Steam-hauled Christmas Market trips to York via the rarely used Spalding and Lincoln line.
The Christmas White Rose runs twice in the 2026 festive season. On 21 November it leaves London King's Cross behind steam, picks up at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough, then leaves the East Coast Main Line at Werrington Junction for the rare route via Spalding, Sleaford and Lincoln to Doncaster and York.
On 19 December the train starts from Cambridge at about 07:40, with pick-ups at Ely, March and Peterborough, and follows the same Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint line through Lincolnshire, past Lincoln Cathedral and Gainsborough. Both trips give an afternoon at York's Christmas Market and return by the same route.
Alexandra Palace is on the left leaving London and Drax on the right near York; Lincoln Cathedral dominates the skyline from both sides.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
| Date | From | Traction | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 21 Nov 2026 07:20 |
London King's Cross Approximate timings. |
Steam | See operator |
| Sat 19 Dec 2026 07:40 |
Cambridge Runs from Cambridge via Lincoln and Doncaster; approximate timings. |
Steam | See operator |
Both run to York via Spalding and Lincoln, but 21 November starts at London King's Cross and 19 December at Cambridge.
The operator describes both trips as steam hauled.
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