The Railway Touring Company - Day Trips and Tours 2012

The Railway Touring Co. UK Day Trips and Tours 2012

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Nigel Dobbing and the staff at The Railway Touring Company welcome you to the 2012 edition of our UK Day Trips and Tours brochure. We have planned a superb programme of day trips and tours covering many of the UK’s best loved railway routes and destinations. We trust that you will find time to read through our brochure and be inspired to join some of our excursions. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to sharing with you the enjoyment of travelling by steam train.

Travel by Steam Train Our Day Trips and Tours almost exclusively make use of specially chartered trains hauled by steam locomotives. The trains offer a choice of types of seating to suit your particular requirements. Each passenger is allocated their own reserved seat ensuring that travel on these special trains is a relaxing experience providing the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of modern day life. All of the seats on our trains line up with the carriage windows, unlike many modern trains, and thus provide the maximum viewing area to add to the enjoyment of your journey.

In addition to our Day Trips and Tours in the UK, The Railway Touring Company has a programme of tours using steam hauled charter trains in many other countries of the world. These tours can be for a few days duration or last for up to two weeks, with overnight accommodation provided in good quality hotels. Please visit our website (www.railwaytouring.net) for further details and to request an overseas brochure, or contact us by telephone if you prefer.

Premier Dining Class Premier Dining Class on our trains is a luxury experience providing a full meals service at tables with spacious comfortable seating. Usually, this service includes a traditional full English breakfast soon after you board the train, a light lunch before you arrive at your destination, and a four course meal on the return journey. Onboard chefs prepare fresh food for all of your meals for the day and it is professionally silver served to your table. Any special dietary requirements can be accommodated providing we are notified in advance. A fully licensed bar service is always available. The dress code is smart casual, as we like our passengers to be relaxed and travel in comfort.

Tables are available for four or two in Premier Dining Class. Our tables for two are the ideal choice for an unusual and memorable celebration, for a special occasion like a wedding anniversary or birthday. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £18.00 per person, subject to availability. Premier Dining Class is available up to and including any pick up station before 10:30.

First Class First Class accommodation on our trains is provided at tables for four or for two in deep cushioned armchairs with plenty of room. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £18.00 per person, subject to availability.

First class usually includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry, and afternoon cream tea when scones with jam and cream and a selection of finger sandwiches will be served.

Standard Class Standard Class seats are arranged in groups of four around a table. All seats are reserved. Passengers in First and Standard classes regularly bring hampers and picnics.

Booking Arrangements Passengers can book their tickets online by visiting our website www.railwaytouring.net or by downloading a booking form which can be printed and sent by post to:- The Railway Touring Company, 14A Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JN A completed booking form can also be sent to us by fax on 01553 661800. Passengers can also book by telephone during office hours on 01553 661500. Office hours are Monday to Friday: 08:45 to 17:00 and Saturday: 09:00 to 16:00.

We accept most major credit and debit cards.

When posting a booking form please enclose the full payment by cheque or postal order made payable to The Railway Touring Company, and, quoting your name, address, telephone number, choice of train, the number of seats you require, class and joining station. We regret that seats cannot be reserved unless full payment is received.

Acknowledgements and Tickets Bookings made by telephone will be verbally acknowledged at the time of booking and a written confirmation sent within 7 days. Tickets and travel information will usually be despatched at least 5 days before the date of travel. However, this information and the tickets cannot be sent until the departure times are confirmed by the train operator which may be at shorter notice. Please pay particular attention to the departure and arrival times sent with your tickets as these may vary from the approximate timings given in this brochure.

Gift Vouchers We are pleased to offer gift vouchers which can be used against any of our future trips.

Front cover image: Bob Green

Junior Tickets Junior Tickets are available for children who are 15 years old and under.

Children 3 years old and under may travel free if they do not occupy a seat. If they do require a seat then the junior ticket price applies.

Family Tickets Family tickets are available for 2 adults & 2 juniors (aged 15 and under).

Standard Conditions of Booking and Travel Every effort will be made to ensure that the locomotive, rolling stock, route and timings which are hired in from third parties, will run as advertised. However, the organisers reserve the right to alter these details at any time and shall not incur any liability to any person who has bought, or contracted to buy a ticket or tickets, as a result of any such changes. All reasonable efforts, within the control of the organisers, will be made to ensure that on the day of the trip, the train runs as planned.

However, we cannot accept any responsibility for delays, mishaps, alterations or curtailment of the tour from situations outside of our control. There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train.

The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that the tour runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible.

The organisers cannot accept responsibility for the options under the control of third parties and are only responsible for returning passengers to their joining stations. Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions. No refund is available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers.

Please note, all timings shown in this brochure are approximate and subject to change.

UK Day Trips and Tours – 2012

Tours

The Hadrian

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The Great Britain V

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The Yorkshireman to Railfest

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The Cock O’The North

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The Thanet Belle

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The Golden Arrow

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The Mancunian

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The Western Isles

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Summer Highlander

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The Easterling

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Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

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The Swanage Belle

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The West Highlander Steam Express

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The Titfield Thunderbolt

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The Royal Wessex

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The Weymouth Seaside Express

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Day Trips The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Dorset Coast Express

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The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Cotswold Venturer

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The Lincolnshire Poacher

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The Lincoln Imp

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The Tynesider

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The Scarborough Flyer

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The Bath and Bristol

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Heart of Midlothian

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The North Wales Coast Express

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The Bath and Bristol

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The Waverley

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The Auld Reekie

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The West Somerset Steam Express

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The Sussex Belle

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Thanet Belle

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The North Wales Coast Express

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Welsh Mountaineer

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The East Riding

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The Mayflower

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The Royal Duchy

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The Bath and Bristol

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The Heart of Wales

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The Sussex Belle

The Central Wales Explorer

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The Welshman

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The Atlantic Coast Express

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The Thanet Belle

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The Cornishman

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The Peak Forester

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Booking – Reservation Forms

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THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

The holiday tours in this brochure are covered by the terms and conditions in our Great Railway Adventures 2012 brochure and are available on request.

Bob Green

The Great Britain V Saturday 21st April to Sunday 29th April 2012 For the fifth year of running the Great Britain rail tour, we have rung the changes. This will be the first time that we shall be dividing the train into two parts after we have crossed the Forth Bridge. One part will travel to Mallaig via the West Highland Line whilst the other continues to Inverness via Aberdeen.

The following day we continue to Kyle of Lochalsh where passengers will change trains. In this way all passengers will visit Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh, and also travel the West Highland Line. This will be the first time that this has been arranged using steam traction.

This year, for the first time, we have included the Settle and Carlisle line in the itinerary. We feature two Bulleid Pacific’s, Braunton and Tangmere, from Bristol to Penzance, and the Blue King, No. 6023 King Edward II, from Bristol to Paddington via the notorious Sapperton Bank. All of this should make it a tour to be remembered.

Saturday 21st April An A4 to York and an A3 to Edinburgh Our train departs London King’s Cross at around 08:20 hauled by A4 Pacific Bittern which has two tenders for its water supply. On departure, a celebratory glass of champagne will be served to all passengers with a full English breakfast for those travelling in premier class. Our train will run non-stop to York, including the climb to Stoke Summit, where another A4 Pacific, Mallard, achieved the world record for steam of 126 mph, when travelling south.

At York we say goodbye to No. 60019 Bittern and welcome No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, our second steam locomotive of the day. We continue along the East Coast Main Line to Newcastle, where we stop for our locomotive to take water. North of Newcastle our train follows the rugged Northumberland coastline where there are fine views of picturesque Alnmouth and distant views of Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands. Soon, we cross the magnificent Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed and enter Scotland.

We continue through Dunbar and Drem before Flying Scotsman steams into Edinburgh Waverley Station. We have overnight accommodation in Edinburgh.

Sunday 22nd April Over the Forth and Tay Bridges to Aberdeen and Inverness Royal Scot 4-6-0 No. 46115 Scots Guardsman will be ready to leave Edinburgh Waverley with our train at around 09:00. We cross the magnificent Forth Bridge, with superb views over the Firth of Forth, and enter Fife. The journey through Fife is both scenic and fascinating; we hug the sea shore for some of the way. At Thornton Junction our train will be divided into two parts.

Train 1 Train 1 continues through Fife and crosses the wide expanse of the Firth of Tay by the famous Tay Bridge, before arriving in Dundee. Here our locomotive takes on water. On leaving Dundee the line skirts the sea shore on its way to Montrose before continuing through Stonehaven to the Granite City, Aberdeen. After a break in the city, Scots Guardsman continues to haul our train to Inverness through Huntley, Keith, Elgin and Nairn. We arrive at Inverness in the late afternoon and transfer to our hotels.

Train 2 After reversal at Thornton Junction, train 2 heads south-westwards to Cowdenbeath and UK Tours - The Great Britain V

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Dunfermline. Here we join a freight line which runs along the Forth to Alloa, before continuing through Stirling to the outskirts of Glasgow at Springburn. We pass through Dumbarton before joining the West Highland line at Craigendoran.

After a brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbet Station, we observe the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond.

We leave Crianlarich, where the Oban line branches off, and head for the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor. We pass by Loch Treig and through the amazing Monessie Gorge.

The highest mountain in Scotland at 4,418ft, Ben Nevis, comes into view as we approach Fort William where we arrive in the mid afternoon.

Overnight accommodation is in Fort William.

Monday 23rd April Steam to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William Train 1 – Inverness to Fort William We depart from Inverness steam-hauled by LMS Black 5 No. 45305. A full Scottish Breakfast will be silver served at your seat in premier class, soon after departure. We pass over the Caledonian Canal on the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge, then take the Kyle line at Dingwall; possibly the most scenic line in the country. The route takes us up to Raven Rock Summit and Luib Summit before we

stop at Achnashellach for the locomotive to take water. We descend to the shores of Loch Carron and experience fine views of the lochs and mountains. At Kyle of Lochalsh we join road coaches which take us on a scenic tour over the Skye Bridge on to the Isle of Skye and to Armadale. Here we take the ferry to Mallaig.

On arrival at Mallaig our special train will be waiting with steam locomotive No. 61994 The Great Marquess. We enjoy a scenic journey east passing the Sands of Morar and crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct en route to Fort William.

Overnight accommodation is in Fort William.

Train 2 – Fort William to Inverness We depart from Fort William, steam-hauled by K4 2-6-0 No. 61994, for our journey to Mallaig.

We cross the impressive Caledonian Canal at Banavie and run beside Loch Linnhe. The splendid curved Glenfinnan Viaduct is a masterpiece of engineering famous in its own right but given greater prominence recently through the Harry Potter films. Take the opportunity to photograph it, it’s a fabulous sight. We are travelling through some of the most breathtaking scenery that Scotland has to offer. The beautiful colours of the glens and lochs stand out in contrast against the sombre tones of the mountains. There are views of the Atlantic Ocean and distant islands before we reach Mallaig. On arrival at Mallaig we join a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Here road coaches will be waiting to take us on a scenic tour through the Isle of Skye and over the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Here our special train will be waiting for us and we shall be steam-hauled by LMS Black 5 No. 45305 to Inverness. Overnight accommodation is in Inverness.

Tuesday 24th April Train 1 – Fort William to Glasgow We depart from Fort William mid-morning steamhauled by former LNER 2-6-0 The Great Marquess. We climb out of Fort William through the Monessie Gorge and pass Roy Bridge before tackling the steepest part of the climb up to Corrour (1,350ft), the second highest summit on British Railways. We cross Rannoch Moor and continue through Tyndrum to Crianlarich where our steam locomotive takes on water. We face another stiff climb up to Glen Douglas before reaching Garelochhead. From here The Great Marquess will haul us through Helensburgh and Dumbarton to Glasgow Queen Street. Overnight accommodation is in Glasgow.

Train 2 – Inverness to Glasgow over the Highland main line We depart from Inverness late morning hauled by No. 46115 Scots Guardsman. We make the arduous climb up to Sloch Summit (1,315ft), probably the most gruelling climb on the whole network. We climb for 13 miles at 1 in 60 followed by another 10 miles at mostly 1 in 60.

We descend through Aveimore before commencing the climb to Druimuachdar Summit (1,484ft), the highest summit on Britain’s railways. We continue to descend through the Highlands, passing Blair Athol and Pitlochry, before arriving in Perth where our steam locomotive takes on water. On leaving Perth we take the Glasgow main line and climb up to Gleneagles and Dunblane.

There are fine views of Stirling Castle after we pass through Bridge of Allan.

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person: £2355 Single Supplement: £385 Optional trip to Stranraer £169 First Class Price per person: £1775 Single Supplement: £330 Optional trip to Stranraer £119 Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £145 per person. (subject to availability) Premier class includes: • Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels • Eight lunches served on the train • Four breakfasts served on the train • Five dinners and one Afternoon tea silver served at your seat on the train • Seats will be in first class open coaches with comfortable deep cushioned Pullman style seats • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First class includes: • Overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 star hotels

Bob Green

• Coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches with tables for two or four • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense Optional steam trip from Glasgow to Stranraer – 25.04.12 This includes a Premier class reserved seat, full Scottish Breakfast and 3-course lunch with tea or coffee.

First class seats are also available including morning Breakfast Bap, orange juice, tea, coffee, afternoon tea and biscuits.

Bob Green

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Bob Green

We continue south to Glasgow Queen Street where, hopefully, Train 1 with The Great Marques will be waiting for us, having arrived from Fort William. Overnight accommodation is in Glasgow.

No. 70013 and No. 45305 over the steeply graded switchback line to Ayr. Here we detach No. 45305, leaving No. 70013 to haul our train back to Glasgow via Irvine and Paisley.

Wednesday 25th April Free day in Glasgow or steam over the South Western to Stranraer Today, there will be time to explore this vibrant Scottish city or perhaps take a trip to Loch Lomond or the Isle of Arran.

Thursday 26th April Glasgow Central to Preston via the South Western and the Settle to Carlisle Railway We leave Glasgow mid-morning hauled by Britannia Pacific No.70013 Oliver Cromwell and head for Paisley along the line to Ayr. It is a fast main line and we should make good progress to Newton-on-Ayr. Here we take the freight-only line to Mauchline, where we join the Glasgow & South Western main line. This was the old stamping ground of the Thames Clyde Express, regularly hauled in steam days by a rebuilt Royal Scot.

We then climb up to Drumlanrig Tunnel before descending to Dumfries. We continue alongside the Solway Firth to Gretna Junction and on to Carlisle. On leaving Carlisle we join the Settle and Carlisle Railway, probably the best known and dramatic piece of railway in England. The climbing begins soon after leaving Carlisle. We call at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on

Optional steam trip to Stranraer Our train will leave Glasgow Central hauled by No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell. We cross the River Clyde on departure and take the GSWR route at Bridge Street Junction. We pass through Paisley, Dalry and Troon before arriving at the resort of Ayr. Here Black 5 No. 45305 couples on to the front of the train and we continue double-headed to Girvan. There is a tremendous climb out of Girvan up to Pinmore Tunnel, from where the route descends to Pinwherry, and then climbs steeply again through Barrhill. From Chirmorie Summit it is downhill all the way to Stranraer.

Our train returns from Stranraer double-headed by

Bob Green

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water then continue climbing through Kirkby Stephen toward the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill (1,169ft). We cross magnificent viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and steam through long tunnels, with the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough providing an ever shifting backdrop. A fast run out of the hills through Settle brings us to Long Preston where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. From here we travel through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn and on to Preston where we transfer to our hotels for an overnight stay.

Friday 27th April The Welsh Marches with a Scot After breakfast we transfer to Preston Station where our train will be waiting for us. We head south from Preston hauled by the rebuilt Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot. We pass through Warrington before entering the Roman city of Chester. Heading south on the single line to Wrexham, we pause at Chirk for our steam locomotive to take on water. We pass through Shrewsbury, where we join the scenic Welsh Marches route through Ludlow and Hereford.

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person: £2355 Single Supplement: £385 Optional trip to Stranraer £169 First Class Price per person: £1775 Single Supplement: £330 Optional trip to Stranraer £119 Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £145 per person. (subject to availability) Premier class includes:

From here we make the difficult climb up to Llanvihangel Summit before descending through Abergavenny towards Newport. We pass through the Severn Tunnel before arriving at Bristol Temple Meads. Here we leave the train and check into our hotels.

Saturday 28th April Two Bulleid Pacific’s to Penzance At Bristol Temple Meads our two locomotives No. 34067 Tangmere and No. 34046 Braunton will be waiting to haul our train double-headed to Penzance. We anticipate a fast run from Bristol across the Somerset Levels to Taunton. We then climb up to Whiteball Summit on the border of Somerset and Devon. On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary, with its picturesque fishing boat views, and run along the sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth. After Newton Abbot, our two Britannia Pacific’s will be able to demonstrate their true power as they tackle some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First there is the difficult climb of Dainton Bank, up to Dainton Tunnel, before dropping down to Totnes.

Here begins the equally difficult climb of Rattery Bank before the descent to Plymouth.

After Plymouth we cross over the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, The Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash. He designed this bridge for the Cornwall Railway Company after Parliament rejected his original plan for a ferry across the Hamoaze, the tidal River Tamar. It was opened in 1859 and provides fine views over the Estuary. Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside, over high slender viaducts and through short tunnels providing stimulating views through our carriage windows. Soon we arrive at Penzance where there will be almost two hours to explore the town. We will be leaving our two steam locomotives at Penzance, and Western Class Diesel D1015 Western Champion will take us back to Bristol Temple Meads

29th April Return to London Paddington via Gloucester and Sapperton Bank King Class Locomotive No. 6023 King Edward II hauls our train north from Bristol Temple Meads through to Gloucester. Here our steam locomotive takes on water and turns on the nearby triangle.

We depart east-bound and soon pass through glorious scenery along the Stroud Valley in rural Gloucestershire. We begin climbing Sapperton Bank, then pass through Sapperton Tunnel and Kemble Station before joining the Great Western main line at Swindon. From here there should be a fast run back to London Paddington.

Luggage All luggage transfers are taken care of by RTC from Edinburgh to Bristol. You are responsible for taking your luggage to the train in London and then to the first hotel in Edinburgh and then from the last hotel in Bristol to the train.

All other transfers are made by us between the hotels.

• Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels • Eight lunches served on the train • Four breakfasts served on the train • Five dinners and one afternoon tea silver served at your seat on the train • Seats will be in first class open coaches with comfortable deep cushioned Pullman style seats • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First class includes: • Overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 star hotels • Coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches with tables for two or four • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense Optional steam trip from Glasgow to Stranraer – 25.04.12 This includes a Premier class reserved seat, full Scottish Breakfast and 3-course lunch with tea or coffee.

First class seats are also available including morning Breakfast Bap, orange juice, tea, coffee, afternoon tea and biscuits.

Bob Green

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The Cock O’The North Thursday 17th May to Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Thursday 6th September to Tuesday 11th September 2012 This tour explores the north of Scotland and avoids busy roads by using fast trains and travelling first class to and from the North. Highlights of the tour include visits to preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William, plus two nights on the Isle of Skye.

A special coach handles our luggage, accompanying us throughout the Scottish part of our tour. We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space in which to relax prior to our journey.

Thursday Highland Chieftain to Inverness We join the Highland Chieftain train for the journey from London King’s Cross Station to Inverness via Peterborough and York. En route, a light lunch will be served at our seats. We speed along the East Coast Main Line, as we head north, passing through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth.

At Inverness we check in to our 3-star hotel for two nights. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (L D) Friday Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Railway Our road coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a Strathspey Railway steam train for the journey to Broomhill and back. With the Cairngorm Mountains close by, the area is a favourite tourist attraction because of its natural beauty. We rejoin our road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a railway restaurant car.

We make a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the Keith and Dufftown Railway’s Whisky Line.

It runs for eleven miles through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, passing beautiful forests, farmland and distilleries.To end the day,

we visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D) Saturday Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by train After a traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Inverness by train for Kyle of Lochalsh.

Our luggage is transported by privately chartered road coach, which follows our progress over the next four days. We pass through forests, alongside lakes overlooked by mountains, then run along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet. The line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain.

There will be time to have a look around Kyle of Lochalsh before we take a coach journey over the Skye Bridge and on to the Isle of Skye. We travel to Portree, the main town and capital of the Island, which is known for its picturesque harbour.

We check in at The Royal Hotel which will be our base for the next two nights. (B D) Sunday Tour of Skye Today, we have a tour guide for the day as we explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach.

We shall see the Black Cuillins, mountains of jagged bare rock with twelve summits above 3,000 feet. We return to Portree where there will UK Tours - The Cock O’The North

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be time to look around and to enjoy a picnic lunch.

We shall also visit the north of the island, including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is renowned for its spectacular scenery, vibrant culture and heritage, as well as its abundant wildlife, which includes the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter.

As always we will stop the coach for photography and filming when appropriate. (B L D) Monday Ferry to Mallaig for Jacobite steam train trip After breakfast, we say farewell to Portree and head south by road coach to Armadale where we catch the ferry to Mallaig, a boat journey of around thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there will be time for you to explore and find lunch before joining The Jacobite steam train to Fort William, for another unforgettable journey.

Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, the Jacobite takes us for forty two miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. On arrival at Fort William we rejoin our

road coach for the journey to Inverness, passing through the Great Glen with its many lochs.

We shall also travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. At Inverness we check in to our hotel. (B D) Tuesday The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before boarding the Highland Chieftain, in our first class seats. We depart Inverness and pass through the Highlands. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle and York en route to London King’s Cross. A light lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L) Approx. timings London King’s Cross Peterborough York Inverness *Change at York

Outward 12:00 12:47 14:02 20:08

Return 15:50 15:45* 13:52 07:55

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £1160 Peterborough (Price per person) £1125 York (Price per person) £1095 Single supplement £140 Price includes: • First class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining on the outward journey • 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3 star hotels • 5 dinners • 4 lunches • Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys • First class rail travel on The Jacobite from Mallaig to Fort William • Standard class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train) • All train travel, transfers and tours • Reserved seats • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2012 M

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Hugh Ballantyne

The Golden Arrow Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd June 2012 In 2002 and 2004 The Railway Touring Company recreated the “Golden Arrow”, the famous luxury boat train of the Southern Railway and later British Railways which ran between 1929 and 1972. It linked London with Dover, where passengers took the ferry to Calais to join the “Flèche d’Or” of the Chemin de Fer du Nord and later SNCF which took them on to Paris.

We are repeating this exercise for the final time in June 2012. Steam locomotive No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, in full Golden Arrow regalia, will haul this famous train out of London Victoria Station, probably for the last time.

Friday 1st June London to Paris The “Golden Arrow” leaves London Victoria Station at around 09:20 and travels to Dover via Ashford, Canterbury and Deal. From Dover Priory Station we transfer by coach to Dover Ferry Terminal where we board our P & O Ferry for the voyage to Calais. From here we transfer to Calais Ville Railway Station where ex-PLM Chapelon Pacific steam locomotive No. 231 K8 (formerly allocated to Calais depot) will be waiting with our train. The “Flèche d’Or” will leave Calais at about 15:15 and travel to Paris Gare du Nord via the old main line through Noyelles and Abbeville.

We transfer to hotels in Paris for two nights accommodation.

(B - Pullman/First) (D - Pullman/First)

operated by the Association du Musée des Transports de Pithiviers (AMTP) over a section of the former Tramway de Pithiviers à Toury (TPT).

The preserved line opened in 1966 and runs for 4 km (2.5 miles) mainly along the roadside from Pithiviers to Ormes and Bellébat. We shall enjoy riding over this superb preserved railway with several steam locomotives working trains for us.

We return to Paris Gare de l’Est hauled by the class 141 TB steam tank locomotive. Our return route to Paris is via Les Aubrais-Orléans, Orléans, Patay, Voves, Dourdan and Savigny sur Orge.

Dinner for Pullman/First class passengers is provided on the train, or at the hotel for those choosing a free day in Paris.

Overnight accommodation is at our hotels.

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Saturday 2nd June Day in Paris or steam train to Pithiviers This morning we have breakfast at our hotels.

Today there is an option of a free day in Paris or a main line steam trip to a preserved narrow gauge railway. The steam train will depart from Paris Gare de l’Est hauled by class 141 TB 2-8-2T steam tank locomotive. Our route is via Noisy-le-sec, Valde-Fontenay, Sucy Bonneuil, Brétigny-sur-Orge, and Etampes to Pithiviers. Here we visit the preserved narrow gauge (600mm) railway

Sunday 3rd June Steam trains to London and Somme Bay Railway After breakfast at our hotels, we transfer to Paris Gare du Nord to join our train hauled by steam locomotive No. 231 K8. We depart at approximately 09.00 and follow the route of the old main line through Amiens to Noyelles-sur-Mer. Here we visit the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme (Somme Bay Railway), a preserved metre gauge railway. There will be two locomotives European Tours - The Golden Arrow

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hauling metre gauge trains and we shall travel from Noyelles-sur-Mer to St. Valery along a section of dual gauge track. St. Valery is delightfully situated on the Picardy Coast adjacent to the Baie de la Somme and at the mouth of the Somme River. The village is a popular tourist destination because of its medieval character and there is a wide choice of bars and cafes to visit. We return to Noyelles-sur-Mer and rejoin our train with steam locomotive No. 231 K8 for the journey to Calais Ville. Here we transfer by road coach to our ferry for the voyage to Dover. At Dover Priory Station we join our train hauled by steam locomotive No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell for the journey to London Victoria via Tonbridge.

(B - Pullman/First/Standard) (L - Pullman/First) (D - Pullman/First)

Tour Summary Pullman Class Price per person Single Supplement

£999 £120

First Class Price per person Single Supplement

£795 £79

Standard Class Price per person SIngle Supplement

£439 £35

Pullman Class includes: • 2 nights 3/4 star hotel accommodation in Paris • 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners (1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners* silver served at your seat on the train *1 dinner at hotel if choosing a free day in Paris on Saturday) First Class includes: • 2 nights 3/4 star hotel accommodation in Paris • 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners (1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 3 dinners* served in the restaurant car on the train *1 dinner at hotel if choosing a free day in Paris on Saturday) Standard Class includes: • 2 nights 2/3 star hotel accommodation in Paris • 2 breakfasts Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner June 2012 M

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European Tours - The Golden Arrow

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Bob Green

The Western Isles Tuesday 12th June to Wednesday 20th June 2012 Tuesday 7th August to Wednesday 15th August 2012 Scotland is just on your doorstep and it is so beautiful! This wonderful tour explores the north-west of Scotland, avoiding busy roads by travelling on fast trains in comfortable first class seats for the journeys to and from the north.

Highlights of the tour include visiting areas where other tours do not normally go, such as the Isles of Harris and Lewis and the beautiful region beyond Ullapool, plus a trip on The Jacobite steam train. A coach handling our luggage will accompany us throughout Scotland. We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space to relax prior to our journey.

Tuesday To Scotland in style We wave goodbye to London’s King’s Cross Station and then stop at Peterborough to pick up more passengers. En route, a light lunch will be served at your seat. We stop at York where more passengers may join the train. The train continues its journey along the East Coast Main Line via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Glasgow.

From there, a coach takes us to The Inverbeg Inn for dinner and overnight accommodation. The Inn is located in beautiful countryside on the banks of Loch Lomond and enjoys stunning views of both the Loch and Ben Lomond. It also prides itself on its excellent customer service. (L D) Wednesday Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond After a leisurely breakfast, and perhaps a stroll by the Loch, our road coach takes us the short distance to Tarbet where we have a private cruise on Loch Lomond, with a light lunch provided.

We rejoin our coach to travel the short distance to Arrochar and Tarbet Station to catch a train to Fort William. The route passes through spectacular scenery, crossing the remote Rannoch Moor, to Fort William. The town is located in an enviable position on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben

Nevis, at 4,406 feet Britain’s highest mountain, as its backdrop. Our train is due to arrive at 16:30 and we check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Thursday The Jacobite and over the sea to Skye Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, The Jacobite steam train takes us for 42 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The final destination is Mallaig, where we have around two hours to explore the town and fishing port and find lunch. We board the ferry for the Isle of Skye. At Armadale we rejoin our road coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage, to travel to our hotel in Portree. (B D) Friday Skye and Harris Islands Our coach takes us across Skye to Uig, pausing a few times for us to take in the scenery. Our ferry departs at around 14:00 for the one and half hour crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. We travel onwards through the bleak landscape of Harris and Lewis to the island’s capital, Stornoway, UK Tours - The Western Isles

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where we stay at a hotel for two nights. (B D) Saturday The Isle of Lewis Today we have a guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis, including the Butt of Lewis with its lighthouse, and the Calanais Stone Circle.

These spectacular prehistoric standing stones form dramatic avenues with a circle of large monoliths at the centre. They were almost totally covered with peat until the mid-19th Century. We stop for lunch on our journey. (B L D) Sunday Lochinver This morning we have time to explore Stornoway.

We join the ferry for Ullapool to return to the mainland before travelling on to Lochinver, a pleasant village with a beautiful harbour and a magnificent mountain backdrop.

We stay here for two nights at the luxurious Inverlodge Hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the bay. All rooms have splendid views and deer often appear on the lawns outside. (B D)

Monday North West Scottish Highlands Our road coach takes us to discover the remote, impressive landscape of the North West Highlands, which offer deserted sandy beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. The tour passes through Scourie and Laxford Bridge before arriving at Durness, where there will be time for lunch.

(B D)

Wednesday The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before boarding the Highland Chieftain, in our first class seats. We depart Inverness and pass through the Highlands; a wonderful experience. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle and York en route to London King’s Cross. A light lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L)

Tuesday Dunrobin Castle and Inverness We depart by road coach along mountain roads to Lairg and Dunrobin Castle. The Castle is located on high terraces from where there are views across its wonderful gardens to the sea beyond.

A highlight of the visit will be the falconry display.

We have lunch in the Castle before transferring to Golspie station where we board a train to Inverness. Upon arrival we check in to our hotel.

(B L D)

Approx. timings London King’s Cross Peterborough York Inverness *Change at York

Outward 12:00 12:47 14:02 20:08

Return 15:50 15:45* 13:52 07:55

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £1395 Peterborough (Price per person) £1370 York (Price per person) £1350 Single supplement £285 Price includes: • First class rail travel from London to Glasgow and Inverness to London with at-seat dining • 8 nights half board accommodation in 3 star hotels • 5 Lunches • All train travel and coach transfers mentioned in the itinerary • First class rail travel on The Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig

Stornaway Helmsdale Ullapool Uig Inverness

• Standard class rail travel between Arrochar and Fort William and Golspie and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains) • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Mallaig Fort William

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UK Tours - The Western Isles

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Derek Phillips

The Summer Highlander Tuesday 17th July to Saturday 21st July 2012 This tour allows us to travel to and from Scotland by fast trains, avoiding busy roads and making the journeys even more enjoyable by travelling first class. Highlights of the tour include travel by train on preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William, and the Isle of Skye.

We are accompanied throughout Scotland by a road coach that will handle our luggage. We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space in which to relax prior to our journey.

Tuesday 17th July Highland Chieftain to Scotland At mid-day the Highland Chieftain train leaves London’s King’s Cross Station bound for Inverness.

It stops at Peterborough and York to collect further passengers. As we speed along the East Coast Main Line a light lunch will be served at our seats.

We pass through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth en route to Aviemore, from where we transfer by road coach to our hotel in Fort William. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (L D) Wednesday 18th July The Jacobite and over the sea to Skye The Jacobite steam train is described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. It takes us for 42 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from stunning mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. The final destination is Mallaig, where there will be around an hour to explore this attractive fishing port and then board the ferry for the Isle of Skye. At Armadale we rejoin our road coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage. We travel through Kyleakin and Broadford on the picturesque Isle of Skye before crossing the famous Skye Bridge, which links Skye to the Kyle of Lochalsh. At Kyle of Lochalsh we board the late afternoon service train to Inverness

and travel along one of Europe’s most scenic railway lines. We run alongside Loch Carron, then enjoy superb views of lochs and mountains, and pass through forests, en route to Inverness, where we arrive around 19:00. We transfer to our hotel which will be our base for 3 nights. Dinner will be served at our hotel. (B D) Thursday 19th July The Far North Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant before we depart by road coach to Dunrobin Castle.

Here a piper will greet us and lead us to the castle which is perched high above the seashore.

We shall have a tour of the castle and its grounds, including a falconry display, before taking a light lunch. We rejoin our coach and continue northbound to John O’Groats, with its tiny harbour and views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkneys. We visit the Castle of Mey before arriving at Thurso Railway Station where we join a ScotRail service train to Inverness. The railway takes a different route to the road, thus providing a fresh perspective on the region’s wonderful scenery.

On arrival at Inverness we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

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Friday 20th July The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways Today, our road coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a Strathspey Railway steam train for the journey to Broomhill and return. Our train will travel through the countryside at a leisurely pace, with the Cairngorm Mountains in view, allowing us to fully appreciate the scenery in an area famous for its stunning natural beauty. On arrival back at Aviemore, our coach takes us to Dufftown, where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a railway restaurant car. We make the return trip in a vintage diesel rail car on the Keith and Dufftown Railway, also known as The Whisky Line. It runs for eleven miles from Dufftown to Keith, passing through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery with forest, farmland and distilleries.

To complete our day, we have a visit to a traditional Highland whisky distillery before we return to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

Saturday 21st July The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before boarding the Highland Chieftain, in our first class seats. We depart Inverness and pass through the Highlands; a wonderful experience. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh and Newcastle en route to York and London where it is due to arrive at King’s Cross Station just before 16:00.

A light lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L) Approx. timings London King’s Cross Peterborough York Aviemore Inverness *Change at York

Outward 12:00 12:47 13.58 19:29 -------

Return 15:50 15:45* 13:52 ------07:55

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £895 Peterborough (Price per person) £875 York (Price per person) £850 Single supplement £170 Price includes: • First class rail travel on the Highland Chieftain and on The Jacobite Steam train • Standard class rail travel between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness and between Thurso and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains) • 4 nights accommodation in a twin, double or single room • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner will be served on the train, other breakfasts and dinners will be served in the hotels) Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2012 M

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Bob Green

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells Friday 27th July to Thursday 2nd August 2012 Friday 17th August to Thursday 23rd August 2012 This wonderful tour to Cumbria and around North Wales features main line steam trips and steam trains on ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’. We experience the magnificent Cumbrian Mountain Express, the exciting North Wales Coast Express, and the thrilling Welsh Mountaineer.

We travel on the Snowdon Mountain, Ffestiniog, Llangollen, and Welshpool and Llanfair Railways. As an extra highlight, we travel over the railway wonder of the 21st Century, the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway. These journeys by steam train present a very special way of seeing some of the best scenery in the British Isles. All in all a steam epic! With limited spaces available, we recommend early booking to secure a place.

Friday Explore Liverpool We meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Liverpool, located opposite Lime Street Station, which will be our base for two nights. Arrive at your leisure giving you time, if you wish, to explore this fine city. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Holiday Inn Hotel. (D) Saturday Cumbrian Mountain Express Today we join our steam charter train the “Cumbrian Mountain Express” at Liverpool Lime Street. We will have an impressive exit from Lime Street Station, hauled by a magnificent Pacific locomotive “Duchess of Sutherland” or “Oliver Cromwell”, and soon afterwards breakfast will be served at our seats. Heading north through Preston, we skirt the Lake District before entering the Lune Valley. Our steam locomotive will be fully extended as we begin our ascent to the summit of Shap Fell. Descending through Penrith North Lakes, we halt at Carlisle for a two hour break.

Leaving Carlisle we join the Settle and Carlisle Railway, climbing up through Langwathby and Culgaith and pausing for water at the market town of Appleby. Spectacular scenery follows as we

climb the steep gradient to Ais Gill summit and pass through Dent Dale, with the Peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent dominating the landscape. Twenty major viaducts and fourteen tunnels culminate in the magnificent 24 arch Ribblehead Viaduct. As we continue back to Liverpool Lime Street, we enjoy a four course dinner, silver-served at our seats. We stay overnight at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. (B L D) Sunday Steam along the North Wales Coast to Bangor After breakfast we join our special steam hauled “North Wales Coast Express” train at Liverpool Lime Street Station and take our reserved 1st class seats. Hauled by 6201 “Princess Elizabeth”, we take the Liverpool to Manchester Railway route of 1830 before joining the West Coast Main Line to Warrington. On leaving Chester we cross the River Dee and enter Wales, running along the Dee Estuary and then beside the Irish Sea as we pass Prestatyn and Rhyl. This coastline is known for its stunning beaches and, at Colwyn Bay, we have fantastic views of the Great Orme. Running close to the Irish Sea we then pass through several small seaside resorts before arriving at Bangor.

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We transfer by coach to Penrhyn Castle, a dramatic neo-Norman fantasy built in the early 19th Century for a wealthy Welsh family. It is crammed with fascinating objects, has extensive grounds, and a stable block which contains an industrial railway museum, dolls and model railway museums.

Afterwards our coach takes us across Anglesey to Holyhead where we rejoin our steam train for the return journey to Bangor. We transfer by road coach to Caernarfon and check in to a 3-star hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Monday The Snowdon Mountain and Welsh Highland Railways This morning we transfer to Llanberis Station for a steam trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, with its superb summit views, weather permitting!

Back in Llanberis there will be some free time to explore this delightful Snowdonian town and have lunch. In the afternoon we take a trip on the newly completed Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, through the magnificent Snowdonia National Park. This fantastic forty mile journey, steam hauled by a two foot narrow gauge Garratt locomotive, begins close to Caernarfon Castle, and passes through spectacular mountain scenery,

Beddgelert, and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass.

On arrival at Porthmadog, we transfer by road coach to a hotel in Llandudno, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Tuesday A Steam spectacular up to Blaneau Ffestiniog After breakfast we take a ride on the 3’6” gauge Great Orme Tramway from Llandudno Victoria Station to Great Orme Summit Station.

Afterwards we go to Llandudno Junction Station to join ‘The Welsh Mountaineer’ special steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It will be hauled by a former LMS ‘Black 5’ or ‘8F’ steam locomotive along this incredibly steep branch line, climbing uphill into Snowdonia through Betws-y-Coed and Pont-y-Pant to Blaneau Ffestiniog.

There will be over two hours to explore Blaneau Ffestiniog and find lunch before we retrace our steps downhill to Llandudno Junction.

Our steam hauled train continues along the North Wales Coast line to Chester where we hope to arrive by 19:00. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in Chester. (B D)

begin our journey on the picturesque 2’6” gauge Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. We take an enjoyable steam hauled ride through the delightful Banwy Valley to Llanfair Caereinion, and return to Welshpool. We then continue by road coach to our hotel in Shrewsbury for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Thursday The Scenic Cambrian Coast and Ffestiniog Railway Today we travel from Shrewsbury by service train through Mid Wales over Talerddig summit to Machynlleth. From here we head north on the picturesque line along the Cambrian Coast.

We pass through Aberdovey and cross the Afon Mawddach Estuary on the wooden Barmouth Bridge where we enjoy magnificent views, en route to Barmouth and Porthmadog.

At Porthmadog there will be time to have lunch before we join a steam hauled train on the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

From here we return to Liverpool by road coach, calling at Chester Station on the way for the convenience of customers who may wish to catch a train there for their homeward journey. (B)

Wednesday Steam on standard and narrow gauge Heritage Railways After breakfast we leave the hotel by road coach and travel to Llangollen. Here we join a Llangollen Railway steam hauled train to travel along the beautiful Dee Valley to Carrog and back.

We continue by road coach from Llangollen to the historic market town of Welshpool, where we Chris Parry

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1155 £185

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UK Tours - Snowdonia and The Northern Fells

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Bob Green

The West Highlander Steam Express Friday 7th September to Monday 10th September 2012 Join us for an exhilarating four day tour around the Western Highlands of Scotland on our own exclusive steam hauled chartered train, featuring three different steam locomotives. The tour begins in Crewe and picks up further passengers at Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Bolton and Preston, where there are good connections from London, Birmingham, The Midlands and the North of England.

There is no better way to enjoy the superb scenery of the Western Highlands than to travel through it by train.

Highlights of the tour include visits to Fort William, Mallaig and Oban plus views of the majestic Ben Nevis, the tranquil Loch Lomond, the barren beauty of Rannoch Moor, and much, much more.

Mountains and moorland, lochs, glens and seascapes abound as we travel the West Highland Line, the world famous Fort William to Mallaig Line, plus the Oban Line.

Our train will be hauled by an LMS Royal Scot class, two LMS Black 5’s and LNER K1 class steam locomotives. It offers the option of travel in Premier Class, with a full meal service served at your seat, First Class or Standard Class. A buffet car will be included in the train.

Friday 7th September A Royal Scot from Preston to Glasgow Our train will be diesel hauled from Crewe and call to pick up more passengers at Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Bolton and Preston, where passengers from other parts of the country can join the train by connecting services.

We leave Preston hauled by steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” and head north, passing through Lancaster. After Oxenholme Lake District, the gradient begins to increase and our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb up to Grayrigg Summit. We pass through the scenic Lune Gorge and Tebay before commencing our assault on the dramatic Shap Fell, a major obstacle in the days of steam. On arrival at Carlisle there will be a break while our steam locomotive is serviced. We cross the border into Scotland at Gretna and, after Lockerbie, face a formidable climb up to Beattock Summit. The route then drops down through undulating countryside to Carstairs and Glasgow Central Station. We transfer to Glasgow hotels for overnight accommodation.

Saturday 8th September The spectacular West Highland Line to Mallaig We transfer to Glasgow Queen Street Station for an early departure, at around 06:30. Today our special train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” for the journey to Fort William. We travel around the outskirts of Glasgow towards the West Highland Line. We shall soon be passing within sight of the famous River Clyde between Dalmuir, Dumbarton and Craigendoran. After a brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbet Station we witness the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond. We leave Crainlarich, where the Oban line branches off, and head for the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor. We pass by Loch Treig and through the amazing Monessie Gorge. The highest mountain in Scotland at 4,418ft, Ben Nevis, comes into view as we approach Fort William around lunchtime. Here we have a short break and a different steam locomotive, K1 class No. 62005, comes on to our train for the journey to Mallaig and back.

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We cross the impressive Caledonian Canal at Banavie and run beside Loch Linnhe. The splendid curved Glenfinnan Viaduct is a masterpiece of engineering famous in its own right but given greater prominence recently through the Harry Potter films. Take the opportunity to photograph it, it’s a fabulous sight. We are travelling through some of the most breathtaking scenery that Scotland has to offer. The beautiful colours of the glens and lochs stand out in contrast against the sombre tones of the mountains. There are views of the Atlantic Ocean and distant islands before we arrive at Mallaig. Here we have a break and an opportunity to explore this fishing and ferry port, to take a leisurely stroll to sample the bracing sea air, to spend some time shopping, or enjoying the excellent traditional fish and chips! We return to Fort William, make our way to our hotels for overnight accommodation and maybe ‘a wee dram or two’!

Sunday 9th September Fort William, Oban and Glasgow At 09:00, after a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Fort William, steam hauled by No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman”. Climbing out of Fort William through the spectacular scenery of the Monessie Gorge, we pass Roy Bridge, then tackle the steepest part of the climb up to Corrour, the second highest summit on British railways.

We cross Rannoch Moor and continue through Tyndrum Upper to Crainlarich where “Scots Guardsman” takes on water. We set off for Oban double headed by two Black 5 locomotives 44871 and 45407, passing through Tyndrum Lower and continuing through the magnificent scenery of Loch Awe and the Falls of Cruachan. Soon after passing Taynuilt we arrive at the terminus of the line, Oban, where there will be a break for lunch.

As soon as we leave Oban we begin an awesome climb where the locomotives will be working flat out to reach the summit. We begin our descent to Connel Ferry and Taynuilt, retracing our route to Crainlarich, from where “Scots Guardsman” will return our train to Glasgow. We face another stiff climb up to Glen Douglas before descending to Helensburgh and the Clyde valley. We pass through Dumbarton and Springburn before arriving at Glasgow Queen Street.

Monday 10th September Journey home We depart Glasgow Central at 09:30 hauled by No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” travelling by the Glasgow and South Western route through Paisley and Dalry to Newton on Ayr. Here we take the freight only line to Mauchline Junction where we join the Glasgow and South Western Main Line.

We continue through Kirkconnel, Dumfries and Gretna to Carlisle. We continue steam hauled climbing up to Shap summit, and then descend to pass through Carnforth and Lancaster en route to Preston. At Preston a diesel locomotive takes over our train for the rest of the journey to Crewe via Bolton, Manchester Victoria, Stockport and Wilmslow.

The Locomotives The West Highlander Steam Express will be hauled in turn by four different steam locomotives.

LMS Royal Scot Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” Preston – Glasgow – Preston and Glasgow – Fort William – Glasgow LNER K1 Class 2-6-0 No. 62005 Fort William – Mallaig – Fort William 2 x LMS ‘Black 5’ Class Nos. 44871 & 45407 Crainlarich – Oban – Crainlarich Approximate Timings Friday 7th September Crewe 07:00 Wilmslow 07:20 Stockport 07.30 Manchester Victoria 08.10 Bolton 09.30 Preston 10:20 Glasgow Central 17:55 Saturday 8th September Glasgow Queen Street 06:30 Crainlarich 10:35 Fort William 12:50 – 13:15 Mallaig 15:00 – 17:00 Fort William 18:50 Sunday 9th September Fort William 09:00 Crainlarich 12:00 – 12:30 Oban 14:00 – 15:00 Crainlarich 16:30 Glasgow Queen Street 19:30 Monday 10th September Glasgow Central 09:30 Preston 16:00 Bolton 16:40 Manchester Victoria 17:00 Stockport 17:20 Wilmslow 17:30 Crewe 18:00

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class £855 First Class £655 Standard Class £495 Premier Class Single Supplement £90 First Class Single Supplement £90 Standard Class Single Supplement £69 Premier Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Glasgow and Fort William • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners silver served at your seat on the train • First class accommodation on the train Table for two supplement £50.00 per person First Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast in Glasgow and Fort William • Dinner in Fort William • First class accommodation on the train Table for two supplement £50.00 per person Standard Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast in Glasgow and Fort William • Dinner in Fort William • Standard class accommodation on the train Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September 2012 M

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John Shuttleworth

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 28th January This is a special winter trip by train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes, the main line via Shap summit and the Settle and Carlisle Railway. The train will be hauled by two steam locomotives, the former London Midland & Scottish Railway Black 5’s No. 44871 and No. 45407. They make a classic pairing for the journey over a spectacular route through the North Pennines and bordering the Lake District. The destination is Carlisle where there will be time to explore.

Our special train will depart from Manchester Victoria at about 07:00 stopping to collect passengers at Bolton and Preston. We enjoy a fast run along the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth where we stop for our locomotives to take on water. We climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. There is always a chance that we will beat these gradients’ record times, so hang on to your hats! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. We stay in the Border City for nearly three hours, providing ample time to visit the castle, cathedral, museum and shops, or just to relax in one of the many fine coffee shops, restaurants or bars.

We leave Carlisle and begin to climb as soon as we join the Settle-Carlisle Line, one of the best known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We stop at Appleby, for our steam locomotives to take on water, before continuing to climb through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1,169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

We should have a fast run out of the hills through to Settle, where we stop for our steam locomotives to take on water. We continue through Hellifield and Clitheroe to Blackburn, where we stop to set down passengers. We then take the direct line, climbing up the steep gradient to Sough Tunnel and then descending, to Bolton, where we stop to set down passengers. Shortly after 19:00, we arrive at our final destination – Manchester Victoria – and the end of a truly marvellous day. *Passengers

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

for Preston change trains at Blackburn

UK Day Trips - The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

20

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Manchester Victoria 07:00 19:08 Bolton 07:45 18:42 Preston 08:15 18:40* Blackburn ------- 17:54 Carlisle 11:30 14:15

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£112

£475

First

£109

£55

£295

Standard

£74

£39

£195

Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 4th,11th,18th and 25th February With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980’s when the Settle and Carlisle Railway in winter was the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via the Settle and Carlisle line to Carlisle, and back to Carnforth via Shap. We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

We leave London Euston at around 07:10 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line. We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nuneaton and Crewe. At Carnforth, we change locomotives and steam locomotive Britannia class Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” or Black ‘5’ No. 45305 takes over the train.

We steam out of Carnforth and pass through Blackburn and Clitheroe before joining the Settle and Carlisle Railway at Hellifield, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. We continue to Settle Junction and the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we shall see – and hear – working very hard!

We cross the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel.

The line crosses over bridges and passes through tunnels before reaching the highest railway station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and descend to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where we stop for our locomotive to take on water.

We pass through the Eden Valley and arrive in the Border City of Carlisle at around 14:50. There will be around an hour and a half in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

Steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” or Black ‘5’ No. 45305 will return our train to Carnforth via the steeply graded route over Shap summit on the West Coast Main Line. At Carnforth our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 21:55 Watford Junction 07:30 21:35 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:05 Northampton 08:20 20:45 Nuneaton 08:50 20:15 Crewe 10:00 19:20 Preston 11:00 18:30 Carlisle 14:50 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£129

£545

First

£119

£75

£340

Standard

£69

£39

£195

UK Day Trips - The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

21

Bob Green

The Lincolnshire Poacher Saturday 3rd March Join us on a day out with a difference travelling by special steam train from London to Cleethorpes, the Lincolnshire coast seaside resort. This is an unusual tour as the route includes traversing the freight only South Yorkshire Joint Railway line between Worksop and Doncaster, the remote branch line to new Hollland, and return via Lincoln to the East Coast Main Line. The train will be hauled by the Britannia class Pacific steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

Our train leaves London King’s Cross at around 07:30, steam hauled, and travels down the East Coast Main Line. We stop to pick up more passengers at Potters Bar, Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Grantham. We shall be expecting a fast run through Newark to Retford where we leave the main line and at Whisker Hill Junction join the former Great Central Railway route towards Sheffield.

We pass through Worksop and Shireoaks before leaving the Sheffield line at Brancliffe East Junction and travelling along a line no longer used by passenger trains. We join the former South Yorkshire Joint Railway (SYJR) line at Dinnington and travel the full length of this interesting and little used route to Kirk Sandall Junction. This was one of only two railways in England that was operated by a joint committee from five different railway companies. The route passes through hilly country and over several large viaducts. It originally served eight collieries and there were stations at Dinnington and Laughton, Maltby, and Tickhill and Wadworth.

We travel along the former Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway line from Kirk Sandall Junction through Scunthorpe to Barnetby, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. We then continue through Grimsby to Cleethorpes where there will be a break of around two hours.

Cleethorpes was a former fishing village on the Humber Estuary which developed into a holiday resort once the railway arrived. It has a long promenade, a pier, and the 2 mile long 15 inch gauge Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

We shall leave Cleethorpes ‘top and tailed’ with a diesel locomotive hauling our train and the steam locomotive at the back. We follow the route to New Holland Town down a branch line well off the beaten track. It once ran to New Holland Pier for the ferry service across the River Humber to Hull which ceased operation in 1981 when the Humber road bridge opened.

From New Holland Town we shall again be steam hauled by our Britannia class Pacific through Barnetby and Market Rasen to Lincoln and Grantham, where we stop to set down passengers. At Peterborough we say good bye to our steam locomotive and return to London King’s Cross diesel hauled stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Lincolnshire Poacher

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 07:30 20:50 Potters Bar 07:45 20:35 Stevenage 08:05 20:10 Huntingdon 08:25 19:50 Peterborough 08:50 19:35 Grantham 09:50 19:00 Cleethorpes 13:00 15:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£85

£51

£221

Derek Phillips

The Tynesider Saturday 10th March This excursion provides an opportunity for passengers from the North Lincolnshire area to enjoy a day trip to Tyneside travelling by special train in the comfort of reserved seats. Passengers have the option of spending time in York, Durham or Newcastle. Alternatively it is possible to remain on the train and travel via the Blythe & Tyne route to Morpeth, over lines no longer used by passenger services.

Our train leaves Cleethorpes at around 07:45 hauled by Britannia class steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. It stops at Grimsby, Barnetby, Scunthorpe, Crowle, and Hatfield & Stainforth to pick up more passengers. At Stainforth we take the direct Wakefield line avoiding Doncaster, normally used only by freight trains, to Applehurst Junction. Here our train branches off to the right to join the East Coast Main Line (ECML) at Joan Croft Junction.

Soon we shall arrive in York, where there will be a half hour break for the locomotive to take on water.

Passengers choosing to leave the train at York will have plenty of time to visit the sights such as the Minster, the Castle and its museum, the Shambles, the Jorvik Viking Centre and, of course, the superb National Railway Museum.

We continue steam-hauled northwards from York across the Plain of York where we hope for some fast running, especially through Thirsk and Northallerton. We pass through Darlington and stop at Durham for those passengers wishing to visit this historic city. It is well known for its Norman Cathedral, its 11th Century castle, the River Wear, and pedestrianised city centre conservation area.

Our train continues northwards to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, our final destination for passengers to visit.

The city is famous for a series of dramatic bridges over the River Tyne and Grey Street, which curves down from Grey’s Monument towards the valley of the River Tyne, has been voted as one of England’s finest streets. The city is well known for its Quayside, the Tyne & Wear Metro, Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Grainger Market, and the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, the MetroCentre, located nearby in Gateshead.

Those not alighting from the train will travel around the Blyth and Tyne Railway route which was chiefly constructed to link collieries in the area to the River Tyne. The line runs northwards, to the east of the ECML, through Newsham and Bedlington to re-join the ECML at Morpeth.

Returning south, our steam hauled train stops to pick up passengers at Newcastle and Durham.

On arrival at York there will be an hour’s break before we depart diesel hauled for the journey back to Cleethorpes. Our train will stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Cleethorpes 07:45 21:45 Grimsby Town 07:55 21:36 Barnetby 08:20 21:13 Scunthorpe 08:44 20:55 Crowle 09:00 20:41 York 11:08 19:24 Durham 12:59 18:04 Newcastle 14:05 16:53 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£175

£132

£482

First

£109

£66

£284

Standard

£77

£47

£201

UK Day Trips - The Tynesider

23

Bob Green

The Bath and Bristol Sunday 11th March Here is an opportunity to travel by special steam train from London Waterloo to the historic cities of Bath and Bristol. The train has been given a fast schedule along the South Western Main Line to Salisbury which will allow ample time for a leisurely visit to the city of your choice. The train will be hauled by ex-Southern Railway steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” and we shall travel through the striking Wiltshire countryside and the picturesque Avon Valley.

Our train leaves London Waterloo at 10:40 and heads down the main line through Clapham Junction and Surbiton. We stop at Woking and Basingstoke to pick up more passengers. We continue to Salisbury, our final stop for passengers, where our steam locomotive takes on water.

We leave the South Western Main Line at Wilton and turn northwards, crossing the edge of Salisbury Plain en route to Warminster. We descend steeply to Westbury, with its famous hillside white horse, and cross over the ex-Great Western Railway line to the west of England. We then follow the scenic Avon Valley passing through Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, Bradford-on-Avon and Freshford, where railway, river, canal and road are all in very close proximity. At Bathampton Junction we join the main London to Bristol railway line.

We shall soon catch sight of the Georgian city of Bath and the well-kept Bath Spa Station is close to the city centre. We stop here for those passengers who may wish to visit this attractive city which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its Roman Baths, medicinal hot springs, the beautiful Abbey, and Royal Crescent. Other places of particular interest include the Fashion Museum, the Jane Austen Centre, and Sally Lunn’s House and Museum for refreshments which include the celebrated Sally Lunn bun.

Meanwhile our train continues to Bristol, another fascinating destination for those who wish to explore this fine city. Here there is much to appeal, including Brunel’s famous SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge; the historic harbour with its ferries, museums & galleries; the popular millennium square and ‘At Bristol’ centre; and a large variety of vibrant retail outlets in the Broadmead and the new Cabot Circus Shopping Centres.

Our steam locomotive “Tangmere” is turned and fully serviced at Bristol prior to departing at around 16:30 for the return journey. We stop to pick up passengers who stayed in Bath and then return to London Waterloo by the route of our outward journey, stopping at the same stations to set down passengers.

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Waterloo 10:40 20:00 Woking 11:15 19:25 Basingstoke 11:50 18:50 Salisbury 12:50 17:30 Bath 13:30 16:50 Bristol 13:50 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Heart of Midlothian Saturday 17th March This excursion by special train provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy a relaxing journey to the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh. The Heart of Midlothian recalls the former status of the city and the title of a novel by Sir Walter Scott.

The latter refers to the Old Tolbooth Prison, the site of which is marked by a heartshaped mosaic in the pavement on the Royal Mile. We shall be steam-hauled from York to Edinburgh by Britannia class steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

The Heart of Midlothian will be diesel-hauled for its early morning departure from Huddersfield and stop to pick up passengers at Dewsbury, Leeds and York. Here steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” will take over our train for the rest of the journey to Edinburgh. As we leave York we pass the National Railway Museum and head north along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) towards Darlington. The ECML has some long sections of fairly straight and level track, particularly between Thirsk and Northallerton, where our locomotive will be able to run at its maximum speed. The chime whistle on the locomotive will sound frequently as we race through stations packed with onlookers. We pass high above Durham and view its Norman Cathedral to the right and later see the Angel of the North sculpture which heralds our approach to Tyneside. We cross the River Tyne on King Edward VII Bridge and enter the busy metropolis of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Leaving Newcastle behind, we continue north through Morpeth, and then beside the North Sea with its magnificent coastal views. In the distance across the shoreline can be glimpsed the Farne Islands, renowned for the heroic exploits of Grace Darling, and Lindisfarne or Holy Island where the monastery is famous for its Lindisfarne Gospels. We cross the spectacular Royal Border Bridge over the River Tweed at Berwick-on-Tweed and enter Scotland. More sea views follow and the route begins a long climb through Grantshouse which will test the staying power of our steam locomotive. Soon after Dunbar we enter an urban area and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station, located conveniently in the heart of the city.

Edinburgh has many attractions to entertain visitors, including the famous mile-long shopping paradise of Princes Street and its famous imposing castle overlooking Princes Street Gardens. There are numerous art galleries, museums and interesting buildings, particularly in Old Town along the Royal Mile. Here can be found St. Giles Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament, the Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland which is well worth a visit.

After a break of around four hours in which to savour the atmosphere of the Scottish capital, our train returns to York and Huddersfield hauled by a diesel locomotive. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Huddersfield 07:25 22:00 Dewsbury 07:40 21:45 Leeds 08:00 21:30 York 09:00 21:00 Edinburgh Waverley 13:30 17:35 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Heart of Midlothian

25

Bob Green

The Bath and Bristol Thursday 22nd March It has been more than 400 years since Bath was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth I and today this beautiful West Country destination continues to offer a unique combination of history, architecture and more contemporary attractions.

Join us for a grand day out by steam train from the south coast to Bath, or the equally interesting city of Bristol. We travel through the lovely Wiltshire countryside and the scenic Avon Valley.

‘The Bath and Bristol’ will leave Three Bridges early on Saturday morning hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”. It stops at Haywards Heath to pick up more passengers, and at Preston Park, where passengers from the Brighton area can join the train. Our train by-passes Brighton taking the south coastal line, with stops at Hove and Worthing for further passengers.

There are views of the attractive Lancing College as the train heads westwards towards Chichester and Havant, with the historic naval port of Portsmouth away to the south.

Running via Fareham, we pass through Eastleigh and then take the Salisbury line to this historic city.

The spire of the 750-year old cathedral welcomes us into Salisbury where our locomotive pauses to take on water. Passengers will have an opportunity to photograph the locomotive and perhaps have a chat with our driver.

After Salisbury, we take the South Western main line as far as Wilton, famous for its carpets, and then turn north through the rambling Wiltshire countryside. We cross the edge of Salisbury Plain, climbing steadily to Warminster, noted for its army presence, before descending to Westbury.

The route follows the beautiful Avon Valley to Bathampton Junction, where the Great Western Railway’s main line from London Paddington via Swindon converges from the right. It is then only a short distance to Bath and the well-kept Bath Spa Station, close to the city centre. The afternoon is free to explore the Georgian city and discover sights such as the famous Roman Baths, the beautiful Abbey, and Royal Crescent, or to visit Sally Lunn’s House and Museum for refreshments which include the famous buns.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Three Bridges 06:55 21:55 Haywards Heath 07:20 21:42 Preston Park 08:11 21:04 Hove 08:16 20:59 Worthing 08:33 20:42 Bath 12:18 16:52 Bristol 12:34 16:35 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Meanwhile our train continues to Bristol, another fascinating destination. Here there is much to appeal, including Brunel’s famous SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge; the historic harbour with its ferries, museums & galleries; the popular millennium square and ‘At Bristol’ centre; and a large variety of vibrant retail outlets in the Broadmead and the new Cabot Circus Shopping Centres.

“Tangmere” is serviced at Bristol prior to departing at around 16:30 for the return journey. We pick up our passengers at Bath and retrace our steps back to Three Bridges calling at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Bath and Bristol

26

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£124

£75

£323

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Auld Reekie Saturday 24th March A memorable day out awaits those who join this special train from Manchester to Edinburgh. On the return journey the train will be hauled by Britannia class steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. This includes significant hill climbs by our steam locomotive to summits at Cobbinshaw, Beattock and Shap. “Auld Reekie”, meaning ‘Old Smoky’, is a nickname for Edinburgh which derives from the days when the city was enveloped in smoke from the chimneys of closely packed houses.

Our special train leaves Manchester Victoria at around 07:00, diesel-hauled, and stops to pick up further passengers at Bolton, Wigan and Preston. The route follows the West Coast Main Line northwards through the beautiful Cumbrian Fells to the Border City of Carlisle. We cross the River Solway into Scotland at Gretna and climb through the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Southern Uplands around Beattock, Symington and Abington. We leave the route to Glasgow at Carstairs and travel eastwards across the Central Belt, with distant views of the famous Forth Bridge as we approach Edinburgh.

We arrive at Edinburgh soon after 11:30 giving ample time to explore this fine city. With its many places of interest, it would be difficult to choose between such historic landmarks as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens, to name just a few. Whatever your choice, you are certain of a most enjoyable visit to the Scottish capital.

Soon after 15:00 our steam locomotive, No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”, will be waiting with our train at Edinburgh Waverley for the return journey. We leave via the Edinburgh Suburban Line and at Midcalder Junction we take the line to Carstairs and begin the long climb up to Cobbinshaw Summit (880ft). We join the line from Glasgow at Carstairs and soon begin the long climb up to Beattock Summit (1,015ft) with superb views over the Scottish hills. From the summit at Beattock it is downhill to Carlisle where there should be a short break.

On leaving Carlisle, “Oliver Cromwell” commences its climb up to Shap Summit (916ft), and then follows the descent into the spectacular Lune Gorge. We pass through Carnforth Station, famous as the location for the wartime film “Brief Encounter”, and Lancaster, before stopping at Preston to set down passengers. We also stop at Wigan and Bolton to set down passengers before arriving at Manchester Victoria and the end of an unforgettable trip.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Manchester Victoria 07:00 22:15 Bolton 07:20 21:50 Wigan Nth. Western 07:30 21:35 Preston 08:00 21:15 Edinburgh Waverley 11:35 15:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Auld Reekie

27

Derek Phillips

The Sussex Belle Thursday 29th March Join us for a wonderful outing by special steam train from London Victoria to the East Sussex Coast. We shall re-create the nostalgic past with our train hauled by former Southern Railway ‘Battle of Britain’ class steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”. This excursion provides an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch whilst viewing the beautiful Kent and East Sussex countryside from the comfort of the train. An ideal setting for a celebration!

Our day out begins when we leave London Victoria Station at 10:30 and head for Bromley South where we stop to pick up more passengers. We continue via Swanley, Otford and Maidstone East to Ashford. We take the Marshlink Line from Ashford, travelling south across the ancient Romney Marsh and through Appledore to Rye. The historic town of Rye was once one of the Cinque Ports but is now two miles from the open sea. It has picturesque cobbled streets, a medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses giving it an appearance of being suspended in time. Rye was also the station port of the old Rye and Camber Tramway, a narrow gauge railway that operated from 1895 to 1939 connecting Rye to the nearby coast at Camber.

We continue southbound from Rye to the English Channel coast at Hastings. Here we have a brief stop for our steam locomotive to take on water and for passengers to ‘stretch their legs’. Hastings can claim fame through its connection with the Norman Conquest of England; and also because it became one of the medieval Cinque Ports. The town is sometimes referred to as “the birthplace of television” since the pioneer of television, John Logie Baird, lived there.

We continue our journey heading north through Crowhurst and Battle, and then passing through Mountfield Tunnel. Robertsbridge Station was formerly a junction station with the Colonel Stephens’ famous old Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. We pass through Royal Tunbridge Wells, a spa town situated on the northern edge of the High Weald.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:30 16:15 Bromley South 10:50 15:55 Hastings 13:50 14:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes Buck’s Fizz, morning tea or coffee served with a Danish pastry and four course lunch silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

At Sevenoaks, we take the line through Bat and Ball Station which was named after a local inn that no longer exists. We join the line from Ashford at Otford, and the Chatham Main Line at Swanley. Our tour ends when we arrive back at London Victoria at around 16:15.

UK Day Trips - The Sussex Belle

28

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£139

£105

£383

First

£69

£42

£180

Standard

£49

£30

£128

Bob Green

The Thanet Belle Thursday 4th April and Thursday 3rd May The Thanet Belle recalls the days of a named train that ran from London to the Thanet area of Kent in the 1950’s, usually hauled by a West Country or Battle of Britain class steam locomotive. Our steam locomotive will be No. 34067 “Tangmere” which was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Why not relive the golden age of steam, and also visit the historic market town of Faversham or the city of Canterbury?

The Thanet Belle steams out of London Victoria at around 10:00, crossing the River Thames and heading south to Norwood Junction. We stop at East Croydon and Redhill to pick up further passengers and then head eastwards through Edenbridge, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. We stop at Headcorn for our steam locomotive to take on water.

We continue to the important railway junction at Ashford, where we pass under the high speed line from London to the Channel Tunnel, and then travel northwards to Canterbury West, our first destination.

For those who choose to visit Canterbury, the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage since the murder there of Thomas Becket in 1170, and numerous other historical structures remain in the city. Amongst the city’s museums is the Rupert Bear Museum, and ‘punt’ trips are available on the River Stour.

Our train continues through Ramsgate and Margate then sweeps around through 180° and follows the north Kent coast to Faversham, our next destination. The historic central area is partly pedestrianised and features old pubs, a museum, art galleries, shops and restaurants. The Shepherd Neame Brewery is open to visitors and offers behind-the-scenes guided tours for a small charge. Our steam locomotive will be turned and serviced at Faversham.

After almost three hours in the town, we leave Faversham and return to Canterbury East Station where our train stops to pick up passengers who chose this destination. We travel south-eastwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. Our route then turns inland to Ashford where we join our outward route for the rest of the return journey. Our train stops at Redhill and East Croydon to set down passengers and arrives at London Victoria at 19:15.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:00 19:15 East Croydon 10:20 18:50 Redhill 10:40 18:30 Canterbury West 12:40 ------Faversham 13:15 16:00 Canterbury East ------- 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£69

£299

Standard

£69

£42

£180

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29

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Thursday 12th April This tour plans to re-create the early days of the 1980’s when winter steam trains over the Settle-Carlisle Railway were the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Preston hauled by a class 86 electric locomotive in ‘heritage’ blue livery. We then enjoy a circular steam tour to Carlisle, out via the Settle-Carlisle route and returning via Shap. We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

Our special train, hauled by an electric locomotive in the blue livery of former days, leaves London Euston at around 07:10. We shall speed northwards along the West Coast Main Line stopping at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nuneaton and Crewe to pick up passengers. At Preston, steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” will take over the train for the journey to Carlisle and back.

We steam out of Preston and through Blackburn and Clitheroe to join the Settle-Carlisle Railway at Hellifield, where our steam locomotive takes on water. We continue to Settle Junction, the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we will see – and hear – working very hard!

We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. The route runs over bridges and through tunnels to the highest station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and on to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water.

We travel through the tranquil Eden Valley to Carlisle and arrive in the ‘Border City’ at around 14:50. There will be about an hour and a half in the city, providing time to discover some of its many interesting features which include its historic castle, 12th Century cathedral, Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, and ‘The Lanes’ shopping area.

Our steam locomotive, No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman”, will haul our train from Carlisle to Preston over the steeply graded route via Shap summit on the West Coast Main Line. At Preston our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for the return journey to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 21:55 Watford Junction 07:30 21:35 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:05 Northampton 08:20 20:45 Nuneaton 08:50 20:15 Crewe 10:00 19:20 Preston 11:00 18:30 Carlisle 14:50 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The East Riding Saturday 14th April This is a very unusual opportunity to travel by steam train crossing the Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The train will be steam hauled throughout from London King’s Cross to Hull where it will take the Yorkshire Coast Line through Beverley and Bridlington to Scarborough. Our train will be hauled by Britannia class steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. There will be almost two hours in Scarborough to explore this popular North Sea coastal resort.

We leave London King’s Cross at around 08:20 and storm through Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels as we climb Holloway Bank to Finsbury Park. We stop at Potters Bar and Stevenage to collect further passengers. We can expect some fast running down the East Coast Main Line (ECML) before we stop for our locomotive to take on water and collect more passengers at Peterborough and Grantham. We continue northwards through Newark and Retford to Doncaster where we leave the ECML.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 08:20 21:55 Potters Bar 08:40 21:35 Stevenage 09:05 21:10 Peterborough 10:20 19:30 Grantham 10:50 19:00 Scarborough 13:30 15:30 There are three classes available:

We travel north-eastwards from Doncaster to Goole where we cross the River Ouse on a railway swing bridge which is considered to be the finest of its type in the British Isles. We head east along the north bank of the River Humber with fine views over the Estuary. We pass under the Humber Bridge and continue into Hull. At Anlaby Junction we diverge from the approach to Hull Station and join the Yorkshire Coast Line.

We pass through the interesting town of Beverley, noted for its Minster and Racecourse, and into the Yorkshire Wolds, an area of low chalk hills. We continue through Driffield, the former junction of the Yorkshire Wolds Railway to Malton, and to Bridlington where the station buffet is one of only three original station buffets left in the UK. The line is single track north from Bridlington and we face a 5.5 mile climb at 1 in 92 through Bempton. We join the line from York at Seamer and continue to our destination at Scarborough, where the railway station features the longest station seat in the world!

Scarborough is a large town on the North Sea coast with two sandy bays linked by an extensive Victorian promenade. The ruins of Scarborough Castle stand on a high rocky promontory which separates the two bays. The railway station is close to the town centre which contains a pedestrianised shopping street, the Brunswick shopping centre, an indoor market, and a large range of antique shops.

Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

After a two hour break, our train leaves Scarborough, steam hauled by “Oliver Cromwell”, for the return journey to London King’s Cross. We travel westwards through Malton and Castle Howard to York, and then southwards along the ECML. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The East Riding

31

Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Saturday 5th May Join us on this very special excursion from London, Slough, Reading, Newbury and Westbury to the Royal Duchy of Cornwall. The train will be steam hauled on the return journey from Penzance to Westbury by two locomotives, No. 34067 “Tangmere” and No. 34046 “Braunton”. This superb combination should ensure an impressive pace over the notorious inclines of the Cornish and South Devon Banks.

The train will be diesel hauled from London to Penzance and Westbury to London.

Our train leaves London Paddington at 07:00 and stops to pick up more passengers at Slough, Reading, Newbury, and Westbury. We continue to Taunton and then climb to Whiteball Summit on the border of Somerset and Devon, before dropping down into the Culm Valley to Exeter. We then follow the Exe Estuary and run beside the sea wall from Dawlish to Teignmouth, one of the most superb stretches of railway line in Britain. It is an exhilarating experience to travel along this route, passing through tunnels and rock cuttings right on the edge of the sea.

After Newton Abbot, there are some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First there is the climb of Dainton Bank up to Dainton Tunnel, before dropping down to Totnes, and then it is the climb up Rattery Bank before the descent to Plymouth. After leaving Plymouth, we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside and over high slender viaducts before arriving at Penzance, where there is more than an hour and a half to explore the town.

Penzance is a market town and port with numerous attractions including the 1840’s promenade with its Art Deco swimming baths, the ‘sub-tropical’ Morrab Gardens, and the Penlee House Museum and Art Gallery.

The town has interesting Georgian and Regency buildings. A number of establishments offer traditional Cornish food and drink, especially the Cornish Pasty.

Our two steam locomotives will be hauling our train as we leave Penzance at 15:00 for the return journey.

We shall enjoy some spirited running through the undulating Cornish countryside. Leaving Plymouth, the two locomotives will demonstrate their true power as they tackle the long, steep climbs up Hemerdon and Dainton Banks. After Exeter, the climb to Whiteball summit will be followed by some fast running to Taunton and through the Somerset countryside to Westbury.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 07:00 22:50 Slough 07:20 22:25 Reading 07:40 22:00 Newbury 08:00 21:40 Westbury 09:20 20:20 Penzance 13:20 15:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

We shall be leaving our two steam locomotives at Westbury and a diesel locomotive will take us back to London Paddington. We shall stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Royal Duchy

32

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£209

£157

£575

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£99

£60

£258

Phil Jones

The Heart of Wales Monday 7th May This excursion, by special train from the East Midlands, provides an opportunity to take a circular tour through central Wales travelling over the remote Heart of Wales Line to Llandrindod Wells. The train will be hauled by two Black ‘5’ 4-6-0 steam locomotives, No. 45407 “Lancaster Fusilier” and No. 44871, between Crewe and Newport in South Wales. Enjoy the splendour of the Welsh mountains as you take in the superb views from our authentic 1960’s built railway carriages.

Our train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive when it leaves Leicester at around 06:30. It stops at Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway and Nottingham for more passengers. After reversing direction of travel at Nottingham, we head westwards and pass through Trent Junction, Uttoxeter, Stoke-on-Trent, and Alsager to Crewe. Here our diesel locomotive will be replaced by two steam locomotives for the onward journey to Newport in South Wales.

We should have a fast run to Shrewsbury and Craven Arms where we branch off to join the Heart of Wales Line. After passing through Knighton, we pass over the magnificent Knucklas Viaduct as we enter mid Wales. The scenery is magnificent as we pass through Llangynllo and Pen-y-bont with the line featuring long slender viaducts and high embankments giving superb views of the Welsh mountains.

We stop at Llandrindod Wells for over an hour, while our steam locomotives are serviced, providing time to explore this delightful spa town.

Soon after leaving Llandrindod our two steam locomotives will be working exceptionally hard as we tackle the long climb up to Sugar Loaf Summit. After descending from the summit we join the Swansea District Line to skirt around Swansea before joining the South Wales main line before Port Talbot.

We should enjoy a fast run to Newport where we say goodbye to our two steam locomotives. A class 47 diesel locomotive will haul our train back to Nottingham via Gloucester, Birmingham, Nuneaton and Leicester, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Leicester 06:30 21:30 Loughborough 06:45 21:45 East Midlands Parkway 06:55 21:55 Nottingham 07:10 22:15 Llandrindod Wells 11:45 13:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Heart of Wales

33

All images on this page Mark McNulty

Bob Green

The Central Wales Explorer Saturday 12th May Here is an opportunity to enjoy a very scenic journey by steam train travelling over the remote Central Wales line through Llandrindod Wells. The circular route will also include travel over the picturesque Welsh Marches line. Our train will be hauled from Newport to Shrewsbury by two former LMS steam locomotives, ‘Black 5’ No. 44871 and No. 45407. There is no better way to experience this wonderful Welsh mountain scenery than from the comfort of our steam train.

Our train leaves London Paddington at around 07:30, diesel hauled, and calls to pick up passengers at Slough, Reading, Didcot, Swindon and Bristol Parkway. We continue through the Severn Tunnel under the River Severn into Wales.

At Newport our two steam locomotives will be waiting to take over the train and we anticipate a fast run to Cardiff and onwards to Port Talbot. At Briton Ferry we join the Swansea District Line and bypass Swansea. We shall soon be on the single track Central Wales line and our first stop will be at Pantyffynnon where the locomotives take on water. We continue northwards through the glorious Welsh countryside to Llandeilo, and then follow the River Towy to Llandovery.

We commence the long and tortuous climb up to Sugar Loaf Summit, which is approached by gradients as steep as 1 in 60, and pass beneath the hills via the 1,000 yard (910 metres) long Sugar Loaf Tunnel.

We descend to Llandrindod Wells where there will be a one hour break while our locomotives are serviced. This ‘spa’ town has many ornate style buildings from the Victorian and Edwardian eras and is also home to the National Cycle Collection.

We continue northwards through hills and forests along the sinuous single track. We cross the magnificent turreted Knucklas Viaduct, with its 13 arches, just before Knucklas Station. We stop at Knighton Station in Shropshire, 100 yards from the Welsh border, for our locomotives to take on water and for passengers to ‘stretch their legs’. We join the Welsh Marches line at Craven Arms, and at Shrewsbury our steam locomotives are detached.

Our train is diesel hauled for the return journey from Shrewsbury, via Hereford and Newport. We call at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Central Wales Explorer

36

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 07:30 22:55 Slough 07:55 22:35 Reading 08:20 22:20 Didcot 08:40 22:00 Swindon 09:10 21:30 Bristol Parkway 09:55 21:20 Llandrindod Wells 15:30 17:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£89

£54

£232

Bob Green

The Atlantic Coast Express Sunday 13th May and 10th June This is a classic example of the re-creation of a former express passenger train that ran from London Waterloo to West Country seaside resorts between 1926 and 1964. The Atlantic Coast Express is named after the Southern Railway’s multiportioned train which at its peak included carriages for nine separate destinations in Devon and Cornwall. Many of the lines to these destinations are now closed but the West of England main line to Exeter remains and we travel that route.

We leave London Waterloo at 10:40 hauled by steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”, an ex-Southern Railway type regularly used to haul portions of the Atlantic Coast Express. We take the fast route through Wimbledon, Surbiton, and Weybridge, and then stop at Woking and Basingstoke to pick up more passengers. At Worting Junction we leave the Bournemouth line and take the West of England Main Line to Salisbury, our final stop for passengers.

We continue west from Salisbury and at Wilton Junction the ex-Southern Railway route to Exeter becomes single track to Templecombe. We stop at Yeovil Junction for our steam locomotive to take on water. There is more single track as we continue through Crewkerne and Axminster and then climb the famous Honiton Bank. We pass through Exeter Central and descend sharply to Exeter St. David’s where there will be almost 2 hours to explore this fine city.

The historic city of Exeter is the county town of Devon and retains part of the original Roman walls. The gothic Cathedral is the city’s top attraction and the Cathedral Green opposite is a favourite meeting and picnic place. The historic quayside includes the 17th Century Custom House. The city centre has three significant shopping areas that connect to the High Street.

Our return journey is via the ex-Great Western Railway route from the West of England and commences with the climb to Whiteball Summit. After Taunton we leave the route to Bristol and pass through Castle Cary en route to Westbury. Here we take the line that climbs up to Warminster and crosses the edge of Salisbury Plain on its way to Salisbury. We return to London Waterloo by the main line stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Waterloo 10:40 22:15 Woking 11:15 21:35 Basingstoke 11:50 21:00 Salisbury 12:50 20:00 Exeter 15:10 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Atlantic Coast Express

37

Bob Green

The Cornishman Saturday 19th May Join us for a trip to Cornwall that recreates the days of fifty years ago when steamhauled express trains ran regularly between Bristol and the West of England.

Our special train will be hauled by one of two steam locomotives, either No. 6023 “King Edward II” or No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”. We also offer an optional steam charter train ride on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway or a visit by road coach from Par to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Our special train will depart Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:30 hauled by our steam locomotive.

We anticipate a fast run from Bristol across the Somerset Levels to Taunton where we stop to pick up more passengers. Following a short water stop, our steam locomotive will be fully extended as she tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit on the borders of Somerset and Devon. There is another short break for our locomotive to take on water at Exeter St. David’s. We pick up more passengers here and there will be an opportunity to leave the train to take photographs.

On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary and then run beside the sea wall from Dawlish to Teignmouth, one of the most superb stretches of railway line in Britain. It is an exhilarating experience to travel by steam train on this route, passing through tunnels and rock cuttings right beside the sea.

From Newton Abbot our steam locomotive will demonstrate her true power as she tackles some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First there is the difficult climb of Dainton Bank up to Dainton Tunnel before dropping down to Totnes. Then it is the equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before the descent to the stop at Plymouth, where further passengers join the train.

After leaving Plymouth, we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside and crossing high slender viaducts before arriving at Bodmin Parkway Station. Here a special steam charter train should be waiting for those passengers opting for this additional trip.♦ At Par there will be a break of around two hours while our steam locomotive is turned and serviced.

For those who choose this option, a road coach will take passengers to visit the *Lost Gardens of Heligan.♦

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:30 21:40 Taunton 09:15 20:40 Exeter 10:45 19:30 Plymouth 12:10 17:20 Bodmin Parkway 13:25 16:40 Par 13:50 16:25 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

We leave Par at around 16:25 and stop at Bodmin Parkway to pick up our passengers. We then steam back to Bristol, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. *The

Bodmin steam train and the Lost Gardens of Heligan optional trips will be at extra cost.

UK Day Trips - The Cornishman

38

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£215

£161

£590

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£89

£54

£232

Bob Green

The Peak Forester Sunday 27th May Join us on this very special train from London to Matlock in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire. There we shall travel over the ‘Peak Rail’ Heritage Railway line between Matlock and Rowsley. We shall be the first through train from the south to travel over this railway line since it has been preserved and rejoined to the national network. Our train will be steam hauled throughout by ex-British Railways Britannia class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

We leave London King’s Cross at around 09:30, hauled by “Oliver Cromwell”, and we can expect some fast running as we head north along the East Coast Main Line (ECML). We stop at Peterborough for further passengers and then take the former Syston and Peterborough Railway line that links the ECML to the Midland Main Line (MML). We pass through Stamford and Manton Tunnel then stop at Oakham for more passengers. When this line was built, between Oakham and Melton Mowbray, it had to make a significant detour because of opposition from the then owner of nearby Stapleford Park.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 09:30 21:40 # Peterborough 11:15 ------Kettering ------- 19:30 Oakham 12:00 18:30* Matlock 13:15 16:50 Rowsley 13:35 16:30 There are three classes available:

We join the MML at Syston Junction and head northwards through Loughborough and Trent Junction to Derby. We then take the Derwent Valley Line to Ambergate Junction and along the Matlock Branch.

This was formerly the Midland Main Line to Manchester Central which closed as a through route in 1968.

We are now in the Peak District and we travel up the picturesque valley of the River Derwent, passing through Cromford and Matlock Bath. At Matlock we use the recently opened connection to join the Heritage Railway ‘Peak Rail’ and head through Darley Dale to Rowsley. Peak Rail services were extended into Matlock Station (Network Rail) in July 2011 and our train tickets are valid for travel on Peak Rail trains.

Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

Our train, steam hauled by “Oliver Cromwell”, leaves Rowsley late in the afternoon and stops at Matlock to pick up passengers who have been visiting the town. We return via Derby, Trent Junction, and Melton Mowbray to Oakham* where we stop to set down passengers. Passengers for Peterborough change trains here and continue by service train. At Manton Junction we take the former Midland Railway Nottingham direct line and, after Wing Tunnel, cross the famous Harringworth Viaduct, the longest masonry viaduct in Britain. We pass through Corby and stop at Kettering to set down passengers.

We continue along the MML to St. Pancras where we arrive at around 21:40.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

*Passengers

for Peterborough change trains at Oakham on the return journey. # Return to London St. Pancras

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£89

£54

£232

UK Day Trips - The Peak Forester

39

Bob Green

The Hadrian Saturday 2nd June This fabulous day out provides the perfect opportunity for passengers in the East Midlands to sample a truly spectacular railway journey. The magnificent Settle– Carlisle line is one of Britain’s best, combining superb scenery with impressive Victorian engineering. We travel this route to Carlisle then return along the scenic Tyne Valley Line and the East Coast Main Line. Our powerful steam locomotive, No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman”, will haul our train between Hellifield and York.

Our train leaves Leicester early in the morning and is diesel hauled to Hellifield. We travel northwards along the Midland Main Line stopping at Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, and Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway to pick up more passengers. Soon after Chesterfield we branch off the Sheffield route on to the Hope Valley Line and pass through Totley Tunnel, the second longest in England. The line emerges into the stunning scenery of the Hope Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District and continues through Chinley and New Mills to Manchester Victoria. Our journey continues through Blackburn and Clitheroe to join the Settle-Carlisle Railway at Hellifield where we change locomotives.

We continue, steam hauled, to Settle Junction, and the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we will see – and hear – working very hard! We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. The route runs over bridges and through tunnels to the highest station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and on to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby. From here we follow the Eden Valley to Carlisle and arrive in the ‘Border City’ at around 12:30.

There will be almost three hours in the city, providing time to discover some of its many interesting features which include its historic castle, 12th Century cathedral, Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, and ‘The Lanes’ shopping area.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Leicester 07:00 22:05 Loughborough 07:20 21:45 East Mids. Parkway 07:30 21:25 Alfreton 07.50 21:00 Carlisle 12:30 15:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

We leave Carlisle and take the scenic Tyne Valley Line to join the East Coast Main Line at Low Fell. We head south through Durham and Darlington to York. Here we say ‘goodbye’ to our steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive will take over our train for the return journey to Leicester via Sheffield. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Hadrian

40

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£84

£51

£219

Bob Green

The Yorkshireman to Railfest, York Tuesday 5th June Join us on this very special train to York to visit the National Railway Museum’s Railfest 2012, a celebration of steam. This plans to be Britain’s biggest ever railway festival with more than thirty steam locomotives present. Our train will be hauled between London and York by a rebuilt Royal Scot class steam locomotive, either No. 46100 “Royal Scot” or No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman. The route travels over the former Nottingham direct line which crosses the celebrated Harringworth Viaduct.

Our train leaves London Victoria at around 08:00 hauled by a rebuilt Royal Scot class steam locomotive.

We travel around West London through Kensington Olympia and Neasden to Dudding Hill Junction where we take the Brent curve to join the Midland Main Line (MML) at Cricklewood. We head north and stop at St. Albans, Luton, Bedford and Kettering, to pick up further passengers.

We leave the MML after Kettering and take the former Midland Railway Nottingham direct line. We pass through Corby Station, opened in 2009 to replace the original which was closed in 1966. We climb to the famous Harringworth Viaduct, the longest masonry viaduct in Britain. From the end of the viaduct there is a long, stiff climb up to Wing Tunnel and then it is downhill to Manton Junction, and through Rutland’s county town of Oakham.

Our last stop to pick up passengers is at Melton Mowbray. We continue to Syston Junction and take the sharp right curve to join the MML from Leicester. We pass through Loughborough and join the Erewash Valley Line at Trent Junction. After Chesterfield we take the ‘old road’ to Rotherham and continue through Conisbrough to Doncaster. Here we join the East Coast Main Line and can expect a fast run to York, where we arrive in the early afternoon.

The National Railway Museum is the venue for Railfest 2012 which is planned to be Britain’s biggest ever railway festival. There will be a grand gathering of over thirty steam locomotives including Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, Tornado and many more. It is a hands on event full of activities and suitable for all ages. York is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year. It has a huge variety of places to visit such as the Minster, the Shambles, the Castle and its museum, and the Viking Jorvik Centre. Open top buses leave from the station forecourt on tours around the city.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 08:00 22:45 St. Albans 09:10 21:50 Luton 09:40 21:30 Bedford 10:00 21:00 Kettering 11:00 20:15 Melton Mowbray 11:40 19:30 York 13:50 17:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Our train leaves York at around 17:30 and returns to London Victoria diesel hauled. We shall stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£141

£519

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Yorkshireman

41

Phil Jones

The Thanet Belle Thursday 7th June and Thursday 28th June The Thanet Belle recalls the days of a named train that ran from London to the Thanet area of Kent in the 1950’s, usually hauled by a West Country or Battle of Britain class steam locomotive. Our steam locomotive will be No. 34067 “Tangmere” which was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Why not relive the golden age of steam, and also visit the historic market town of Faversham or the world famous city of Canterbury?

The Thanet Belle steams out of London Victoria at around 10.00, crossing the River Thames and heading south to Norwood Junction. We stop at East Croydon and Redhill to pick up further passengers and then head eastwards through Edenbridge, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. We stop at Headcorn for our steam locomotive to take on water.

We continue to the important railway junction at Ashford, where we pass under the high speed line from London to the Channel Tunnel, and then travel northwards to Canterbury West, our first destination.

For those who choose to visit Canterbury, the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage since the murder there of Thomas Becket in 1170, and numerous other historical structures remain in the city. Amongst the city’s museums is the Rupert Bear Museum, and ‘punt’ trips are available on the River Stour.

Our train continues through Ramsgate and Margate then sweeps around through 180° and follows the north Kent coast to Faversham, our next destination. The historic central area is partly pedestrianised and features old pubs, a museum, art galleries, shops and restaurants. The Shepherd Neame Brewery is open to visitors and offers behind-the-scenes guided tours for a small charge. Our steam locomotive will be turned and serviced at Faversham.

After almost three hours in the town, we leave Faversham and return to Canterbury East Station where our train stops to pick up passengers who chose this destination. We travel south-eastwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. Our route then turns inland to Ashford where we join our outward route for the rest of the return journey. Our train stops at Redhill and East Croydon to set down passengers and arrives at London Victoria at 19:15.

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:00 19:15 East Croydon 10:20 18:50 Redhill 10:40 18:30 Canterbury West 12:40 ------Faversham 13:15 16:00 Canterbury East ------- 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£69

£299

Standard

£69

£42

£180

Derek Phillips

The Mancunian Saturday 9th June We are offering a unique tour to Manchester Piccadilly which features the first steam hauled train from London Euston to Manchester for many years.

The Mancunian recalls the days of over 50 years ago when this named express train ran between London Euston and Manchester London Road, now Piccadilly.

Our steam locomotive on this historic occasion will be Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

“Oliver Cromwell” will steam out of London Euston at around 09:30 and immediately begin working hard on the climb up Camden Bank. We stop to pick up more passengers at Watford Junction and then continue through Watford Tunnel into rural Hertfordshire. We stop to pick up further passengers at the 1960’s ‘new town’ of Milton Keynes and then at Hanslope Junction, we take the Northampton loop line.

Our final stop for passengers is at Northampton Station.

We continue northwards and pass the Daventry Railfreight terminal before rejoining the WCML at Rugby, the birthplace of rugby football and the jet engine. We then follow the Trent Valley Line to Nuneaton and Lichfield, notable for its three-spired medieval cathedral. At Colwich Junction, we take the line to Stokeon-Trent, the home of English pottery. We pass through Macclesfield and at Cheadle Hulme join the line from Crewe. Stockport Station is followed by a 27-arch viaduct over the River Mersey valley which at the time of its construction was the largest viaduct in the world. We will soon be arriving at Manchester Piccadilly where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive.

Manchester is the most visited city in England outside London. It is known for being the world’s first industrialised city; the Manchester Ship Canal; the site of the world’s first railway station, now part of the Museum of Science and Industry which has a large collection of steam locomotives, industrial machinery and aircraft; and the Arndale Centre, Europe’s largest city centre shopping mall. Amongst the city’s many museums and art galleries there is also the Museum of Transport which has a collection of historic buses and trams.

Manchester became the first city in the UK to acquire a modern light rail tram system when the Manchester Metrolink opened in 1992, and this provides an interesting means of transport between all the major sights.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 09:30 20:25 Watford Junction 09:55 20:00 Milton Keynes 10:30 19:30 Northampton 11:00 19:00 Manchester Piccadilly 13:35 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Bob Green

After an enjoyable visit to Manchester, we return to London Euston by our special train hauled by a diesel or an electric locomotive.

We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Mancunian

43

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Thursday 14th June This tour plans to re-create the early days of the 1980’s when steam trains over the Settle-Carlisle Railway were the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar.

We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Preston hauled by a class 86 electric locomotive in ‘heritage’ blue livery. We then enjoy a circular steam tour to Carlisle, out via the Settle-Carlisle route and returning via Shap.

We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

Our special train, hauled by an electric locomotive in the blue livery of former days, leaves London Euston at around 07:10. We shall speed northwards along the West Coast Main Line stopping at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nuneaton and Crewe to pick up passengers. At Preston, steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” will take over the train for the journey to Carlisle and back, We steam out of Preston and through Blackburn and Clitheroe to join the Settle-Carlisle Railway at Hellifield, where our steam locomotive takes on water. We continue to Settle Junction, the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we will see – and hear – working very hard!

We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel.

The route runs over bridges and through tunnels to the highest station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and on to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water.

We travel through the tranquil Eden Valley to Carlisle and arrive in the ‘Border City’ at around 14:50.

There will be about an hour and a half in the city, providing time to discover some of its many interesting features which include its historic castle, 12th Century cathedral, Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, and ‘The Lanes’ shopping area.

Our steam locomotive, No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman”, will haul our train from Carlisle to Preston over the steeply graded route via Shap summit on the West Coast Main Line. At Preston our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for the return journey to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

44

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 21:55 Watford Junction 07:30 21:35 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:05 Northampton 08:20 20:45 Nuneaton 08:50 20:15 Crewe 10:00 19:20 Preston 11:00 18:30 Carlisle 14:50 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Easterling Sunday 17th June Join us on a journey by steam train that recreates the classic summer holiday express. The Easterling ran non-stop from London Liverpool Street to Beccles via the East Suffolk line. Here it divided into two portions, one that continued to Yarmouth South Town and the other to Lowestoft. This was a classic 1950’s holiday train that transported many thousands of Londoners to the popular Norfolk Broads and the famous East Anglia seaside resorts.

This evocative trip will bring back many memories for some of our older passengers. It will take you back in time to those heady days of the 1950’s when taking the holiday train to the coast was the highlight of the year. The train will be hauled by the former British Railways Britannia class Pacific steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

Our steam train will depart from London Liverpool Street at around 09:40 and stop at Colchester to pick up more passengers and for the locomotive to take on water. There should be some spirited running along the former Great Eastern Railway main line to Ipswich and on through Diss. We arrive at Norwich shortly before 13:00 and stop here for around one and a half hours. Passengers will have time to visit this historic city which is famous for its cathedral and mustard!

We continue our steam hauled journey taking the ‘Wherry Lines’ from Norwich to Lowestoft. The Norfolk Wherry is a type of boat that was widely used in the area. Lowestoft is the most easterly town in the UK and terminus for the East Suffolk line. Our train stops here for around two hours giving passengers time to explore the town and harbour, once a bustling fishing port.

Our return journey is along the 49 mile-long scenic East Suffolk line through Saxmundham and Woodbridge, famous for having the only working Tide Mill in the UK, dating from 1793. We join the main line from Norwich at Ipswich and then stop at Colchester to set down passengers and for our steam locomotive to take on water. We expect to have a fast run along the Great Eastern Railway’s main line through Chelmsford and Romford. We arrive back at London Liverpool Street Station at around 21:40.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Liverpool St. 09:40 21:40 Colchester 11:25 19:44 Norwich 12:48 14:26 Lowestoft 15:15 17:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Easterling

45

Bob Green

The Swanage Belle Thursday 21st June and 11th October A unique experience awaits those who join this steam train trip to Swanage, over the recently re-opened rail link from Wareham which is available only to specially chartered trains. Swanage is a superb seaside destination with the railway station situated right in the centre of town. The train will be hauled by two steam locomotives, the former Southern Railway No. 30777 “Sir Lamiel” and ex-British Railways Britannia Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

We leave London Victoria Station at around 08:30 hauled by our two steam locomotives. We stop at Clapham Junction before taking the line via Barnes crossing the Thames at Barnes Bridge. We stop at Staines to pick up more passengers and then re-cross the river Thames. We rejoin the South Western Main Line at West Byfleet and stop at Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we stop for our steam locomotives to take on water.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 08:30 21:20 Clapham Junction 08:40 21:10 Staines 09:25 20:05 Woking 09:40 19:50 Basingstoke 10:30 19:20 Swanage 13:30 16:30 There are three classes available:

Our final stop to pick up passengers is at Basingstoke. Soon afterwards we leave the South Western Main Line and head through Winchester and Southampton to Bournemouth. We pass through Poole, where there are spectacular views of Poole Harbour, and continue to Wareham. We leave the Weymouth Line at Worgret Junction and take the recently re-opened link to Norden and the ‘end on’ junction with the Swanage Railway. There are magnificent views of Corfe Castle as we head towards Swanage along this Heritage Railway.

There will approximately three hours for passengers to explore this pleasant seaside resort situated at the end of the Isle of Purbeck and noted for its annual Regatta and Carnival.

We leave Swanage at around 16:30 for our return journey, hauled by our two steam locomotives. We stop at Basingstoke, Woking, Staines and Clapham Junction, to set down passengers, and arrive at London Victoria at around 21:20.

UK Day Trips - The Swanage Belle

46

Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£84

£51

£219

Bob Green

The Titfield Thunderbolt Saturday 23rd June Join us on this special steam train from London to Holt in rural Norfolk.

At Sheringham, the train will transfer from Network Rail to the North Norfolk Railway on the occasion of their ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ special event. This event recalls a 1953 British comedy film about a group of villagers trying to prevent British Railways from closing the fictional Titfield branch line. Their hilarious exploits culminate in permission being granted for them to run their own railway.

Our special train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” and depart from London King’s Cross at around 09:30. We storm northwards up the gradient through Finsbury Park and then stop for more passengers at Potters Bar and Stevenage. We branch off the East Coast Main Line at Hitchin and make our final stop for passengers at Cambridge. We follow the Breckland Line from Cambridge to Norwich, stopping en route at Ely for our steam locomotive to take on water. This line has well preserved stations with semaphore signalling and has retained sections of jointed rail on wooden sleepers, all typical of the days of steam and creating an authentic setting for our train.

At Norwich our steam locomotive takes on water and ‘Black 5’ steam locomotive No. 44767 “George Stephenson” will couple on to the back of the train and haul us on to the Bittern Line at Whittingham Junction. We head north-west through rural Norfolk with its beautiful scenery, complete with occasional windmills. We pass through Wroxham, the capital of the Broads, Worstead, after which worsted cloth is named, and North Walsham. We enjoy fine views as we descend to the former Cromer Beach Station, where our train reverses its direction of travel.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 09:30 21:30 Potters Bar 09:50 21:10 Stevenage 10:05 20:55 Cambridge 10:50 20:10 Norwich 12:30 18:30 Cromer 13:45 17:45 Sheringham 14:00 16:30 Holt 14:20 15:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

“Tangmere” will now be hauling our train again as we continue through West Runton towards Sheringham. We cross over the recently reinstated level crossing that links Network Rail with the North Norfolk Railway’s Sheringham Station. We continue along the heritage railway line through Weybourne to Holt. Our train returns to Sheringham Station and here we change passengers (see below).

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

Due to train length restrictions on the Sheringham Branch, passengers will have the choice of travelling by our special steam train either from Norwich to Sheringham or from Sheringham to Norwich, but not both. Special coaches will transport our passengers between Norwich and Sheringham or Sheringham and Norwich accordingly. This will ensure that all passengers travel on our special train one way over the Norwich to Sheringham part of the route.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

“George Stephenson” will haul our train from Holt back to Cromer, where we reverse direction of travel.

“Tangmere” will then return our train to London King’s Cross via Norwich. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. This should be a truly exceptional day.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Titfield Thunderbolt

47

Derek Phillips

The Royal Wessex Saturday 30th June Join us on this delightful steam hauled trip to the Dorset Coast, with the option of visiting Bournemouth, Wareham or Weymouth. Our train will travel via the scenic West Coastway Line and be hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ No. 34067 “Tangmere” for the outward journey and Britannia class ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” on the return. Weymouth railway station is located close to the sandy beach which has all the traditional attractions of an English seaside resort.

The Royal Wessex special train will leave Three Bridges early on Saturday morning hauled by steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”. It stops at Haywards Heath to pick up more passengers, and at Preston Park, where passengers from the Brighton area can join the train. Our train by-passes Brighton, taking the coastal line, and stops at Hove and Worthing for further passengers. There are views of attractive Lancing College as the train heads westwards towards Chichester and Havant, with the historic naval port of Portsmouth away to the south.

We continue through Fareham and after Southampton enter the New Forest. We speed through Brockenhurst and into Dorset where we stop at Bournemouth for those passengers wishing to visit the town. Bournemouth overlooks Poole Bay and has 7 miles (11 km) of sandy beaches. The shopping streets are mostly pedestrianised and from the Square, footpaths lead down through the Central Gardens to the sea front and pier.

After leaving Bournemouth we pass through Poole and there are spectacular views across Poole Harbour.

We stop at Wareham to set down those passengers wishing to visit this historic market town. From Wareham we travel through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery to Dorchester. We arrive at Weymouth at around 13:10 and have over three hours there to discover much of what this seaside town has to offer. The railway station is close to the beach and shops.

We return from Weymouth at around 16:30 and our train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” and ‘banked’ at the rear by “Tangmere”. We climb Upwey Bank which is very steep and our steam locomotives will be working flat out. We stop at Dorchester South to detach our ‘banker’.

We call at Wareham and Bournemouth to collect those passengers who left the train at these stations on the outward journey. We stop to set down passengers at Worthing, Hove, Preston Park, Haywards Heath and Three Bridges.

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48

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Three Bridges 07:00 21:55 Haywards Heath 07:20 21:42 Preston Park 08:11 21:04 Hove 08:16 20:59 Worthing 08:33 20:42 Bournemouth 12:00 17:45 Wareham 12:30 17:15 Weymouth 13:10 16:35 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£84

£51

£219

Bob Green

The Weymouth Seaside Express Sunday 1st,8th,15th,22nd July, 19th,26th August, 16th,23rd September A trip down memory lane awaits those who join this special train which recreates the days of seaside excursions run by British Railways in the 1950’s. The train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that will evoke the past and complete this nostalgic experience. Our destination is the attractive seaside town of Weymouth - a traditional English seaside resort that has managed to preserve much of its charm.

This is a lovely outing for a summer day.

Our special train leaves Bristol Temple Meads at around 09:00, hauled by our steam locomotive, and heads eastwards. We stop to pick up passengers at Keynsham and Bath. We take the route up the picturesque Avon Valley, travelling southwards to Trowbridge and Westbury, where we make stops to pick up more passengers.

We head westwards from Westbury along the West of England main line and take the loop line to Frome, where we make our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue to Bruton and Castle Cary, where we leave the main line and head south on the Weymouth Branch. We pass through Yeovil Pen Mill and then there follows a long steep climb through the Dorset Hills up to the summit at Evershot Tunnel. Our steam locomotive will be working flat out on this exhilarating climb. It is mainly downhill from Evershot Summit through Maiden Newton, and the picturesque town of Dorchester, to Weymouth.

There will be over four hours in Weymouth to soak up the atmosphere, and hopefully the sun, at this muchloved south coast seaside resort.

We leave Weymouth at around 17:00 for our return journey and head north up the steep Bincombe Bank (1 in 50) to Dorchester. Later we climb up to Evershot Summit from the south side before the descent to Yeovil Pen Mill. We stop at Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath and Keynsham to set down passengers. Finally we arrive at Bristol Temple Meads where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 09:00 20:15 Keynsham 09:25 20:00 Bath 09:40 19:45 Trowbridge 09:55 19:20 Westbury 10:05 19:10 Frome 10:25 19:00 Weymouth 12:30 17:00 There are two classes available: First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

One of the following two steam locomotives will be used on this day trip: No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”, Castle class 4-6-0, built at Swindon in 1934 by the Great Western Railway (GWR), for use on express passenger trains.

No. 34046 “Braunton”, West Country class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Brighton in 1946 for the Southern Railway and rebuilt in 1959, for use on express passenger trains.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

First

£89

£54

£232

Standard

£59

£36

£154

UK Day Trips - The Weymouth Seaside Express

49

Bob Green

The Dorset Coast Express 5th,12th,19th,26th July, 14th,15th,21st,28th August, 13th,20th,27th Sep. We are offering a number of lovely summer day trips from London to Weymouth and back by steam train, providing plenty of opportunity to visit the beautiful Dorset coast. Each train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that was built for express passenger train work. An added attraction, on leaving Weymouth, will be the steam locomotive at the rear of the train to ‘bank’ it on the steep climb of Upwey Bank as far as Dorchester South.

Our train leaves London Victoria Station at around 08:40 and travels westwards, crossing the Thames at Barnes Bridge, through Kew and Feltham. We stop at Staines and Woking to pick up further passengers.

At Winchfield, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water before continuing to our final pick up point at Basingstoke. We leave the South Western Main Line at Worting Junction and take the Bournemouth Line, heading south through Winchester and Southampton.

We stop at Bournemouth to set down those passengers wishing to visit this coastal resort. After leaving Bournemouth look out for spectacular views of Poole Harbour. We continue to Wareham and Dorchester travelling through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery. We arrive at Weymouth at around 13:25 and have over three hours there to discover much of what this seaside town has to offer. The railway station is close to the beach and shops.

We return from Weymouth at around 16:30 and our train will be hauled by one steam locomotive and ‘banked’ at the rear by another. We climb Upwey Bank which is a very steep climb and our steam locomotives will be working flat out. We stop at Dorchester South to detach our ‘banker’. We stop at Bournemouth to collect passengers who left the train there on the outward journey. Our next stop is at Basingstoke, where we set down passengers and our steam locomotive takes on water.

We expect a fast run along the main line from Basingstoke to Woking, where we stop to set down passengers, and on to our final destination at London Waterloo.#* The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 30777 “Sir Lamiel” N15 ‘King Arthur’ class 4-6-0, built by the North British Locomotive Company in 1925, for use on express passenger trains on the Southern Railway.

No. 34067 “Tangmere” unrebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Brighton in 1947 by the Southern Railway, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 60019 “Bittern” A4 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Doncaster in 1937 by the London & North Eastern Railway, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 70000 “Britannia” ‘Britannia’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, the first ‘standard’ to be built, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia. # Returns

to London Waterloo Station. *Passengers for Staines change at Waterloo on the return journey.

UK Day Trips - The Dorset Coast Express

50

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 08:40 20:48 # Staines 09:40 -------* Woking 10:15 20:10 Basingstoke 11:00 19:38 Bournemouth 12:20 17:45 Weymouth 13:25 16:35 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£134

£492

First

£109

£66

£284

Standard

£69

£42

£180

David Armitage

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 7th July and Saturday 6th October Join us on this scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswolds.

Our destination is the cathedral city of Worcester, internationally famous as the home of Worcestershire Sauce. We travel outward via the Cotswold Line through Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham and return via the Golden Valley line through Stroud and Kemble. Our train will be hauled by the recently restored ex-Great Western Railway King class steam locomotive No. 6023 “King Edward II”.

We leave London Paddington, steam hauled, shortly after 08:00 and head down the ex-Great Western Railway main line. We stop at Slough, Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers. The steam locomotive on our train, King Edward II, was rescued from a scrapyard and moved to Didcot Railway Centre, alongside the railway station, in 1990. It was fully restored to working order by the Great Western Society and in January 2011 it moved for the first time under its own power since 1962.

Our journey continues through Oxford and at Wolvercot Junction we join the Cotswold Line. Parts of this line have had double track reinstated which reopened in August 2011. We pass through Finstock, Charlbury and Ascott-under-Wychwood. The Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is characterised by attractive small towns and villages built of Cotswold stone, a yellow oolitic limestone.

Rare limestone grassland habitats as well as the old growth beech woodlands typify the area, which is a delight to behold.

We pass through Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh, then through Campden Tunnel, and down Honeybourne Bank to Evesham. We arrive at Worcester Shrub Hill where there will be more than three hours to explore this fine city. The River Severn runs through the city and is overlooked by the 12th Century Worcester Cathedral. The site of the final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II was here. It is also the home of Royal Worcester Porcelain and the birthplace of the composer Sir Edward Elgar.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 08:15 20:40 Slough 08:45 20:15 Reading 09:15 19:50 Didcot 09:40 19:30 Worcester 13:00 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

We leave Worcester in the late afternoon and return by a different route. At Abbots Wood Junction we join the ex-Mildand Railway route to Bristol and there are distant views of the Malvern Hills to the west.

We head south to Cheltenham, by-pass Gloucester, and then join the Golden Valley route at Standish Junction. We pass through Stroud and climb up the picturesque Stroud Valley to Sapperton Tunnel.

We continue through Kemple and on to Swindon where we join the Great Western Main Line. We call at Didcot, Reading and Slough to set down passengers, before arriving in London Paddington.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Cotswold Venturer

51

Bob Green

The Lincoln Imp Saturday 14th July Join us on this special steam train which departs from London St. Pancras, a rare event for steam trains these days. Our destination is Lincoln, famous for its hill top cathedral, castle, and cobbled streets. We travel to Lincoln via the Midland line to Nottingham which crosses the spectacular Harringworth Viaduct, and return via the East Coast Main Line. Our train will be steam hauled throughout by Britannia class Pacific 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

Our train leaves London St. Pancras at around 08:20 and heads north, hauled by our steam locomotive “Oliver Cromwell”. We follow the route of the former Midland Railway (MR), now the Midland Main Line (MML), through the London suburbs and to St. Albans where we stop to pick up passengers.

We continue along the MML passing through Luton, Bedford and Wellingborough to Kettering, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water.

We leave the MML after Kettering and take the former MR Nottingham direct line. We pass through Corby Station, opened in 2009 to replace the original which was closed in 1966. We climb to the famous Harringworth Viaduct, the longest masonary viaduct across a valley in Britain. From the end of the viaduct there is a long, stiff climb up to Wing Tunnel and then it is downhill to Manton Junction, and through Rutland’s county town of Oakham.

Our last stop to pick up passengers is at Melton Mowbray, famous for its Pork Pies and Stilton cheese.

We continue along the picturesque Wreake Valley to Syston, where we bear sharply right to join the MML from Leicester. We continue through Trent Junction and on to Nottingham, where we take the MR line to Lincoln. We pass through Rolleston Station, formerly Rolleston Junction for the Southwell branch. After Newark Castle Station we cross the East Coast Main Line on the famous Newark flat crossing on our way to Lincoln.

We arrive in Lincoln at around 12:30 and there will be plenty of time to explore this beautiful city dominated by its cathedral. It also has a Norman castle, and Steep Hill is a cobbled medieval lane, with delightful old buildings, connecting the modern town centre with the cathedral quarter. The station is situated in the city centre which is ideal for shoppers.

We leave Lincoln at 16:30 steam hauled by “Oliver Cromwell” for the journey back to London. At Newark we join the East Coast Main Line and after Grantham, climb to Stoke Tunnel. We speed down the famous Stoke Bank to Peterborough, where we set down passengers who joined our train at Melton Mowbray*.

There is a service train connection to return to Melton Mowbray.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London St. Pancras 08:20 19:45 # St. Albans 09:00 ------Peterborough ------- 17:45* Melton Mowbray 10:50 ------Lincoln 12:35 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

We continue to Conington, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water, and then continue up the East Coast Main Line to King’s Cross Station, adjacent to St. Pancras Station.

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

*Passengers

Standard

£84

£51

£219

for Melton Mowbray change at Peterborough. # London King’s Cross.

UK Day Trips - The Lincoln Imp

52

Bob Green

The Scarborough Flyer Friday 20th,27th July, 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st August, 7th,14th September What could be better than spending a beautiful summer’s day aboard the “Scarborough Flyer”? This special train runs from Crewe to York and Scarborough and will be steam hauled in both directions using one of our pool of three magnificent steam locomotives. The train travels through the contrasting, yet splendid scenery of the Pennine Mountains and the Vale of York. Passengers can choose to visit either York or Scarborough.

The “Scarborough Flyer” leaves Crewe at around 07:30 and heads north to Wilmslow and Stockport where it stops to pick up more passengers. Later, the train passes through Stalybridge, with its famous Buffet Bar which first opened in 1885, and climbs into the Pennines through Standedge Tunnel. It descends to Huddersfield, where it stops to pick up further passengers, and then follows the route of the old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to Wakefield Kirkgate. Here there is a stop for more passengers before the train continues through Castleford to York, where our steam locomotive takes on water.

Those passengers who choose to alight at York will be able to make the most of the time in this fascinating city by visiting such sights as the Minster, The Shambles, the Jorvik Viking Centre and, of course, the superb National Railway Museum.

On departure from York, we take the Scarborough line and immediately cross the River Ouse, with lovely views of the Minster. We should have a fast run through the Vale of York before slowing for the curves that follow the River Derwent past Kirkham Abbey. We continue through Malton and Seamer to our final destination at Scarborough, the most popular seaside resort in Yorkshire and perhaps the whole of the East Coast. It has everything you would expect from an established seaside resort, with two stunning sandy bays and a host of things to do and see.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland” Princess Coronation Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the LMSR at Crewe in 1938, for use on express passenger trains now in B.R.Green livery.

No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

Fares from Huddersfield and Wakefield

Fares from York

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Fares

Adult

Junior

First

£79

£48

£206

First

£66

£40

Standard

£51

£31

£133

Standard

£39

£24

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 07:30 21:35 Wilmslow 08:00 21:05 Stockport 08:20 20:55 Huddersfield 09:40 19:45 Wakefield Kirkgate 10:20 19:15 York 12:00 18:30 Scarborough 13:00 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Family

Premier

£174

£131

£479

£172

First

£89

£54

£232

£102

Standard

£64

£39

£167

UK Day Trips - The Scarborough Flyer

53

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 21st July, 4th,11th,18th August and 1st September This is a wonderful opportunity for those from the Crewe and Manchester areas to travel with us by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes.

We travel north to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line over Shap and return by the spectacular Settle-Carlisle Line. We have a pool of four magnificent steam locomotives for hauling these trains. Whichever one of this fine and venerable quartet is on our train, it promises to provide a memorable day out.

Our steam train leaves Crewe at around 06:30 and calls at Wilmslow, Stockport and Manchester Victoria to pick up passengers. It then takes the route over Chat Moss to join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) at Golborne Junction before stopping at Wigan and Preston for more passengers.

We should have a fast run along the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. Our train climbs the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, and then travels through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent of Shap. Perhaps we will beat the record times up these gradients! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head towards Carlisle.

We have nearly three hours in Carlisle, ample time to explore the Border City.

We leave Carlisle and join the Settle–Carlisle Line, probably the best known and most beautiful stretch of railway line in the country. The climbing begins soon after leaving Carlisle, and at Appleby we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We continue climbing through Kirkby Stephen to reach the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1,169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the “Yorkshire Three Peaks” of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Our train should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water.

Our journey continues through Hellifield and Clitheroe to Blackburn where we stop and passengers for Preston* change trains. We continue, steam hauled, and stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. We arrive at Crewe around 22:00. *Passengers

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

for Preston change trains at Blackburn on the return journey.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 6201 “Princess Elizabeth” Princess Royal Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR) at Crewe in 1933, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland” Princess Coronation Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the LMSR at Crewe in 1938, for use on express passenger trains now in B.R.Green livery.

No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

54

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 06:30 22:05 Wilmslow 07:00 21:32 Stockport 07:20 21:20 Manchester Victoria 08:00 20:20 Wigan Nth. Western 08:40 19:49 Preston 09:15 18:45* Carlisle 11:45 14:50

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£184

£138

£506

First

£116

£70

£302

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 22nd July, 5th and 12th August This year we have introduced a new route for the North Wales Coast Express with the trains starting from Crewe and travelling via Manchester to Chester.

This provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from the Manchester area to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line. Passengers have a choice of visiting the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead.

Our train leaves Crewe at around 09:00 and stops to pick up further passengers at Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Piccadilly, Frodsham and Chester.

On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales. We steam along beside the Dee Estuary with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay, along the delightful Irish Sea coastline which is well known for its fine beaches. After a stop at Llandudno Junction, we take the branch line to Llandudno. Here we set down passengers wishing to spend time at this seaside resort We return to Llandudno Junction and continue along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the unusual Conway railway bridge over the Conway Estuary. The railway line is very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey.

We stop at Bangor Station to set down passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city.

Our train crosses the Britannia Bridge, over the Menai Strait, into Anglesey, and steams on to Holyhead.

Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled for the return journey, at around 17:45. It stops at Bangor, Llandudno Junction and Llandudno, to pick up passengers who opted for these destinations. It continues to Chester, Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 09:00 23:10 Wilmslow 09:30 22:45 Stockport 09:45 22:30 Manchester Piccadilly 10:00 22:20 Frodsham 11:30 21:10 Chester 12:00 20:40 Llandudno Town 14:00 19:00 Llandudno Junction 14:10 18:40 Bangor 14:30 18:20 Holyhead 15:10 17:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

Please Note: Visit our website or phone us to find out further fare options available for this trip.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 6201 “Princess Elizabeth” Princess Royal Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR) at Crewe in 1933, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland” Princess Coronation Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the LMSR at Crewe in 1938, for use on express passenger trains now in B.R.Green livery.

No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£99

£60

£258

Standard

£67

£41

£175

UK Day Trips - The North Wales Coast Express

55

Bob Green

The Waverley Every Sunday from 22nd July to 9th September inclusive This summer series of steam hauled trains provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle–Carlisle Line, probably the most famous railway route in Britain. There is also the option of visiting the Cumbrian market town of Appleby or the border city of Carlisle.

We have two steam locomotives available for these trains, types that were regularly seen on this route in the ‘days of steam’.

Our train will set out from York at 09:00 and immediately reach high speeds along the long, flat, straight stretch of line to Church Fenton. Here we take the route to Leeds, where we stop to pick up passengers.

Our train follows the Aire Valley and calls to pick up more passengers at Shipley, Keighley, and Skipton, in the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales.

From Leeds to Carlisle there’s scarcely a level mile; 113 miles of ups and downs! We stop for our steam locomotive to take on water and then arrive at Settle Junction, the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we will see - and hear - working very hard!

We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel.

The route runs high above valleys, over bridges and through more dramatic tunnels to the highest station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Then, the dramatic peak of our journey, we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water. Passengers have the option of spending the afternoon in this historic and picturesque town, or continuing to Carlisle.

Passengers who choose to continue to Carlisle will enjoy a swift downhill run through the Eden Valley and arrive in the ‘Border City’ at around 14:00. There will be three hours in Carlisle, providing plenty of time to explore this ancient city. On departure we climb almost continually for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill, tackling gradients as steep as 1 in 100. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our locomotive to take on water and to pick up the passengers who spent the afternoon there. From Ais Gill our locomotive can ‘take a breather’ as it rushes back down the hill. We stop again for our locomotive to take on water before continuing to our setting down points at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Leeds, and York where we arrive at around 21:45.

One of the two following steam locomotives will be used on this day trip: No. 44932 class 5 (‘Black 5’) 4-6-0, built at Horwich in 1945 by the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR), a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” rebuilt Royal Scot class 4-6-0, built in 1927 by the North British Locomotive Company for the LMSR, for use on express passenger trains. Possibly LMS Jubilee Galatea.

UK Day Trips - The Waverley

56

Approximate Timings

Outward Return York 09:00 21:45 Leeds 09:50 21:10 Shipley 10:10 20:45 Keighley 10:25 20:35 Skipton 10:45 20:19 Appleby 12:55 17:55 Carlisle 13:55 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£176

£132

£484

First

£106

£64

£276

Standard

£66

£40

£172

Bob Green

The West Somerset Steam Express Saturday 28th July, 4th and 11th August, 1st and Friday 7th September This is a brand new series of trains from London Paddington to Minehead featuring haulage by two steam locomotives in one day. An express steam locomotive from a pool of four will haul our train from London Paddington to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard. The Heritage Railway will then provide motive power, possibly a Hall or two Manor class steam locomotives, to haul our train to Minehead and back. A truly fascinating day to the Bristol Channel coast.

We leave London Paddington at 08:30, steam hauled, and stop at Slough and Reading for more passengers. At Reading we join the Berks and Hants line which runs through picturesque rural countryside. We pass the celebrated Newbury Racecourse before making our final stop for passengers at Newbury Station. We continue westwards, travelling beside the scenic Kennet & Avon Canal, and climbing steadily to Savernake Summit. We pass through the Vale of Pewsey, view one of the famous Wiltshire White Horses as we approach Westbury, and continue through undulating agricultural countryside to Taunton.

Soon after leaving Taunton we arrive at Norton Fitzwarren where we transfer to the West Somerset Railway (WSR), the longest Heritage Railway in the country. We continue to Bishops Lydeard where a WSR steam locomotive will take over our train for the remainder of the journey to Minehead. The WSR runs along the edge of the Quantock Hills between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet where it meets the coast. The line then turns inland to Washford and returns to the coast at Blue Anchor, Dunster, with its magnificent castle, and Minehead.

On arrival at Minehead there will be more than two hours to explore this delightful Bristol Channel seaside resort where the railway station is close to the beach.

A WSR steam locomotive will haul our train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard where our main line steam locomotive will take over for the return journey to London Paddington. The train will stop at Newbury, Reading and Slough to set down passengers.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 30777 “Sir Lamiel” N15 ‘King Arthur’ class 4-6-0, built by the North British Locomotive Company in 1925, for use on express passenger trains on the Southern Railway.

No. 34067 “Tangmere” unrebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Brighton in 1947 by the Southern Railway, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 60019 “Bittern” A4 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Doncaster in 1937 by the London & North Eastern Railway, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 70000 “Britannia” ‘Britannia’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, the first ‘standard’ to be built, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 08:30 22:15 Slough 08:55 21:45 Reading 09:25 21:15 Newbury 10:30 20:45 Bishops Lydeard 13:00 18:15 Minehead 14:30 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£128

£77

£333

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The West Somerset Steam Express

57

Derek Phillips

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 28th July and 25th August This is a wonderful opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Lancashire to travel with us by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes.

We travel north to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line over Shap and return by the spectacular Settle-Carlisle Line. We have a pool of four magnificent steam locomotives for hauling these trains. Whichever one of this fine and venerable quartet is on our train, it promises to provide a memorable day out.

Our train leaves Liverpool Lime Street at around 08:00. We call to pick up passengers at St. Helens Central, then join the West Coast Main Line before stopping at Wigan and Preston, our final pick up point before heading north for the steep climbs ahead.

We should have a fast run along the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent of Shap. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith and head onwards to the border city of Carlisle.

We have almost three hours in Carlisle which provides an opportunity to explore the city and discover its ancient castle, cathedral, museum and shops. Then it’s time to depart for the incomparable Settle-Carlisle Line, possibly the best known and most dramatic stretch of railway line in the country. The climb begins soon after leaving Carlisle. We stop for our locomotive to take on water at Appleby, then steam through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards Ais Gill, the highest railway summit in England at 1,169 feet.

We cross magnificent viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and steam through long tunnels, with the “Yorkshire Three Peaks” of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough providing an ever-shifting backdrop. There follows a fast run out of the hills descending through Settle to Long Preston where we stop for our locomotive to take on more water. From here we travel through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn before taking the direct line to Wigan*. We continue to St. Helens and Liverpool Lime Street where we arrive around 20:40. *Passengers

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

for Preston change at Wigan.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 6201 “Princess Elizabeth” Princess Royal Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR) at Crewe in 1933, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland” Princess Coronation Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the LMSR at Crewe in 1938, for use on express passenger trains now in B.R.Green livery.

No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

58

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 08:00 20:38 St. Helens Central 08:20 19:58 Wigan North Western 08:35 19:40 Preston 09:00 -------* Blackburn ------- 18:10 Carlisle 11:40 14:30

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£114

£69

£297

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Derek Phillips

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 29th July, 19th and 26th August The North Wales Coast Express is a special train that runs from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead on three summer Sundays. It provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line. Passengers have a choice of three destinations: the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead.

Our train leaves Liverpool Lime Street Station at around 10:00, hauled by a magnificent steam locomotive, and makes a highly atmospheric departure as it climbs up through the deep cutting to Edge Hill. We stop to pick up more passengers at Broad Green Station, where there is a large car park, Warrington Bank Quay, Frodsham and Chester.

On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales. We steam along beside the Dee Estuary with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction before taking the branch line to Llandudno. Here we stop to set down passengers wishing to spend time at this seaside resort.

We return to Llandudno Junction and continue along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the unusual Conway railway bridge over the Conway Estuary. The railway line is very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey.

We stop at Bangor Station to set down passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city.

Our train crosses the Britannia Bridge, over the Menai Strait, into Anglesey and steams on to Holyhead.

Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled for the return journey, at around 16:30. It stops at Bangor, Llandudno and Llandudno Junction to pick up passengers who opted for these destinations. It continues to Liverpool Lime Street stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Please Note: Visit our website or phone us to find out further fare options available for this trip.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 6201 “Princess Elizabeth” Princess Royal Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR) at Crewe in 1933, for use on express passenger trains.

No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland” Princess Coronation Class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 built by the LMSR at Crewe in 1938, for use on express passenger trains now in B.R.Green livery.

No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 10:05 20:40 Broad Green 10:23 20:30 Warrington Bank Quay 10:50 20:00 Frodsham 11:30 19:15 Chester 12:00 19:00 Llandudno Junction 13:15 18:00 Llandudno 13:30 17:35 Bangor 14:15 16:55 Holyhead 14:30 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£174

£131

£479

First

£99

£60

£258

Standard

£67

£41

£175

UK Day Trips - The North Wales Coast Express

59

Toby Smith (Age 14)

The Welsh Mountaineer Tuesday 31st July, 14th and 28th August These special steam trains travel from Preston to Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the heart of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park. The trains will be hauled by a powerful steam locomotive typical of the type seen along the route in the ‘days of steam’.

The route is via Chester and along the scenic North Wales Coast Line to Llandudno Junction then up the beautiful Conwy Valley to the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog. This is a journey that you will remember for a long time!

Our steam train leaves Preston at 08:30 and heads up the West Coast Main Line to Warrington Bank Quay where we stop to pick up more passengers. We also stop for passengers at Frodsham where our steam locomotive takes on water. Chester is our final pick up point and as we leave, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales.

We steam along beside the lovely Dee Estuary and then pass through Prestatyn and Rhyl, along the delightful Irish Sea coastline known for its beaches. After Colwyn Bay, we enjoy wonderful views of the Great Orme until we arrive at Llandudno Junction Station. We change direction of travel here, so our steam locomotive will ‘run round’ our train.

We set off for Blaenau Ffestiniog behind our steam locomotive, following the pretty Conwy Valley through Llanrwst, and entering the Snowdonia National Park before Betws-y-Coed. The next part of our journey is extra special; we enter the very heart of the Welsh mountains as our train climbs up to Blaenau Ffestiniog Tunnel. At over two miles long, this impressive piece of engineering is the longest single track tunnel in the country. We pass through the old slate quarry before arriving at Blaenau Ffestiniog, where we stay for almost three hours.

Passengers have the option, at additional cost, of travelling on the famous narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway (FR) or visiting the dramatic Llechwedd Slate Caverns. The FR is 175 years old and still going strong. We have arranged a steam train journey from Blaneau Ffestiniog to Ddault and back, over the most scenic section of the line. Llechwedd Slate Caverns provide trips on the 800 metres long battery locomotive-hauled Miners’ Tramway. Here you can also descend into the Deep Mine via a funicular railway, Britain’s steepest passenger line, with a very challenging gradient of 1 in 1.8.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Preston 08:30 20:25 Warrington 09:00 19:50 Frodsham 09:35 19:15 Chester 10:35 18:55 Llandudno Junction 12:00 17:20 Blaenau Ffestiniog 13:15 16:10 There are two classes available: First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Our train leaves Blaenau Ffestiniog, steam hauled, at around 16:00 and returns to Llandudno Junction.

After changing direction of travel we continue, still steam hauled, stopping at Chester, Frodsham and Warrington Bank Quay to set down passengers. Our final calling point is Preston where we bid farewell to our steam locomotive.

One of the two following steam locomotives will be used on this day trip: No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR) by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

No. 48151 “Gauge O Guild” Stanier 8F class 2-8-0, built at Crewe by the LMSR, for use on heavy freight trains.

UK Day Trips - The Welsh Mountaineer

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Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Mayflower Saturday 15th September Join us on this very special trip featuring over 440 miles of steam train travel in one day. Our train will be hauled from London to Plymouth and back by A4 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 60019 “Bittern”. In addition, our train will be ‘double-headed’ between Taunton and Plymouth when No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” joins “Bittern”.

This will be a really exciting day so don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a memorable experience.

We leave London Paddington at 08:00 steam hauled by “Bittern”. We stop at Slough and Reading to pick up more passengers. From Reading, we take the very attractive Berks and Hants route which runs through picturesque rural countryside. We make a final stop to pick up passengers at Newbury. The line runs beside the Kennet and Avon Canal after Hungerford and then makes a steady climb up to Savernake Summit. We pass through the Vale of Pewsey before Westbury, where one of the famous Wiltshire ‘White Horses’ is prominent on the hillside. The onward journey is through undulating agricultural land to Castle Cary and Taunton.

From Taunton our train will be double headed by two steam locomotives, “Bittern” and No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”. We tackle our first major incline climbing to Whiteball Summit and our locomotives should make an impressive sight as they climb to the summit. We descend to the Culm Valley and on to Exeter. From Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth we run along the magnificent sea wall passing over viaducts and through short tunnels carved from the rock.

After Newton Abbot we make the difficult climb to Dainton Summit, and then it is downhill to Totnes before we take the longer climb up Rattery ‘Bank’. The Devonshire countryside should look magnificent at this particular time of the year. We arrive at Plymouth at around 13:00 having run 223 miles, steam hauled, from London. There will be over three hours to explore the historic city of Plymouth with its many attractions and nautical associations.

“Bittern” will be ‘turned’ and serviced whilst we are at Plymouth, ready for our departure at around 16:30. We immediately begin climbing Hemerdon ‘Bank’; a very difficult climb with a ruling gradient of 1 in 41. At Hemerdon the gradient eases but we are still climbing all the way to Wrangaton Summit.

We descend to Totnes before we begin the climb to Dainton Summit from the ‘other side’. We descend to Newton Abbot and then it is back to the sea wall and on to Exeter. There is more climbing to Whiteball Summit before we descend to Taunton and return along the Berks & Hants line.

We call at Newbury, Reading and Slough, to set down passengers, before arriving in Paddington at around 21:30.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 08:00 21:30 Slough 08:20 21:10 Reading 08:45 20:50 Newbury 09:10 20:30 Plymouth 13:00 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£128

£77

£333

Standard

£89

£54

£232

UK Day Trips - The Mayflower

61

Derek Phillips

The Bath and Bristol Sunday 16th September and Sunday 28th October Here is an opportunity to travel by special steam train from London Waterloo to the historic cities of Bath and Bristol. The train has been given a fast schedule along the South Western Main Line to Salisbury which will allow ample time for a leisurely visit to the city of your choice. The train will be hauled by ex-Southern Railway steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” and we shall travel through the striking Wiltshire countryside and the picturesque Avon Valley.

Our train leaves London Waterloo at 10:40 and heads down the main line through Clapham Junction and Surbiton. We stop at Woking and Basingstoke to pick up more passengers. We continue to Salisbury, our final stop for passengers, where our steam locomotive takes on water.

We leave the South Western Main Line at Wilton and turn northwards, crossing the edge of Salisbury Plain en route to Warminster. We descend steeply to Westbury, with its famous hillside white horse, and cross over the ex-Great Western Railway line to the west of England. We then follow the scenic Avon Valley passing through Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, Bradford-on-Avon and Freshford, where railway, river, canal and road are all in very close proximity. At Bathampton Junction we join the main London to Bristol railway line.

We shall soon catch sight of the Georgian city of Bath and the well-kept Bath Spa Station is close to the city centre. We stop here for those passengers who may wish to visit this attractive city which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its Roman Baths, medicinal hot springs, the beautiful Abbey, and Royal Crescent. Other places of particular interest include the Fashion Museum, the Jane Austen Centre, and Sally Lunn’s House and Museum for refreshments which include the celebrated Sally Lunn bun.

Meanwhile our train continues to Bristol, another fascinating destination for those who wish to explore this fine city. Here there is much to appeal, including Brunel’s famous SS Great Britain and Clifton Suspension Bridge; the historic harbour with its ferries, museums & galleries; the popular millennium square and ‘At Bristol’ centre; and a large variety of vibrant retail outlets in the Broadmead and the new Cabot Circus Shopping Centres.

Our steam locomotive “Tangmere” is turned and fully serviced at Bristol prior to departing at around 16:30 for the return journey. We stop to pick up passengers who stayed in Bath and then return to London Waterloo by the route of our outward journey, stopping at the same stations to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Bath and Bristol

62

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Waterloo 10:40 20:00 Woking 11:15 19:25 Basingstoke 11:50 18:50 Salisbury 12:50 17:30 Bath 13:30 16:50 Bristol 13:50 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£142

£520

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Sussex Belle Thursday 26th September Join us for a wonderful outing by special steam train from London Victoria to the East Sussex Coast. We shall re-create the nostalgic past with our train hauled by former Southern Railway ‘Battle of Britain’ class steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”. This excursion provides an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch whilst viewing the beautiful Kent and East Sussex countryside from the comfort of the train. An ideal setting for a celebration!

Our day out begins when we leave London Victoria Station at 10:30 and head for Bromley South where we stop to pick up more passengers. We continue via Swanley, Otford and Maidstone East to Ashford.

We take the Marshlink Line from Ashford, travelling south across the ancient Romney Marsh and through Appledore to Rye. The historic town of Rye was once one of the Cinque Ports but is now two miles from the open sea. It has picturesque cobbled streets, a medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses giving it an appearance of being suspended in time. Rye was also the station port of the old Rye and Camber Tramway, a narrow gauge railway that operated from 1895 to 1939 connecting Rye to the nearby coast at Camber.

We continue southbound from Rye to the English Channel coast at Hastings. Here we have a brief stop for our steam locomotive to take on water and for passengers to ‘stretch their legs’. Hastings can claim fame through its connection with the Norman Conquest of England; and also because it became one of the medieval Cinque Ports. The town is sometimes referred to as “the birthplace of television” since the pioneer of television, John Logie Baird, lived there.

We continue our journey heading north through Crowhurst and Battle, and then passing through Mountfield Tunnel. Robertsbridge Station was formerly a junction station with the Colonel Stephens’ famous old Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. We pass through Royal Tunbridge Wells, a spa town situated on the northern edge of the High Weald.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:30 16:15 Bromley South 10:50 15:55 Hastings 13:50 14:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes Buck’s Fizz, morning tea or coffee served with a Danish pastry and four course lunch silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

At Sevenoaks, we take the line through Bat and Ball Station which was named after a local inn that no longer exists. We join the line from Ashford at Otford, and the Chatham Main Line at Swanley. Our tour ends when we arrive back at London Victoria at around 16:15.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£139

£105

£383

First

£69

£42

£180

Standard

£49

£30

£128

UK Day Trips - The Sussex Belle

63

Bob Green

The Welshman Saturday 29th September Join us as we travel by special steam train to the magnificent cities of Bath and Cardiff. This excursion from the Dorset coast will be passing through the varied and scenic Wiltshire countryside en route to Bath and then through the famous Severn Tunnel into Wales. Our train will be hauled by the Britannia class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”, a design introduced by British Railways in 1951. Relax in the comfort of our train and enjoy a memorable day out.

We leave Poole at around 08:30 and stop at Branksome and Bournemouth to pick up more passengers.

Our route follows the Waterloo Main Line, skirting the picturesque New Forest at Brockenhurst. We stop at Southampton and Eastleigh to pick up further passengers.

We take the scenic route through Romsey to Salisbury, where we stop to pick up more passengers and our locomotive takes on water. We cross the edge of Salisbury Plain en route to Warminster and then descend steeply to Westbury. We follow the scenic Avon Valley through Bradford-on-Avon and soon afterwards we catch our first glimpse of the Georgian city of Bath.

Bath Spa Station is close to the city centre and passengers choosing to leave our train here will have ample time to visit the sights. These include the famous Roman Baths and nearby Pump Room, the beautiful Abbey, the Royal Crescent, Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House & Museum, Pulteney Bridge Shops and Pulteney Weir, and the Parade Gardens beside the River Avon.

For those who choose to remain on the train, it continues through Bristol to the Severn Tunnel, Newport and Cardiff. The Welsh capital has been transformed over recent years and is now a wonderful city to explore. There will be over three hours here for passengers to visit such places as The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay, Bute Park, and the Shopping Arcades.

Our train leaves Cardiff, steam hauled, at around 16:10 and returns to Bath where we pick up passengers who chose to leave the train there.

We return to Poole, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

UK Day Trips - The Welshman

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return Poole 08:30 20:40 Branksome 08:40 20:30 Bournemouth 08:50 20:20 Southampton 09:30 19:40 Eastleigh 09:40 19:30 Salisbury 10:30 18:45 Bath 11:15 17:30 Cardiff 12:40 16:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£116

£70

£302

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Phil Jones

The Thanet Belle Thursday 4th October The Thanet Belle recalls the days of a named train that ran from London to the Thanet area of Kent in the 1950’s, usually hauled by a West Country or Battle of Britain class steam locomotive. Our steam locomotive will be No. 34067 “Tangmere” which was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Why not relive the golden age of steam, and also visit the historic market town of Faversham or the world famous city of Canterbury?

The Thanet Belle steams out of London Victoria at around 10.00, crossing the River Thames and heading south to Norwood Junction. We stop at East Croydon and Redhill to pick up further passengers and then head eastwards through Edenbridge, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. We stop at Headcorn for our steam locomotive to take on water.

We continue to the important railway junction at Ashford, where we pass under the high speed line from London to the Channel Tunnel, and then travel northwards to Canterbury West, our first destination.

For those who choose to visit Canterbury, the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage since the murder there of Thomas Becket in 1170, and numerous other historical structures remain in the city. Amongst the city’s museums is the Rupert Bear Museum, and ‘punt’ trips are available on the River Stour.

Our train continues through Ramsgate and Margate then sweeps around through 180° and follows the north Kent coast to Faversham, our next destination. The historic central area is partly pedestrianised and features old pubs, a museum, art galleries, shops and restaurants. The Shepherd Neame Brewery is open to visitors and offers behindthe-scenes guided tours for a small charge.

Our steam locomotive will be turned and serviced at Faversham.

After almost three hours in the town, we leave Faversham and return to Canterbury East Station where our train stops to pick up passengers who chose this destination. We travel south-eastwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. Our route then turns inland to Ashford where we join our outward route for the rest of the return journey. Our train stops at Redhill and East Croydon to set down passengers and arrives at London Victoria at 19:15.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:00 19:15 East Croydon 10:20 18:50 Redhill 10:40 18:30 Canterbury West 12:40 ------Faversham 13:15 16:00 Canterbury East ------- 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person (subject to availability).

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£69

£299

Standard

£69

£42

£180

UK Day Trips - The Thanet Belle

65

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Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

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Tour Reservation Form Title..................... Forename..................................................................Surname................................................................DOB*.................

Title..................... Forename..................................................................Surname................................................................DOB*................. *DOB = Date of Birth

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The deposit is £350 per person outside Europe, £150 per person within Europe and £100 per person for UK tours, plus insurance, if required. The balance/full fare is due 10 weeks before travel; dates will be advised on your confirmation. As stated in our Booking Agreement a Fidelity Policy will be added at the time of booking.

I enclose a cheque for the deposit (made payable to THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY) Please charge my Visa credit card/Mastercard for the deposit Please charge my Visa debit card/Maestro/Electron card for the deposit Card Number:...............................................................................................................................................................................................

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Please sign and date to confirm that you have read and accepted the terms and conditions of booking as stated in the Great Railway Adventures brochure 2012 and on our website.

Signed:...............................................................................................................................Date:...................................................................

Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

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The Railway Touring Company 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 – Fax: 01553 661800 Web: www.railwaytouring.net – E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk Design and Artwork - LucidSynergy Ltd - www.lucidsynergy.com