For the first time in many years a real steam train will pass over the Wicker Arches.
On Saturday, 3rd March, the “Green Arrow” will complete a full-day tour from London, passing through the former Victoria Station and over the Wicker Arches.
After leaving King’s Cross, the train will head up through the Midlands and come into Sheffield via Retford. At Woodbourn junction, it will split off onto the historic line to Manchester, which takes it over the Wicker Arches at about 4.30pm.
Victoria Station was once Sheffield’s main passenger station -before the newer Midland main line was built – and what is now the Royal Victoria Holiday Inn was the massive hotel needed to service it. Straight over the Wicker Arches was Bridgehouses Station (now a building site for the new ring road) – this station was a massive complex for bringing goods into Sheffield.
The train will only go as far as Deepcar, and then a Diesel engine will take over for the return to London.
We hope someone will be able to capture this event for the next Messenger, so get your cameras out.