BYLINE: By Chris Nixon

More than 100 people have signed up for a trip on a steam train from Blackpool to Scarborough – but only one person wants to go the other way from Scarborough to Blackpool.

Now Stephen Howard, the owner of Swiftline Rail Excursions, is asking people where they would like to go if they buy a ticket to ride.

Mr Howard said: “Later this summer I’m hoping to run excursions to and from Scarborough with first-class Pullman carriages with a steam train.

“I have at least 100 bookings from people in Blackpool waiting to make a round day trip to Scarborough.

“However, so far I’ve only had one person from the Scarborough area wanting to go to Blackpool.

“I am now asking people from Scarborough to let me know where they would like to go on a steam train.”

Later this month Mr Howard is to be featured on the BBC1 program Brassed Off Britain.

He will tell how he organised a trip to London from Manchester for £60 compared with the much higher fare on Virgin Railways.

Anyone who wants to suggest where a steam trip from Scarborough should run to is asked to write to Mr Howard (with a stamped addressed envelope) at Wellington House, Lower Withington. Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9EA.

GRAPHIC: Resort Rivalry…Scarborough scenic beauty and beaches, above, attract many people, while Blackpool, below left, has its tower and trams.