Scout Train Cruises

 The Scout Train Cruises

Isle of Wight Scouts County Archivist Barry Groves has a huge supply of stories about the History of Scouting, on the Island, Nationally and Internationally. Sometimes stories merge between these areas. Here's a story about  a National activity which involved an Island Scout - District Commissioner Dr. F.R.B. Kennedy, and steam trains!

Just visible is the train's name board - Scouts Cruise......

Based on the London and North East Railway’s “Northern Belle” Cruise Train, which began in 1933, the Scout Train Cruise operated as a Third Class Train and was designed to meet the needs of Scouts and provide them with the opportunity to carry out normal Scouting activities and challenges, whilst at the same time transporting them to a camp and places of interest in Scotland and the North of England.

 

The route of the Scouts Train Cruise

Of course, there was a badge for the Scouts going on the cruise.

The cruise was organized by Haydn Dimmock, Editor of “The Scout” magazine in the 1930’s. The 15 coach train had a cinema, recreation coach, hospital compartment, sleeping quarters, dayroom coach, restaurant and dining car.

Here's a photo of the train staff getting ready to leave.

From 1935 to 1939 the Boy Scouts provided a Train Cruise that started at King’s Cross and travelled to Edinburgh in Scotland via Doncaster, York, Newcastle and Carlisle. The same route was taken to return to London.

The Cruise lasted eight days and nearly two hundred scouts attended. Only the onset of war prevented further Cruises taking place.

With their compartments reserved......

,,,, it was time for our cruising Scouts to get on the train......

.... and start their adventure.

The Scouts lived, ate and slept on the train only leaving for excursions or exercise. The carriages were shunted into sidings each night for a peaceful sleep.

One of the first tasks each morning was to air the bedding.

There was also a traveling doctor on the train, Dr. F.R.B. Kennedy, District Commissioner for North and North East Wight and a G.P. at Wootton.

With so much hiking organised Dr Kennedy regularly checked the Scouts' feet.

This photo was taken at Carlisle station on 10th April 1939.

This one shows the 1939 cruise train stopped at Crianlarich.

The biggest hike on the trip was a climb of Ben Nevis.......

..... the tallest mountain in the British Isles.....

..... with a stunning view from the top.

The Scouts had a tour of Edinburgh Castle.

A Scout relaxes on a boat trip, off Malaig.

Several times during the journey, Scouts from the train met up with local Scouts for events and activities.

Here the train Scouts are playing football against a local team from Banavie.