Plant’, has been the launching place of many of the icons of British railway engineering and design – none more so than the roll out in 1923 of the world’s most famous steam locomotive, ‘Flying Scotsman’. Our train today provides the rare opportunity for one final peek behind the scenes as our train gains exclusive access into the site, piloted by one of WABTEC’s Class 08 shunters.

Our tour departs London King’s Cross behind a Class 57/3 locomotive. After pick-ups at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough we are routed via the Joint Line with the Sleaford Avoiding line and Lincoln Through Road being requested. On arrival at Doncaster RMT, an assisting GBRf Class 66 locomotive is attached to the train before we continue our journey the short distance passing around of the rear of the station before reversing on the Down Leeds Goods line.

Once inside WABTEC’s site, an assisting Class 08 will be bolted to the train which will pilot us around the back of the main ‘Shop’ buildings, affording a view of the complex few have seen from a passenger train. Our chosen road benefits from being one of the longer in the complex and hope is to reach a point south of the station before we reverse and exit the Works the same way.

Our Class 57 locomotive leads the train from WABTEC but not for long as we use the triangle at Adwick to turn the train. We then resume our circuitous route towards Leeds,  passing Freightliner’s Midland Road depot before offering a set down and a two hour break at Leeds for those wishing to explore this fashionable city and its many attractions.

For some however, the lure of our next rare track adventure will prove compelling. After reversing in the Neville Hill Up Reception line we traverse the nearly one mile long branch to Hunslet East. As GBRf have an operational interest in this branch we hope to progress a good distance towards the end of the line.

Our journey home starts by retracing our steps back to Leeds but now we are routed back to Doncaster via Wakefield Westgate. Once again we pass behind the station on the Two Way Goods line.  We leave our Class 66 locomotive at Doncaster RMT and our route home is direct via the East Coast Main Line.

UK Railtours would like to thank WABTEC for granting exceptional access to our train at their Doncaster site. We are also indebted to our train operator GBRf, Angel Trains and Eastern Rail Services.

In association with Angel Trains and WABTEC, UK Railtours are proud to be supporting Railway Children, a charity dedicated to providing protection and opportunity for children with nowhere else to go and nobody to turn to. Our onboard raffle will be fundraising for this very worthy cause, and of course donations are always welcome!

There will be no part-fares or pay-on-the-day available on this tour. Demand is expected to be extremely high, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Timings now confirmed.

Our carriages are provided by Eastern Rail Services and will feature a well stocked buffet car serving a range of sandwiches, snacks and drinks as well as breakfast baps on the outward journey and hot meals on the return, provided by The Railway Diners (formerly Creative Rail Dining). This train does not include a First Class Dining option.

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