PASSENGERS who boarded the Lincolnshire Poacher, a special diesel train, at Hale, Altrincham, other Cheshire towns, and Reddish South on Saturday (May 5th) were in for a treat.

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, the organisers, Mid Cheshire Rail Users’ Association had provided comfortable table seats and we headed happily and sociably for Lincoln, Batemans Real Ale Brewery at Wainfleet or Skegness.

A group called Two Blokes playing Guitars plus Rob, sang folk numbers such as Manchester Rambler whilst playing violin, mandolin and guitars.

Musician Phil Norbury said they regularly performed on trains adding, humorously “We enjoy trying to keep our balance and concentration!”

My companion and I alighted at Lincoln and cruised down the Roman built Fossdyke canal from Brayford Pool where it meets the River Witham. We took a standard city circular bus to see the famous cathedral and Norman castle.

Our final treat was at The Barge at Brayford, a floating fish restaurant where we sampled deliciously tender, Dover sole.

Back on board, Andrew and Janice Cooke from Timperley had visited Skegness, seen the sea, the shops and admired the town’s cleanliness. “It started to rain so we had lunch in one pub and drinks in another”, said Andrew.

David Mardon of Hale had toured the brewery, open since 1874 “I didn’t much like the three samples of malt but I did enjoy the Bateman’s ale served with lunch,” he said.

Altrincham woman, Lynette Sykes, on her eighth excursion with MCRUA, said: “Although the train is more comfortable than my sofa, I came to see the lovely English countryside.”