Richard III

And it is, J52, isn't it!

Wasn't Thomas Cook's first trip to the beautiful Loughborough harbours?

1841- yes first trip ever and to Loughborough indeed. Now I know Loogeboroogue - quite well, having taught there for many years- but 'harbours' ? Where is the 'harbours' ;) do enlighten me. The Carillon is the best known landmark.

Oh btw, talking about history and Leicester- we of course have Wolsey at Abbey Park- and Lady Jane Grey of Bradgate Park.

granjura The first passenger train ran from Stockton to Darlington on 27 September 1825 and is depicted in detail in a painting. The locomotive, named Locomotion, was taken out of service after the boiler exploded at Aycliffe Lane Station in 1828 and was superseded by the Rocket. Locomotion is restored and on display at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum – and a splendid thing it is too.

Thanks, just had a read, 1833 for passengers apparently (only goods before). Very interesting.

So Thomas Cook was quite a way behind in 1841- I suppose his for the first 'tourist trip' and in as much remarkable all the same.

OH's great uncle was a very famous GWR train designer- so it is all very interesting to us.

Harbours = predictive text. I think that I was going for granjura. Sorry to confuse!

Absent, I think granjura was talking about Thomas Cook's first 'package' tour not the first passenger service.

Yes, thank you Kitty, expressed myself badly. But thanks for the info on Stockton to Darlington, it is interesting.

Being really dim here Kitty- but still don't get the 'harbours' - predictive text or not. What did you mean (lol)?

BTW Loogeboorooge- is the OZ pronunciation of LOughborough, apparently.. but in Epinal, the French twin town, they call it 'Lookbrook'.

I thought I had typed 'granjura' but my phone decided what I really meant was 'harbours'. I should proof read!

We do have the canal basin which has a fabulous Festival of Boats but that's as good as it gets, waterwise!