Would it not be more cost effective to base a shunter there to drag it in from the station?
Even if that's not viable, I don't see how running round at Lincoln can waste more time than trundling 40 minutes north to do it there and trundle back? Yes it would occupy a platform but Lincoln isn't *that* busy.
Last time this flow ran, the train length was too long for a run round at Lincoln, which also meant it needed splitting onto two sidings within the terminal. A shunt loco wouldn't really help, plus it would be expensive to hire one and provide a driver for it, especially if the flow only runs once a week or so like it used to. In theory the train could be split into two portions in the station to avoid the run to Barnetby and back, but even if the signalling allows that, it would be an awkward set of manoeuvres that couldn't realistically be done at a time of day when passenger trains were running.
The caption to this 2007 picture describes how the train used to arrive at Lincoln from the Barnetby direction and needed to draw forward across High Street level crossing before it could propel into the terminal (or in this case, not make it that far!):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50527553@N07/5511477191/ (Photo: Sherpowell)
This 2015 picture shows the train in Terrace sidings, with the wagons split over two sidings:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148194160@N04/38968383950/ (Photo: Jordan Kearney)
There's a sign for EMR visible in that picture, but looking on Google Maps, the actual EMR scrapyard is located about 1.5 miles away, adjacent to the curve from Boultham Jn to Pyewipe Jn. Presumably the scrap was brought across from there by lorry before being loaded to the wagons?
https://uk.emrlocal.com/yards/emr-lincoln-scrap-metal
February 2020 photo showing the departing scrap train slowing for a crew change in platform 3:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129016838@N03/49507205997/ (Photo: Trevor Wallis)
I think the last scrap train from Terrace sidings ran in March 2020.
Also found these interesting photos which make the location of Terrace Sidings (at the east end of Lincoln station) a bit clearer for anyone wondering:
This 2006 photo shows a very unusual move into Terrace sidings with 60052 propelling unit 153366 (!):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dblincs/55110358005/ (Photo: David Barnsdale)
While this lovely 1985 shot from the same position shows the location of Terrace sidings in relation to the line to Barnetby (left) / Sleaford (right) and the old DMU depot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63923883@N03/13042594485/ (Photo: Lewis Bevan)
