Great Railway Adventures by Steam

The Railway Touring Co. Great Railway Adventures 2014

Dear Customer, It is my pleasure to present our 2014 collection of worldwide rail tours. Each year we aim to provide a selection of tours that are innovative, exceptional, and likely to meet the requirements of our customers and potential customers. We hope that you will be able to take time to browse through this brochure and discover tours that appeal, and tempt you to travel.

What is new for 2014? We continue to arrange completely new itineraries and rarely is a popular tour exactly the same from year to year. We would particularly draw your attention to the following new tours to European destinations: Berlin and Potsdam; Swiss Bernese Oberland Delights; Austria and Czech Republic; Denmark & Southern Sweden; and Autumn in Alsace. An exceptionally interesting selection providing a variety of ‘where’ and ‘when’!

Further afield, India continues to be a popular destination for our tours early in the year. This time we have arranged an additional tour to North & South India in November when clear, sunny skies and moderate temperatures can be expected. South America is an enchanting continent with some of the most incredible sights in the world. We offer three separate tours covering seven different countries. Discover the charm of the Indonesian island of Java coupled with its intriguing sugar cane railways, and marvel at the spectacular New England countryside on our ‘autumn foliage’ visit to the U.S.A. It is possible that you have not yet experienced one of our tours and are wondering where to begin. May we suggest that you consider a UK tour or a European destination? A long weekend or a few days in Scotland travelling in the leisurely comfort of a steam train on our West Highlander Steam Express or Summer Highlander is an ideal way to see the beautiful scenery and can be a ‘taster’ for other tours. We offer overland travel via the Channel Tunnel on many of our tours to mainland Europe including Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Switzerland never fails to excite and our Steam in the Swiss Mountains tour visits the two most spectacular parts of this beautiful mountainous country.

My staff and I wish you all the best for 2014 and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Nigel Dobbing, Managing Director

The Travel Trust Association (TTA) The TTA is a trade association of travel agents and travel organisers, established to provide financial protection for the customer.

The TTA lays down strict guidelines on how the customer’s funds should be handled, and each member must adhere to those guidelines. Every TTA member pays the customer’s funds into a designated trust account which is supervised by an independent trustee; a Banker, Chartered or certified Accountant or Solicitor.

Who are we?

The Railway Touring Company is one of very few worldwide railway tour operators to charter their own trains. We offer the unique experience of travelling in many countries by private vintage steam hauled train giving customers the time and opportunity to view and enjoy the scenery. There may be the chance to stand on the open balcony of a railway carriage, or to open the carriage window and experience the true ambience of the countryside.

Why your travel arrangements are totally safe with the Travel Trust Association The Travel Trust Association (TTA) recognises that for many people a holiday is the one chance to really relax – so it is important that customers are able to feel completely confident about their travel arrangements from the moment they make their booking.

By choosing an approved TTA Member, customers can be sure that their travel plans are totally secure. These arrangements exceed the statutory levels of consumer protection.

Our Chartered Steam Trains Whenever possible we hire steam trains for our exclusive use. This allows us the flexibility, within operational parameters, to run to our requirements. It also enables us to stop the train for photographs of the scenery; the train itself; and sometimes staged train movements, known as run-pasts. We can often arrange for tour customers to ride on the footplate of the locomotive, should they wish, but at their own risk. Since our tours often number around 40 customers there are occasions when we have access to older trains with limited capacity, and sometimes to facilities not normally available to large groups or individuals.

Customer’s funds are secured in Trust by the Travel Trust Association Trustees.

T726X

3rd Floor, Albion House, Chertsey Road Woking, Surrey, GU21 1BF 0870 8890577 www.traveltrust.co.uk The holidays in this brochure that include air travel are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is T7149.

ATOL protects customers from losing their money or being stranded abroad. It does this by carrying out financial checks on the firms it licenses and requiring a guarantee, called a bond, to be lodged with them.

If a firm goes out of business, the CAA will make a refund to the customer, or if already abroad on holiday, arrange for the customer to complete their holiday and fly home.

Most of our chartered trains operate during day-time only and we use hotels for overnight accommodation. Some tours feature vintage hotel trains providing overnight accommodation en route, with hotel accommodation at our destination.

Where we use predominantly service trains, as in Switzerland and Norway, we devise unique itineraries and include special steam hauled programmes to complement the tour.

Scheduled Trains Where we travel by scheduled train, with few exceptions, we travel First Class in reserved seats or reserved carriages.

This has proven to be much better value for money since the additional space, comfort and lack of crowding are obtained at a worthwhile supplement compared with Standard Class travel.

Alternative Airports, Independent Travel and Extensions Our customers come from throughout the UK and overseas. Wherever possible we choose flights which allow connections from local airports, and prices for these connecting flights start at around £99 return.

Most overseas tours allow for independent travel arrangements whereby customers may extend their stay, stop en route, or make their own travel arrangements. We can provide a `ground only’ quotation for all of our tours so that overseas customers and independent travellers can make their own way for getting to and from the tour joining point.

Extra Tours and Tour Updates Throughout the year we keep pace with an ever-changing world. It is often possible to initiate new tours after our brochure has gone to press, and to make alterations to published information.

Website – www.railwaytouring.net Our web site provides details of all our tours plus information about additional tours and amendments to our tour programme. Don’t forget to bookmark our web site amongst your favourites. We welcome contributions of photographs that customers have taken on our tours and that they are willing for us to use in publicity materials.

Booking Conditions and Information Customers should ensure that they read our Booking Terms & Conditions and Booking Information before booking a tour. Details can be found on the back pages of this brochure.

Great Railway Adventures 2014 Programme UK

The Great Britain VII

April–May

4–7

UK

The Cock O’the North

May, July, September

8–9

UK

The Summer Highlander

May–June, July

10 – 11

UK

The Western Isles

June, August, September

12 – 13

UK

The Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

July, August

14 – 15

UK

The West Highlander Steam Express

September

16 – 17

Europe

Winter in the Harz Mountains

February–March

18 – 19

Europe

Steam in Tuscany

April

20 – 21

Europe

Berlin and Potsdam

April

22 – 23

Europe

Sardinia and the Emerald Coast

May, October

24 – 25

Europe

Steam in the former Yugoslavia

June

26 – 29

Europe

Swiss Bernese Oberland

June, September

30 – 31

Europe

Sweden and the Inlandsbahn with Steam

June–July

32 – 33

Europe

Finland

July

34 – 35

Europe

Norway

July

36 – 37

Europe

Austria and Czech Republic

August

38 – 39

Europe

France and Switzerland

August

40 – 41

Europe

Denmark and Southern Sweden

August–September

42 – 43

Europe

Black Sea Express

September

44 – 45

Europe

Steam in the Swiss Mountains

September

46 – 47

Europe

Autumn in Alsace

October

48 – 49

World

Railways of the Raj: India

March

50 – 53

World

Java

June

54 – 57

World

Andes of Columbia and Ecuador

September–October

58 – 61

World

Caucasus Mountains and Russian Black Sea

September–October

62 – 65

World

Autumn in New England

September–October

66 – 69

World

Peru and Bolivia

October

70 – 73

World

North and South India

November

74 – 77

World

South American Adventure

November

78 – 81

World

Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special

February 2015

82 – 83

Booking Conditions

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Booking Information

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Pre-Tour and Post-Tour Arrangements and Travel Insurance

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Railtour Reservation Form

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THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661 500 • Fax: 01553 661 800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

Bob Green

The Great Britain VII Saturday 26th April to Sunday 4th May 2014 The extremely successful Great Britain rail tour enters its seventh year with another interesting and varied itinerary covering high profile main lines as well as highly scenic routes. The steam-hauled tour begins at London Victoria and on day one takes the Southern main line to Exeter and then the Great Western main line along the sea wall at Dawlish, over Saltash Bridge, and on to Falmouth.

Other features of this tour include ‘double-headed’ trains, travelling the Welsh Marches and the Cumbrian Coast lines, crossing the Forth Railway Bridge, and travelling the Great North of Scotland Line. Our train will divide in Scotland, thus operating two trains around Scotland at the same time. Passengers change from one train to the other by travelling across the beautiful Isle of Skye. This allows all passengers to experience the spectacular Mallaig & Kyle of Lochalsh routes. There is the option of a day sightseeing in Edinburgh or a trip to Stranraer and back with two ‘Black 5’ steam locomotives.

Saturday 26th April Bulleid ‘Pacifics’ to Exeter; a ‘Castle’ and a ‘Hall’ to Truro We steam out of London Victoria at around 09:00 hauled by West Country class ‘Pacific’ No. 34046 “Braunton”. We call to pick up further passengers at Staines, Woking, Basingstoke and Salisbury.

At Salisbury Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ No. 34067 “Tangmere” will be attached to our train and we depart ‘double-headed’ for Exeter.

We continue westwards through Templecombe and Chard Junction to Exeter St. Davids. Here our train reverses direction of travel and we shall be ‘double-headed’ by the ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) duo of No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” and No. 4936 “Kinlet Hall”. 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 along this route through tunnels and rock cuttings right at 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 difficult 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 crossing numerous viaducts en route to Truro.

From Truro Station we transfer by road coach to our hotels in Falmouth.

Sunday 27th April Over the South Devon banks to Bristol with a ‘Hall’ and a ‘Castle’; through the Severn Tunnel to South Wales We leave Falmouth early in the morning hauled by No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” and No. 4936 “Kinlet Hall”. We join the main line west of Truro and should then enjoy some spirited running through the splendid Cornish countryside. We cross Brunel’s Saltash Bridge before arriving at Plymouth. Leaving Plymouth our two steam locomotives demonstrate their true power as they tackle the long steep climbs of Hemerdon and Dainton banks. After Exeter the climb to Whiteball will be followed by a fast run from Taunton to Bristol across the Somerset Levels. At Bristol ‘Battle of Britain’ class No. 34067 “Tangmere” replaces the two ex-GWR steam locomotives for the run to Cardiff.

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The route is through the Severn Tunnel and along the South Wales main line to Cardiff.

Overnight accommodation is in Cardiff.

Monday 28th April A ‘Britannia’ on the Welsh Marches route & West Coast Main Line We leave Cardiff hauled by ‘Britannia’ class 4-6-2 No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We pass through Newport before joining the scenic Welsh Marches route along the Welsh/English border. Our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb through Pontypool and Abergavenny to Llanvihangel Summit. We stop at Hereford for our locomotive to take on water before continuing to Leominster, Ludlow and Shrewsbury. We follow the Shrewsbury to Chester Line through Gobowen, Ruabon and Wrexham. Soon we cross the River Dee and the city walls of Chester come into view. We leave Chester and travel northeastwards towards Manchester stopping at Frodsham for our steam locomotive to take on water. We join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) at Acton Grange Junction just before Warrington and can expect to speed along through Wigan to Preston. We continue north to Lancaster and Carnforth, where we take the former Furness

Railway Line along the north shore of Morecambe Bay. Our destination is the picturesque seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands in the South Lakeland District of Cumbria. We transfer to a selection of hotels, many close to Windermere.

Tuesday 29th April A ‘Jubilee’ duo round the Cumbrian Coast and over Beattock summit to Edinburgh We transfer by road coach to Grange-over-Sands Station where we rejoin our train ‘double-headed’ by two ex-London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR) ‘Jubilee’ class locomotives 45699 “Galatea” and 45690 “Leander”. Our route today is along the highly scenic Cumbrian Coast line with views to the west of the Irish Sea and to the east of the Cumbrian Fells. We begin by travelling westwards towards Barrow-in-Furness before heading northwards through Ravenglass, St. Bees, Whitehaven, right beside the sea to Workington, Maryport and Carlisle. We have a break at the Border city of Carlisle while our steam locomotives are serviced. We leave Carlisle heading north along the WCML, crossing the border into Scotland at Gretna, and after Lockerbie begin the great climb to Beattock Summit, the highest point on the WCML north of the border. We descend to Carstairs where we leave the Glasgow line, then tackle the shorter gradient to Cobbinshaw en route to Edinburgh Waverley. We transfer to hotels in Edinburgh for two nights accommodation.

Wednesday 30th April Free day in Edinburgh or optional trip to Stranraer steam hauled by two ‘Black 5’s’ Breakfast at the hotels is included today.

Free day in Edinburgh Those choosing to explore the Scottish capital may wish to visit the Old Town which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the famous sites are in this area which runs along the Royal Mile from the world famous Castle to Holyrood Palace. It also includes St. Giles Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard, The Grassmarket area, and the Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh’s historic centre is bisected by Princes Street Gardens, a broad swathe of parkland in the heart of the city with the Sir Walter Scott monument nearby.

To the north lies Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping boulevard, and the Georgian period New Town. There are four different routes around the city operated by sightseeing buses which all start and finish at Waverley Bridge, adjacent to Waverley Station. A sightseeing ticket is valid for 24 hours so can be used for getting around central Edinburgh. The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed at the Ocean Terminal in Leith and has been voted one of Edinburgh’s best new attractions. Britannia offers visitors the chance to tour the royal apartments and view a selection of the many gifts offered to the royals by dignitaries worldwide. There are bus services from the city centre to Leith. For those who enjoy walking then Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano to the east of the city centre offers fantastic views from its 251 metre high summit. It is located in Holyrood Park and paths lead up to the summit from the car park at Holyrood Palace.

Optional steam trip to Stranraer* Our train will leave Edinburgh Waverley hauled by ‘Black 5’s’ No. 44871 and No. 45407. We pass through Haymarket and at Midcalder Junction take the Shotts Line, one of three routes between Edinburgh and Glasgow. We travel over part of the WCML before branching off to the south of Glasgow and joining the Glasgow South Western Railway Line (G&SWR) at Shields Junction.

We pass through Paisley, Dalry and Troon before arriving at the coastal town of Ayr from where there are views of the Isle of Arran.

The route is now single track and passes through Maybole and Girvan, from where there is a tremendous climb to the summit at Pinmore Tunnel. The line descends to Pinwherry and then climbs steeply again through Barrhill to Chirmorie Summit. Stranraer Station, formerly Stranraer Harbour Railway Station, is on Loch Ryan and the terminus of the line that once served the ferries operating to Northern Ireland. Our train returns from Stranraer ‘double-headed’ by No. 44871 and No. 45407 over the steeply graded switchback line to Ayr and on to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Continued overleaf.

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person £2785 Single Supplement £395 Optional trip to Stranraer £175 First Class Price per person £1895 Single Supplement £340 Optional trip to Stranraer £125 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £159 per person. (subject to availability) Premier Class includes: • Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast (when not served on the train) 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 at tables for four, or two with a supplement of £159 per person (subject to availability) • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First Class includes: • Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels • Coffee or tea and Danish pastries served at your seat • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches at tables for four, or two with a supplement £159 per person (subject to availability) • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense May 2014 M

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Bob Green

Thursday 1st May Over the Forth Bridge to Inverness or with “The Great Marquess” to Fort William Today we travel by two separate steam hauled trains. Train 1 runs via Aberdeen to Inverness and Train 2 runs via Bathgate to Fort William.

Train 1 – Edinburgh to Inverness Ex-London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) class A4 ‘Pacific’ No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” will leave Edinburgh Waverley with our special train at around 09.30. We cross the magnificent Forth Bridge with superb views of the Firth of Forth and enter Fife. We head northwards with views of Lomond Hills and cross the River Tay, hugging the coast line en route to Carnoustie and Arbroath. We continue through Montrose and after Stonehaven there will be spectacular views of the North Sea much of the way to Aberdeen.

We enjoy a short break in the Granite City, more recently dubbed the ‘oil capital of Europe’.

An ex-LMS Black 5 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive will take over our train for the journey from Aberdeen to Inverness.

The route of the former Great North of Scotland Railway is single track and passes through undulating agricultural land to Huntly, Keith and Elgin. After Forres and Nairn, there are views across the Moray Firth before arrival at Inverness where we transfer to our hotels.

Train 2 – Edinburgh to Fort William Our train leaves Edinburgh Waverley hauled by ex-LNER steam locomotive No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”. We take the Bathgate line towards Glasgow and pass through Springburn to the north of the city. We travel along the north bank of the River Clyde and pass through Dumbarton before joining the West Highland line at Craigendoran. After a brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbet Station, we glimpse 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.

Friday 2nd May Steam on the Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig routes Train 1 – Inverness to Fort William We depart from Inverness steam-hauled by an ex-LMS Black 5 class 4-6-0. Premier class passengers will be silver served a full Scottish Breakfast at their seats 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 our steam locomotive to take on 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 class 2-6-0 No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”, 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 through the Harry Potter films. Take the opportunity to UK Tours - The Great Britain VII

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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 steamhauled to Inverness by an ex-LMS Black 5 class 4-6-0. Overnight accommodation is in Inverness.

Saturday 3rd May The best of Scottish scenery en route to Edinburgh Train 1 – Fort William to Edinburgh We depart from Fort William mid-morning steamhauled by former ex-LNER 2-6-0 No. 61994 “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 (1,350 ft.), 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 our train through Helensburgh and Dumbarton to Edinburgh Waverley. Overnight accommodation is in Edinburgh.

Train 2 – Inverness to Edinburgh We depart from Inverness hauled by an ex-LMS Black 5 class 4-6-0 and head eastwards with fine views over the Moray Firth. We pass through Nairn and Keith heading further east on the Great North of Scotland main line. We arrive at Aberdeen where we exchange our Black 5 class

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person £2785 Single Supplement £395 Optional trip to Stranraer £175 First Class Price per person £1895 Single Supplement £340 Optional trip to Stranraer £125 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £159 per person. (subject to availability) Premier Class includes: 4-6-0 for A4 class ‘Pacific’ No. 60009 “Union South Africa”.

As we head south there are panoramic views of the North Sea for much of the way to Stonehaven.

We pass through Montrose and Arbroath then run along the North bank of the River Tay before arriving at Dundee.

We cross the impressive Tay Bridge over the Firth of Tay and head south across Fife. We are close to the Firth of Forth between Kinghorn and Inverkeithing, then we cross the spectacular Forth Bridge and head for Edinburgh Waverley.

Overnight accommodation is in Edinburgh.

Sunday 4th May An A4 and a Duchess to London Kings Cross Our train leaves Edinburgh in the morning hauled by an ex-LNER A4 ‘Pacific’ No 60009 “Union of South Africa” and heads south. We pass over the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick upon Tweed and enjoy fine views of the North Sea as we pass through Northumbria. We cross over the River Tyne leaving Newcastle and enjoy magnificent views of the cathedral at Durham. On arrival at York there will be a break while locomotives are changed. From York ex-LMSR ‘Pacific’ No. 46229 “Duchess of Sutherland” takes over for a fast run up the East Coast Main Line to Kings Cross.

Optional Steam Trip* Edinburgh to Stranraer and return 30th April 2014 Premier class includes a reserved seat, full Scottish Breakfast and 3-course lunch with tea or coffee.

First class includes a reserved seat, Danish Pastries with orange juice, morning coffee or tea, afternoon tea or coffee served with a selection of finger sandwiches and scones with jam and cream.

• Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast (when not served on the train) 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 at tables for four, or two with a supplement of £159 per person (subject to availability) • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First Class includes: • Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels

Luggage All luggage transfers from Falmouth to Edinburgh, around Scotland and back to Edinburgh are taken care of by RTC. Passengers are responsible for taking their own luggage to the train and to the first hotel in Falmouth and then to the train from the last hotel in Edinburgh. All other transfers between hotels and trains are made by RTC.

• Coffee or tea and Danish pastries served at your seat • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches at tables for four, or two with a supplement £159 per person (subject to availability) • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense

Bob Green Optional steam trip

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Bob Green

The Cock O’the North Thursday 15th May to Tuesday 20th May 2014 Thursday 3rd July to Tuesday 8th July 2014 Thursday 18th September to Tuesday 23rd September 2014 A Scottish nobleman, soldier and clan chief, General George Gordon, was nicknamed “The Cock O’ the North” in the 18th century and subsequently the name has been used for a steam locomotive, a traditional Scottish bagpipe tune, a whisky-based liqueur, and more. We shall be in good company when we visit the north of Scotland on “The Cock O’ the North” rail tour.

We explore this area of outstanding natural beauty travelling by train, road coach and ferry. Our two night stay on the famous Isle of Skye includes a scenic tour, and to get there we travel by train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, one of the most scenic in Britain. We travel on “The Jacobite” steam train from Mallaig to Fort William, and visit Heritage Railways, travelling by steam and diesel trains.

We travel to and from Scotland on fast trains in comfortable First Class seats and take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station prior to our journey. A special road coach handles our luggage, accompanying us throughout the Scottish part of our tour.

Thursday “Highland Chieftain” to Inverness We join the “Highland Chieftain” train at London’s King’s Cross Station for our journey to Scotland. Our train follows the route of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) with its historic connections and magnificent scenery. During the journey a light lunch will be served at our seats as we travel in First Class comfort. We stop at York where more passengers may join the train, including those who have travelled by service train from Peterborough. The train continues its journey via Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth, where we join the Highland Main Line travelling through the beautiful Scottish Highlands to Inverness. At Inverness we check in to a 3-star hotel for two nights. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (L D)

Friday Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Railway Today we travel by road coach to Aviemore where we join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway.

This heritage railway line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, ‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series “Monarch of the Glen”. We have a return trip on the railway which provides us with wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains.

We rejoin our road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, where we have lunch in the “Buffer Stop”, a railway restaurant car. We then take a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. The ‘whisky line’ passes through some spectacular scenery which includes dense pine forests, the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and the winding valley of the River Isla. To end the day, we visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D) UK Tours - The Cock O’the North

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Saturday Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train Today, our luggage is collected from our hotel and transported by privately chartered road coach to our next hotel. This procedure will be followed for the next three days. After a traditional Scottish breakfast in our hotel, we leave Inverness and travel by train to Kyle of Lochalsh. This line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain.

It passes through forests; alongside lakes overlooked by mountains; and along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet. Kyle of Lochalsh is in an idyllic location on the north-west coast of Scotland at the entrance to the sea inlet Loch Alsh. We take a coach journey over the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye and on to Portree.

We shall have fine views as we travel, inland of mountains and seaward of the islands in the Sound of Raasay. Portree is the island’s main town and 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 We have a tour guide for the day as we explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach.

The island’s peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin Mountains, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. 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 be time to have a look around and 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. Our coach will stop to provide us with opportunities for filming and photography when appropriate.

We return to our hotel in Portree (B L D) Monday Ferry to Mallaig; “The Jacobite” Steam Train 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 to explore the village and find lunch before joining “The Jacobite” steam train to Fort William. This unforgettable 42 mile journey has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. “The Jacobite” takes us through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer, beginning with sea views to the well known islands of Eigg and Rum. It also crosses the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct which is built entirely of concrete, and offers spectacular views down Lochaber’s Loch Shiel. On arrival at Fort William we rejoin our road coach for the journey to Inverness, passing through the Great Glen with its many lochs, and travelling the whole length of the famous Loch Ness.

At Inverness we check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Tuesday The “Highland Chieftain” to London We have an early breakfast at our hotel before we transfer to Inverness Railway Station to join the “Highland Chieftain” express train for our return journey. We can relax in our First Class seats as we travel through the scenic Highlands. We climb to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and then follow the valley of the River Tay to Perth.

We continue to Edinburgh where we join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L) Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:51 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:53 Inverness 20:06 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £1255 Peterborough (Price per person) £1220 York (Price per person) £1185 Single supplement £145 Price includes: • First Class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining • 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3-star hotels • 5 dinners and 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

Inverness Skye

Kyle

Dufftown

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Broomhill Boat of Garten

• Standard Class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train) • All visits, train travel, transfers and tours, as mentioned in the itinerary

Mallaig Ft. William

• Reserved seats

Perth

• The services of a tour manager

Stirling Edinburgh

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

To the South

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July 2014

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UK Tours - The Cock O’the North

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The Summer Highlander Tuesday 27th May to Sunday 1st June 2014 Tuesday 22nd July to Sunday 27th July 2014 The Highlands of Scotland in summer beckon the discerning traveller interested in exploring this wonderful area that is ‘right on our doorstep’. This tour offers an interesting variety in travel, culture, and cuisine.

We travel by train, road coach and ferry; visit scenic and historic sites; and sample Scottish culinary delights at a number of different venues.

Highlights include “The Jacobite” steam train, rail journeys from both Kyle of Lochalsh and the ‘Far North’ to Inverness, and visits to two Heritage Railways. We visit the beautiful Isle of Skye and the iconic John O’ Groats, and learn something about Scottish heritage at Dunrobin Castle and the Castle of Mey. We travel to and from Scotland on fast trains in comfortable First Class seats and take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at King’s Cross Station prior to our departure from London. A road coach handling our luggage will accompany us throughout Scotland.

Tuesday “Highland Chieftain” to Scotland We join the “Highland Chieftain” train at London’s King’s Cross Station, departing at midday for our journey to Scotland. Our train follows the route of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) with its historic connections and magnificent scenery.

We travel in First Class comfort and during the journey a light lunch will be served at our seats.

We stop at York where more passengers may join the train, including those who have travelled by service train from Peterborough. We speed along the ECML to Darlington and on to Newcastle and Edinburgh. At Perth we join the Highland Main Line and travel through the beautiful Scottish Highlands. We leave the train at Kingussie and travel by road coach to Fort William where we check in to a hotel. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant this evening. (L D)

Wednesday “The Jacobite”; the Isle of Skye; by train to Inverness A highlight of our tour is the journey on “The Jacobite” steam train, which has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. The train runs from Fort William to Mallaig through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs, and the sea combine to provide and un-ending collage of outstanding views. En route we cross the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct which has featured in a number of films and TV series.

There will be around one hour in Mallaig to explore this attractive fishing port and find lunch before we board the ferry for Armadale on the Isle of Skye. We then travel by our road coach 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 UK Tours - The Summer Highlander

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mountains, and pass through forests, en route to Inverness. We transfer to a hotel in Inverness, which will be our base for 4 nights. (B) Thursday Dunrobin Castle Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant this morning before we depart by road coach for Dunrobin Castle. We travel north, crossing Kessock Bridge on to the Black Isle; alongside Cromarty Firth; and over Dornoch Firth to the village of Golspie on the North Sea coast.

We shall be greeted by a piper on arrival at Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland. This impressive castle stands on high terraces from where there are wonderful views across its formal gardens to the North Sea beyond. We shall have a tour of the castle and its grounds, including a falconry display, before having lunch. There will be further time to explore the castle gardens and museum before we return by road coach to our hotel in Inverness. (B L)

Friday The Far North Today we travel by road coach to the iconic village of John O’Groats. Our route from Inverness follows the A9 trunk road which hugs the North Sea coast for much of the way from Golspie to Wick. There are some spectacular views along the way. John O’Groats is well known as the starting point for charity events travelling the greatest length of Britain to Land’s End. It has a tiny harbour and, if the weather is good, there are views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands. We continue our journey a few miles west to the Castle of Mey, where we shall have a light lunch. The castle was restored from a near ruin by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, for use as a holiday home. We then go to Thurso Railway Station where we join a ScotRail service train for Inverness. The railway takes a different route to the road, initially crossing isolated moorland, thus providing a fresh perspective on the region’s wonderful scenery. The railway line meets the North Sea coast at Helmsdale and then follows the coastline, often running between the road and the sea. It is not uncommon to see seals basking on the shore on this section of the route.

On arrival at Inverness we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways This morning we travel by road coach to Aviemore where we join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage railway line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, ‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series “Monarch of the Glen”. We have a return trip on the railway which provides us with wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains.

We rejoin our road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, where we have lunch in the “Buffer Stop”, a railway restaurant car. We then take a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. The ‘whisky line’ passes through some spectacular scenery which includes dense pine forests, the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and the winding valley of the River Isla. To end the day, we visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

Sunday The “Highland Chieftain” to London We have an early breakfast at our hotel before we transfer to Inverness Railway Station to join the “Highland Chieftain” express train for our return journey. We can relax in our First Class seats as we travel through the scenic Highlands. We climb to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and then follow the valley of the River Tay to Perth.

We continue to Edinburgh where we join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L) Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:51 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:53 Kingussie 19:15 ------Inverness ------- 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £995 Peterborough (Price per person) £975 York (Price per person) £955 Single supplement £195 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) • 5 nights accommodation in hotels • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners • All visits, train and ferry travel, and coach transfers as mentioned in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2014

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UK Tours - The Summer Highlander

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Bob Green

The Western Isles Tuesday 3rd June to Wednesday 11th June 2014 Tuesday 5th August to Wednesday 13th August 2014 Tuesday 23rd September to Wednesday 1st October 2014 Here is an opportunity to visit the far north-west of Scotland and witness scenes of unsurpassed beauty right on our doorstep! We travel to the Isle of Skye, the Outer Hebrides, and the Northwest Highlands, visiting areas where other tours rarely go. En route we cruise on Loch Lomond and travel on “The Jacobite” steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world. We make sea crossings by ferry to and from the islands, including Harris & Lewis where we discover a culture unique to the British Isles. The remote and tranquil Northwest Highlands beyond Ullapool are a world apart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Join us on an adventure of a lifetime and experience the splendour of the mountains, glens, and lochs of ‘The Western Isles’.

We travel to and from Scotland on fast trains in comfortable First Class seats and take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station prior to our journey. A road coach handling our luggage will accompany us throughout Scotland.

Tuesday “Highland Chieftain” to Scotland Our adventure begins when we join the “Highland Chieftain” train at London’s King’s Cross Station for our journey to Scotland. Our train follows the route of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) with its historic connections and magnificent scenery.

During the journey a light lunch will be served at our seats as we travel in First Class comfort.

We stop at York where more passengers may join the train, including those who have travelled by service train from Peterborough. The train continues its journey along the ECML via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Stirling.

From there, a coach takes us to The Inn at Inverbeg 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 shortly after 16:00 and we check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Thursday “The Jacobite” and over the Sea to Skye A highlight of our tour is the journey on “The Jacobite” steam train, which has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world.

The train runs from Fort William to Mallaig through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs, and the sea combine to provide UK Tours - The Western Isles

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and un-ending collage of outstanding views.

En route we cross the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct which has featured in a number of films and TV series. There will be around two hours in Mallaig to explore the village and fishing port, and find lunch before we board the ferry for Armadale on the Isle of Skye.

We then travel by our road coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage, to our hotel in Portree. (B D)

Friday Harris & Lewis in the Outer Hebrides The Isle of Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides and famous for its mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin Hills, which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. We shall pause a few times to take in the scenery as our coach takes us across Trotternish, the northern peninsula of Skye, to Uig. Here we join a ferry for the one and half hour crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Although not an island itself, Harris is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris.

We travel through the bleak countryside of both to the island’s capital, Stornoway, where we stay at a hotel for two nights. (B D)

Monday North West Scottish Highlands We have a day trip by road coach today, to discover the remote and impressive landscape of the North West Highlands. We pass through magnificent mountain scenery with striking lochs and glens, and the possibility of viewing uncommon wildlife. We also catch glimpses of the sea and travel near to the coast at Scourie.

Our destination is Durness on the far north coast of Scotland, in an area of unspoilt beaches backed by cliffs. The surrounding coastline is some of Europe’s most isolated and spectacular, where sea birds, seals, porpoises and minke whales may be seen. We stop in the village and there will be time for lunch. In the afternoon we return by coach to our hotel at Lochinver. (B D)

Saturday The Isle of Lewis Today we have a guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis which has a rich cultural heritage. We visit various places of particular interest including the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse; a restored thatched black house, the main housing on the island around 100 years ago; Carloway Broch, a pre-historic round castle; Lewis Bridge; and the Callinish Standing Stones, an impressive stone circle which is said to be comparable to Stonehenge. We stop for lunch during our tour.

We return to our hotel In Stornoway. (B L D)

Tuesday Dunrobin Castle and Inverness We travel by road coach the breadth of Scotland today, mostly along isolated mountain roads.

Approaching the east coast we pass through Lairg and Golspie before we arrive at Dunrobin Castle.

This impressive castle stands on high terraces from where there are wonderful views across its formal gardens to the North 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. We transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Sunday Lochinver This morning we have free time to explore Stornoway and discover Lews Castle and grounds, the impressive war memorial, or the harbour area.

Observance of the Christian Sabbath, Sunday, had long been a unique aspect of the island’s culture and until July 2009 there were no Sunday ferry services to or from Stornoway. We join a ferry to cross ‘The Minch’, maybe sighting dolphins en route, and return to the mainland at Ullapool.

We travel by road coach from Ullapool north 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)

Wednesday The “Highland Chieftain” to London We enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the railway station to join the “Highland Chieftain” for our return journey to London. We can relax in our First Class seats as we leave Inverness and pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience, en route to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L) Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:51 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:53 Stirling 17:19 ------Inverness ------- 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Bob Green

Tour Summary London (Price per person) £1495 Peterborough (Price per person) £1475 York (Price per person) £1455 Single supplement £290 Price includes: • First Class rail travel from London to Stirling and Inverness to London with at-seat dining • 8 nights half board accommodation in 3-star hotels • 5 Lunches • All visits, train, boat and ferry travel, and coach transfers as mentioned in the itinerary • First Class rail travel on “The Jacobite” from Fort William to Mallaig • 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 June 2014 M

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UK Tours - The Western Isles

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Toby Smith

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells Friday 25th July to Thursday 31st July 2014 Friday 15th August to Thursday 21st August 2014 This popular tour to Cumbria and around North Wales features main line steam trips and steam trains on ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’.

Main line trips include travel over the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, along the picturesque North Wales coast line, and up the dramatic Conway Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog. We travel on an interesting variety of ‘Great Little Trains’ including the Snowdon Mountain, Ffestiniog, Talyllyn, Welshpool and Llanfair, and Vale of Rheidol Railways.

One highlight of the tour is to 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 The Settle to Carlisle Railway Today we join the “Cumbrian Mountain Express” steam train at Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Our journey begins with an impressive exit from the station hauled by a magnificent Pacific steam locomotive, either “Duchess of Sutherland” or “Oliver Cromwell”. Breakfast will be served at our seats soon after departure. We head north to Preston and Carnforth then skirt the Lake District before entering the Lune Valley. Our steam locomotive will be fully extended as we begin the ascent to the summit of Shap Fell. Descending through Penrith North Lakes, we halt at Carlisle for a two hour break and time to explore the Border City. 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-yGhent 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 D) Sunday Steam along the North Wales Coast After breakfast we join the “North Wales Coast Express” special steam train at Liverpool Lime Street Station and take our reserved 1st class seats. Hauled by steam locomotive No. 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. We pass through several UK Tours - Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

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small seaside resorts on the Irish Sea coast before arriving at Bangor. Here we transfer by road coach to Penrhyn Castle for a short visit.

This dramatic neo-Norman fantasy, with extensive grounds, was built in the early 19th century for a wealthy Welsh family. It is crammed with fascinating objects and has a stable block which contains an industrial railway, 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 Llandudno.

We walk to the Imperial Hotel and check in for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Monday The Snowdon Mountain and Welsh Highland Railways This morning we transfer to Llanberis Station for a diesel 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. It takes us through spectacular mountain scenery, Beddgelert, and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass.

On arrival at Porthmadog, we return by road coach to the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Tuesday A Steam spectacular to Blaneau Ffestiniog; the Ffestiniog Railway 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 Blaeneau Ffestiniog. There will be around two hours to explore Blaeneau Ffestiniog and find lunch before we travel on the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog. We transfer to Portmeirion where we have dinner and overnight accommodation at The Hotel Portmeirion. (B D)

Wednesday The Cambrian Coast and Talyllyn Railway After breakfast we transfer to Porthmadog Railway Station where we join a service train for the scenic journey south along the Cambrian coast to Tywyn. At Tywyn we travel on the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway (TR) for the full length of the line to Nant Gwernol and return. On return to Tywyn, there will be time to purchase lunch.

We then transfer by coach from Tywyn to Aberystwyth where we have dinner and overnight accommodation at the Marine Hotel. (B D) Thursday Vale of Rheidol Railway and Welshpool and Llanfair Railway Today we travel on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge. From Devil’s Bridge we transfer by road coach to Welshpool.

There will be time to find some lunch in Welshpool before we 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. 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)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1250 £190

Price includes: • 6 nights accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels • 5 breakfasts in hotels and one on the train • 6 dinners • All train and tramway travel as shown in the itinerary • All seat reservations and coach transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2014 M

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UK Tours - Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

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Bob Green

The West Highlander Steam Express Friday 19th September to Monday 22nd September 2014 Join us for an exhilarating four day tour around the Western Highlands of Scotland on our own exclusive steam hauled chartered train, featuring five 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 LNER K4 and K1 class, 2 x LMS ‘Black 5’ class, and an LMS Royal Scot or Jubilee 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 19th September K4 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 K4 class steam locomotive No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” 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 20th September The Spectacular West Highland Line to Mallaig This morning we transfer to Glasgow Queen Street Station for an early departure, at around 06:30. Our special train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” 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. We cross the impressive Caledonian Canal at Banavie and run beside Loch Linnhe. The splendid curved Glenfinnan Viaduct is UK Tours - The West Highlander Steam Express

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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 21st September Fort William, Oban and Glasgow Today our train leaves Fort William, steam hauled

by No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”. We climb through the spectacular scenery of the Monessie Gorge, pass Roy Bridge, and 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 “The Great Marquess” takes on water. We change direction of travel and set off for Oban double headed by two ‘Black 5’ locomotives No. 44871 and No. 45407. We pass through Tyndrum Lower and continue 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. Here “The Great Marquess” will take over the train for the return journey 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.

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

LNER K4 class 2-6-0 No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” Preston – Shap – Beattock – Glasgow Central Glasgow Queen Street – Fort William Fort William – Crainlarich – Glasgow Queen Street 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 LMS Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” or LMS Jubilee class No. 45699 “Galatea” Glasgow – Dumfries – Carlisle – Preston Approximate Timings

Monday 22nd September Journey Home We depart from Glasgow Central Station at 09:30 hauled by No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” or No. 45699 “Galatea” 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 to Kirkconnel, Dumfries, Gretna and 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.

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class Single Supplement

£969 £100

First Class Single Supplement

£770 £100

Standard Class Single Supplement

£545 £79

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

Friday 19th 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 20th 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 21st September Fort William 09:00 Crainlarich 12:00 – 12:30 Oban 14:00 – 15:00 Crainlarich 16:30 Glasgow Queen Street 19:30

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 2014

Monday 22nd September Glasgow Central 09:30 Preston 16:00 Bolton 16:40 Manchester Victoria 17:00 Stockport 17:20 Wilmslow 17:30 Crewe 18:00

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Tony Streeter

Winter in the Harz Mountains Friday 28th February to Friday 7th March 2014 Few destinations in Germany are as popular and visually spectacular in winter-time as the Harz Mountains. We shall experience the sight and sound of mighty steam locomotives storming up to the Brocken, Northern Germany´s highest peak and perhaps the most famous steam train destination in the country. We spend three days in the Harz region based in the attractive town of Wernigerode. On two days we travel on our own privately chartered steam trains hauled by an exciting array of different steam locomotives. We cover the line to the Brocken and the full extent of the Selke Valley line to Quedlinburg, including the branches to Hasselfelde and Harzgerode. The third day will provide flexibility and freedom of movement with an all-network rover ticket. This makes it possible to travel over the complete Harz network hauled by all of the different types of steam locomotives in this single tour. Our visit takes place in early March, when there is still a lot of snow, but the days are also longer and offer more light. We travel to the Harz region in the most spectacular way possible, with our very own main line chartered steam train from Hanover.

On our way to the Harz Mountains we conveniently pause in Hanover for three days and take the opportunity to discover two of Germany´s lesser known standard gauge steam railways, which may be considered real ´hidden gems´.

We shall have our own exclusively chartered steam trains on the so-called ´Hessen Courrier´, which covers the standard gauge rural line between Kassel and Naumburg, and on the narrow gauge line from Bruchhausen-Vilsen to Asendorf, Germany’s very first preserved railway. Both of these railways feature impressive steam locomotives, authentic carriages and the opportunity to stage numerous photographic run pasts. Join us on this tour and experience several of Germany´s most famous highlights as well as “best kept secrets”, all conveniently packaged into one exciting tour.

Friday 28th February London to Hanover We travel from London St. Pancras International to Brussels by a Eurostar service and then continue

by Deutsche Bahn (DB) German Intercity-Express (ICE) high speed train service to Hanover in Northern Germany. We stay for three nights at a centrally located hotel near to the railway station in Hanover.

Saturday 1st March Steam on the Bruchhausen-Vilsen Heritage Railway Today we visit Germany’s very first heritage railway, the 7.5 km long, metre gauge line from Bruchhausen-Vilsen to Asendorf, which was saved for preservation by enthusiasts in 1966. We have our own privately chartered steam train to traverse the entire length of this “off the beaten path” line. Our train will be hauled by the

powerful tramway steam locomotive “Plettenberg” which was built in 1927. A buffet lunch will be served on the train and there will be opportunities to stage photographic ‘run pasts’ along the way. In the afternoon we return by road coach to Hanover. The evening will be free to explore this major German city and find a restaurant of your choice for dinner. (B L) Sunday 2nd March Steam from Kassel to Naumburg and back After breakfast we board an ICE high speed train and travel to Kassel. There we board the “Hessen Courrier”, as the town´s local steam train is affectionately called. A mighty 0-10-0T steam tank locomotive will haul our exclusively chartered train for a trip along the 33.4 km long standard gauge line to Naumburg and back again to Kassel. The line passes through idyllic countryside scenery with numerous steep gradients which will European Tours - Winter in the Harz Mountains

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be a real challenge for our rugged steam locomotive. En route we shall stop to stage a few photographic run pasts and lunch will also be served in the buffet car. Once back in Kassel, we shall return to Hanover by ICE. We have dinner at the hotel tonight. (B L D) Monday 3rd March Main line steam to Wernigerode and Thale We leave Hanover this morning and travel to the Harz Mountains in the most attractive way possible, with our very own main line chartered steam train. Our train will travel direct to Wernigerode hauled by the rugged 2-8-2 ‘Mikado’ steam locomotive No. 41.096. As an added bonus, we shall continue by main line steam train from Wernigerode to Quedlinburg, where we pause for lunch, and then travel over the branch line to Thale. This is probably the line in the Harz Mountains that is least commonly traversed by a

steam train. We return to Wernigerode in the late afternoon and check in to our hotel. There will then be free time to explore this historic town which is situated on the picturesque River Holtemme and overlooked by a magnificent castle. It has timber-framed houses and ornate little squares, idyllic surroundings in which to find a restaurant of choice for dinner. (B L) Tuesday 4th March Steam to the Brocken After breakfast one of the highlights of the tour awaits us, our own privately chartered train to the summit of the legendary Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz. The popular black ‘Mallet’ steam locomotive No. 99.5901 of 1890’s vintage will be our allocated motive power for the day.

Normally the Brocken line is exceptionally busy in winter but we have deliberately chosen to ride to the summit on a Tuesday, when the railway is not as crowded as on a winter weekend. We can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the snowdrenched forests and hills, as our locomotive works hard and battles the gradients. We shall have some attractive photographic ‘run pasts’ on the way and should be amazed by the depth of the snow along the route. There will be an opportunity to buy lunch at the summit of the Brocken. In the afternoon we return to Wernigerode by our special train. We shall dine together at the hotel this evening. (B D) Wednesday 5th March Steam to Quedlinburg over the entire Selke Valley Line The historic town of Quedlinburg was only connected to the Harz network in 2006, after the track from Gernrode was converted from standard to narrow gauge. This enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site will be our destination today and we travel there by specially chartered steam train.

We journey from Wernigerode over the route to the Brocken as far as the junction at Drei Ahnen Hohne and continue through the forests of the Harz mountain region to the isolated junction at Eisfelder Talmühle.

We then cover the entire extent of the Selke Valley Line from Eisfelder Talmühle to Quedlinburg, including the branch lines to Hasselfelde and Harzgerode. This entails the most unusual routing sequences that can be arranged on the Harz network and includes all the sections of track not normally used by steam-hauled passenger trains. Our motive power for the day is 2-8-2T steam tank locomotive No. 99.222 built in 1930, plus a green ‘Mallet’ steam locomotive for part of the journey. Lunch will be provided at one of the charming stations on the line and there will be plenty of opportunities for photographic ‘run pasts’ along the way. On arrival at Quedlinburg there will be ample free time to visit one of the best-preserved medieval and renaissance towns in Europe. It contains a wide selection of halftimbered buildings from at least five different centuries and a spacious town square with an impressive basilica. In the evening we return to Wernigerode by service train. (B L) Thursday 6th March Steam on the entire Harz network There will be an all-network rover ticket available for each tour member today, providing an opportunity to travel on any of the Harz network steam-hauled service trains of your choice.

Options to consider include revisiting the Brocken or maybe travelling with a gigantic 2-10-2T steam tank locomotive to the historic city of Nordhausen, the only part of the network not covered on our two previous days of travel.

Alternatively, particularly for those interested in filming and photography, the busy junction station of Drei Ahnen Hohne is well worth a visit.

Discover all the delights the Harz network has to offer once more and arrange your own programme for the day. (B) Friday 7th March Return to London We travel by service trains from Wernigerode to Brussels via Hanover and Cologne. At Brussels, we change to a Eurostar service for the return journey to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person

£1895

Price per person

£1595

Single supplement

£185

First Class on Eurostar, ICE and all service trains Standard Class on Eurostar, ICE and all service trains

Ground only (Hanover–Wernigerode) Price per person £1250 Price includes: • 7 nights accommodation with breakfast in hotels • 4 lunches and 2 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail trips as mentioned in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Germany and back • A one day Harz railways all-network rover ticket • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner March 2014 M

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Richard Spoors

Steam in Tuscany Sunday 6th April to Sunday 13th April 2014 Tuscany is a region in central Italy known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and has been home to many figures influential in the history of art and science. Seven Tuscan localities have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites and we visit three of them, Florence, Sienna, and Pisa. Tuscany has an immense cultural and artistic heritage, expressed in the region’s churches, palaces, art galleries, museums, villages and piazzas. The region contains numerous museums and art galleries, many housing some of the world’s most precious works of art. The Uffizi, Pitti Palace and Galleria dell’Accademia are well known and may be visited whilst we are in Florence.

Simplicity is central to the Tuscan cuisine with local produce commonly used. The region has its own food specialities and is famous for its wines, Chianti being the most well-known internationally. We shall have numerous opportunities to experience these gastronomic delights during our tour. We travel by our own specially chartered steam trains along some of Tuscany’s many picturesque railway routes. This leisurely and sedate mode of travel enables us to fully appreciate the beauty of the region. Join us on this tour for an unforgettable Tuscan experience.

Sunday 6th April Flight to Bologna We take a direct flight from London to Bologna.

On arrival, we transfer to the railway station and join an Intercity train for Rimini, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and one of the most famous seaside resorts in Europe.

We stay at a comfortable and luxurious 4-star hotel where dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant this evening. (D) Monday 7th April Steam special from Rimini to Florence We join our specially chartered steam train at Rimini Station for the journey to Florence, where the arrival of our steam locomotive always causes a stir! Our train will be hauled by a class 741 2-8-0 Crosti-boilered steam locomotive and take the secondary line through Ravenna to Faenza.

We follow a scenic route through the mountains, passing over spectacular viaducts, and during this exciting journey we shall stop for photographs.

We break our journey for lunch in a good local restaurant. We arrive in Florence, the capital of Tuscany, and transfer to a 4-star hotel for two nights. (B L D) Tuesday 8th April A wonderful day in Florence We have a morning sightseeing tour of Florence, with an expert local guide. We shall see the main attractions of this wonderful city including the Duomo, the city’s beautiful cathedral; Giotto’s Tower; the Baptistery, famous for its bronze doors; the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge over the River Arno; and the San Lorenzo Markets. The afternoon and evening will be free to explore medieval Florence and visit other places of interest such as the church of Santa Croce, final resting place of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, and many other notables; the Uffizi Art Gallery; and the Galleria dell’Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s “David” and other famous subjects. There are numerous good restaurants for dinner in this part of the city.

(B)

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Wednesday 9th April Steam train to Sienna After breakfast, there are the options of a free morning in Florence or travel by coach to the steam locomotive depot in Pistoria. Later, the tour group will meet up at Florence’s Santa Maria Station to board our special steam train for Sienna. The train will be hauled by an Italian class 625 2-6-0 steam locomotive along a rural secondary route through the superb Tuscan scenery. We travel by road coach to San Gimignano, a small 14th century fortified town, where we take lunch in a traditional restaurant serving specialist dishes of the region, plus good Tuscan wine! After lunch we return by road coach to Sienna, where we stay for two nights. (B L D)

Thursday 10th April Steam train around Tuscany Today we join our special vintage train, hauled by 2-6-0 steam locomotive No. 625-100, for a circular tour through Tuscany. Heading south from Sienna, we pass through Monteroni d’Arbia, Asciano, Monte Amiata and Monte Antico, through rolling vine covered hills and woodland.

Lunch will be served in a typical Tuscan restaurant before we rejoin our train and return to Sienna via the lovely medieval towns of Murlo and Monteroni d’Arbia. (B L D) Friday 11th April Tour Sienna; travel to Pisa Sienna is a picturesque city famous for its historic buildings, art, museums, and cuisine. The historic centre is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. It is particularly noted for the Palio, a colourful horse race held twice a year in the shellshaped Piazza del Campo, the town square. It is one of the most interesting cities in Italy and we have a conducted tour in the morning. There will be time to visit the 12th century cathedral (Duomo), view the city walls, and gardens.

We have lunch in a good local restaurant. In the afternoon we travel by road coach to Pisa where we check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation for two nights. (B L D)

Saturday 12th April Steam through the Tuscan Hills to La Spezia Today, our train will be hauled by one of the last surviving serviceable 2-6-2 express passenger steam locomotives of the 685 class. We leave Pisa after breakfast and head north-eastwards to Lucca. We then take a picturesque route through the Tuscan Hills to La Spezia. This line is not used much so there will be opportunities for photography and filming, especially when runpasts are staged for our train. We stop in La Spezia for a tasty Italian lunch before returning to Pisa. Our return route is along the scenic direct coastal line giving our 2-6-2 express locomotive a chance to show its true speed. (B L D) Sunday 13th April Visit Pisa’s leaning tower and return to UK On our final morning, we have an exciting city tour of Pisa which includes the famous leaning tower and magnificent Duomo. We lunch in a city restaurant before transferring to Pisa Airport for a mid-afternoon flight back to London. (B L)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2250 £225

Ground only Price per person

£2100

Price includes: • Flights London to Italy and return • 7 nights accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels • 7 breakfasts • 6 lunches (wine included) • 6 dinners (wine included) • All train travel and transfers • All tours mentioned in the programme

Neil Smith

• The use of local guides for city tours • Road coach at our disposal for the whole tour to effect luggage transfers etc.

• The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner April 2014 M

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La Spezia Pisa

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Siena

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Berlin and Potsdam Tuesday 8th April to Tuesday 15th April 2014 Join us on this all new tour as we discover Germany´s exciting capital city of Berlin as well as the royal palaces and opulent gardens at nearby Potsdam. Vintage traction and especially steam power by land and water will be at the heart of our exploration. We shall enjoy steam on the German main line, have exclusively chartered trains on three remarkable narrow gauge railways, and take scenic steamboat cruises around Potsdam and Brandenburg.

Our main line excursion will take us for a day trip from Berlin to Dresden where we visit the spectacular steam locomotive gathering at the Dresden-Altstadt depot. We travel on narrow gauge railways at Berlin-Wuhlheide, Bad Muskau in Saxony, and in the Prignitz region. Nature and culture feature prominently in this tour, as the elegant palace at Potsdam and enchanting park at Bad Muskau are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While in Berlin, there will be plenty of free time to enjoy all of the wonderful attractions that this dynamic city has to offer.

Tuesday 8th April London to Wuppertal; the “Kaiserwagen” on the Schwebebahn We travel from London St. Pancras International to Brussels by a Eurostar service and then continue by Deutsche Bahn (DB) German Intercity-Express (ICE) high speed train service to Wuppertal via Köln. We arrive in Wuppertal in the afternoon and check in to our hotel near to the railway station.

A highlight of our tour is the visit to the “Schwebebahn” (Wuppertal Suspension Railway).

This unique system is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging carriages in the world.

We have chartered the stately “Kaiserwagen”, for our exclusive use, to travel the entire 13.3 km line. The “Kaiserwagen” was used for a test ride

by Emperor William II to inspect the newly erected “Schwebebahn” in 1900. This beautiful old vehicle has been completely overhauled and renovated in its original style. The Schwebebahn was originally conceived as the prototype for a whole new way of urban travel but never spread beyond Wuppertal. It is still in use today as a means of local public transport, running for much of its route above the River Wupper. We shall be accompanied on our journey by stewards in authentic period costume who will provide a

commentary on some of the passing city sights and river scenes.

Wednesday 9th April Wuppertal to Berlin; leisure in Berlin After breakfast, we travel from Wuppertal to Berlin by direct ICE train. We arrive in Berlin in the early afternoon and check in to a comfortable four-star hotel in the city centre, near to one of the major railway stations, where we shall be based for the remainder of the tour. The rest of the day will be free to explore this dynamic capital city and discover something of its history, culture and cuisine. Tour members will be issued with a complimentary rover ticket for the city’s public transportation network which includes buses, trams, underground (U-Bahn) and local (S-Bahn) trains. (B) Thursday 10th April Sightseeing in Berlin by vintage bus; Wulheide Steam Railway This morning we shall be collected from our hotel for a 90 minute sight-seeing tour of Berlin.

We travel in a classic bus of 1940 vintage that was originally built for scenic drives in the Alps and has large picture frame windows, making it ideal for viewing passing landmarks. We see European Tours - Berlin and Potsdam

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historic sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and Checkpoint Charlie, as well as gaining a great impression of contemporary Berlin. We continue to the 600 mm gauge Wulheide steam railway which has a track length of 7.5 km. We shall have exclusive use of a steam train to traverse the entire network covering “rare track” that is not normally used by service trains.

En route our train will pause for photographic opportunities, and several run pasts will be staged. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon and the evening will be free to spend time in Berlin. (B) Friday 11th April Steam at the Muskau Forest Railway in Saxony and Pückler Park visit Today a real “diamond in the rough” awaits us, as we visit the attractive yet little known Muskau Forest Railway in Saxony. The railway operates three different branch lines from Weisswasserand and we shall cover them all with our own privately chartered steam train. There will be opportunities to stage a few run pasts for filming and photography. Eventually we arrive at Bad Muskau, a spa town near to the Polish border and famous for its charming castle. The castle grounds, Fürst-Pückler-Park, span the German-

Polish border and are laid out as a beautiful English garden created in the Romantic Style between 1815 and 1845. It is one of the largest English gardens outside of the UK and since 2004 the park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There will be plenty of time to view the castle, visit the gardens and also stroll across the River Neisse to Poland. Lunch will be provided in Bad Muskau. In the late afternoon, we return by service train to Berlin via Cottbus. (B L) Saturday 12th April Main line steam Berlin-Dresden-Berlin; visit to Dresden steam locomotive gathering Today we enjoy a day out on the German main line travelling in a reserved 1st class carriage on a steam-hauled special train from Berlin-Schönheide to the historic city of Dresden. There will be a dining car on the train where meals can be obtained. Our visit to Dresden coincides with the annual steam locomotive gathering at the Dresden-Altstadt locomotive depot where several of Germany’s largest main line steam locomotives will be ‘in steam’. In Dresden there will be options, either for visiting the steam gathering or exploring the city. A special steam train will be available for transfer directly to the steam gathering to view the impressive line-up and turntable shows. The historic city centre contains such sights as the Baroque Semper Opera House; the Zwinger Palace containing the Green Vault, Europe’s most splendid treasure chamber museum; the Fürstenzug, the biggest porcelain painting in the world; and the magnificent domed Frauenkirche, the Baroque cathedral which has been entirely rebuilt in the last 20 years. In the early evening, we return to Berlin by our main line steam special. (B)

Monday 14th April Steamboat cruise in Potsdam; vintage tram ride; Sanssouci Palace & gardens We have saved a real highlight for the last day of the tour, as we visit the beautiful city of Potsdam, world famous for the 18th century Sanssouci Palace built by Kaiser Friedrich. We travel by DB service train from Berlin to Potsdam and begin our day of discovery with a steamboat cruise on the River Havel. We travel aboard the historic propeller-driven steamer “Gustav” from 1908 and see many of Potsdam’s places of interest including numerous church spires, stately villas and chateaux. Refreshments will be served on the boat as we appreciate the sight and sound of the vertical steam engine hard at work. After our cruise, we have another vintage experience as we ride through the city centre aboard the historic tram No. 9 from 1907. It has open end balconies making it ideal for sightseeing. We cover Potsdam’s most interesting and scenic tram lines before changing on to a specially chartered bus at one of the turnaround loops. The bus will take us on a sightseeing tour before going into the expansive grounds of the Sanssouci Palace.

There will be several hours to tour the palace, gardens and historic city centre of Potsdam at leisure before we return to Potsdam Railway Station, from where we return to Berlin. There will be free time in the evening, to make the most of all that Germany’s capital has to offer. (B L) Tuesday 15th April Berlin to London We return to the UK by taking an ICE from Berlin to Brussels where we change trains and join a Eurostar service for London St. Pancras International. (B)

Sunday 13th April Steamboat cruise in Brandenburg; Pollo steam railway After a leisurely breakfast, we have a late morning departure from Berlin to the city of Brandenburg an der Havel, taking a direct DB service train. In Brandenburg we board the tallstacked “Nordstern” for a steamboat cruise on the River Havel. We shall see all the historic sites in and around the city of Brandenburg including some beautiful scenery, and an opportunity to engage in some bird watching along the way!

Lunch and refreshments will be served on board the boat. We then transfer by road coach to Mesendorf and join a specially chartered train, featuring an open observation carriage hauled by an historic steam tank locomotive, on the narrow gauge Pollo Railway. This 9 km preserved line runs through beautiful scenery in the Prignitz district to Lindenberg, where we pause for coffee & cakes and visit the railway museum. We return to Mesendorf for our road coach to Berlin in the late afternoon. (B L)

Tour Summary Price per person

£1695

Price per person

£1395

Single supplement

£255

First Class

Standard Class

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European Tours - Berlin and Potsdam

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Neil Smith

Sardinia and the Emerald Coast Saturday 10th May to Monday 19th May 2014 Saturday 18th October to Monday 27th October 2014 Sardinia’s spectacular scenery, ancient culture, friendly locals, and amazing little railways make this Italian island a truly magical place to visit. A mountainous place about the size of Wales, Sardinia has an enticing coastline and inland, narrow gauge railways run for more than 450 miles through beautiful countryside.

We use privately chartered trains to travel around the island, with steam locomotives wherever possible. The carriages for our train journeys are usually on display in the Sardinian Railway Museum and date back to the early 1900’s; carriages with polished teak bodies and open end-balconies providing stunning views. The country’s narrow gauge railways are increasingly under threat, but they are not run down. They are fully staffed and well maintained, and the only thing missing is the passengers!

Sardinia is still an unspoilt island and such a popular destination that never fails to disappoint. We have been taking tours there consecutively for very many years now. A worthwhile experience awaits you if you join one of our tours for the first time or even make a return visit.

Saturday London to Cagliari We take a scheduled flight from London Stansted Airport to Cagliari, an ancient city with a fascinating history and the capital of Sardinia.

We transfer by road coach to the Hotel Mediterraneo in Cagliari for dinner and overnight accommodation. (D)

and the sea in Bosa, on the west coast of the island. This small town is built on the River Temo and dominated by the hilltop remains of Castello Malaspina, a medieval fortress. There will be time to explore the sights, including the Baroque cathedral with its splendid interior of marble statues and frescos. We have overnight accommodation at a hotel in Bosa. (B L D)

Sassari and Porto Torres. We continue along the main line, which winds its way through the isolated and often barren countryside, to Golfo Aranci, an active port town on the north-east coast. Ours will be the first steam train there for more than 50 years. At Golfo Aranci we board a road coach for the journey north along the ‘Emerald Coast’ to our hotel in Palau. (B L D)

Sunday Steam train to Macomer We have a mid morning departure from Cagliari by steam train. Our standard gauge train will be hauled by 740 class 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 740-303. We travel northwards along the main line that connects Cagliari with the port of Golfo Aranci in the north-east of the island. The line is mainly single track and crosses the plain of Campidano, passing through San Gavino and Sant’Anna en route to Oristano. Here we enjoy a late lunch in a restaurant close to the sea.

After lunch we continue to Macomer where we leave our special train. We travel by road coach to our hotel which is located between the old city

Monday Standard gauge steam on the main line After breakfast we join a specially chartered narrow gauge train at Bosa Marina Station.

Our train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive for the spectacular coastal journey to Tresnuraghes, where the line turns inland and climbs to Macomer. Here we change trains and join our standard gauge special train hauled by steam locomotive No. 740-303. We travel north along Sardinia’s only standard gauge ‘main line’ which climbs to Campeda and passes through the island’s longest tunnel (7 km) approaching Bonorva. At Ozieri Chilivani there is a junction with the standard gauge line that goes north to

Tuesday Cruising the ‘Emerald Coast’ After a leisurely breakfast we join our specially chartered boat at Palau harbour. Once wild, this stretch of coastline was developed in the 1950’s as a millionaire’s playground, and is now well cared for and kept in pristine condition. We enjoy a day’s cruise, going ashore at the picturesque Maddalena Island for lunch, and then continuing along the Emerald Coast. We call at Spargi Island along the way and stay long enough to explore the island or swim from the beach.

At the end of the day, we return to Palau Harbour and our hotel. (B L D)

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Wednesday Across Sardinia by narrow gauge train Today we board our special vintage train at Palau Station, travelling in style aboard a first class carriage sporting plush velvet seats. We climb into the hills and pass through forests and along deep valleys en route to the town of Tempio Pausania.

The line descends, crossing bridges and viaducts, as it winds its way through pretty rural villages.

It climbs again before we pause at Nulvi for an excellent local feast. We continue our journey to Sassari, where we board a service train for the journey to the coast at Alghero. Here we check in to the 4-star Hotel Calabona for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

The climb up to the summit at Anulu is spectacular and the drop down to the fascinating little town of Seui, where our locomotive is serviced, is equally dramatic.

At Betilli we stop at the station for lunch beside our train. It is a specially created picnic place in a superb setting, and the wine will flow freely!

Our journey continues through some of the most beautiful scenery possible, high above Low Flumendosa Lake, then descending to Villanova Tulo Station. The line winds its way across the countryside to Nurri, Mandas and Senorbi, from where we travel by road coach to Cagliari.

Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Mediterraneo in Cagliari. (B L D)

Thursday Narrow gauge train to Nuoro; coastal beauty at Arbatax After breakfast we travel by road coach to the junction station at Macomer. Here we join a specially chartered narrow gauge train for the journey inland. Our train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive for the journey to Nuoro, a town situated on the slopes of the Monte Ortobene.

After a late lunch we continue by road coach through picturesque mountain scenery to the port town of Arbatax, on the beautiful south west coast. Here we check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Sunday Narrow gauge train to Sorgono We travel from Cagliari to Mandas Station by road coach this morning. Here we join a specially chartered narrow gauge train of restored woodenbodied vintage carriages hauled by a steam locomotive. We head north along the scenic Sorgono branch, a line no longer open to regular traffic. At Ortuabis our train stops on the single track line while we enjoy a delicious Italian style barbecue nearby. We shall be entertained by a local folk group. After lunch, we continue our train journey to the terminus at Sorgono. We then travel by road to the Hotel Taloro, beside Lake Gusana, for overnight accommodation. The lake is in a picturesque mountain region of inner Sardinia, a natural region that is one of the least populated areas in Europe. (B L D)

Friday Steam from the coast into the mountains In the morning we take the short walk to Arbatax Station, beside the charming harbour, to join our special vintage train, hauled by 2-6-2T steam locomotive No. 400 or 402. Soon after leaving Arbatax Station we begin the long climb into the mountains and travel to Villa Grande, where a typical Italian open air lunch awaits. We rejoin our train for the final dramatic climb through the spiral to Gairo, from where we return by road coach to our hotel in Arbatax. There should be time to explore this beautiful area beside the Tyrrhenian Sea which is famous for its red rocks.

(B L D)

Monday Return to London Stansted After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Alghero Airport for our late morning flight to London Stansted. (B)

Colin Boocock

Saturday Narrow gauge steam in spectacular scenery We return to Gairo Station by road coach this morning and re-join our vintage steam train to continue our journey inland.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1995 £195

Ground only Price per person

£1845

Price includes: • Flights from London to Cagliari and Alghero to London • All rail and coach transport as mentioned in the itinerary • All transfers • 9 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels with breakfasts • 8 Lunches and 9 Dinners • Wine and mineral water with lunch and dinner on the island • The services of a tour manager Please note that we shall have the services of a road coach throughout this tour to transport our luggage between hotels.

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C Wright

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Chris Bailey

Steam in the former Yugoslavia Friday 6th June to Tuesday 17th June 2014 Join us on this tour of contrasts visiting countries that once constituted Yugoslavia. We commence our tour in Slovenia at the beautiful city of Ljubljana, and travel with steam locomotives from the Slovenian Railway Museum. In Bosnia we encounter regular everyday steam locomotive workings in a totally different environment, a coal mining area. We conclude our tour in Serbia at Mokra Gora on the world’s only preserved steam operated International Narrow Gauge Railway. This may be the last time we are able to offer such a comprehensive tour to Bosnia as steam traction is in serious decline.

Friday 6th June Flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia We take an early afternoon direct flight from London to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

On arrival, we transfer from Ljubljana to a hotel in Bled for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Bled is in a scenic area and well known for the glacial Lake Bled with the iconic Bled Castle perched on a rock overlooking the lake. (D) Saturday 7th June Steam through the Julian Alps Today we travel northwards by road coach to Jesenice, a steel producing town in the Upper Sava Valley, and close to the Austrian border.

We board a train of vintage carriages hauled by 06 Class 2-8-2 steam locomotive No. 06.018 for a scenic trip on the “Transalpina” Railway. This line connects Jesenice in Slovenia with Gorizia in Italy.

It passes through the Julian Alps, following rivers and passing lakes, en route to Nova Gorica on the Italian border. We have lunch in Nova Gorica, a new town created after border changes.

We return by our steam train to Bled, where we have dinner and spend a second night in our hotel. (B L D) Sunday 8th June Lake Bled and National Railway Museum We have breakfast in our hotel overlooking the spectacular Lake Bled. We then tour Lake Bled by road coach and visit picturesque Bled Castle.

We have lunch at the Mayer Restaurant in Bled before continuing by road to Ljubljana. Here we visit the National Railway Museum and view its extensive collection of steam locomotives, most of which are displayed in the restored roundhouse.

This is one of the best railway museums in Europe. We continue our journey by road coach travelling from Ljubljana to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. Here we have dinner and overnight accommodation in the Hotel Antunovic. (B L D) Monday 9th June Zagreb, Croatia to Tuzla, Bosnia This morning we transfer by road coach to Zagreb Station where we board an InterCity train to Vinkovci, the main railway junction of eastern Croatia. Here our coach will be waiting to transfer our group to Hotel Tuzla in the city of Tuzla for dinner and overnight accommodation. Tuzla is the third largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in an area dominated by coal mines. (B D) Tuesday 10th June Rare route for steam We have a morning visit to the locomotive depot, the last steam depot where Class 33 steam locomotives are in regular use. We then transfer to Tuzla Railway Station where we join a specially chartered train hauled by Class 33 steam locomotive No. 33-504. We have a 110 km round trip from Tuzla north to Brcko and back. En route, there will be ample time for photographic runEuropean Tours - Steam in the former Yugoslavia

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pasts to record this rare occasion. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in Tuzla. (B L D) Wednesday 11th June Banovici; double-headed steam from Oskova After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Zivinice where we join a specially chartered passenger train hauled by Skoda built 0-6-0T steam locomotive No. 19.12 (the only one of its type in service). We travel to Banovici where both standard and narrow gauge steam locomotives are in regular service on the coal mine railways.

We have lunch in Banovici before visiting the locomotive depot. We then transfer by road coach to Oskova where there is a 760 mm narrow gauge railway line. We have specially chartered a train which will be double-headed by two ex-Yugoslav Railways (JŽ) class 83 0-8-2 steam locomotives.

There should be opportunities for some spectacular pictures! We continue our journey to Turija, and then return to Oskova. We return to Tuzla by road coach for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Thursday 12th June Steam at Banovici and Dubrave Today we transfer by road coach to Oskova where we join a specially chartered train. We shall travel from Oskova to Turija and on to Banovici hauled by ex-Hungarian State Railways (MAV) 0-8-0T steam locomotive No. 55-99. We leave Banovici

after lunch and return to Oskova. From here we transfer to Dubrave where there will be time to visit the coal mine which has working Class 33 steam locomotives. We transfer by road coach to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We have dinner and overnight accommodation at the Holiday Inn, Sarajevo. (B L D) Friday 13th June Scenic trip with classic diesel haulage After breakfast we transfer to Sarajevo Railway Station where our special train will be waiting for us. A former Yugoslav Railways (JŽ) series 661 diesel locomotive, built by General Motors and one of the most used diesel locomotives in Yugoslavia, will be hauling our train of two passenger carriages. We set off in a northwesterly direction then take a highly scenic and mountainous line to Pudlugovi. Here we leave the main line to travel on a branch line to Vares, a superb line with no passenger service.

We return to Sarajevo and have a tour in one of the most historically interesting and varied cities in Europe. We have dinner at our hotel this evening. (B L D)

Saturday 14th June Border Crossing by Steam Train This morning we travel by road coach from Sarajevo to Visegrad where we have a lunch break.

At Visegrad our narrow gauge train, hauled by a Class 83 0-8-2 steam locomotive, will be waiting for us. We shall travel along the latest extension to the Sargan Narrow Gauge Railway in Bosnia.

Less than an hour after leaving Dobrun our documents will be checked by on-train Bosnian and Serbian customs and immigration officials before we cross the border into Serbia. This is one of the last Narrow Gauge Steam railway border crossings in the world! We continue to Mokra Gora from where we travel by road coach to Zlatibor, a popular mountain resort in Serbia.

We have dinner and overnight accommodation in Hotel Mona in Zlatibor. (B L D)

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1895 £259

Ground only Price per person

£1730

Price includes: • Flights from London to Ljubljana and Belgrade to London • 11 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 9 lunches (some packed) and 11 dinners • All train travel, steam charters and transfers mentioned in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Chris Bailey

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European Tours - Steam in the former Yugoslavia

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Chris Bailey

Sunday 15th June Mokra Gora and the Sargan 8 Today we travel from Zlatibor to Mokra Gora by road coach. On arrival we join our special train, hauled by a Class 83 steam locomotive, for the journey from Mokra Gora to Sargan Vitasi.

The railway was named “Sargan 8” because of the unusual figure-of-eight loop by which it gains 300 metres in height between the Mokra Gora Valley and the Sargan. The narrow gauge railway line is located amidst gorgeous scenery and is described as “one of the most beautiful railways in the world”. We have lunch at Jatare Station before returning to Mokra Gora. We transfer by road coach to Zlatibor for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Chris Bailey

Monday 16th June Narrow Gauge Railway Museum This morning we transfer by road coach to Pozega to visit a fascinating Narrow Gauge Railway Museum with its collection of Yugoslavian steam locomotives of many different types. After our visit, we travel by road to Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia. We have a tour of the Serbian capital which lies at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. We check into our overnight accommodation at a Belgrade hotel and have our farewell dinner at a national restaurant. (B D) Tuesday 17th June Homeward bound After breakfast we transfer to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, Surcin, for our return flight to London. We arrive in the afternoon. (B)

European Tours - Steam in the former Yugoslavia

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Chris Bailey

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1895 £259

Ground only Price per person

£1730

Price includes: • Flights from London to Ljubljana and Belgrade to London • 11 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 9 lunches (some packed) and 11 dinners • All train travel, steam charters and transfers mentioned in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Chris Bailey

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Swiss Bernese Oberland Saturday 14th June to Saturday 21st June 2014 Thursday 4th September to Thursday 11th September 2014 The Bernese Oberland is an area of outstanding natural beauty in central Switzerland. It is well known for its lakes and the tallest and most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps, including the Jungfrau and the Eiger. This new tour provides an opportunity to discover the delights of this magnificent part of the world.

We shall be based for all of this tour in the delightful mountain village of Wengen. We travel to a number of attractive destinations in the Bernese Oberland using Switzerland´s excellent transport system. All tour participants will be issued with a Swiss Regional Pass which provides unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats in the area and offers fifty percent reduction on many private mountain top excursions.

Highlights of this tour include travel on mountain rack railways, especially the Brienz Rothorn Railway and Jungfrau Railway to the ‘Top of Europe’; boat cruises on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun; visits to Bern, to ride the steam tram, and Lucerne. Join us on this exceptional tour to see for yourself that the Swiss Bernese Oberland does indeed delight.

Day 1 London to Wengen We travel by a Eurostar train service from London St. Pancras International or Ebbsfleet to Paris Gare du Nord. We transfer to Paris Gare de L’Est to continue our journey to Basel via Strasbourg.

At Basel we change trains and head towards Interlaken Ost. We then travel on narrow gauge lines, the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) to Lauterbrunnen and the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) to Wengen. We check into the Sunstar Hotel (4-star) in Wengen, where we shall be based for the duration of the tour. (D) Day 2 Steam on the Brienz Rothorn Railway; Lake Brienz Cruise After breakfast in the hotel, we travel by train to Brienz via Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken. We join a steam train on the 800 mm gauge Brienz Rothorn Railway (BRB), Switzerland’s oldest rack railway. The line climbs 1,678 metres (5,505 ft) from Brienz, at the eastern end of Lake Brienz, to Rothorn Kulm Station, a little below the summit of Brienz Rothorn Mountain. En route there are some

outstanding views of the surrounding mountains and the lake below. On our return to Brienz, we have arranged an exclusive visit the BRB depot to view the locomotives and workshop facilities. In the afternoon we have a leisurely cruise along Lake Brienz to Interlaken from where we return to Wengen by service trains. (B D) Day 3 Free day in Wengen We have breakfast in the hotel and then the whole day is free for a choice of activities.

One option is relaxing at the hotel and making use of the leisure facilities which include an indoor swimming pool, steam bath and sauna.

Another option is taking a leisurely stroll through the village, where the British originated downhill ski racing, or more energetic hiking to incredible viewpoints. Alternatively use the regional pass to visit the spectacular Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten illuminated glacier-waterfalls inside the mountain, made accessible by a tunnel-lift (entrance to be paid locally). Take the train to Lauterbrunnen Station and a bus from there to the Falls. You could also visit the car-free village European Tours - Swiss Bernese Oberland

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of Mürren by cable and mountain railway to marvel at the views of the three famous mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

For the more adventurous ones why not visit the Schilthorn which lies above the village of Mürren is reached by a cable car. At the summit there is a panoramic revolving restaurant, named Piz Gloria, the location of a James Bond film (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) as well as a free exhibition “Bond World”. The mountain excursion surcharge is payable for this trip. (B D) Day 4 Bern Steam Tram; Cruise on Lake Thun Today we travel by train to Switzerland’s capital, Bern, where we have chartered the legendary steam tram for a two hour tour of the city.

The metre gauge 0-6-0 tramway locomotive pulls a classic wooden carriage which has open ended balconies. We shall pass many of Bern’s historic landmarks including the famous Zytglogge clock tower and the medieval city centre. In the afternoon there will be free time to visit the shops along the arcaded walkways, or the legendary Bear Park and nearby River Aare. Later, we take a

service train to Thun where we board a boat for our onward journey. We cruise the length of Lake Thun and experience the unsurpassable beauty of the Bernese Oberland with views of famous mountain peaks including the Niederhorn, Niesen, and Jungfrau. We disembark at Interlaken West Railway Station and return by train to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen. (B D) Day 5 Excursion to Jungfraujoch and ‘Top of Europe’ We have a real highlight in our programme today as we take a trip to the famous Jungfraujoch and the ‘Top of Europe’. Non-mountaineers can only reach the Jungfraujoch by travelling on the metre gauge Jungfrau Railway (JB) through a 7.3 km (4.5 mile) long tunnel, a significant achievement in engineering and construction. We travel on a WAB train to Kleine Scheidegg where we join a JB train and travel to the highest railway station in Europe. Our train will stop twice at intermediate points where there are large windows in the rock face for passengers to admire the views. The ‘Top of Europe’ is a high-altitude building connected to the underground Jungfraujoch Railway Station by a tunnel and includes several restaurants, where we can obtain lunch, and a permanent exhibition about the Jungfrau Railway and the Alps.

We return to Kleine Scheidegg then take a different route back to Wengen. We travel by a WAB train to Grindlewald Grund Station where we take the aerial cable car to the Männlichen mountain, and a popular viewpoint over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We then take the Wengen–Männlichen aerial cableway and return to our hotel. (B D) Day 6 Day Trip to Lucerne Today we travel by train to visit Lucerne, a city located on Lake Lucerne and within sight of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps.

We travel by WAB and BOB trains to Interlaken where we join a metre gauge Zentralbahn express train to Lucerne. The route follows the scenic Brünig Line beside Lake Brienz and the River Aare to Meiringen, where the train reverses and climbs over the Brünig Pass using a rack system.

The onward route descends and climbs through the mountains passing through forests, beside rivers and lakes. The terminal station at Lucerne is opposite the landing stage from which passenger boats, including paddle steamers, serve lakeside communities. The River Reuss flows into the lake and is crossed by the Chapel Bridge, a landmark of Lucerne, and the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe. Other sites to visit include the Old Town of Lucerne which has several fine halftimber structures with painted fronts; the Lion Monument in a small park just off the Lowenplatz; or simply wander around the old town. We follow the same route for our return journey to Wengen. (B D) Day 7 The choice is yours!

Today is a free day to make further use of the Berner Oberland regional pass and travel to places of your choice. One option is to visit the Schynige Platte mountain area, travelling by WAB train to Lauterbrunnen and BOB train to Wilderswil which is the junction for the Schynige Platte Railway. This 800 mm gauge electric rack railway climbs through forests and Alpine pastures providing fine views of the Bernese Oberland, eventually revealing the glistening giants of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains to the south. Schynige Platte is famous for its wildflower gardens and views of the majestic mountain scenery. (B D) Day 8 Return to UK After breakfast in our hotel we say our farewells and join local trains to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken. We then travel by train from Interlaken to Basel where we change trains to continue our trip toward Strasbourg.

We take our last SNCF train to connect with an evening Eurostar service back to Ebbsfleet or London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person

£1325

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£1150

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£75

Return First Class on Eurostar, SNCF trains Standard class regional pass Return Standard Class on Eurostar, SNCF trains Standard class regional pass

Price includes: • 7 nights half board at Sunstar Hotel including complimentary beverages from the minibar (beer, mineral water, soft drinks – refilled daily) and free use of hotel facilities including WiFi, swimming pool, sauna and steam bath • All rail, tram and boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary • All escorted visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Switzerland and back • A regional pass for travel around the Bernese Oberland • All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days) • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2014 M

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Sweden and the Inlandsbahn with Steam Thursday 26th June to Friday 4th July 2014 Sweden is a Scandinavian country of contrasts and this tour visits the Norrland Region, a sparsely populated northern area with an abundance of wild wilderness, dense forests, splendid lakes, great rivers, vast marshes, and lofty mountains. We travel by steam train along the beautiful Inlandsbahn, a rural line that provides maximum opportunity to appreciate the magnificent scenery. We have our own special train hauled by a unique selection of steam locomotives.

There will be plenty of opportunities for filming and photography on this leisurely tour, including run-pasts by our train.

We have steam ship cruises in the Stockholm Archipelago of the Baltic Sea and on Storsjön, the country’s fifth largest lake. We visit the Swedish Railway Museum and travel by steam train on two narrow gauge heritage railways. Come with us to Sweden for a miscellany of steam and spectacular scenery.

Thursday 26th June Flight to Stockholm Our tour begins with a midday flight from London Heathrow to Stockholm, Sweden’s capital city.

On arrival we transfer to our hotel for our overnight accommodation. (D)

to visit the narrow gauge Jädraås – Tallås Railway. We have a specially chartered train on the 891 mm gauge railway hauled by a 0-6-6-0 ‘Mallet’ steam locomotive to Tallås and back through wonderful scenery. We return to Gävle for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Friday 27th June Steam ship cruise of Stockholm Archipelago This morning we join the SS “Stockholm”, an ex-coastal steamer, for a cruise amongst some of the thousands of islands that make up the Stockholm Archipelago. Lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon we travel by service train to Gävle. We check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Sunday 29th June Gävle to Mora by steam Today we transfer by road coach to Gävle Station for a journey inland by steam train. We travel along the secondary route through Sandviken and Storvik to Falun, hauled by A and B class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No. 1108. Lunch will be served in the restaurant car on the train.

At Falun we change locomotives and A6 class 4-6-0 No. 1793 will haul our train for the onward journey to Mora.

We pass through Borlänge where we join the scenic lakeside route northwards through Rättvik to Mora, a town located on the Österdal River between two lakes with a sandy beach at its centre. We have dinner and overnight accommodation at the Best Western hotel in Mora. (B L D)

Saturday 28th June National Railway Museum; narrow gauge steam After breakfast, we transfer by road coach to the Swedish Railway Museum to view the extensive historic collection, one of the finest of its kind in the world. An A2 steam crane, built in 1948, will be working at the museum. We join a vintage railcar to ride to the stored exhibits section of the museum which includes a large number of narrow gauge steam locomotives. We shall have lunch at the museum. In the afternoon we travel to Jädraås

Monday 30th June The Inlandsbahn After breakfast we transfer to Mora Station and European Tours - Sweden and the Inlandsbahn with Steam

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join our steam train. The newly restored Ka class 0-6-0 steam locomotive No. 692 will haul our train northwards along the Inlandsbahn, the Inland Railway, to Sveg. This picturesque route passes through dense forests, beside lakes and alongside rivers. There are glimpses of waterfalls as we cross bridges, and brightly coloured cottages at isolated communities. The line climbs steadily from Mora and our locomotive will have to work hard. The summit of the line is near Björnidet where it is possible to visit a bear’s den.

Lunch will be served in the dining car on the train.

We pass many water features on our way to Sveg where we transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday 1st July The Inlandsbahn to Östersund We have an E class 0-8-0 steam locomotive to haul our train today as we head northwards from Sveg along the Inlandsbahn. We pass through Sörtjärn and then between Åsarna, Svenstavik and Hackås, the railway line runs beside beautiful lakes. There will opportunities to stage a number of photographic run-pasts on this section.

We pass the village of Fåker and at Brunflo we join the main line from Stockholm to Trondheim in Norway. Our route runs along the edge of Storsjön, the fifth largest lake in Sweden, from

Brunflo to Östersund. Here we transfer to our hotel and there will then be free time to explore the city. Östersund is the most centrally located city in Sweden and in Scandinavia. It is a university city with a long history as a centre for winter sports. Landmarks include the striking city hall, the large red brick church, and the recently built ‘Thermos’. Prästgatan is a pedestrian street with shops, restaurants and coffee houses.

Jamtli is an indoor and outdoor museum containing historical buildings, local relics, and an interesting set of Viking tapestries. (B L D) Wednesday 2nd July Steamship on Storsjön; vintage electric haulage to Gävle Östersund is located on the east shore of Storsjön, the “Great Lake”, opposite the major island of Frösön. After breakfast we transfer to Östersund Harbour and board the steamship S.S. “Thomée” for a cruise on this beautiful lake. The mythical Storsjöodjuret is the “Great Lake” Monster first reported in 1635. It is described as a serpentine reptile with fins across its back and the head of a dog. Some accounts describe it as having several humps! We depart from Östersund in our train hauled by a vintage Class ‘Ra’ or ‘Rapid’ electric locomotive. It was built in 1955 and operated by Statens Järnvägar (SJ) on express trains. We shall be served an extensive four course dinner in the dining car as we travel. We return southwards along the electrified Northern Main Line, much of which is single track. We pass through Brunflo, Ånge, Jarvso, Bollnäs, and Ockelbo en route to Gävle. On arrival at Gävle we transfer to our hotel by coach. (B D)

Our train will be hauled by a 2-8-0 steam locomotive which was built to haul trains between the ironworks in Lenna and the standard gauge network. The preserved line runs from Uppsala through Lenna to its headquarters at the former junction of Faringe, where we visit the railway workshops. A light lunch is included. We return to Uppsala hauled by an interesting 0-6-0T steam tank locomotive. On arrival we travel by road coach to Stockholm for overnight accommodation in a hotel. There will be free time in the evening to explore Stockholm and find a restaurant of choice for dinner. (B L) Friday 4th July Return to the UK The morning is free for a sightseeing tour of Stockholm, a city which is spread across 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges, located at the mouth of Lake Mälaren. It is a lively, cosmopolitan place with modern Scandinavian architecture along with fairytale towers; a captivating Old Town, Gamla Stan, the historical centre; and lots of green space. Gamla Stan contains old buildings and narrow cobblestone streets leading to chic shops and cafes. It is also home to the Royal Palace and the Swedish parliament. Later, we transfer by road coach to Stockholm Airport for an afternoon flight to London Heathrow. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2195 £195

Ground only Price per person

£2040

Price includes: • Flights from London Heathrow to Stockholm and return • 8 nights hotel accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels • 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners • Travel by service train and private chartered trains as detailed in the programme • All coach transfers as mentioned in the programme • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2014

Thursday 3rd July Narrow gauge steam After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Uppsala for a trip on the Uppsala-Lenna Railway.

This line opened in 1876 and is the oldest 891 mm gauge narrow gauge railway in the region.

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European Tours - Sweden and the Inlandsbahn with Steam

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Neil Smith

Finland Friday 4th July to Saturday 12th July 2014 Finland is a country with thousands of lakes and islands. Its distinctive language and culture sets it apart from the rest of Nordic Europe. The country has a highly industrialised mixed economy with abundant timber, mineral and freshwater resources. The Finnish summer is generally the best time of year to visit and July is the warmest month. This tour provides a rare opportunity to explore this fascinating country by steam train. There will be ample provision for filming and photography on our travels, not least by stops on train journeys that include ‘run pasts’.

Despite low population density Finnish Railways (VR) operates a fairly extensive railway network of 1,524 mm (5 ft) broad gauge lines. The wide Finnish loading gauge allows the passenger coaches to be considerably wider than most European passenger coaches, providing added comfort and viewing potential. We travel widely by specially chartered train using a variety of preserved steam locomotives which can operate over the VR network. We also visit a preserved narrow gauge railway for a trip by steam and have a tour of Helsinki by vintage tram.

Friday 4th July Flight to Helsinki We have an afternoon flight from London Heathrow to Helsinki. We transfer by road coach to a hotel in central Helsinki for overnight accommodation. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is spread across a number of bays and peninsulas and over a number of islands. There will be free time this evening to find a restaurant of your choice for dinner.

Saturday 5th July Helsinki tram tour; steam train to Kerava This morning we tour Helsinki by specially chartered vintage tram. The Helsinki tram system is one of the oldest electrified tram networks in the world and trams are the main means of transport in the city centre. Afterwards we transfer by road coach to Porvoo, a town on the southern coast of Finland famed for its “Old Town” with cobbled streets and predominantly wooden houses. We have an excursion by specially chartered steam train from Porvoo to Kerava and return, along a route that is partly a preserved railway. Our train will be hauled by Tk3 class 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 1168. We shall pause at Kerava, a junction station on main lines

to Helsinki. We travel by road coach from Porvoo to Kouvola where we check in to a hotel for our overnight accommodation. (B D) Sunday 6th July ‘Pacific’ steam power to the Baltic Sea coast Today we join a privately chartered steam train hauled by one of Finland’s largest express passenger steam locomotives, the preserved Hr1 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 No. 1009. We travel westwards along the main line from Kouvola to Lahti. From Hyvinkää, we follow rural routes through scenic countryside covered with forests to the junction at Karjaa. Here we take the branch line to the Baltic Sea coast at Hanko, providing fine views over the sea. We return by our steam train to Hyvinkää where we have overnight accommodation in a local hotel. (B L D) Monday 7th July Steam on narrow and broad gauge lines We begin the day by travelling by road coach to Riihimäki, an important railway junction and home to preserved steam locomotive Hr1 class 4-6-2 No. 1021 which will be in steam. We then continue by road to Jokioinen where we have a European Tours - Finland

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trip on the 750 mm Jokioinen Museum Railway, the only remaining continuously operated narrow gauge railway in Finland. The line runs for 14 km between Jokioinen and Humppila and our train will be hauled by 2-6-2T steam locomotive No. 5 “Orion”. This locomotive originated on this line but previously operated on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway in Wales. There will be stops en route for photographic run-pasts.

At Minkiö we shall have a guided tour of the locomotive sheds, workshops, and narrow gauge museum, followed by a barbecue lunch.

We continue our steam hauled journey to Humppila with further photographic stops along the way. We rejoin our road coach for the journey to Toijala, an important railway junction, where we visit the railway museum. This distinctive museum specialises in diesel locomotives including, reportedly, the world’s smallest broad gauge locomotive. Its steam collection includes a fireless steam locomotive and Vr1 class 0-6-0T No. 787 which will be in steam. We then travel by our special train, hauled by TV1 class 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 933, from Toijala to Valkeakoksi, along a branch line now used only by freight trains. We transfer to a hotel in Valkeakoski for dinner overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Tuesday 8th July Strategic reserve steam collection; lakeside location This morning we travel by road coach to Orivesi where we have a specially chartered steam train to travel northwards along a secondary route to Haapamäki. Our train will be hauled by Tk3 class 2-8-0 No. 1136. Haapamäki is the location of a railway museum which includes Finland’s strategic reserve of locomotives of all the Finnish steam types. During our visit VR1 class 0-6-0T No. 789 will perform a shunting demonstration. We leave Haapamäki on our train hauled by No. 1136 and travel east to Jyväskylä where we join a freightonly line that runs north to Suolahti. This town is an idyllic location at the southern end of Lake Keitele. We stay here at a hotel, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

We continue to Siilinjärvi where we take a ‘freight only’ line through lake country to Viinijärvi.

Here we join the line to Joensuu, where we stay at a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

(B L D)

Wednesday 9th July Spectacular lakeland scenery by steam train Today we return by our train to Jyväskylä, hauled

by Tr1 class 2-8-2 steam locomotive No. 1082.

We then travel eastwards along the main line between Jyväskylä and Pieksämäki. Here we change locomotives and Hv1 class ‘Pacific’ No. 1009 hauls our train south-eastwards to Savonlinna, over a line used only by freight trains.

We continue to Parikkala which is close to the Russian border. We then travel northwards along the electrified main line north to Joensuu, and onwards by a secondary route to Nurmes.

We have overnight accommodation at a hotel in Nurmes. (B L D)

Saturday 12th July Finnish Railway Museum; return to UK This morning we visit the Finnish Railway Museum in Hyvinkää. The museum site has preserved buildings from the 1870’s and contains a comprehensive collection of locomotives, rolling stock, and many other items. Some exhibits are unique like the only surviving imperial train of the Russian Emperor. The oldest working broad gauge locomotive in Finland, Vk4 class 0-4-0T steam locomotive No. 68 "Leena", will be giving rides on the museum’s demonstration line.

We return to Helsinki for an afternoon flight to London Heathrow. (B)

Friday 11th July Cross country steam We have Hr1 class 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1009 hauling our special train today. We take the secondary route from Joensuu south-westwards to Pieksämäki where we join the electrified main line and travel south to Kouvola. Here we say good bye to our special steam train and join a service train for the onward journey to Lahti.

We travel by road coach from Lahti to Hyvinkää where we have dinner and overnight accommodation in a local hotel. (B D)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2395 £250

Ground only (Helsinki–Helsinki) Price per person £2150 Price includes: • Flights London to Helsinki and return • 8 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels • 5 lunches and 7 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail and road trips as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2014

Neil Smith

Thursday 10th July Unusual routes for passenger train We have a circular trip by our special train today hauled by Hv3 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No. 995. We head north-westwards from Nurmes to Kontiomäki along a route normally used only by freight trains. We change direction of travel at the junction station of Kontiomäki and head southwards along a single track line to Iisalmi where we have a break.

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Nigel Pendse

European Tours - Finland

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Norway Saturday 12th July to Monday 21st July 2014 This tour features one of the most unspoiled destinations in the world. We experience the magnificent Norwegian fjords, travel on one of the best maintained railway systems in Europe, whilst witnessing truly outstanding scenery.

Our tour covers southern Norway beginning in Oslo, Norway’s capital, and also visiting the delightful cities of Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand. We visit the National Railway Museum; travel on four preserved railway lines, including narrow gauge; and the world famous Flåm Railway.

Saturday 12th July Tour of Oslo We take a morning flight from London Heathrow to Oslo where we check in to our hotel for two nights. In the afternoon there will be a sightseeing tour of this rapidly developing city.

Norway has eighteen hours of daylight at this time of year and we take full advantage of this during our tour. (D) Sunday 13th July Steam on the Krøderbanen and UrskogHølandsbanen Railways Today, we travel by private road coach to Krøderen where we join a steam hauled train on the Krøderbanen. This is Norway’s longest preserved railway line and we travel the 26 km to Vikersund and back. Our journey, in carriages built of teak, is along the valley of the River Snarum. In the afternoon our road coach takes us to Sørumsand where we have chartered a steam hauled train on the Urskog-Hølandsbanen line.

There will be opportunities for the train to stop for photographic run pasts on this 750 mm gauge preserved railway which was once part of the Oslo-Stockholm main line. We return to our hotel in Oslo for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Monday 14th July Spectacular Mountains and Fjords en route to Bergen We leave Oslo on the morning train to Bergen, for one of the greatest railway journeys in the world. The route climbs to high altitude at 1,303 metres (4,267 feet) passing lush forests, snow capped mountains, sparkling lakes, and thundering waterfalls. After Finse, the highest station on the line, our journey continues across barren and windswept mountain plateaux with everlasting snow giving a stunning backdrop.

Our train passes through tunnels and beside deep fjords as it descends to Bergen where we arrive mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing in Bergen, a city surrounded by hills and fjords. Locations of note include the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site; fish market; the busy quayside; and the home of Edvard Grieg.

Alternatively, it is possible to take the famous funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløien for panoramic views over the city and out to sea.

Bergen will be our base for the next three nights.

Dinner is not included this evening providing an opportunity to try one of Bergen’s excellent restaurants. (B)

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Tuesday 15th July Cruise Sognefjord and ride the Flåm Railway Bergen is the gateway to the fjords and today we board a ship there for a cruise along the Sognefjord to Balestrand and Flåm. Sognefjord is Norway’s largest fjord and the second longest in the world at over 200 km (127 miles).

Cliffs surrounding the fjord rise almost sheer from the water and pretty villages cling to the steep sides. We arrive at Flåm and find lunch ashore.

In the afternoon we ride the electric Flåm Railway, one of the steepest railway lines in the world.

It climbs 865 metres in 20 kilometres through spectacular scenery to Myrdal Station. The train stops by the famous Kjosfossen Waterfall for passengers to take photographs. We change trains at Myrdal, for the journey back to Bergen.

(B D) Wednesday 16th July Bergen and Garnes to Midttun We have the morning free to explore Bergen.

Mid-afternoon, we transfer by road coach to the Gamle Vossebanen, a heritage railway near Garnes. Here we join a chartered train from Garnes to Midttun, and return, hauled by an ex-main line steam locomotive. The line is 18 km long and we will arrange for the train to stop for photographic run pasts as we pass through the Arna Valley. We return to Bergen by road coach and have dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Thursday 17th July Cruise to Stavanger; Kristiansand We leave Bergen in the morning on our privately chartered sightseeing boat to Stavanger, enjoying a relaxing cruise through the calm coastal waters of the south-western islands. We transfer by road coach from Stavanger Harbour to the railway station where we board a train for Kristiansand.

We stay overnight in Kristiansand. (B D) Friday 18th July The Setesdalsbanen Narrow Gauge Railway Today we travel by road coach to Grovane where we join a steam hauled chartered train on the Setesdalsbanen. This is a 1067 mm narrow gauge railway that has some rare types of locomotives; including two delightful Dubbs tank locomotives, built in 1894. Later we join a regular train from Kristiansand to Hamar via Oslo. We stay overnight in Hamar. (B D) Saturday 19th July Hamar Railway Museum; Train to Ålesund This morning we visit the National Railway Museum at Hamar to view the national collection and take a trip on their steam operated museum line. We board an early afternoon train to Andalsnes, and then continue by road coach to Ålesund.

This is Norway’s fishing capital and it is situated on several islands. We stay overnight in Ålesund.

(B D) Sunday 20th July Cruise the Geirangerfjord Today, we board a ship for a full day’s cruise along the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords and famous for its spectacularly steep sides and scenic high waterfalls. We should arrive back in Ålesund by the early evening, providing time to explore this Art Nouveau town by the sea. Again, we stay overnight in Ålesund.

(B D) Monday 21st July Return to London We transfer by road coach from Ålesund to Andalsnes where we join a service train to Oslo Airport. We have a late afternoon flight back to London. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2220 £255

Ground only Price per person

£2025

Price includes: • Flights from London to Oslo and return • 9 nights hotel accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels including breakfasts • 1 lunch and 8 dinners • Rail travel as detailed in the itinerary • All transfers.

• All travel by ship and road coach as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2014

Mike Hyde

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Mike Hyde

European Tours - Norway

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Austria and Czech Republic Monday 11th August to Tuesday 19th August 2014 This tour provides an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Austria and the Czech Republic during the summer. We shall discover the rich culture and fascinating heritage of these Central European countries. We have an exciting combination of steam-hauled travel on scenic mountain railways, over remote “back country” branch lines, and aboard vintage narrow gauge trains. We have an Alpine lake cruise, visit panoramic mountain peaks by steam train, see forest landscapes and country towns, and stay in elegant Baroque cities. An additional highlight of our tour will be the two days of steam train travel in the Czech Republic, on rural narrow gauge lines and a standard gauge main line.

There will be excellent opportunities for filming and photography in various outstanding scenic locations as well as the many railway settings, including ‘run pasts’ by trains. Experience Austria and the Czech Republic in a new way on a tour that emphasises culture, nature and comfort.

Monday 11th August London to Salzburg We travel from London St. Pancras International to Paris by a Eurostar service, from Paris to Munich by a French TGV express train, and from Munich to Salzburg by a EuroCity train. We have four night´s accommodation in Salzburg, at a 4-star hotel near to the railway station and the city´s historic old town.

Tuesday 12th August Scenic cruise and steam in the Austrian Alps After breakfast, we take a bus from Salzburg to St. Gilgen for a scenic cruise on Lake Wolfgang.

At St. Wolfgang we join a specially chartered train on the ‘Schafberbahn’, the rack railway on Mount Schafsberg. We shall travel in a vintage passenger carriage known as the “Kaiserwagen”, originally built for use by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef, and pushed up the mountain by a coal-fired steam locomotive dating from 1893.

Amazing views unfold as the train climbs the 1,783 metre high Schafberg. At the summit unparalleled 360° panoramas open up, revealing Austria´s highest peaks, nearby glaciers, and no less than seven Alpine lakes below. There are three attractive mountain inns at the summit providing a choice of venue for lunch. In the

afternoon we return by our steam train to St. Wolfgang and from there continue by boat to St. Gilgen. We return to Salzburg by bus and the evening will be free to explore the city and find a restaurant of your choice for dinner. (B L) Wednesday 13th August Hohenwerfen Castle and steam on the Taurach Railway This morning we take a service train from Salzburg to Bischofshofen, an important railway junction and well known for winter sports.

We then travel by road coach to Werfen, a market town that is dominated by the imposing Hohenwerfen Castle. Our coach takes us to the castle where we have lunch. After our visit we travel by road over an impressive mountain pass to Mauterndorf in the Taurach Valley, deep in the central Austrian Alps. In Mauterndorf we visit the 760 mm narrow gauge Taurach Railway where we have chartered a steam train for our exclusive use.

Our motive power is provided by an 0-8-0 steam locomotive No. 699.01 of 1944 vintage.

The Taurach Railway is a heritage line that operates over the westernmost part of the 76 km long Murtalbahn. We pass through superb scenery as we travel along the river valley in this remote part of Alpine Austria. There will be opportunities to stage photographic ‘run pasts’ en route.

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The passenger terminus on the heritage line is at St. Andrä Andlwirt, whereas we shall travel a further 2 km to meet the Murtalbahn at Tamsweg, a section rarely used by steam trains.

In Tamsweg there is a small station pub where we pause for an early buffet dinner. We return by train to Mauterndorf, then by road to Bischofshofen from where we travel by service train to Salzburg. (B L D) Thursday 14th August Steam on the Pinzgau Railway and Krimml Waterfalls Today we travel by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) service train to the famous town of Zell am See. At the lakeside railway station we board a privately chartered steam train on the Pinzgau Railway, one of Austria’s longest narrow gauge branch lines. Our train will be hauled by a unique “high speed” narrow gauge steam locomotive which can travel at up to 60 km/h. The 2-6-2 steam locomotive No. 73-019 was built in Budapest in 1913 and is one of the most elegant and graceful narrow gauge steam locomotives in Central Europe. It will have plenty of opportunity to demonstrate its power as it hauls our train over the 52 km long line through the mountainous Pinzgau Valley to Krimml. Lunch will be provided in the buffet car on the train.

On arrival at Krimml we transfer by bus to the world famous Krimmler Waterfalls, the highest in Austria. We return to Krimml for our train trip back to Zell am See and there will be opportunities to stop for photographic ‘run pasts’.

We return by ÖBB service train from Zell am See to Salzburg in the late afternoon. (B L) Friday 15th August Steam on the Mariazell Railway; Gmünd After breakfast we leave Salzburg and travel by service train along the main line to St. Pölten.

In St. Pölten we join an exclusively chartered train on the Mariazellbahn, Austria’s longest and most spectacular Alpine narrow gauge railway. We shall travel in comfortable first class carriages hauled by the classic 1908 built Austro-Hungarian 0-8+4 articulated tender locomotive No. Mh 6. The 84 km long branch line runs between St. Pölten and the pilgrimage town of Mariazell and we shall cover the entire length. A buffet lunch will be provided on the train. There will be a short break in Mariazell which is situated in Salza Valley amid the north Styrian Alps. We return by our steam train to Ober-Grafendorf, the operational base of the railway, just outside St. Pölten. From there our road coach will take us to Gmünd in northwestern Austria. We shall spend the next three nights at the four-star Hotel Goldener Stern, a friendly country inn that provides typical Austrian hospitality. We have dinner at the hotel this evening. (B L D) Saturday 16th August Steam in South Bohemia We make our first visit to Bohemia today. Gmünd is situated at the frontier with the Czech Republic and we take the short drive to Jindr˘ichu˚v Hradec, the base of the Czech Republic’s premier narrow gauge railway. The privately operated Jindr˘ichu˚v Hradec Místní Dráhy (JHMD) is formed of a 46 km long northern branch line and a 32 km long southern line. Today we shall travel over the northern line, through forests and fields of the so-called Czech Highlands, to the terminus at Obratan˘. Our train will be hauled by ‘Mallet’ steam locomotive No. U47.001. We shall see all the 1950’s vintage diesel locomotives that operate timetabled trains over this route. There will be opportunity for just one photographic ‘run past’ because of the regular service trains.

Our train will feature a buffet car where lunch will be served.

In the late afternoon we visit the historic town centre of Jindr˘ichu˚v Hradec, which boasts an attractive town square and an impressive Baroque chateau. We return to Gmünd for dinner at the hotel this evening. (B L D) Sunday 17th August Steam in “Czech Canada” Today we return to the JHMD for a second day of travel in South Bohemia. We take the southern branch line which passes through the “Czech Canada”, an area that takes its name from the lake and forest landscape. Our train will be hauled by the 0-6-2 steam tank locomotive No. U37.001 for our journey over the 32 km long line to Nová Bystr˘ice. Here we have a short break and a chance to obtain refreshments at the station.

We return by our steam train to Jindr˘ichu˚v Hradec. We then take our road coach to visit the historic town of Tr˘ebon˘, with its chateau, Baroque town square, city ramparts, and traditional brewery. In the evening we have dinner together at the hotel in Gmünd. (B L D) Monday 18th August Steam on the Czech main line through West Bohemia ˘ After breakfast we cross the border to Ceské Velenice, Gmünd’s twin city in the Czech Republic. ˘ service train There we join a Czech Railway ( CD) formed of comfortable compartment carriages and hauled by a vintage class 242 Bo-Bo electric ˘ locomotive. We travel to Ceské Budejovice where ˘ we change trains and continue along the main line to Pilzen, a city in West Bohemia. Here we join the first main line chartered steam train of our tour. We travel over the West Bohemian main line from Pilsen to Cheb, on the border of Bavaria, hauled by the giant 4-8-2 steam locomotive No. 475.111. This scenic stretch of main line track was built for fast speeds but rarely sees steam traction today. A buffet lunch will be provided on the train. At Cheb we change to a German Deutsche Bahn (DB) service train and travel to Nuremberg.

(B L)

Tour Summary Price per person

£2075

Price per person

£1825

Single supplement

£195

First Class on Eurostar, TGV, EuroCity, ICE trains Standard Class on Eurostar, TGV, EuroCity, ICE trains

Ground only (Salzburg–Nuremburg) Price per person £1625 Price includes: • Train travel London to Salzburg and Nuremberg to London • 8 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 7 lunches and 4 dinners • All train and road coach travel shown in the itinerary • All transfers and visits as shown in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner August 2014 M

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Tuesday 19th August Return to London We return to London by taking a DB Intercity Express (ICE) train from Nuremberg to Brussels via Frankfurt and Cologne. We change trains at Brussels and take a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Bill Salter

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France and Switzerland Tuesday 12th August to Tuesday 19th August 2014 This year’s version of our popular Steam Safari centres on both Western Switzerland and Eastern France. We explore the mountainous beauty of these regions by steam train and paddle steamer. We shall be based in the cosmopolitan Swiss city of Lausanne; journey across Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchatel on a variety of different Belle Époque (the ‘beautiful era’ of the late 19th and early 20th centuries) steamboats; ride to the top of the stunning Rochers de Naye panoramic peak above Montreux; and visit the excellent Blonay-Chamby heritage railway and museum.

We shall travel on four different narrow gauge, plus three standard gauge, specially chartered steam trains, and also experience the luxurious comfort of the Alpine Pullman Express. One of the steam highlights of the tour is our day out aboard the historic paddle steamer “Neuchâtel” dating from 1912. All tour participants will be issued with a Swiss Pass which provides unrestricted travel on Swiss trains and some other forms of transportation. This will provide additional mobility during free time on the tour.

Tuesday 12th August London to Lausanne We travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord and then transfer by road coach to Paris-Gare de Lyon.

We take a French TGV express train direct to Lausanne where we stay at the Hotel Mirabeau for the duration of the tour. This splendid 4-star hotel is conveniently located in the city centre and close to the railway station. Dinner will be served at the hotel tonight. (D) Wednesday 13th August Steamboat cruise on Lake Geneva; Swiss Vapeur Parc in Le Bouveret The day is devoted to discovering the beautiful shoreline attractions of Lake Geneva. We have a late morning departure from Lausanne-Ouchy in an historic paddle steamer, cross the lake and sail along the French shoreline where there are stunning views of the French Alps. We disembark at Le Bouveret and visit the delightful “Swiss Vapeur Parc” which contains Switzerland’s largest miniature railway. We shall travel by steam train over the entire circuit passing through a miniature landscape of well known Swiss landmarks.

Lunch and refreshments will be served at the

Vapeur Parc. Later in the afternoon we return to Lausanne using a different steamboat. Our route is also different, along the Swiss Riviera on the northern shores of Lake Geneva. We pass the historic island Château de Chillon, Montreux, Vevey, and the daringly constructed Lavaux terraced vineyards on the hillsides. We arrive back in Lausanne in the late afternoon and the evening will be free to enjoy the city at your own leisure.

(B L) Thursday 14th August Steamboat cruise on the Jura lakes Today a real steam highlight awaits us as we embark on a journey of discovery on the Jura Lakes of Western Switzerland. For more than forty years it has been impossible to travel by paddle steamer over the three lakes of Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten and the two canals that connect them. The complete refurbishment of the historic side-wheel paddle steamer “Neuchâtel” has changed that. We sail aboard the “Neuchâtel” from its namesake city and spend several hours on the ship soaking up the atmosphere and appreciating the beautiful scenery that is marked by the Jura Mountains to the West, the Alps to the South-East, and gentle hills along the shores European Tours - France and Switzerland

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of the lake. There will ample opportunity to have lunch in the boat’s stately saloon. When we return to Neuchâtel in the afternoon there will be some free time to explore this elegant lake-side city and discover its castle and cathedral. Later on we return to Lausanne by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) service train. (B) Friday 15th August Rochers de Naye and Steam on the BlonayChamby Heritage Railway This morning we take an SBB service train from Lausanne to Montreux. Here we board a train on a traditional Swiss rack and pinion railway for the climb up to the peak of the dominant Rochers de Naye. From the summit there are breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. There will be time for lunch at the summit lodge before we return to Montreux.

In Montreux, we join a privately chartered first class Belle Epoque electric train to travel along the narrow gauge line to the Blonay-Chamby heritage railway and museum. We have chartered a train hauled by an historic steam tank locomotive to travel over the entire extent of this beautifully situated narrow gauge railway.

We have exclusive use of the railway and this will

allow opportunities to stage photographic runpasts. There will be time to view the entire museum collection, including visiting the steam locomotive workshop. Alternatively, it will be possible to relax at the local tea room and have afternoon refreshments whilst enjoying the views of Lake Geneva. At the conclusion of our visit, we shall join a Belle Epoque electric railcar to travel by a different route to Vevey. At Vevey, we join an SBB service train for the journey back to Lausanne. (B)

of a standard gauge route that used to link Valorbe in Switzerland and Pontarlier in France.

We have chartered a train hauled by an old Swiss steam tank locomotive to travel over the entire length of the route from Les Hôpitaux-Neufs to Fontaine-Ronde and back. There will be opportunities for photography and filming, especially when run-pasts are staged for our train.

In the late afternoon, we return to Valorbe by road coach from where we take a service train back to Lausanne. (B L D)

Saturday 16th August Steam to Yvoire and Steam on the Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher Railway After breakfast we embark upon another steamboat cruise on Lake Geneva. This time we explore the shoreline and scenery immediately west of Lausanne on our way to Yvoire in France.

We shall spend a few hours exploring this quaint medieval town and having lunch. In the afternoon we return to Lausanne by a different steamboat.

In the evening we discover one of Switzerland´s best kept railway secrets as we travel by privately chartered steam train on the picturesque Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher Railway (LEB).

We join the LEB’s classic metre gauge train at Cheseaux and travel to the farming village of Bercher. The train includes a stylish bar car in which a buffet dinner will be provided and the locomotive crew will stage a photographic runpast for us as we travel. At the conclusion of our journey we return to our hotel in Lausanne. (B D)

Monday 18th August Alpine Pullman Express; steam tram in Bern; steam train to Lausanne.

After breakfast we take an SBB service train to Montreux where we board the Alpine Pullman Express on the metre gauge Montreux–Oberland Bernois Railway (MOB). We travel over the spectacular Golden Pass route through the very heart of the Swiss Alps and lunch will be served as we travel. At Zweisimmen we change trains and join a Bern–Lötschberg–Simplon Railway (BLS) service for the continuation of our journey to the Swiss capital city of Bern.

Another treat awaits us in Bern when we travel aboard the city’s historic steam tram. The metre gauge 0-6-0 tramway locomotive pulls a classic wooden carriage with open ended balconies and has been chartered for our exclusive use. We shall pass many of the city’s historic landmarks and conclude our journey at the medieval Zytglogge clock tower, Bern’s most famous landmark.

There will be spare time to explore Bern before we board a specially chartered main line steam train to return to Lausanne. Our train of 1st class carriages will be hauled by a powerful 2-6-2T steam tank locomotive, the fastest in Switzerland.

We travel via Fribourg and Romont, passing through some of the very best main line railway scenery in Switzerland, particularly the descent through the Lavaux vineyards into Lausanne.

Dinner will be served on the train and provide a fitting conclusion to our tour. (B L D)

Sunday 17th August Steam in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland and France Today we visit two different standard gauge steam railways in remote valleys of the Jura Mountains. We travel by SBB service train from Lausanne to Le Pont where we board our own privately chartered steam train consisting of original open platform carriages. The 14 km long railway line connects the villages of Le Pont and Le Brassus running along the northern shore of Lac de Joux. A buffet lunch and other refreshments will be provided on the train.

At the conclusion of this journey we take a service train to the nearby Swiss border town of Valorbe.

From there a road coach takes us into France where we visit the Coni’Fer. This preserved railway runs on the remaining 7.5 km long track

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2195 £225

Ground only (Lausanne–Lausanne) Price per person £1895 Price includes: • 7 nights accommodation with breakfast in a 4-star hotel • 3 lunches and 4 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains and steam tram as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail and steam boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Switzerland and back • A Swiss Pass for travel in Switzerland • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner August 2014 M

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Tuesday 19th August Return to London We return to London by taking a direct TGV service from Lausanne to Paris-Gare de Lyon.

We transfer by coach to Paris Gare du Nord from where we travel by a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Andrew Thompson

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Jakob Stilling

Denmark and Southern Sweden Friday 29th August to Monday 8th September 2014 This new tour provides an excellent opportunity to explore Denmark and Southern Sweden by train, many of them steam hauled. We travel extensively in Denmark, a Scandinavian country consisting of Jutland and numerous islands, including Zealand and Funen. Trains are operated by Danish State Railways (DSB) but other smaller operators provide local services. We cross by ferry from Denmark to Southern Sweden and travel in highly scenic areas of the Swedish State Railways (SJ). Highlights of this tour include a lake trip by paddle steamer, island hopping by train, and chartered steam trains on heritage railways.

Friday 29th August London to Copenhagen We take a flight from London to Copenhagen, Denmark. On arrival we have a tour of the city and visit the museum and railway workshops.

Once a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark and is characterised by promenades and waterfronts, bridges and tunnels. We have overnight accommodation in Copenhagen.

Saturday 30th August Main line steam; steam on the Maribo to Bandholm Museum Railway Today we travel by train from Copenhagen Central Station to the island of Lolland. Our journey features haulage by S Class 2-6-4T steam tank locomotive No. 736 travelling over the electrified main line through Roskilde to Ringsted, and the branch line to Næstved and Vordingborg. Here we change motive power to preserved MY class diesel locomotive No. 1101 and travel south, island hopping, to the beautiful island of Lolland.

We have a privately chartered steam train for a return trip on the 8 km long standard gauge line from Maribo to the port town of Bandholm.

We return from Maribo to Vordingborg by our special train hauled by No. 1101. Steam locomotive No. 736 takes our train from Vordinborg to Copenhagen via Næstved, Køge and the coast line through Brøndby.

We return to our hotel in Copenhagen for overnight accommodation. (B) Sunday 31st August Steam on western branch lines; classic diesel to Jutland We begin the day exploring three branch lines in western Zealand by train. We shall travel in vintage carriages hauled by a preserved 4-4-0 steam locomotive, No. K564 built in 1899.

We journey from Roskilde to Tølløse and the seaport of Holbæk. From this junction station, we take the branch line north to Nykøbing Sjælland, a seaside resort; the branch line westwards to Kalundborg, a seaport town; and the route southwards via Tølløse and Høng to Slagelse. We continue our journey hauled by preserved MY class diesel locomotive No. 1159.

We cross the Great Belt by tunnel and bridge to the island of Funen, and over the Little Belt Strait on to the Jutland Peninsula.

We travel northwards through picturesque countryside with forests, fjords and lakes, passing Århus en route to Randers, where we have overnight accommodation. (B) Monday 1st September Across Jutland to Struer by steam train Today we have a delightful trip by steam train westwards from Randers across the Jutland Peninsula. Our train will be hauled by 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. K563. We travel through European Tours - Denmark and Southern Sweden

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wonderful panoramas of woodland, rivers, lakes, and fjords en route to Viborg, Skive and Handbjerg. The line skirts Venø Bay approaching Struer, a market town and important railway junction. We return by steam train to Randers and to our hotel for overnight accommodation. (B) Tuesday 2nd September Steam train and historic paddle steamer This morning we travel north by road coach to the village of Handest. Here we join a specially chartered steam train for a return trip on the Mariager-Handest Veteran Railway (MHVJ), Denmark’s longest heritage railway. This line passes through some of Denmark’s most picturesque countryside, to the lakeside town of Mariager. We then travel south by road to Silkeborg where we board the 1861 built paddle steamer “Hjejlan”, the world’s second oldest operating paddle steamer, for a spectacular lake cruise to the Himmelbjerget hill area. We return by road to Randers where we join our train hauled

by No. 1101 for the journey to Odense. At Odense we visit the Danish National Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in Scandinavia. We stay overnight at a hotel in Odense (B) Wednesday 3rd September Steam train in Zealand; ferry to Sweden Today we travel by service train along the electrified main line from Odense to Copenhagen.

On arrival we join a special train, hauled by

ex-DSB 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. K582, for a trip around secondary lines in north-east Zealand.

We travel north along the electrified east coast line to Helsingør, then along a secondary line to Hornsbæk and Gilleleje from where we travel south to Grætsted and Hillerød. We return to Copenhagen where we board a road coach for the journey to Helsingør. Here we board a ferry and cross the 4 km wide Øresund Strait to Helsingborg in Sweden. We continue north by road to the picturesque west coast port town of Halmstad, where we check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Thursday 4th September Main line steam charter to the Landeryd Railway Museum After breakfast we transfer to Halmstad Station and join a specially chartered train hauled by E2 class 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 1333. We head north along the non-electrified line following the scenic valley of the River Nissan through Oskarström and Torup. Our destination is Landeryd which was once a busy railway junction with a locomotive depot. We visit the railway museum which is located in the restored halfroundhouse and see the growing collection of railway vehicles, including operating steam and diesel locomotives. A buffet lunch will be provided in the museum. We return to Halmstad by our special steam train and have dinner at our hotel this evening. (B L D) Friday 5th September Heritage and main line steam in Sweden We travel by road coach from Halmstad to Klippan. We have chartered a train of vintage wooden carriages hauled by a classic steam locomotive, MTJ 2-6-0T No. 2a, for a return trip on the standard gauge Klippan – Ljungbyhed Railway. We rejoin our road coach and travel west to the coastal town of Ängelholm where we join a special train hauled by the magnificent F class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 No. F1200.

We travel south across the plains of Scania, the southernmost county of Sweden, stopping for a photographic run past en route. Our destination is Malmö, a port city, where we have overnight accommodation at a hotel. (B) Saturday 6th September Main line steam; Nässjö centenary celebrations After breakfast we transfer to Malmö Station from where Pacific No. F1200 will haul our train northwards via the electrified double track SJ Southern Main Line to Nässjö. Once just three farms, until it was chosen as the place where railway routes would meet, Nässjö soon became a major railway junction and is now the only one in Sweden where six lines meet. It received city status in 1914 and we shall join the centenary celebrations which will attract extra trains, some of which may be steam hauled. We stay at a hotel in Nässjö. (B) Sunday 7th September Steam train to Stockholm We leave Nässjö hauled by No. F1200 and head for Stockholm, journeys end for our F class Pacific.

There are some very scenic views when we pass over several bridges as we approach Sweden’s capital city. Stockholm is spread across fourteen islands and is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North”. We have overnight accommodation at a hotel in Stockholm. (B) Monday 8th September Return to UK This morning there is the option of a main line trip from Stockholm Central with S1 class 2-6-4T steam tank locomotive or a guided city tour.

We have an afternoon flight to London.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2395 £250

Ground only (Copenhagen–Stockholm) Price per person £2180 Price includes: • Flights London to Copenhagen and Stockholm to London • 10 nights accommodation with breakfast • 1 lunch and 2 dinners • All specially chartered steam and diesel trains as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail, road and boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September 2014 M

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Nigel Dobbing

Black Sea Express Thursday 11th September to Sunday 21st September 2014 This tour provides an opportunity to travel by steam train through many of the most scenic areas of Bulgaria.

We use a variety of standard gauge locomotives for a grand steam hauled tour aboard the Bulgarian Royal Train.

We also travel on a narrow gauge steam train for the spectacular journey through the Rhodope Mountains between Dobrinishte and Velingrad.

The tour begins in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and heads for the Black Sea Coast at Burgas. This area is well known for its major seaside resorts and vast white sandy beaches. We also travel into Greece, stay beside the stunning Aegean Sea, and travel by train across northern Greece. The Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains are in an area with a rich cultural heritage containing medieval castles, churches, monasteries, and picturesque villages with traditional Bulgarian architecture from 18th and 19th centuries. We visit the famous Rila Monastery, the historic towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Nesebar, before we conclude our tour in Sofia.

Thursday 11th September Sofia, Bulgaria We take a British Airways flight from London Heathrow direct to Sofia, where we check in to a 4-star hotel. In the afternoon, we have arranged a city tour and a tram ride. Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with historic buildings spread across the city centre. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters and claims to be one of the few European capitals with beautiful scenery. Sofia has an interesting mix of traditional narrow gauge tram lines and a few more recently built standard gauge lines.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening. (D) Friday 12th September Steam and the Bulgarian Royal Train This morning we transfer to Sofia Railway Station to join our special train formed of historic carriages from the Royal Train of King Boris III. Our train will be hauled by 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 05.01 for the journey northwards via the spectacular Iska Gorge to Mezdra, an important railway junction. At Cherven Brjag, we change locomotives and continue our journey with ‘Mikado’ 2-8-2 No. 01.23, arguably the best steam locomotive in the Bulgarian fleet. We travel

eastwards along an electrified main line, climbing some steep gradients, en route to Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria’s primary tourist destinations.

We stay at the centrally located Hotel Yantra and have dinner in the hotel this evening. (B L D) Saturday 13th September Exploring Veliko Tarnovo; steam to Stara Zagora After a traditional breakfast in our hotel, there is an optional sightseeing tour of historic Veliko Tarnovo. The city is located on the River Yantra and is famous as the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old city is situated on three hills through which the river meanders.

Tsarevets is one of the hills and also the location of a stronghold of the same name. We tour the city and discover some of its historical landmarks.

Around midday, we depart with steam locomotives No. 01.23 and No. 03.12 double heading our train and travel south along a single track line through the mountains. Our destination is Stara Zagora, where we stay overnight. (B L D)

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Sunday 14th September To Burgas and the Black Sea coast After a leisurely breakfast, we join our ‘Royal Train’ and leave Stara Zagora hauled by steam locomotives No. 01.23 and No. 03.12. We travel westwards via Nova Zagora, Zimnitza and Karnobat to Burgas on the Black Sea coast.

Here we stay in the luxury beach hotel Primorec for 2 nights. (B L D) Monday 15th September Free day in Burgas We have a free day in Burgas today and maybe relax on the beach. Alternatively, we have a trip by road coach to historic Nesebar. The old town is situated on a peninsular connected to the mainland by a narrow man-made Isthmus.

It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the abundance of its historic buildings.

We return by coach to our luxury hotel in Burgas for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Tuesday 16th September Bulgarian Royal Train by steam to Dimitrivgrad Today we leave Burgas and travel by our special train hauled by steam locomotive No. 01.23.

We return eastwards along the main line to Nova Zagora where we take a rural route, normally used only by freight trains, to Simeonovgrad.

We continue to Dimitrivgrad where we leave our train and transfer to the Green Park Hotel in Haskovo for dinner and overnight accommodation.

(B L D) Wednesday 17th September Steam train to Podkova; Aegean Sea in Greece This morning we re-join the ‘Royal Train’, double headed by No. 01.23 and No. 03.12, at Dimitrovgrad. We head south along a non electrified branch line, climbing through beautiful scenery beside rivers and lakes, passing through Kardzhali and to the terminus at Podkova.

From Podkova we travel by road coach, cross the border into Greece, and take the relatively short journey to Alexandroupoli, an important port city on the beautiful Agean coast. We have dinner and overnight accommodation at a 4-star beach hotel in Alexandroupoli. (B L D) Thursday 18th September Across northern Greece by train We leave Alexandroupoli Station travelling in two Greek first class carriages and hauled by an aged ‘Alco’ diesel locomotive. We head westwards through northern Greece travelling along an intriguing line which passes through varied scenery including mountain ranges. The route takes us through places with fascinating names such as Mesti, Komotini, Xanthi, and Drama.

We cross the border into Bulgaria and stop at Kulata from where we transfer to our 5 star hotel in Sandanski for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Friday 19th September ‘Pacific’ steam power to Dupnitsa After breakfast we leave Kulata on the Bulgarian Royal Train hauled by an 05 class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive. We head north to General Todorov where we change direction of travel and our steam locomotive ‘runs round’ our train to take us for a return trip along the charming branch line to Petric. We then continue along the scenic main line with fine views of the Rhodope Mountains.

At Dupnitsa we leave the ‘Royal Train’ and travel by road coach to the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most famous monastery. After our visit we continue by road to Bansko for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 20th September Narrow gauge steam in the Rhodope Mountains Today we travel to Dobrinishte by road coach to join a narrow gauge train, hauled solely by steam traction, for the journey north to Septemvri.

Steam trains travelling south from Velingrad on the Rhodope Mountains line have to be piloted by a diesel locomotive up the steep gradients and through the spiral tunnels.

In the opposite direction no diesel locomotive assistance is required. Our train will be hauled by the magnificent 2-10-4T steam tank locomotive No. 609.76. We travel to Bansko from where we begin to climb through the magnificent scenery of the Rila Mountains, the highest mountain range in Bulgaria and the Balkans. We traverse two open spirals before arriving at Avramovo Kolibi, the summit of the Rhodope Mountains line at 1,267 metres above sea level. The journey is now mainly downhill and we negotiate several spirals and tunnels before arriving in Velingrad. Here we have a break before continuing to Septemvri.

At Septemvri we join a special diesel hauled train for the journey to Sofia. (B L D) Sunday 21st September Return to UK This morning there will be an optional visit to the Sofia Locomotive Depot or alternatively free time to explore Sofia. We transfer by road coach to the airport for an early afternoon British Airways flight to London Heathrow. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£2395 £295

Ground only Price per person

£2185

Price includes: • Flights London Heathrow to Sofia and return • 10 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 8 lunches (some on train; picnic lunches) and 10 dinners • Train and road coach travel shown in the itinerary • Transfers and sightseeing as shown in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Stephen Pratt

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Chris Bailey

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Andrew Thompson

Steam in the Swiss Mountains Thursday 11th September to Friday 19th September 2014 This tour offers all that is best in Swiss scenery by visiting the Graubünden region in the south east and the Bernese Oberland in the centre of the country. Graubünden has many mountain ranges that feature extensive glaciers and some of the deepest valleys in Europe. We explore the area by travelling on the metre gauge Rhaetian Railway (RhB) on ‘the little red trains’ to St. Moritz, over the spectacular Bernina Pass, and by steam train to the famous hill resorts of Klosters and Davos. We also travel by steam train over the original summit route of the legendary “Glacier Express”. The Bernese Oberland is an area of outstanding natural beauty in central Switzerland. It is well known for its lakes and the tallest and most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps, including the Jungfrau and the Eiger. We stay in the charming mountain village of Wengen.

Thursday 11th September London to Chur Our tour begins with a journey by a Eurostar train from London St. Pancras International or Ebbsfleet to Paris Gare du Nord. We transfer to Paris Gare de l'Est and travel from there to Basel in Switzerland via Strasbourg. We change trains at Basel and use a Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) service to Chur via Zurich. We check in to our hotel in Chur, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (D) Friday 12th September The Bernina Express Today we experience one of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps. We travel by service train from Chur to St. Moritz along the Albula line of the metre gauge RhB. The final ascent of the Albula Pass is an amazing feat of engineering and involves climbing by numerous loops and spirals before we pass through a long tunnel into the Engadine Valley. St. Moritz is a famous resort located in an idyllic situation above its namesake lake and surrounded by mountains. From St. Moritz we climb even higher to the Bernina Pass, the highest railway crossing in Europe and on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The journey takes us into the mountains past waterfalls, glaciers and across dramatic ravines. From Alp

Grüm we descend steeply through forests into the beautiful Poschiavo Valley and the historic town of Poschiavo. We return from Poschiavo travelling on the world famous “Bernina Express” train travelling in ‘panorama carriages’ to maximise on the splendid views en route. We return to our hotel in Chur for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Saturday 13th September Steam on the Davos circular We travel from Chur to Landquart to join a special steam excursion for a circular trip into the mountains of Graubünden. Our train will consist of vintage four wheel carriages hauled by a Rhaetian Railway (RhB) 2-8-0 steam locomotive.

We travel up the beautiful Prättigau Valley, climbing to the famous winter sports resorts of Klosters and Davos. We then follow the River Landwasser along a romantic valley to the junction with the RhB main line at Filisur.

We change direction of travel and cross the famous Landwasser Viaduct on our return to Landquart via Tiefencastel, Thusis, and Chur.

We return to our hotel in Chur for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

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Sunday 14th September Furka Steam Railway on the Glacier Express route Today is a highlight of the tour as we experience one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. We travel by service train from Chur along the scenic route up the Rhine Valley to Disentis. Here we change trains and travel through the mountains to Andermatt and Realp.

We then travel steam-hauled by rack & pinion train over the original summit route of the legendary Glacier Express. We make the remarkable journey from Realp to Oberwald by steam train passing through unpopulated valleys rich in Alpine flora and fauna, climb past pristine mountain meadows, and view the magnificent Rhone Glacier shortly before Gletsch. There will be some free time in Oberwald to soak up the scenery, take photographs, and find a place for lunch. We continue by service trains to Brig where we join a Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) metre gauge train to Zermatt. We have dinner and overnight accommodation in a Zermatt hotel.

(B D) Monday 15th September Mountain magnificence This morning we travel on the railway line that is the highest open air rack railway in Europe.

The Gornergrat Bahn is a 9 km metre gauge mountain railway to the summit of the Gornergrat (3,089 metres; 10,135 feet). The amazing views from the summit include several glaciers, and on a clear day, over twenty mountain peaks over 4,000 metres high, including the world famous Matterhorn. We return to Zermatt and there will be free time in the afternoon to explore this quiet mountain resort. The entire town is a combustionengine car-free zone, in order to prevent air pollution which could obscure the town's view of the Matterhorn. We stay overnight at our hotel in Zermatt. (B) Tuesday 16th September To the beautiful Bernese Oberland After breakfast in our hotel, we transfer from the Valais region to the Bernese Oberland, an area of outstanding natural beauty in central Switzerland.

It is well known for its lakes and the tallest and most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps, including the Jungfrau and the Eiger. Our journey by train from Brig is by way of the Lötschberg Line, an impressive railway route through the Swiss Alps that includes loops, spirals and the famous Lötschberg Tunnel. It connects Brig to Interlaken via Spiez. We then travel by the metre gauge Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) and Wengernalpbahn (WAB) into the mountains at the heart of the Bernese Oberland.

We stay at a hotel in Wengen for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Thursday 18th September Free day in Wengen We have breakfast in the hotel and then the remainder of the day is free for a choice of activities. There is the option of relaxing at the hotel and making use of the leisure facilities which include an indoor swimming pool, steam bath and sauna. There is also the option of taking a leisurely stroll through the village, or more energetic hiking to incredible viewpoints.

The Swiss Card can be used to make visits with discounted travel to places such as the Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten illuminated glacier-waterfalls inside the mountain, made accessible by a tunnel-lift. Alternatively a visit to the car-free village of Mürren by cable and mountain railway from Lauterbrunnen features views of the three famous mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. (B) Friday 19th September Return to UK After breakfast in our hotel we join local trains to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken Ost. We then travel

by German Railways (DB) from Interlaken to Basel where we change trains and continue to Paris Gare de L’Est via Strasbourg. We transfer to Paris Gare du Nord and take a Eurostar service back to Ebbsfleet or London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person

£1695

Price per person

£1495

Single supplement

£165

First Class travel on Eurostar and connecting service trains to Switzerland and return Standard Class on Eurostar and connecting service trains to Switzerland and return

Ground only (Chur–Wengen) Price per person £1400 First Class travel on Eurostar and connecting service trains to Switzerland and return

Price per person

£1300

Standard Class on Eurostar and connecting service trains to Switzerland and return Price includes:

• 8 nights accommodation with breakfast in hotels

Wednesday 17th September Schynige Platte by steam We travel from Wengen to Wilderswil where we join a specially chartered steam train on the 800 mm gauge Schynige Platte Railway. Our train climbs through forests and Alpine pastures providing fine views of the Bernese Oberland, eventually revealing the glistening giants of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains to the south. Schynige Platte is famous for its wildflower gardens and we shall have ample time to view them and marvel at the majestic mountain scenery and also have lunch or light refreshments at the elegant summit lodge. (B)

• 5 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail travel as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Switzerland and back • A standard class Swiss Card for travel in Switzerland • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager The Swiss Card provides fifty percent discount on trains, buses, boats and mountain-top excursions and will provide additional mobility during the free time of the tour.

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Autumn in Alsace Thursday 16th October to Thursday 23rd October 2014 Alsace is a region of France occupying the country’s easternmost areas. It borders Germany on the north and the east, and Switzerland to the south. It was historically shaped by all three national influences and therefore has a unique European identity. Politically it is one of the most important regions in the European Union. Alsace is wedged between the Vosges Mountains and the River Rhine making it almost four times longer than it is wide. It is a region of beautiful vineyards and the outstanding Gewurztraminer white wine, quaint villages with gourmet restaurants of international fame, and charming cities marked by little canals and medieval architecture.

We discover this truly enchanting region by steam train and are conveniently based for the entire duration of the tour in the magnificent city of Strasbourg. We have privately chartered standard gauge steam trains on all of the preserved railways in Alsace and a forest railway in nearby Lorraine. Additionally we make excursions into southern Germany and visit two of the most impressive yet least known heritage steam railways there. We shall visit the Alsatian cities of Colmar and Mulhouse, including the excellent French National Railway Museum and the one-of-its kind Buggatti Museum in Mulhouse. The tour includes excellent opportunities for photography and benefits from a very relaxed pace, thanks to the short travel distances from Strasbourg to all the featured attractions. Experience France in a completely new way!

Thursday 16th October London to Strasbourg We travel by a Eurostar service from London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord.

We transfer to the nearby Paris Gare de l´Est for the onward journey by TGV express to Strasbourg.

We check in to our elegant, centrally located, hotel opposite the railway station. The remainder of the day will be free to explore the beautiful old town of Strasbourg.

Friday 17th October Abreschviller Forest Railway After breakfast we have a short journey by road coach to the nearby forest railway at Abreschviller.

Here the Abreschviller Forest Railway Association operates trains on a restored section of a logging railway that once had a track network of 73 km (45 miles). The 700 mm gauge railway line climbs up the wooded valley of the Red Saar River winding its way through forests and crossing the river on its way to Grand Soldat. We have a private charter hauled by an 0-4-0+0-4-0T Mallet

steam tank locomotive built in 1906 for our visit to this idyllic line. During the journey our train will pause for filming and photography, including numerous run pasts, providing opportunities to record the train in the striking landscape. At the hamlet of Grand Soldat there is a restored sawmill, operated by a water wheel, where it is possible to watch traditional wood processing methods.

Lunch will be served at the railway. In the afternoon we return to Strasbourg and there will be free time for leisure and exploration. (B L) Saturday 18th October Steam on the Thur Doller Railway This day is dedicated to the discovery of the premier steam railway in Alsace. We take a French (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français – SNCF) service train south to Mulhouse from where we travel by road coach to Cernay St. André.

We visit the Train Thur Doller Alsace which operates a 13 km long standard gauge branch line from Cernay to Sentheim, along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and crossing the River European Tours - Autumn in Alsace

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Doller. The railway features a rake of authentic, photogenic, carriages and a standard gauge 0-4-0+0-4-0T Mallet steam locomotive. We shall be travelling over this preserved line when there is no regular traffic, thus making possible numerous photographic run pasts. A buffet lunch will be served on board the train. We return by road coach from Cernay to Mulhouse from where we take a service train to Strasbourg. We shall dine together at the hotel this evening. (B L D) Sunday 19th October Steam in the Black Forest of Germany Today´s programme centres on a visit to one of the most beautifully located heritage railways in Southern Germany. We travel by road coach to the Acher Valley Railway (Achertalbahn) which is located in a highly scenic area of the Black Forest.

This 10.7 km long preserved branch line operates historic steam tank locomotives from the early 20th century together with authentic 4-wheel carriages. The line runs from Achern, climbing the valley beside the rushing waters of the River

Acher, to Ottenhöfen im Schwarzwald. Our steam locomotive will be working hard as it battles some of the gradients and a few photographic run pasts will be possible along this scenic line. Lunch will be served on the train. In the late afternoon we return to Strasbourg by road coach and the evening will be free to find a restaurant of choice for dinner. (B L) Monday 20th October Steam on the Kandertalbahn in Southern Germany We continue with the German theme for our trip today and visit a “hidden gem” railway.

The Kandertalbahn is located on the very tip of Southern Germany, near to Basel in Switzerland.

The 12.9 km long branch line runs through rural scenery in the Kander Valley. Our train will be formed of an historic German steam tank locomotive, from the early 20th century, and matching period carriages. A buffet lunch, consisting of regional delicacies, will be served when we reach the end of the line at Kandern.

Photographic opportunities will once again feature during this trip. Following our visit to the Kandertalbahn, we shall return to Strasbourg by road coach, stopping to visit the historic city of Freiburg im Breisgau en route. This German city is known for its medieval university and cathedral.

(B L) Tuesday 21st October Steam along the Rhine; Colmar After breakfast, we take an SNCF service train to Colmar, one of the most beautiful small cities in France. We visit the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin which is located in the nearby town of Vogelsheim. This standard gauge railway operates both French and German steam locomotives and Austrian carriages with balconies. We shall travel the extent of the 13 km line from Vogelsheim to the Sans Souci Quay at Marckolsheim where the River Rhine and canal separate.

Following our trip on the railway we travel by road coach to Colmar, the ‘capital of Alsatian wine’, where there will be time to view the well preserved old town, its quaint canals and numerous architectural landmarks.

There is also the possibility of taking a late lunch to sample Alsatian specialties such as “Flammkuchen”. We return from Colmar to Strasbourg by service train. (B) Wednesday 22nd October Museums and Trams in Mulhouse Today we travel by train to Mulhouse, a city famous for its outstanding museums, especially the "Cité du Train" and “Cité de l’Automobile” the largest railway and automobile museums in Europe. Every tour participant will be issued with a rover ticket for the city’s urban tram network which we shall use to travel to the "Cité du Train", the national railway museum of France.

It boasts one of the largest and most amazing collections of technically unique steam locomotives in the world. The museum features exciting exhibits that are narrated in a lively and engaging way making it exceptionally interesting to both enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike.

A free audio guide is available in English.

The intriguing story behind the vast collection of classic cars in the nearby “Cité de l’Automobile” demands a visit. It contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of Bugatti motor vehicles in the world. The remainder of the time will be free to explore Mulhouse including its medieval city centre with both French and Swiss architecture, the Place de la Réunion main square which is pedestrianised, and St. Stephens church.

In the evening we return to Strasbourg by service train. (B) Thursday 23rd October Strasbourg to London We say a fond ‘au revoir’ to Alsace and return to Paris by a TGV express train. We transfer from Paris Gare de l´Est to Gare du Nord and board a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person

£1855

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£1485

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First Class on Eurostar, TGV, and other SNCF service trains Standard Class on Eurostar, TGV, and other SNCF service trains

Ground only (Strasbourg–Strasbourg) Price per person £1245 Price includes: • 7 nights accommodation with breakfast • 4 lunches and 1 dinner • All specially chartered steam trains as mentioned in the itinerary • All rail and road trips as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Strasbourg and back • Rover ticket for the Mulhouse urban tram network • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner October 2014 M

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Cedric Spiller

Railways of the Raj: India Saturday 15th March to Monday 31st March 2014 The British Raj (raj means reign in the Hindi language) was the British rule in India between 1858 and 1947. India built a modern railway system in the late 19th century most of which was privately owned, had been constructed by Indian companies supervised by British engineers, and was run by British administrators. By 1900 India had a full range of rail services operating on broad, metre and narrow gauge networks. Most of the broad gauge routes originally radiated inland from major port cities and crossed the plains.

High altitude towns were established as hill stations by the British, where they sought refuge from the heat of the plains during the long Indian summers. Access was always a problem but in some cases was made easier by the construction of a narrow gauge railway. Some of these remain and three have been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We shall travel in India using both broad and narrow gauge ‘Railways of the British Raj’, including the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. We use steam hauled trains over tracks of three different gauges including our own exclusive charters on three different lines in the foothills of the Himalayas. The northern frontiers of India are defined by the snow-capped Himalayan mountain range, visible from a number of locations which we visit. Areas of outstanding natural beauty plus visits to important historic, religious, and cultural sites feature prominently in our programme.

A memorable and unforgettable experience awaits those who join this tour.

Saturday 15th March Flight to India We have an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi where we connect with an onward flight (Sunday) to Bagdogra in North-east India.

Sunday 16th March Delhi to Siliguri We arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at 09:00 and are met by our tour leader in ‘Arrivals’. We make an internal terminal transfer and board a two hour domestic flight to Bagdogra. We transfer to Siliguri, a town located in the foothills of the Himalayas, where we check in to our hotel. The remainder of the day will be free time to relax. (L D)

Monday 17th March Steam Train on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway After breakfast at our hotel we transfer to the Siliguri steam locomotive depot of the famous narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). We have a specially chartered train, hauled by a B Class steam locomotive, to travel to Rangtong. En route, we pass Sukna Station where the landscape changes from flat plains to the wooded lower slopes of the mountains, and the gradient of the railway changes dramatically.

The DHR has been breached by repeated landslides in recent years making it necessary to continue our journey by road from Rantong to Kurseong. Kurseong is a quiet hill station and we stay at an attractive colonial bungalow, now converted into a hotel. The DHR tracks run through the length of this former ‘rest town’ from the days of the British Raj. The early evening is free to discover the sights and tea estates. (B L D) World Tours - Railways of the Raj: India

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Tuesday 18th March Steam Train to Darjeeling This morning we travel by jeep to Kurseong Station where we board a steam train on the DHR, nicknamed the ‘toy train’. We pass through the famous ‘Batasia Loop’ en route and, weather permitting, will be able to take photos of the train against the background of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the rest of the Himalayan range. We arrive in Darjeeling by lunchtime and transfer to a colonial hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Wednesday 19th March The ‘Joy Train’ to Ghum Today we ride on the ‘Joy Train’, the DHR steamhauled service that runs daily on a return trip from Darjeeling to Ghum, the highest railway station in India. There may be another opportunity to photograph the spectacular Himalayan Mountains when the train pauses at Batasia Loop. We stop at Ghum and visit the museum above the station

before we return to Darjeeling. After lunch at the hotel, we visit the famous Tibetan Refugee Centre, where traditional handmade textiles and handicrafts can be seen. We also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) which houses the collectibles of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and the local Sherpa of Darjeeling, Tenzing Norgay, who were the first to conquer Mt. Everest. (B L D).

Thursday 20th March Tiger Hill; Ghum Monastery Early risers are in for a real treat today with our excursion to Tiger Hill (subject to clear weather as advised by our local team). Wake up calls can be arranged in the hotel room at around 04:30.

Tiger Hill is about 12 km from Darjeeling and is the place to see the spectacular sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. As the sun appears the mountain changes colour; it’s an awe-inspiring sight and an experience not to be missed. There are also views of Mount Everest in the distance, if the weather is absolutely clear. On our return journey to Darjeeling we visit a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at Ghum which was built in 1875 and contains a 15 foot high statue of Buddha. We return to our hotel for breakfast and then the remainder of the day is free to explore the Darjeeling malls and bazaars, discover the mark of the British Raj, or maybe visit the local Botanical Garden or Zoological Park. (B L D) Friday 21st March Darjeeling to Delhi We leave Darjeeling today travelling by road to Bagdogra Airport where we board an afternoon flight to Delhi. We have overnight accommodation in a city centre hotel. (B L D) Saturday 22nd March Steam Train to Rewari Steam Centre Today, we visit the Rewari Steam Centre, travelling there by regular steam train from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station. Our train will be hauled by one of India’s iconic steam locomotives, a WP class ‘pacific’ built post World War II for use on prestigious express trains. The once famous Rewari locomotive depot fell into ruin following the decline of steam traction but was restored and reopened in 2010. It now houses preserved broad gauge and metre gauge steam locomotives.

The site also includes a library, small exhibits museum, a steam crane and restored saloon carriage. The latter will be our venue for having a boxed lunch that has been specially arranged for us. We return to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station by service train. (B L D) Sunday 23rd March Delhi to Amritsar by train We have an early breakfast in our hotel this morning and then transfer to New Delhi Railway Station.

We board the Swarna Shatabadi Express to Amritsar. Tea and coffee will be served on board.

We check in to our hotel in Amritsar where we have overnight accommodation for two nights. In the evening, there will be an optional tour to the Golden Temple to witness the beauty of the illuminated holy shrine of the Sikh community. (B L D)

Monday 24th March History and ceremony at Amritsar This morning we visit Jallianwala Bagh, a garden which was the scene of a cruel massacre of innocent civilians in 1919 and a decisive event in the British rule of India. We view the site of the atrocity and see the memorial that was built to honour the hundreds who perished. After lunch we travel east to Atari near the border with Pakistan. We continue to the crossing point at Wagah to watch the ceremonial lowering of flags and closing the border gates. The memorable event involves military drill and fascinating pageantry as both border forces synchronize their parades. We shall also visit the Northern Railway Workshops in Amritsar, which since 2012 has been restoring narrow & broad gauge steam locomotives, including a WP class ‘pacific’.

There is also a fascinating collection of model and miniature steam locomotives at the depot.

We return to our hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday 25th March By rail and road to Dharamsala and Palampur Today we travel by express train from Amritsar Junction Station north-eastwards to Pathankot, a travel hub in the northern Punjab foothills.

We then make the journey by road east to Dharamsala, a town in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley and well known as the centre of the Tibetan exile world in India.

We continue to McLeod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamsala, the location of the Dalai Lama’s residence, headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and a large population of Tibetan refugees. We visit the most important Buddhist site in the town, the Tsuglag Khang, the Dalai Lama’s temple, which contains statues of Buddha. We travel by road to Palampur where we arrive in the early evening and check in to our hotel for three night’s accommodation. (B L D)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £869

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London to Delhi • Internal flights • 14 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast • 15 lunches • 15 dinners • All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as described in the itinerary • The service of our tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner March 2014 M

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Wednesday 26th March Steam Train on the Kangra Valley Railway Palampur is a green hill station in the Kangra Valley, a sub-Himalayan region, and has a station on the Kangra Valley Railway (KVR). This narrow gauge railway line covers a distance of 164 km (101.9 miles) from Pathankot in the Punjab to Joginder Nagar in the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh. The KVR regular service of passenger trains is diesel hauled but a ZB class steam locomotive has recently been overhauled at the Northern Railway Workshops in Amritsar.

We have requested our own privately chartered steam train and at the time of going to print await confirmation for this train and the route that it will take. (B L D) Continued overleaf.

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Cedric Spiller

Thursday 27th March Hill station experiences Palampur is known as the ‘Tea Capital of North India’ and for its striking thick forests of pine & deodar (cedar) trees. This popular hill station is well known for its scenic beauty but also for its attractive temples and buildings built in the Colonial period. Today we have a free day to explore the area and appreciate the views of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas.

Alternatively, there is the option of taking another ride on the KVR by joining a service train to the end of line at Joginder Nagar or travelling from Baijnath to Pathankot. (B L D) Friday 28th March Outstanding natural beauty in Himachal Pradesh We leave Palampur today and travel by road in cars through the beautiful foothills of Himachal Pradesh. We stop for lunch at Bilaspar and then continue to Shimla, the summer capital of British India in the days of the British Raj. We arrive in the late afternoon and check in to our hotel for two night’s accommodation and dinner. (B L D)

Saturday 29th March Steam on the Kalka Shimla Railway Today we visit the narrow gauge Kalka Shimla Railway (KSR) which was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008.

Spectacular scenery along the whole route and the marvels of its construction are a feature of this line. It has hundreds of bridges and viaducts, numerous tunnels, and a ruling gradient of 1 in 33. We join our specially chartered steam train at Shimla Station, the hill station terminus of the line, for a return trip to Kathlegaat Station.

The two railway stations are 23 km (14 miles) apart but the 2 hour journey each way will provide ample opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking views and amazing infrastructure.

Our train will be hauled by British built steam locomotive KC520 which has recently returned from overhaul at the Northern Railway Workshops in Amritsar. We return to our hotel by late afternoon and the evening is free to explore Shimla, maybe discovering The Mall, The Ridge, the church, scandal point, or local arts & crafts.

(B L D)

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Sunday 30th March Vintage rail bus to Kalka; flight to Delhi We travel the full length of the KSR from Shimla to Kalka by vintage rail bus today. This historic vehicle was originally used to transport notable travellers on the railway and has only first class accommodation. It has a glass roof and also the possibility of forward views which allow passengers to take full advantage of the fantastic scenery through which the line passes. We are travelling through the state of Himachal Pradesh ‘in the lap of the Himalayas’ and famous for its abundant natural beauty. We descend through the foothills of the picturesque Shivalik Mountains to Kalka Railway Station, from where we transfer to Chandigarh Airport. We board an evening flight for Delhi where, on arrival, we have a cocktail dinner at the airport hotel. We shall have the use of a few rooms at the hotel where we can wash and change before joining our onward flight. (B L D) Monday 31st March Return to UK Our flight leaves Delhi early in the morning and arrives at London Heathrow mid-morning.

John Hunt

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £869

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London to Delhi • Internal flights • 14 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast • 15 lunches • 15 dinners • All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as described in the itinerary • The service of our tour manager Cedric Spiller

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Robin Patrick

Java Thursday 13th June to Sunday 29th June 2014 Java is the most developed island in Indonesia and this tour provides a fascinating insight into its culture and traditions. We visit some delightful places and travel in comfort by train through tropical scenery including forests, mountains, and paddy fields. We use road coaches as an interesting alternative to access places where we cannot travel by train.

Many of the sugar mills of Java have operated narrow gauge railways to transport the sugar cane from the fields to the stock yards and to shunt the yards and move the cane to the mill. We visit sugar mills and plantations to see some of the last surviving steam-operated sugar cane railways in the world. These are incredibly diverse, with several narrow gauges in use and various types of steam locomotives. We shall also visit the Ambarawa Rack Railway and Cepu Forestry Railway for specially chartered train trips. A highlight of the tour is travel on the incredible ‘steam train through the main street’ in Solo!

The tour includes several wonderful sightseeing trips, one being a sunrise visit to the spectacular Mount Bromo, an active volcano standing nearly eight thousand feet high. We visit a number of popular tourist venues around the island which combined with our travel by train makes this fantastic tour a very enjoyable experience indeed.

Friday 13th June Departure from London We have a mid-afternoon Emirates flight from London Heathrow to Dubai. In Dubai we connect with an Emirates flight for Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and Java’s main city.

Saturday 14th June Arrive in Jakarta We arrive at Jakarta Soekarno Hatta International Airport and arrange visas. We then transfer to the 4-star Menara Peninsula Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. The hotel is on the perimeter of Jakarta’s business district 35 minutes drive from the airport, and conveniently located for access to the city. (D) Sunday 15th June Seeing Jakarta Jakarta is home to ten million people and boasts some of the best sights in south-east Asia.

We have an expert local guide for our coach tour to the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Complex, the

"Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park”.

This amazing park covers 120 hectares and contains pavilions depicting the life-style and culture of each part of Indonesia with collections of Indonesian architecture, clothing, dances and traditions. It also includes a lake with a miniature of the Indonesian archipelago in the middle of it, cable cars, many museums, a cinema, and a theatre. The ‘Aeromovel Indonesia’ is an atmospheric elevated railway operated by wind power, one of only two such in the world.

The mainly open air Transportation Museum has land, water and air exhibits including an impressive selection of steam locomotives.

During the tour we shall have lunch in the park.

We have dinner at a local restaurant or our hotel.

(B L D) Monday 16th June Jakarta to Tegal and our first sugar mill This morning we transfer by road coach to Gambir Station, Jakarta, passing through the city en route. Java’s main railway system operates over World Tours - Java

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narrow gauge (1,067 mm; 3 ft 6 in) tracks and, apart from the electrified urban area of Jakarta, all trains are hauled by diesel locomotives.

We travel by service train, in executive class with air conditioned carriages, reclining seats and at-seat service, eastwards to Tegal. Tegal is a large city on the north coast of Central Java.

We transfer by road coach to the Jatibarang Sugar Mill, our first opportunity to experience the fascination of the operation that transforms cane to sugar. We return to Tegal and check in to the Hotel Bahari Inn for overnight accommodation.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant or in our hotel this evening. (B L D) Tuesday 17th June Tegal After breakfast, we have a morning tour of Pangkah Sugar Mill where there is a 600 mm narrow gauge railway. We watch the steam locomotives at work and enjoy a specially chartered train trip into the cane fields, over disused lines. After lunch at a local restaurant,

we travel by road to Sumberhardjo Sugar Mill where we see further steam locomotive activity on the 700 mm gauge railway. We have dinner before returning to the Hotel Bahari Inn, Tegal, for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

After the tour, we transfer to Semarang Station and travel by train to Cepu, where we have overnight accommodation at the Grand Mega Hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel or at a local restaurant this evening. (B L D)

Wednesday 18th June Pekalongan to Semarang by train Today we travel by road coach to Pekalongan where we visit the Sragi Sugar Mill to discover the steam locomotives. After lunch at a local restaurant we transfer to Pekalongan Station and travel in executive class by service train to Semarang. Semarang is a city on the north coast and the capital city of the Central Java province.

We have overnight accommodation at the Laras Asri Hotel Salatiga. Dinner will be either at the hotel or at a local restaurant this evening. (B L D)

Friday 20th June Cepu Forestry Railway We visit the Cepu Forestry Railway today, a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge logging railway that runs through teak plantations to the north-west of Cepu. It was built for hauling teak logs out of the forest to the mill at Cepu and once had 300 km (190 miles) of track. The remaining track runs for 30 km (19 miles) to an arboretum where there are spectacular 150 year old teak trees and a centre where visitors are entertained by local cultural shows. We have a morning chartered train ride through forest and farmland to Gubuk Payung hauled by a 0-10-0T steam tank locomotive called “Tudjubelas” which was built by BMAG of Berlin in 1928. After lunch and traditional entertainment at the visitor centre, we have an afternoon chartered train ride hauled by 0-6-6-0T steam locomotive No. 388 (CC30) to TPK. We return to the Grand Mega Hotel in Cepu for overnight accommodation and have dinner in a local restaurant. (B L D)

Thursday 19th June Ambarawa Rack Railway A highlight of the tour awaits us today when we travel by road to visit the Ambarawa Rack Railway. Ambarawa Station was once a transhipment station between standard and narrow gauge railway lines. It is now the site of a railway museum which includes telegraph and signalling equipment and an open air display of various steam locomotives. We have a specially chartered train to travel on the heritage railway line between Ambarawa and Bedono.

It is of particular interest because it contains an operating section of rack railway from the only such line in Java. Our train will be hauled by 0-42T steam locomotive No. B25.03. At first the line runs from Ambarawa to Jambu through flat, very attractive tropical countryside before making a spectacular climb to Bedono.

We return to Ambarawa through beautiful countryside that includes wooded hillsides, and terraces where rice is grown. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we travel by road to Semarang for a city tour which includes visits to Gedung Batu Chinese Temple (Sam Poo Kong) and Sam Pho Thai Jien, the oldest church in Indonesia.

Saturday 21st June Cepu to Probolinggo We leave Cepu at around 10:00 and travel in executive class by service train to Probolinggo.

There is a break of journey at Surabaya where we stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Surabaya is Java's second-largest city and located on the northern coast of eastern Java at the mouth of the Mas River. At around 18:00 we arrive at Probolinggo, a fishing port that is famous for its small, sweet green mangoes.

It is the nearest town to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park which is named after its two mountains. We transfer to the Hotel Bromo View for two nights accommodation and have dinner at a local restaurant. (B L D) Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3895 £450

Ground only Price per person

£3200

Price includes: • Flights from London to Jakarta and return • 14 nights accommodation in the best available hotels • All meals as shown, sometimes packed lunches • Travel by regular service trains around Java, mostly in Executive class • Specially chartered steam trains at the sugar mills, Ambarawa Rack Railway, the Cepu Forestry Railway, and the Solo street train • All travel by road coach as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits and tours in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2014 M

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Jakarta Semarang Bandung Yogyakarta

Surabaya Semboro

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Bill Pemberton

Sunday 22nd June Semboro Sugar Mill After breakfast we travel by road to Tanggul where we visit Semboro Sugar Mill. We have arranged a trip into the cane fields with either 0-4-4-0T ‘Mallett’ steam locomotive No.15, built by Orenstein and Koppel in 1926, or 0-6-0T steam tank locomotive No. 29 built by Jung.

There are two unique narrow gauge fireless locomotives that work behind this mill.

Bullock hauled trains have also been seen here in the recent past. After lunch at the mill, we return by road to Probolinggo where we stay for a second night at the Hotel Bromo View. We have dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B L D) Monday 23rd June Mount Bromo Today we have one of the main highlights of our tour; an opportunity to see the sun rise over Mount Bromo. Mount Bromo is an active volcano and part of the 8,000 foot high Tengger Massif.

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia. For those who choose to rise early for this trip, it is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the effort. We depart at 03:00 and travel by road to the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. This outing has been described as “a dream come true” for the much photographed view of steaming Mount Bromo located in the huge, unearthly moonscape of the Sea of Sand, with the mighty Mount Semeru as the backdrop. It is one of the great iconic images of Indonesia. We watch the sunrise, with ever changing colours, over this magic scene, from a hillside viewing point.

Afterwards we return to our hotel for breakfast.

Later in the morning we depart by road coach to Malang from where we travel in executive class on a service train to Kediri. On arrival we transfer to the Grand Surya Kediri Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Tuesday 24th June Mount Kelud Tour This morning we visit a factory, making local cigarettes entirely by hand, and a coffee plantation. We then have a tour to Kelud Volcano – ‘the youngest mountain in the world’!

The volcano lies above the fertile plains of Kediri and Blitar. A lake filled the crater of this volcano and the water regularly changed colour.

Subsequently a lava dome began to form in this lake and has grown to a significant height. In the afternoon we visit Merican Sugar Mill. The 700 mm gauge steam locomotives here include 0-8-0T and 0-4-2T steam tank locomotives. There is also No. 205 built by Du Croo & Brauns in Holland in 1927 and thought to be the last regular working 0-4-4-0T industrial ‘Mallet’ steam locomotive in the world. Lunch and dinner will be at local restaurants. We stay overnight again at the Grand Surya Kediri Hotel. (B L D)

Robin Patrick

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Wednesday 25th June Purwodadi and Rejosari Sugar Mills at Madiun After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Madiun for a tour of two sugar mills. We visit Purwodadi Sugar Mill in Madiun, to watch the activities of steam locos on duty. Purwadadi Sugar Mill has been one of the busiest mills in the area for steam locomotive operation, but seasonal fluctuations in the sugar cane harvest influence the level of activity. Afterwards we drive to Rejosari Sugar Mill to see a very rare steam locomotive, driven by a jackshaft. This mill also has a diesel locomotive driven by the same means. Lunch will be served at the mill or at a local restaurant. Following this visit we transfer to Madiun Station and join the regular service train to Solo, where we arrive around 19:20 and transfer to our hotel. We have dinner in our hotel or a local restaurant. (B L D)

Thursday 26th June Steam train through Solo streets A fascinating experience awaits us this morning as we travel by road coach into the hills to visit the Sukuh Erotic Temple. The temple is hidden on the slopes of Mount Lawu at more than 1,000 metres above sea level. It is shaped like a Mayan pyramid with stepped sides, contains erotic ornaments, and is one of the most interesting temples in South East Asia. We continue by road to the Tasik Madu Sugar Mill, a mill that has developed attractions for the visiting public including a museum and a tourist train. It also has working steam locomotives, steam driven mill machinery and a unique vertical boilered steam roller. Traditional music and dance entertainment, and lunch, will be provided at the mill. Later, we travel on a privately chartered train through the streets of Solo, a quite exceptional experience.

Solo is unique because it is the only Indonesian city to still have a street-parallel railway line which runs along its main road. A heritage railway operates trains hauled by steam locomotive No. C1218 between Solo Kota and Purwosari. Later we transfer by road to Solo Station where we join a regular service train to Yogyakarta.

We check in to the Hotel Melia Purosani for two nights accommodation. We shall have dinner either at the hotel or at a local restaurant this evening. (B L D)

We also visit the Sultan’s Palace which includes the main palace, the Sultan's residence, two Sultan's grounds, and a large residential area where servants used to reside. We have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the Prambanan Hindu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the evening we visit the Ramayana Ballet for a magical open-air performance in a fantastic setting adjacent to the Prambanan Hindu Temple.

We have dinner and overnight accommodation at the Hotel Melia Purosani. (B L D) Saturday 28th June Return to UK This morning we transfer to the Adisucipto International Airport, located about 6 km (3.7 miles) east of Yogyakarta city centre, for an internal flight to Jakarta. In the afternoon, we board our return flight from Jakarta to London via Dubai. (B) Sunday 29th June Arrival in London After changing planes in Dubai, we arrive back at London Heathrow Airport in the morning.

Robin Patrick

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3895 £450

Ground only Price per person

£3200

Price includes: • Flights from London to Jakarta and return • 14 nights accommodation in the best available hotels • All meals as shown, sometimes packed lunches • Travel by regular service trains around Java, mostly in Executive class • Specially chartered steam trains at the sugar mills, Ambarawa Rack Railway, the Cepu Forestry Railway, and the Solo street train • All travel by road coach as mentioned in the itinerary • All visits and tours in the itinerary

Friday 27th June Temples and tradition in Yogyakarta Today we have a guided tour of Yogyakarta, a city with an outstanding historical and cultural heritage and the main tourist destination on the island of Java. Our road coach takes us to the Borobodur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, thought to have been built at the beginning of the 8th century.

• The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2014

Robin Patrick

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Surabaya Semboro

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Hugh Ballantyne

Andes of Columbia and Ecuador Saturday 20th September to Friday 3rd October 2014 This tour visits two of the less well known countries of South America that are dominated by the Andes Mountains.

Several high plateaux host major cities such as Bogotá in Colombia and Quito in Ecuador where we spend time. Both countries were once Spanish colonies and their cultural and architectural heritage figures prominently in our itinerary.

The greatly varied climate with an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna will be fascinating to experience.

Incredibly difficult terrain in the Andes Mountains made railway construction almost impossible but we travel by train to and through these areas. We use specially chartered trains with steam haulage wherever possible. Our journey from the Pacific Ocean into the Andes of Ecuador features climbing the world-famous ‘Devils Nose’. There will be many opportunities for filming and photographing spectacular scenery, historic heritage, and unusual highlights.

Saturday 20th September Depart for Colombia We take an early morning flight to Paris where we change planes to fly to Bogotá in Colombia.

On arrival in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Sunday 21st September Steam train from Bogotá to Gachancipá After breakfast, we transfer to La Sabana Station in Bogotá. We visit the railway depot and workshops to view the collection of operational and rundown “Baldwin” locomotives. The Baldwin Locomotive Works, located in Pennsylvania, USA, was a builder of railway locomotives.

The collection of steam locomotives includes three 2-8-2’s, one 4-8-0, and a 2-6-0 built in 1921 which was refurbished as recently as 2012.

We board a specially chartered train hauled by either a “Baldwin” 4-8-0 or 2-8-2 steam locomotive. We shall travel along the line towards Zipaquirá as far as La Caro (34km) where we branch off towards Briceño (47km), Tocancipá (53km) and Gachancipá (58km). We return via the same route to La Sabana Station in Bogotá.

We return to our hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Monday 22nd September Steam train from Bogotá to Zipaquirá Today we return to La Sabana Station in Bogotá.

Our chartered train will be hauled by a coal fired “Baldwin” 2-6-0 steam locomotive, operated by Tren Turistico de la Sabana. The company runs heritage steam trains for 53 kilometres northwards from Bogotá to Parque and Zipaquirá.

We have lunch at a traditional Colombian restaurant in Zipaquirá followed by a visit to the town which is famous for its Salt Cathedral.

This is an underground church built inside a tunnel of a salt mine. The main square in the town centre is surrounded by old buildings in the Spanish Colonial style. We return to Bogotá Station where three more steam locomotives will be waiting for us. Steam locomotives in Colombia are kept in remarkably good condition and we shall have a total of four of them to provide filming and photographic opportunities for us.

Later we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday 23rd September Bogotá city tour and flight to Ecuador Bogotá is located on the west of the Savannah of Bogotá, a high plateau in the Andes Mountains.

It is one of the most important cities in South America and was once the main trade centre World Tours - Andes of Columbia and Ecuador

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between South America and Europe. It is a city of contrasts not least between the new and the old, and as such it offers a unique experience to its visitors. Today we visit the colonial city, to learn about its Spanish and pre-Colombian heritage, and encounter century-old plazas and churches overshadowed by towering skyscrapers.

The neighbourhood of La Candeleria is where many landmark events took place in the history of Colombian and South American independence.

Plaza de Bolívar (Bolivia is named after Simón Bolívar, a South American revolutionary leader) is the city’s main square. It is surrounded by neoclassical buildings, museums, and old churches, including the Catedral Primada, the largest church in the country. The Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) is famous for its legendary El Dorado collections, and is regarded as the most important gold museum in the World. After the city tour, we have lunch and then transfer to El Dorado International Airport for our afternoon flight to Guayaquil in Ecuador. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Wednesday 24th September Steam train from Duran to Yaguachi; Guayaquil city tour This morning we travel by road coach from Guayaquil to Duran, crossing the Rafael Mendoza Avilés Bridge over the rivers Daule and Babahoyo.

Duran is a ‘dormitory town’ for commuters but well known as the location from where the country’s first section of railway line opened in 1873. The network of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge lines eventually stretched for 965.5 km (600 miles) but natural disasters and neglect reduced this to only 10% open in 2008. We visit the railway workshops of the Ecuadorian Railways Company (FEEP), where we may see “Baldwin” built steam locomotives, a railbus (autoferro), and an Alstom built diesel locomotive. After our visit we board a train hauled by a steam locomotive, either No. 11 or No. 14, for the 21 km journey to the historic town of Yaguachi.

We travel through the streets of Duran and then the Ecuadorian coast region, passing rice plantations and marshlands supporting a variety of birdlife. We witness something of the local customs and traditions and visit Yaguachi Cathedral before returning by steam train to Duran. We return to Guayaquil and in the afternoon have a tour of Ecuador’s largest city.

The district of Las Peñas, where the city was founded, contains most of the city’s colonial buildings. It is located on the slopes of Santa Ana Hill from where there are good views across the city to the River Guayas. The Malecon 2000 is a long park beside the river where several historical monuments are located, including La Rotonda and the Moorish Clock Tower.

There are also museums, gardens, fountains, shopping malls, restaurants, and waterfront jetties from where there are boat trips on the river. We stay overnight in Guayaquil. (B L D) Thursday 25th September Diesel hauled train from Yuguachi to Huigra In the morning we return to Yuguachi by road coach to join a specially chartered train hauled by a diesel locomotive. We travel eastwards for 87 km through the coastal plain to Bucay, along one of the recently repaired sections of railway line that has been closed for nearly two decades.

This lush region is one of the most productive agricultural areas in Ecuador. Bucay is 500 metres above sea level and the last station on the coastal plain before the ascent of the Andes Mountains.

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £470

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London • 12 nights accommodation with breakfast • 11 lunches and 10 dinners • All rail travel shown • All visits and coach journeys shown • The services of a tour manager There is the option, subject to availability, to add a cruise extension to the Galapagos Islands at the end of this tour.

Please contact us if you would like further details and information.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Bill Pemberton

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Bill Pemberton

Here the coastal steam locomotives were exchanged for mountain locomotives to begin the steep climb into the mountains. We visit the Bucay workshops and shed where these steam locomotives were based and serviced.

We continue towards Huigra passing through a very scenic section of the line within the Chan Chan River gorge. The vegetation changes from tropical into cloud forest as the line gains altitude.

Huigra is 1,200 metres above sea level and site to the old headquarters of the Guayaquil and Quito Railway Company (G&Q). The G&Q Railway had been declared impossible to build and construction was constantly beset with problems.

Major John Harman was a major influence in getting much of the route completed but he died in mysterious circumstances and is buried in Huigra. We stay overnight in Huigra. (B L D) Friday 26th September The Devil’s Nose and Riobamba Today, we continue the journey with our chartered train travelling from Huigra to Riobamba. An 800 metre section of the route between Huigra and Sibambe was rebuilt and reopened recently following destruction by a landslide in 1998.

Above Sibambe Station we negotiate the spectacular and world-famous Devils Nose, an amazing engineering feat. This immense mountain resembles the shape of a nose and the railway climbs gradients of 1 in 18 and uses two zigzags to gain height and surmount the obstacle.

There will be opportunities for filming and photographing this ‘railway wonder of the world’.

We continue climbing the Andes until we reach the town of Alausi, a quaint colonial village with picturesque streets. We pass over a noteworthy steel bridge as we leave the town on a section of line that reopened in 2011. The route is high above the Chan Chan River Gorge all the way to Palmira, a bleak desert station at 3,200 metres above sea level. We have magnificent views of the high Andean Plateau en route to Guamote, a traditional and colourful indigenous town.

We continue to Riobamba, a large colonial city in the central Andes, and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 27th September Steam train Riobamba – Guamote – Riobamba This morning we visit the Riobamba railway workshops which were the busiest on the G&Q Railway and where most of their steam locomotives were maintained. We then board a specially chartered steam train for a return trip to Guamote. This section of the route offers spectacular landscapes, multiple Indian villages, the Colta Lagoon, and imposing views of the 6,300 metre high Chimborazo Volcano. There will be opportunities for filming and photography en route including run-pasts with our train. In the late afternoon we have a tour of Riobamba, a city that still retains much architecture from the Spanish period. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Sunday 28th September Special train from Riobamba to Lasso We continue our journey northwards from Riobamba Station travelling along the city streets and to the region known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes. As we gain altitude the environment changes once more into open moorlands. We pass many indigenous communities along the way to the Urbina summit and station. Urbina is the highest station on the line at 3,600 metres above sea level. It is located at the base of the Chimborazo Volcano, an active volcano, and the highest mountain in Ecuador. After a stop for some highland tea, our train will continue through the inter-Andean valleys, passing through the towns of Ambato and Latacunga. This section of the line has been recently rebuilt after nearly 20 years of neglect. We reach Lasso and transfer to an historical Hacienda Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

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Monday 29th September Diesel train from Lasso to Quito Today we continue travelling on our diesel-hauled chartered train from Lasso to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. From Lasso Station our train climbs into the Cotopaxi National Park, a protected area that takes its name from the 5,897 metre high Cotopaxi Volcano. There are some spectacular views as we pass close to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. We continue to El Boliche (3,540 metres), the second highest station on this railway line, Machachi, and Chimbacalle Station in Quito. Chimbacalle Station has been beautifully restored to its original condition. We head to the colonial centre of Quito for lunch and a city tour. The historic centre of the city is one of the largest, least-altered and bestpreserved historic centres in the Americas. It was the first to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. We stay overnight in Quito. (B L D) Tuesday 30th September Railcar from Ibarra to Salinas We transfer by road coach from Quito to the Imbabura Province in northern Ecuador, home to lakes, lush valleys, volcanoes and traditional indigenous towns and markets. We arrive at Ibarra Station which is the starting point for the line that used to reach San Lorenzo, a natural port on the Pacific Coast. This line was built in the 1960’s but only operated for 20 years before it was closed by landslides. Today this line is open for only 35 km as far as Salinas, an afroEcuadorian village in a dry subtropical environment. This line is highly scenic with spectacular tunnels and bridges as it descends into the Salinas Valley. We return to Ibarra for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Wednesday 1st October Otavalo Market and Quisato Equatorial site In the morning we visit the Otavalo Market which is Ecuador’s best known Indian bazaar. It offers a good selection of tapestries, jewellery, ceramics

and wood carvings from this prosperous Otavalo culture. We continue to Quisato, an equatorial monument on the latitude zero line. Quisato offers an alternative and relevant vision of the equator based on pre-Hispanic culture and beliefs.

We will learn about the significance of this region in relation to the sun. We return to Quito in the mid afternoon. (B L)

Bill Pemberton

Tour Summary

Thursday 2nd October Return to UK or free day in Quito Following breakfast in the hotel we have a late morning transfer to Quito Airport for our return flight to the UK via Amsterdam. Those who have opted to stay on for the Galapagos Extension will take a flight from Quito to Baltra Island. (B)

Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £470

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London

Friday 3rd October Arrival in London We arrive at London Heathrow early in the evening.

• 12 nights accommodation with breakfast • 11 lunches and 10 dinners • All rail travel shown • All visits and coach journeys shown • The services of a tour manager There is the option, subject to availability, to add a cruise extension to the Galapagos Islands at the end of this tour.

Please contact us if you would like further details and information.

John Hunt

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Cedric Spiller

Caucasus Mountains and Russian Black Sea Saturday 27th September to Monday 6th October 2014 This is a totally new tour and our first visit to southern Russia, specifically the Northern Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea. The Northern Caucasus is one of Russia's most beautiful and most mountainous regions, characterised by its stunning lush slopes and rushing mountain rivers running through deep gorges. The Black Sea coastline, the "Russian Riviera”, has an exotic collection of seaside resorts and a Mediterranean climate.

We travel to a variety of thrilling destinations by our own train using steam locomotives and carriages belonging to the North Caucasus Railway. The train will be 100% steam hauled throughout using six different classes of steam locomotives, often working in pairs to haul our train up the steep gradients. We travel over Russian broad gauge lines across the steppes, through Cossack country, to spa towns, beside the sea, and over steeply graded mountain routes with occasional dramatic views over the Black Sea. We stay four nights in hotels and five nights in first class sleeping cars of the North Caucasus Railway. This is a really grand steam tour to a very different location.

Saturday 27th September Flight to Russia; Rostov Railway Museum We depart from London Heathrow on an early morning Austrian Airlines flight to Vienna where we change to an onward flight to Rostov-on-Don. We arrive in Rostov at around 14:45 and transfer to Rostov-Glavny Station, where we board our special train of North Caucasus Railway (NCR) carriages. We have an evening excursion by our train, hauled by an L class 2-10-0 steam locomotive, to the Rostov Railway Museum at Nizhne Gnilovskoy. The museum contains a comprehensive collection of locomotives displayed in the open air. After our visit we return by our train to Rostov-Glavny Station. At 22:00 our L class 2-10-0, with Vanderbilt cylindrical tender, steams out of Rostov for our journey southeastwards across the steppes to Salsk. (D) Sunday 28th September Salsk to Krasnodar in Cossack territory This morning we leave Salsk by our steam hauled special train and travel south-westwards through largely agricultural countryside to Tikhoretsk.

Here we visit the locomotive depot where most of the North Caucasus Railway main line steam fleet

is maintained. We leave Tikhoretsk at midday, hauled by an LV class 2-10-2 steam locomotive, and head south-westwards through Cossack territory to Krasnodar. We shall have a tour of this city before we leave in the evening, hauled by an LV class 2-10-2 steam locomotive, and travel westwards to Krymsk. (B L D) Monday 29th September Mountain splendour & coastal beauty An Er class 0-10-0 and Su class 2-6-2 steam locomotives will double-head our train this morning as we travel westwards from Krymsk to explore the Taman Peninsula. There is a dramatic change of scenery when we pass through the mountains and cross the Black Sea plain towards Kavkaz, a rail ferry port on Cape Tuzla. We return to the junction at Yurovka and take a return trip along the branch line to Anapa, a small Black Sea resort town. We then return to Krymsk where we change locomotives and an LV class 2-10-2 and a post-World War II built Er class 0-10-0 haul our train along the 49 km branch line to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. This line climbs through the stunning tree covered slopes of the Western Caucasus Mountains to a summit at over 1,000 World Tours - Caucasus Mountains and Russian Black Sea

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feet in a long tunnel at Verkhnebakansky.

The descent provides equally stunning views of the Black Sea coast and concludes with a figure of eight loop on the approach to Novorossiysk.

We have a tour of the city which is dominated by its port. We also visit the nearby Abrav-Durso vineyards, which provide Russian Champagne.

We return to our train at Novorossiysk for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday 30th September The Russian Riviera We have an early morning departure from Novorossiysk with our two steam locomotives and return through the mountains to Krymsk, and then on to Krasnodar. We then take a recently built line southwards into the Western Caucasus Mountains climbing to a summit tunnel at over 1,200 feet, after Kraynyaya Shchel. The line descends quite steeply following the river valley to Tuapse, a seaport on the Black Sea coast.

We change locomotives at Tuapse and our train will be hauled by two L class 2-10-0 steam locomotives for the onward journey along the coast. We travel south-eastwards for 100 km along the “Russian Riviera” where the route is cut

into the cliffs and right beside the sea.

Our destination is Sochi, the country's biggest and busiest summer sea resort. We leave our train this evening for overnight accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Dagomys, where we stay for two nights.

(B L D) Wednesday 1st October Free day in Sochi Today there is free time to explore Greater Sochi which sprawls for 145 km (90 miles) along the coast from Tuapse to Adler, squeezed between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.

Dagomys is located 12 km (7.5 miles) north-west of central Sochi and is famous for its Tea-Party Houses. A regular service of commuter trains operates along the coastal line calling at Dagomys and Sochi Central. We have a sightseeing tour of Sochi which includes a visit to the Botanical Gardens and the port. We shall also travel on the 45 km new railway line that was built between Adler and Krasnaya Polyana for the 2014 winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. We return to our hotel in Dagomys for overnight accommodation.

(B L D)

Thursday 2nd October Over the mountains; main line steam We leave Sochi today, on our train hauled by two L class 2-10-0 steam locomotives, and return along the coastal line to Taupse. From here our two steam locomotives must work hard to haul our train up the steep valley into the mountains.

The scenery is magnificent as we climb through dense forests amid mountain peaks.

After Krivenkovskoye we diverge from our outward route and continue to climb, winding our way up to the summit. We continue to Belorechensk, a major railway junction, where we change locomotives. The mighty P36 class 4-8-4 steam locomotive No. 120 will haul our train westwards across the steppes to Nevinnomyssk.

We stay overnight on our train. (B L D) Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £995

Ground only Price per person

£3600

(including train – sole use of compartment on train and single room in hotels) Saloon car supplement, with ensuite, per person price on application

Price includes: • Flights from London to Rostov and return • 9 nights accommodation with breakfasts (5 nights on the train and 4 nights in hotels) • 9 lunches and 9 dinners • All train travel, steam charters and transfers mentioned in the itinerary

Cedric Spiller

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Accommodation on the train: Sleeping cars: We use modern Russian first class sleeping cars belonging to the North Caucasus Railway (NCR). Accommodation is for two passengers per 4 berth compartment and one passenger per 2 berth compartment, therefore using only the lower berths. There is a toilet and washing facilities at both ends of each carriage.

Saloon car: This carriage offers en-suite facilities with shower and toilet and we have limited availability of these with the saloon car supplement payable.

Restaurant car: Our restaurant car has been selected from the normal operating stock of the NCR. Based in Adler, it is normally used, together with its crew, on the Adler to Moscow service.

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Colin Boocock

Friday 3rd October Spa towns in the Caucasus Our train will be hauled by two Er class 2-10-0 steam locomotives today for a return trip on the branch to Ust-Dzheguta. We head southwards along a non-electrified line servicing heavy freight facilities. The steeply graded line follows the Kuban River climbing all the way to Ust-Dzheguta in the Caucasus Mountains. There will be opportunities to stage photographic run-pasts during this trip. We return to Nevinnomyssk where P36 class No. 120 will take over our train for a fast run along the electrified main line to Mineralnye Vody. Here we change motive power and two L class 2-10-0 steam locomotives will haul our train to Kislovodsk, at 2,700 feet high one of the most beautiful spa towns in Russia.

We have overnight accommodation at a 4-star hotel in Kislovodsk. (B L D)

Sunday 5th October Main line to Rostov-on-Don Today we continue our journey with our two L class locomotives 2-10-0 steam locomotives and return to Mineralnye Vody. We change locomotives here and P36 class No. 120 will haul our train northwards along the main line to Armavir. Here No. 120 will be serviced and then joined by an SU class 2-6-2 steam locomotive to double head our train northwards along the Caucasian main line to Rostov-on-Don. Here we transfer to a 4-star hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Saturday 4th October The foothills of the Caucasus Mountains We have a tour of Kislovodsk this morning, a town where the architecture was influenced by the surrounding mineral springs as witnessed by the impressive 19th century Narzan Baths.

The town’s most famous native was the eminent Russian Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Around lunchtime we rejoin our train, hauled by the L class steam locomotives, and return as far as Pyatigorsk. This city is one of the oldest spa resorts in Russia. It is situated at the foot of the isolated Caucasus peaks of Mt. Beshtau and Mt. Mashuk. We have a tour of the area by road coach and visit the foothills of Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain.

We stay overnight on our train at Pyatigorsk.

(B L D)

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Monday 6th October Return to the UK After breakfast we visit the Rostov Children’s Railway. Children’s Railways originated in Russia and were used for educating teenagers in railway professions. Many of the existing lines include railway technology no longer seen on main networks and they can be regarded as heritage railways. We ride on a train, on this 750 mm narrow gauge railway, hauled by a Gr class 0-8-0 steam locomotive. After a farewell light lunch, we transfer to Rostov airport for our return flight to London via Vienna. (B L)

Nigel Dobbing

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £995

Ground only Price per person

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(including train – sole use of compartment on train and single room in hotels) Saloon car supplement, with ensuite, per person price on application

Price includes: • Flights from London to Rostov and return • 9 nights accommodation with breakfasts (5 nights on the train and 4 nights in hotels) • 9 lunches and 9 dinners • All train travel, steam charters and transfers mentioned in the itinerary Cedric Spiller

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Accommodation on the train: Sleeping cars: We use modern Russian first class sleeping cars belonging to the North Caucasus Railway (NCR). Accommodation is for two passengers per 4 berth compartment and one passenger per 2 berth compartment, therefore using only the lower berths. There is a toilet and washing facilities at both ends of each carriage.

Saloon car: This carriage offers en-suite facilities with shower and toilet and we have limited availability of these with the saloon car supplement payable.

Restaurant car: Our restaurant car has been selected from the normal operating stock of the NCR. Based in Adler, it is normally used, together with its crew, on the Adler to Moscow service.

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Andrew Thompson

Autumn in New England Tuesday 30th September to Saturday 11th October 2014 Few places are as pristine and naturally vibrant in Autumn as New England! The famous autumn foliage and stunning symphony of colours in the backwoods of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine make the most north-easterly region of the United States the premier place to visit in the “fall”. We experience the rural charm and authentic Yankee spirit of this six-state region by visiting an exquisite selection of top quality heritage railroads and classic cruise destinations.

We base ourselves in the cosmopolitan city of Boston; the cosy village of North Conway, New Hampshire; and the charming college town of Brunswick, Maine. Where available, we travel on original steam trains and also have an estuarine cruise on one of the very last coal-fired propeller-driven steamers on America´s East Coast. Preference is always given to first class and parlour car accommodation on trains!

Tuesday 30th September Flight to Boston; arrival in Cambridge We have a trans-Atlantic flight from London Heathrow to Boston, arriving in the evening local time. We transfer from Logan International Airport to nearby Cambridge and stay at the charming Irving House, a Victorian Bed & Breakfast establishment, which will be our base for the next few nights. It is located near to historic Harvard Yard, a grassy area of about 25 acres that constitutes the oldest part of the famous Harvard University campus.

Wednesday 1st October Day of leisure in Cambridge and Boston Today is a free day to explore Cambridge and Boston which are adjacent to each other and merely separated by the scenic Charles River.

They are connected by the Red Line subway and both cities offer the authentic American atmosphere. Cambridge is the location of the famous Harvard University campus, vibrant Harvard Square with its shops, and historic Cambridge Common. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and has a wealth of cultural and architectural landmarks. It is also a pedestrian city and easy to get around on foot.

Wander along the spacious avenues of Back Bay, visit the galleries on Newbury Street, see historic

Beacon Hill with its 18th and 19th Century redbrick townhouses, or take a stroll down the famed Freedom Trail in the financial district.

The ‘subway’ (or the “T”– Metro) is composed of four colour coded railway lines and is a very convenient mode of transport. Typical American rolling stock and big ‘beefy’ diesel locomotives from Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail may be viewed at the city´s two passenger stations. (B) Thursday 2nd October Steam in Connecticut Today´s programme provides the first opportunity to experience steam in New England, both by land and water! We take an early morning Amtrak Northeast Regional service from the nearby Back Bay Station to Old Saybrook in Connecticut.

We travel there on the famed Northeast Corridor through southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. After about two hours on the train, we reach Old Saybrook, from where a road coach takes us to nearby Essex. There we board the Valley Railroad´s well known “Essex Steam Train” and travel the entire length of the route to Haddam and back. There will be a choice of either riding in the parlour car or the open car.

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second steam train. Our road coach then takes us to the nearby coastal town of Mystic. There we visit Mystic Seaport, a formidable maritime museum with an extensive collection of historic ships. One of them is the operational and absolutely genuine, coal-fired propeller-driven steamer S.S. “Sabino” from 1908. We board this delightful ship for a 90 minute cruise in Mystic´s coastal harbour and estuarine river.

There will also be time for dinner in Mystic.

After our visit to Mystic Seaport our road coach takes us to nearby New London, where we board an Amtrak train back to Boston. (B) Friday 3rd October More leisure in Cambridge; classic PCC trams in Boston This morning there is the option of a vintage tram ride in Boston´s Ashmont district or taking leisure time to explore Cambridge or Boston. Boston features America´s oldest subway system and we first visit the original Park Street underground station from 1897 before continuing with the subway’s flagship Red Line to Ashmont. There we travel on the vintage 1940’s PCC (Presidents’ Conference Committee) trams that operate the 2.4 mile long high speed line to Mattapan.

This remarkable standard gauge operation is actually the only public transportation revenue

service in the United States that has continuously operated PCC trams, icons of the 1940’s.

The entire present stock has been tastefully refurbished and now represents a “must see” for any tram enthusiast. There will be an opportunity to ride on several of the cream and orange coloured PCC coaches as well as to photograph or film them. The excursion concludes just before lunch time and the rest of the day will be free to further explore the different attractions in either Cambridge or Boston. (B) Saturday 4th October Steam on the White Mountain Central Railroad in New Hampshire We have a morning transfer by chartered road coach from Boston northwards to Lincoln in New Hampshire. There we visit the heritage Hobo Railroad and take a ride on a vintage dieselhauled train for a 90 minute ‘fall foliage’ sightseeing tour through the richly coloured woods and along a wild river. The rest of the day will be spent at the nearby Clark´s Trading Post, a classic New Hampshire attraction and home to the White Mountain Central Railroad (WMCRR).

For this weekend, Clark´s Trading Post is running several steam trains on its 2.5 mile scenic line which includes the world’s only standing example of a wooden covered railway bridge. The flagship steam locomotive of the WMCRR is No. 6, a fascinating two-bogie, wood burner, built by the Climax Manufacturing Company. It is one of the few operational Climax steam locomotives anywhere in the world and will make an impressive sight pushing our train! There will be ample time to ride on the train and photograph the Climax! Other locomotives, including a Shay geared steam locomotive which is normally locked away, will be on display.

Clark´s Trading Post also features live animal shows with trained black bears, museums filled with Americana, local arts and crafts shops, plus many other regional attractions.

In the early evening we travel from Lincoln to North Conway where we check in to the elegant Eastern Slope Inn*, a classic New England hotel, which will be our base for the next four nights.

(B) Sunday 5th October Steam to the top of Mount Washington; Conway Scenic Railroad Today features one of the highlights of the tour as we visit the nearby Mount Washington Cog Railway. This original engineering marvel dating from 1869 is indeed the very first rack and pinion railway in the world and at the same time New England´s most internationally acclaimed tourist line. In recent years the railway has begun introducing diesel locomotives, but the first train of the day is still steam-hauled. We join this train and let the coal-fired locomotive push us up the unique wooden trestle to the summit station of the 6,288 ft. high peak, as such the highest mountain in New England. On a clear day it is possible to see both the Atlantic Ocean and Canada from the top! The forest scenery below should unfold like a painter´s palette, with a vibrant mix of different colours, foremost green, yellow, orange and already some red. We return by steam train down the trestle to the Marshfield base station and then continue by our road coach to the nearby Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway. After lunchtime, we board a parlour car and take the train on the “Valley Line” route south to Conway. This train will be hauled by vintage diesel locomotive in attractive maroon livery. After our ride there will be some extra time to film the other arriving and departing trains as well as to have a look around the immaculate and very ornate North Conway station building dating from 1874.

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3795 £395

Ground only (Boston–Boston) Price per person £3050 Price includes: • Return flights from London Heathrow to Boston • 11 nights hotel accommodation • 7 breakfasts and one lunch • All transfers on Amtrak trains or chartered road coaches, as outlined in the itinerary • All railway trips and boat cruises, as outlined in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner *The accommodation at the Eastern Slope Inn is self contained units, with kitchenette facilities. Therefore no breakfast service will be available at this hotel, however stops will be made as necessary during the tour for you to purchase provisions.

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Monday 6th October Scenic train along Lake Winnipesaukee and afternoon cruise Today, we travel the short distance from North Conway to Meredith to visit another of New Hampshire´s most beautiful regions, the state´s Lake District. We have a return trip on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, a heritage line that runs beside Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in the state. Our train is hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive from Meredith to Lakeport, as we enjoy the finest views of the lake from our train. On the return journey we alight at Weirs Beach and board the impressive M.V. Mount Washington, a stately four-deck cruise ship that was originally built as a classic steamboat in 1872; later being comprehensively rebuilt during the 1940’s. The vessel´s prominent white funnel, spacious open decks and elegant saloons give it a grand appearance. There will be an opportunity to have lunch aboard the ship and enjoy diverse views of the Lake District from this different vantage point. In the late afternoon we return to North Conway.

unspoiled nature around Saco Lake. Here the ‘fall’ foliage will be already close to its peak colours.

After our round-trip we return to North Conway where the evening is free for relaxation or to explore the town and find a restaurant of your choice for a meal. (L) Wednesday 8th October Steam at the Boothbay Railway Village; schooner sail at Boothbay Harbor Today we leave our base in New Hampshire and travel by road coach to Maine, the easternmost state in both New England and the United States.

Maine is famous for its two-foot narrow gauge railways, which were built from the late 1870’s onwards and inspired by the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. We visit a narrow gauge line with live steam operations at the excellent Boothbay Railway Village, which is also an attractive openair museum with many distinctive old buildings.

There will be plenty of time to ride on and film the train, as well as to view the museum´s other collections, including a barn full of vintage cars.

Tuesday 7th October Notch train on the Conway Scenic Railroad We return to the Conway Scenic Railroad for a second day, this time covering the north-bound track on its flagship Notch Train. This is indeed one of the most scenic rides anywhere on the East Coast with panoramic mountain vistas that include steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, plus lots of dense woods. From an engineering point of view, there are the famed Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook bridges over which the train passes. We have premier seating in a vintage North American dome car and a complimentary three-course lunch in the “Hattie Evans” Pullman Standard dining car. Our train is hauled by an iconic vintage diesel locomotive, representative of U.S. railroading from the mid 20th Century. The end of the line is at Crawford Notch where we stop for an hour and enjoy the World Tours - Autumn in New England

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Later we transfer to the nearby village of Boothbay Harbor where we can enjoy a late lunch. Then we embark on a classic ´windjammer´ sailing boat for a two-hour cruise which provides a first-hand opportunity to view Maine´s rocky coast and wild seashore. After the cruise we transfer to the handsome college town of Brunswick. We shall be based at the elegant Captain Daniel Stone Inn for the remainder of the tour.

Thursday 9th October Maine Eastern Railroad After a leisurely breakfast we have a late morning departure from Brunswick Station on the Maine Eastern Railroad. This railroad operates very handsome rakes of restored stainless steel streamlined carriages hauled by legendary FL-9 diesel locomotives with their rounded nose.

Our seats are in the stately parlour car. This scenic coastal line runs for 57 miles close to Maine’s rocky shoreline from Brunswick to Rockland via Bath and Wiscasset.

We reach Rockland shortly after noon and most of the afternoon will be free to explore this beautiful seaside town. In the late afternoon we take the return train to Brunswick where there will be free time in the evening to discover the sights and a restaurant for dinner. (B) Friday 10th October Steam on Maine’s narrow gauge railways Today we travel by road coach to Alna to discover part of Maine’s narrow gauge railway heritage.

We travel on its flagship two-foot gauge railway, the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway (WWF), which has successfully rebuilt an attractive section of line from a previously huge network. The WWF owns several indigenous steam locomotives and a 1920’s Ford railcar.

We travel behind a steam locomotive over the entire length of the rebuilt line, pausing for photographic run-pasts en route. We shall also have the opportunity to ride in the Ford railcar over the sidings in Sheepscot yard. There is so much to see and do at the WWF that we shall spend the greater part of the day there. In the afternoon we go to Wiscasset, a town located on the tidal Sheepscot River and noted for its early architecture.

There will be time to take a stroll along the coast or to photograph the passing trains of the Maine Eastern Railroad. In the late afternoon we return to Brunswick. (B) Saturday 11th October Return to Boston on Amtrak; flight to London Heathrow Our ten day tour of New England concludes today with a morning departure from Brunswick to Boston. We make this journey by rail, taking Amtrak´s excellent Downeaster service for the quick and efficient three plus hour ride down the Atlantic coast to Boston North Station.

After arrival in Boston, there will be free time in the city to find somewhere for a meal and maybe some last minute shopping.

In the late afternoon, we transfer by road coach to Logan International Airport for our evening return flight to London Heathrow. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3795 £395

Ground only (Boston–Boston) Price per person £3050 Price includes: • Return flights from London Heathrow to Boston • 11 nights hotel accommodation • 7 breakfasts and one lunch • All transfers on Amtrak trains or chartered road coaches, as outlined in the itinerary • All railway trips and boat cruises, as outlined in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner *The accommodation at the Eastern Slope Inn is self contained units, with kitchenette facilities. Therefore no breakfast service will be available at this hotel, however stops will be made as necessary during the tour for you to purchase provisions.

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Peru and Bolivia Thursday 2nd October to Sunday 19th October 2014 This tour is so full of culture and amazing sights that it is difficult to know where to begin! We commence with a city tour of Lima, the capital of Peru. We shall then travel by train and by coach amongst mountains rising to over twenty thousand feet, see lakes, and pass from spring to winter in a matter of hours as we reach altitudes of up to around sixteen thousand feet. Seeing the sunrise in magical Machu Picchu is amazing, possibly the world’s most celebrated sight; and we sail on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Without a doubt this tour is a real cultural Andean feast.

As for the railway side, we cover a good proportion of the railways in Peru including what was, until recently, the highest railway in the world. We also pass through the Andes on one of Peru’s most luxurious trains. It is true to say that all of the varied railway journeys that we make are spectacular and very special.

Thursday 2nd October Flight to Lima, Peru We have a morning flight from London Heathrow to Lima via Miami. We transfer to the Casa Andina Hotel, located in the Lima district of Miraflores, for two nights. Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, located in valleys on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Miraflores is known for its shopping areas, gardens, flowerfilled parks and beaches. Dinner is not included this evening and since the district is full of hotels, cafés, pubs, and restaurants there will be ample choice of venue for your evening meal.

Friday 3rd October Lima city tour After breakfast at the hotel, we have a morning sightseeing tour in Lima, visiting both the modern and the colonial parts of the city. Lima was the seat of Spanish rule for 300 years and retains impressive buildings of distinctive Moorish architecture. Today Lima is a bustling metropolis, the cultural and business centre of Peru, characterised by its historic centre, popular traditions, colourful craft markets, and unique cuisine. In the afternoon we visit the Gold Museum to see the legendary golden treasures of the Incas. We also plan to visit a park (if open) where there is a 500mm narrow gauge railway

that operates a 1926 built 0-4-0T steam tank locomotive. We return to the Casa Andina Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 4th October By rail from Lima to Huancayo The Central Railway, Ferrocarril Central del Peru, is a remarkable standard gauge railway line and the most important in Peru from an economic point of view. It begins at the Pacific Port of Callao and was well known as the highest railway in the world until 2006 when China opened its line to Lhasa in Tibet. The line reaches its summit at 15,686 feet near Galera Station before it descends to La Oroya (12,000 feet) and Huancayo (10,700 feet). Our journey begins at Lima Desamparados Station, only a little above sea level, and makes the spectacular climb into the mountains. The steepest gradients are 4.5% and the line traverses 66 tunnels, 59 bridges and 22 zigzag bends. Warm clothing is necessary when we leave the train for photography as we will experience a dramatic drop in temperature.

Lunch will be provided on the train. At Huancayo, we transfer to the Hotel Turismo for overnight accommodation. Dinner tonight is in a typical restaurant of the region. (B L D)

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Sunday 5th October Huancayo to Huancavelica by train During the morning we travel from Huancayo to Huancavelica by “el Tren Macho”, literally ‘the man train’. It has this name because according to a popular saying it is the train that “leaves when it wants and arrives when it can”. There was previously a break-of-gauge at Huancayo until 2008 when the former narrow gauge (914 mm; 3 feet) line closed to be rebuilt as standard gauge (1,435 mm; 4 ft 8½ in). We pass through beautiful Andean scenery and have lunch en route. We check in to a hotel in Huancavelica before taking an afternoon city tour. Later, we experience a Scissors Dance Show, an impressive demonstration of typical Andean art, skillfully performed by dancers with scissors.

We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Monday 6th October By road to Ayacucho This morning we travel by private road coach to Ayacucho. This is a wonderful journey which takes us past old silver mines and an abandoned railway line before the climb into the Andes Mountains. We reach higher altitudes than our train two days previously and, in fact, we shall be on the highest paved road in the world, with the

possible exception of the Himalayas. We have a packed lunch en route. Ayacucho is a city that was founded by the Spaniards in 1540, and contains many buildings that reflect Spain’s influence over hundreds of years. We check in to the Hotel Ayacucho, and there should be time to explore the colonial city centre before dinner.

(B L D) Tuesday 7th October Pisac and the Sacred Valley of the Incas After breakfast in the hotel, we have an early morning transfer to the local airport for a flight from Ayacucho to Lima. We then take a connecting flight from Lima to Cusco. On both flights we pass over the massive Andes Mountains and should get some spectacular views. Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and from there we make the journey to the valley of the Urubamba River, the so called Sacred Valley of the Incas. We continue our journey towards Pisac, to an area best known for its Incan ruins of more than 30 independent settlements spread out over the mountain slopes overlooking the southern end of the Urubamba Valley. Today it is possible to walk through the ruins, including Intyhuatana, the temple of the sun, from where the view is an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Almost the whole town of Pisac has been converted into a street market selling all kinds of handicrafts, antiques and Alpaca wool clothing.

Afterwards, we continue to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Wednesday 8th October Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes This morning we travel along the Urubamba Valley to the town of Ollantaytambo, an Inca archaeological site. The ‘Old Town’ was built by the Incas over five hundred years ago and is unique in all of Peru. The distinctive stone structures of the Incas are all around – defensive walls guard the entrances to the town; agricultural terraces cover the valley slopes; store houses stand on the hillside; and stairways lead to the Sun Temple. At Ollantaytambo Railway Station we board a PeruRail service train for the 1.5 hour journey along the 914 mm (3 feet) narrow gauge line to Aguas Calientes. We shall travel by the Vistadome service in carriages with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views of the mountainous terrain along the Urubamba Valley, and with at-seat refreshments included. Upon arrival there is a short walk to the hotel where we shall have dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£4295 £395

Ground only Price per person

£3495

Price includes: • Return flights from London Heathrow via Miami to Lima returning from La Paz • Internal flights in Peru and Bolivia • 16 nights hotel accommodation • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners • Transfers • All rail and coach travel • Entrance to all attractions mentioned • Local guides • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner October 2014 M

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Thursday 9th October Machu Picchu We have breakfast in the hotel before an early morning journey by bus (20 minutes) to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We shall have a three hour guided tour through several sectors of this famous archaeological complex which was discovered in 1911 by the North American historian Hiram Bingham.

There will be optional walks available to visit the nearby ruins of Inty Punku, the so called “Sun Door” on the East side of the main complex, or to climb up to the Moon Temple on the top of Wayna Picchu Mountain (entrance fee not included), from where there are astonishing views of the entire Machu Picchu ruins. Lunch will be taken in the Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes Station where we board a PeruRail train for the journey to Poroy, just outside Cusco. We transfer by private vehicle to a hotel in Cusco city for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Friday 10th October Cusco city tour After breakfast in the hotel, we have a morning sightseeing tour of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We shall see the many historical Inca and Spanish colonial monuments in the city.

These include the Inca Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) which today forms part of the 17th century Santo Domingo Cathedral. Also, we will visit the ¨Piedra de los Doce Angulos¨ (stone of 12 angles) to see the amazing Inca walls of huge carved stone blocks that fit perfectly. We shall go high into the mountains overlooking the town for photographs, and later visit the PeruRail locomotive depot and meet the staff. In the evening we return to our hotel in Cusco city and have dinner at a traditional local restaurant.

(B L D)

Saturday 11th October Train to Lake Titicaca Following breakfast, we transfer to Cusco Railway Station where we join a service train for Puno.

We travel 1st class, with lunch served on board, for 240 miles along this standard gauge line which has been mentioned among the 25 greatest railway journeys of the world. The train makes stops along the way. Local women bring handicrafts to sell in the market at Sichuan, a picturesque village set in a plain landscape.

La Raya Pass is the highest point on the route at around fourteen thousand feet, and here there is an exquisite view, weather permitting, over the plains to the snowcapped mountains. Puno is located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at over twelve thousand feet and the largest lake in South America. We transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Sunday 12th October Cruise on Lake Titicaca and La Paz, Bolivia Today we have a cruise on Lake Titicaca and move from Peru to Bolivia. Following breakfast in the hotel, we board a chartered hydrofoil and cross the amazing cobalt blue waters of Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. Our first call is at Copacabana in Bolivia where we visit the Cathedral which houses the statue of La Virgen de la Candelaria (the “Dark Virgin”), reputed to have miraculous healing powers. Our journey continues to the Island of the Moon where we visit the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun (Iñak Uyu) where the most beautiful women of the Incas were offered in sacrifice to their gods.

Afterwards we visit the Island of the Sun to see the Inca Staircase (Steps) and the Inca Fountain, where there will be an opportunity to taste its sacred waters that are believed to give eternal youth & happiness. We have lunch at “Uma Kollu” archaeological restaurant and visit a picturesque handicraft market. After lunch we continue our cruise to Huatajata where we visit World Tours - Peru and Bolivia

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the “Andean Roots Eco Village”. This is a museum and exhibition on the culture and history of the region. A state of the art audio system explains the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas. There are replica mud houses of the Chipaya people and also of the tortora (reed) boats used by explorer Thor Heyerdahl for his expeditions across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The Limachi brothers, who built the actual “RA II” and “Tigris” for some of these epic journeys, are often here and happy to talk. We travel by road coach to La Paz for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Monday 13th October Tour of La Paz city and Moon Valley We have breakfast in the hotel before making a morning sightseeing tour of La Paz. The afternoon is free, providing further opportunities to explore the city. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and it sits in a ‘bowl’ surrounded by high mountains. Overlooking the city is the towering triple-peaked Illimani which is always snow covered and can be seen from several locations.

The city is renowned for its traditional culture and unique markets such as the Black Market and Witches Market. Calle Jaen is one of the few places in the city with preserved colonial buildings, currently housing several interesting museums including the Musical Instrument and the Precious Metals Museums. Sagarnaga Street, just south of Plaza San Francisco, is the main tourist area. It is mainly a market street with craft and souvenir shops, but also the location of budget hotels, tour and travel agencies, and cafes. Just outside the city is the Moon Valley, an area of surreal weathered rock where erosion has worn away the majority of a mountain. It is composed of clay rather than rock, and over the centuries the elements have created a somewhat odd work of art here, like a desert filled with stalagmites. We stay overnight in our hotel in La Paz. (B L D)

Tuesday 14th October Train from Oruro to Uyuni After breakfast, we transfer by road coach to the city of Oruro, approximately 3 hours from La Paz. This former mining city was once an important railway hub but today it is famous for its UNESCO listed ‘Carnaval de Oruro’, a religious festival.

There are very few passenger trains in Bolivia and we join one of the twice-weekly ‘Expreso del Sur’ trains to Uyuni. They are operated by La Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. (FCA) who run the ‘Expreso del Sur’ and the ‘Wara Wara’ on this metre gauge route to the border with Argentina.

The former is more luxurious and faster than the latter, using modern trains equipped for comfortable long-distance travel with adjustable seats, video and music, and a restaurant service with dinner served on board by a waiter.

We arrive at Uyuni around 22:00 and transfer to our hotel in Colchani for an overnight stay. (B L D) Wednesday 15th October Pulacayo historic mining centre and Uyuni Train Cemetry Uyuni lies at the edge of an extensive high-level plain and serves as a gateway to the world’s largest salt flats, the nearby Salar de Uyuni.

Today we head north-eastwards into the hills and visit the historic industrial site at Pulacayo.

The world’s second largest silver mine was important in Bolivia’s economic development.

It closed in 1959 but remains to this day as a monument to the past. At this virtual ghost town, brilliantly coloured rocks rise beside the road and a mineral-rich stream reveals streaks of blue, yellow, red and green. The mining centre retains an amazing collection of mine infrastructure including the mansion of Aniceto Arcehe, the President of Bolivia who built the mine and Bolivia’s first railway line. Nearby is a collection of rusting steam locomotives that were originally imported to transport the minerals. They include Bolivia’s first steam locomotive “El Chiripa”, and the train that was robbed by legendary bandits Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, including a wooden railcar that bears the bullet holes from the attack. In the afternoon we visit the Train Cemetery at the junction of railway lines to Chile and Argentina to the south of Uyuni Station.

There are two lines of derelict steam locomotives plus the remains of carriages, wagons and railway equipment left to rust in this hostile environment.

There will be time to relax before we have dinner at our hotel. (B L D)

several species of pink flamingos. We shall visit Incahuasi Island, a rocky island located in the heart of the Salar and characterised by the presence of giant cacti. The hilly island provides spectacular views of the Salt Flat and is the best place to take photographs of the amazing surroundings. In Colchani, there are gift shops selling handicrafts made of salt. At sunset we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Friday 17th October Tiwanaku; La Paz Following breakfast, we transfer to Uyuni Airport for a flight to La Paz. On arrival, we travel by road coach to the amazing archaeological site of Tiwanaku, the capital of an ancient civilisation.

During its greatest times, the capital was the largest in the world and considered to be the ‘Cradle of all American Civilisations’. Some have hypothesized that Tiwanaku’s modern name is related to the Aymara term ‘taypiqala’, meaning “stone in the centre”, alluding to the belief that it lay at the centre of the world. These pre-Inca ruins have started endless archaeological debates; the most recent carbon-14 tests show that the site dates back to 1580 B.C. We have lunch before continuing to the port town of Guaqui, where once train ferries operated on Lake Titicaca.

We shall visit the former railway workshops of the Guaqui Railway to see the steam locomotives stored there. We return to La Paz for dinner and overnight hotel accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 18th October Return to UK This morning we have an early transfer to the airport at La Paz for our flights to London via Miami. (B) Sunday 19th October Arrive back in UK We arrive back at London Heathrow in the morning.

Thursday 16th October Salar de Uyuni: Colchani and Isla Incahuasi After breakfast in the hotel, the entire day is dedicated to the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat).

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat and covers an area of 10,582 km² (4,086 square miles). It is covered by a few metres of salt crust which serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which is exceptionally rich in lithium.

We shall see the water bubbling on its surface in the so-called “Ojos de Agua” or “the eyes of water”, and watch the inhabitants in their work of extracting salt for marketing. The Salar serves as the major transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano and is a major breeding ground for

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£4295 £395

Ground only Price per person

£3495

Price includes: • Return flights from London Heathrow via Miami to Lima returning from La Paz • Internal flights in Peru and Bolivia • 16 nights hotel accommodation • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 15 dinners • Transfers • All rail and coach travel • Entrance to all attractions mentioned • Local guides • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner October 2014 M

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Cedric Spiller

North and South India Thursday 6th November to Friday 21st November 2014 India is an extremely diverse country with vast differences in geography, climate, culture, language and ethnicity, yet prides itself on being the largest democracy on Earth. The country has a rich mixture of ‘past and present’ culture and heritage. This tour to both North and South India provides a great opportunity to visit this amazing country and to discover something of its traditions and fascinating way of life.

The tour features travel by steam trains on the world famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Southern India. Broad gauge travel includes a steam train from Delhi and the “West Coast Express” across southern India from Chennai to Coimbatore. We stay at hotels in contrasting locations which include the major cities of Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore as well as the glorious surroundings of ‘Hill Stations’ at Darjeeling, Coonoor and Ooty.

Thursday 6th November Flight to India We have an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Friday 7th November Delhi A traditional ‘welcome’ awaits us on arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

We transfer to our hotel, check in and have lunch.

In the afternoon we visit the National Railway Museum in New Delhi. It contains a comprehensive collection of India’s railway heritage. Of particular interest is the world's oldest working steam locomotive in operational service “Fairy Queen”, and a working exhibit from the Patiala State Monorail Trainways, a unique steam monorail. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (L D) Saturday 8th November Steam Train to Rewari Steam Centre Today, we visit the Rewari Steam Centre, travelling there by a regular passenger steam train from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station. Our train will be hauled by one of India’s iconic steam locomotives; a WP class ‘Pacific’ built post World War II for use on prestigious express trains.

The once famous Rewari locomotive depot fell into ruin following the decline of steam traction but was restored and reopened in 2010. It now houses preserved broad gauge and metre gauge steam locomotives. The site also includes a library, small exhibits museum, a steam crane and restored saloon carriage. The latter will be our venue for having a boxed lunch that has been specially arranged for us. We return to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station by service train and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Sunday 9th November Delhi to Siliguri Following breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to Delhi airport to board a domestic flight to Bagdogra, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. We transfer to Siliguri, a town located in the foothills of the Himalayas, where we check in to our hotel. The remainder of the day will be free time to relax. (B L D) Monday 10th November Steam Train on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway After breakfast at our hotel we transfer to the Siliguri steam locomotive depot of the famous World Tours - North and South India

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narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). We have a specially chartered train, hauled by a B class steam locomotive, to travel to Rangtong. En route, we pass Sukna Station where the landscape changes from flat plains to the wooded lower slopes of the mountains, and the gradient of the railway changes dramatically.

The DHR has been breached by repeated landslides in recent years making it necessary to continue our journey by road from Rantong to Kurseong. Kurseong is a quiet hill station and we stay at an attractive colonial bungalow, now converted into a hotel. The DHR tracks run through the length of this former ‘rest town’ from the days of the British Raj. The early evening is free to discover the sights and tea estates. (B L D) Tuesday 11th November Steam Train to Darjeeling This morning we travel by jeep to Kurseong Station where we board a steam train on the DHR, nicknamed the ‘toy train’. We pass through the famous ‘Batasia Loop’ en route and, weather permitting, will be able to take photos of the train against the background of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the rest of the Himalayan range. We arrive in Darjeeling by lunchtime and transfer to a colonial hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Wednesday 12th November The ‘Joy Train’ to Ghum Today we ride on the ‘Joy Train’, the DHR steamhauled service that runs daily on a return trip from Darjeeling to Ghum, the highest railway station in India. There may be another opportunity to photograph the spectacular Himalayan Mountains when the train pauses at Batasia Loop. We stop at Ghum and visit the museum above the station before we return to Darjeeling. After lunch at the hotel, we visit the famous Tibetan Refugee Centre, where traditional handmade textiles and handicrafts can be seen. We also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) which houses the collectibles of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and the local Sherpa of Darjeeling, Tenzing Norgay, who were the first to conquer Mt. Everest. (B L D).

Thursday 13th November Tiger Hill; Ghum Monastery Early risers are in for a real treat today with our excursion to Tiger Hill (subject to clear weather as advised by our local team). Wake up calls can be arranged in the hotel room at around 04:30.

Tiger Hill is about 12 km from Darjeeling and is the place to see the spectacular sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. As the sun appears the mountain changes colour; it’s an awe-inspiring sight and an experience not to be missed. There are also views of Mount Everest in the distance, if the weather is absolutely clear. On our return journey to Darjeeling we visit a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at Ghum which was built in 1875 and contains a 15 foot high statue of Buddha. We return to our hotel for breakfast and then the remainder of the day is free to explore the Darjeeling malls and bazaars, or maybe visit the local Botanical Garden or Zoological Park. (B L D)

Friday 14th November Darjeeling to Chennai After breakfast, we travel by road from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport. Here we board an afternoon flight to Chennai, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is known as the ‘gateway to the South’, and has a culture distinctly different from that of any other Indian city. Tamil tradition and culture are indigenous to the area and is essentially the celebration of beauty, which is exemplified through dance, clothing, and sculptures. We transfer to a hotel in Chennai for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 15th November “West Coast Express” to Coimbatore; Mettupalayam This morning we have breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to Chennai Railway Station. We join the “West Coast Express”, an express train that crosses southern India from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the Arabian Sea in the west. It is one of the oldest named trains in India and provides a daytime connection between Chennai and Coimbatore Junction. The route passes through largely hilly terrain with stops at Salem and Erode Junction, a train servicing station with electric and diesel locomotive depots. Coimbatore is a large city surrounded by the Western Ghats, a mountain range along the western side of India listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We travel by road from Coimbatore Junction Station to Mettupalayam, a town on the Bhavani River at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills. Here we check in to a hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £869

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London to Delhi and Bangalore to London • Internal flights • 14 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast • 13 lunches • 14 dinners • All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as described in the itinerary • The service of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner November 2014 M

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Cedric Spiller

Sunday 16th November Steam to a Nilgiri Hill Station at Coonoor After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to Mettupalayam Station where we board a steam train on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR). The metre gauge railway was built by the British in 1908 and still operates steam locomotives. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 when added to the list of "Mountain Railways of India." The NMR includes a section of the line that uses a rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradients which includes a maximum of 1 in 12, the steepest in Asia. We travel by steam train from Mettupalayam to Coonoor, climbing over 4,500 feet into the hills in a distance of 28 km (17.4 miles). Our train twists and turns through some spectacular mountain scenery frequently passing over bridges and through some tunnels.

Coonoor is a hill station known for its production of Nilgiri tea and there are massive private plantations in the surrounding hills. We stay at a local hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Monday 17th November Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty Today, there is the option of repeating the journey by steam train from Mettupalayam to Coonoor or travelling over the remainder of the NMR route from Coonoor to Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty, by diesel train. Those choosing the first option will travel by road to Mettupalayam to join the steam train. Coonoor is the main intermediate station on the NMR and the site of the locomotive workshops. It is the top end of the rack and pinion rail section and trains normally change from steam to diesel haulage there. Trains for Ooty reverse for a short distance before continuing their climb into the hills. It is 18 km from Coonoor to Ooty and the line is less steep than the previous section.

The route is characterised by lofty mountains, great lakes, dense forests, sprawling grasslands, miles of tea gardens and eucalyptus trees.

There are five intermediate stations including Ketti, in the Ketti Valley, and Lovedale, the highest station on the entire route. We stay at a hotel in Ooty for overnight accommodation.

(B L D) Tuesday 18th November Ooty A day of leisure is on the programme for today providing an opportunity to explore Ooty and discover the places of interest there. It is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills and a market town. The surrounding area is largely dependent on dairy farming and agriculture, notably the cultivation of "English vegetables" and "English fruits" grown locally. The hill station itself has been described as ‘a land of picturesque picnic spots’. Places to visit include the Botanical Gardens, with around a thousand species of both exotic and indigenous plants, shrubs, ferns and trees; the Government rose garden, which is the largest rose garden in India; the tea estates; and Ooty Lake, which offers boating facilities. (B D) Wednesday 19th November Ooty to Mysore After breakfast at our hotel we travel by road from Ooty to Mysore. Our route takes us northwards through the Nilgiri Mountain ranges, or ‘Blue Mountains’, which contain many high mountain peaks, spectacular waterfalls, and thick forests. Mysore is the historical capital of the Princely Kingdom of Mysore which was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty. The city is located at the base of the Chamundi Hills which are among the eight most sacred hills of South India.

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It is noted for its palaces, including the Mysore Palace, and for the festivities that take place during the annual Dasara festival. In the early evening we visit the Mysore Palace. Mysore is commonly described as the ‘City of Palaces’, but Mysore Palace refers specifically to one within the old fort which is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India after the Taj Mahal.

The Palace houses several rooms of importance including the Audience Chamber, Public Durbar (court), Royal Wedding Hall, and Armoury.

We also visit St. Philomenas Church, a beautiful cathedral, built in the gothic style and one of the largest churches in the country. We have dinner and overnight accommodation at a Mysore hotel.

(B L D) Thursday 20th November Mysore and Bangalore This morning we travel by road to Srirangapatna, a town of great religious, cultural and historic importance. The town is located on an island in the River Kaveri and was once the fortress capital of the region controlled by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. We visit Daria Daulat Bagh, literally 'Garden of the Wealth', the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, which was constructed in 1784 and is made of teak wood. Today it is a museum devoted to Tipu Sultan. We also visit Jama Masjid, the main mosque and place of gathering for Eid prayers and Friday prayers. It is sometimes called the ‘congregational mosque’ or ‘Friday mosque’.

We stay at a hotel in Bangalore. (B L D) Friday 21st November Return to UK After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to Bangalore Airport for a morning departure which arrives mid morning at London Heathrow. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £869

Ground only Price per person

£3300

Price includes: • Return flights from London to Delhi and Bangalore to London • Internal flights • 14 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast • 13 lunches • 14 dinners • All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as described in the itinerary • The service of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner November 2014 M

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Nigel Dobbing

South American Adventure Wednesday 5th November to Monday 24th November 2014 This extraordinary tour visits Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, three contrasting South American countries. We stay in the capital cities and travel by steam train in all three countries. Highlights include travelling over the Andes Mountains on the “Train of the Clouds”; through the wilderness to Esquel, deep in Patagonia, on the “Old Patagonian Express”; and the famous ‘Lake Crossing’ through the Andes from Chile into Argentina.

We travel on specially chartered trains, mostly hauled by steam locomotives, and see for ourselves the challenges faced by those who built the railway lines through extremely hostile terrain. A variety of track gauges are used in these countries and we travel on broad, standard, metre, and narrow gauge routes. We view steam locomotives of the six different gauges in use at the various railway museums visited.

We experience amazing vistas as we travel through the Andes Mountains, cross the Atacama Desert, navigate the estuary of the River Plate, and cruise the Patagonian lakes. Colonial heritage abounds in the towns & cities and we take time to view some of the best examples of their architectural splendour. There will be many filming and photographic opportunities covering various interests – landscape, transport, life style, flora and fauna. This tour offers a truly spectacular three-in-one ‘South American Adventure’ – an experience not to be missed.

Wednesday 5th November Flight to Montevideo, Uruguay We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Montevideo in Uruguay.

Workshops and Roundhouse which houses the Uruguayan steam fleet of mainly British origin.

We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (D)

Thursday 6th November Montevideo, Uruguay We have an early afternoon arrival in Montevideo, then transfer to the city and check in to a hotel for two nights. Montevideo is the capital and chief port of Uruguay. It is situated on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata (“Silver River”) and was involved in the first major naval battle of World War II, the Battle of the River Plate.

The city has a population of well over one million and has been described as ‘a vibrant, diverse place with a rich cultural life’. The ‘old town’ contains plazas (squares), the cathedral, monuments and numerous museums.

The Mercado del Puerto is a covered market full of restaurants and some shops selling handicrafts.

The Parque Rodo is the city’s main park with numerous amusement facilities. There is an optional city tour or visit to the Peñarol Railway

Friday 7th November Montevideo Steam The standard gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) railway network of Uruguay was once 2,835 km (1,761 miles) but now only 1,507 km (936 miles) remains in service. Trains are chiefly used for transporting freight with very limited passenger services on only a few routes. Today, we join a specially chartered train with two beautifully restored carriages and hauled by a 2-6-0 steam locomotive No. 120 which was built by Beyer Peacock in 1910. The train is operated by the Asociación Uruguaya Amigos del Riel (A.U.A.R.), the Association of Uruguayan Friends of Railways.

We travel north-eastwards from Montevideo to Minas and back, a journey of approximately 200 km (124 miles). The route via Montes and Verdun is principally used by freight trains. Breakfast and lunch will be served on board the train.

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We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 8th November Fast ferry to Buenos Aires This morning we take the high-speed ferry from Montevideo to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city, which is located on the estuary of the River Plate. We transfer to the city and check in to our hotel. Buenos Aires is a top tourist destination, and is known for its European-style architecture and rich cultural life. This evening we visit a Tango show where we shall also have dinner.

Tango music originated in Argentina and it has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. We return to our hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Sunday 9th November To Rosario After breakfast in the hotel, we have a short sightseeing tour of the city. We then transfer to Buenos Aires Retiro Station where we board a specially chartered train hauled by an Alco diesel

locomotive. We travel to Rosario, which is located on the western shore of the Paraná River in central Argentina, 300 km (186 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires. We have dinner and overnight accommodation at a hotel in Rosario. (B L D) Monday 10th November Rosario Steam special Today we have a specially chartered train hauled

by North British (Glasgow) 1914-built 5ft 6in gauge 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 191.

This former Central Argentine Railway broad gauge locomotive has been restored to working order recently at Perez workshops near Rosario.

We travel from Rosario to San Nicolas de Los Arroyos where our Alco diesel takes over for the return journey to Retiro Station in Buenos Aires.

We have dinner and overnight accommodation in Buenos Aires. (B L D) Tuesday 11th November Fly to Salta This morning we take a flight to Salta, a city in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. In the afternoon we have a sightseeing tour of Salta, the Argentine city which has the best preserved colonial architecture. Many impressive buildings are located in the city centre ‘9th of July Square’ including the 18th century Cabildo (Town Hall), the neoclassical style cathedral, and museums.

There are awe-inspiring views of the city and the Lerma Valley from the summit of San Bernardo Hill which can be reached by cable car. We have dinner and overnight accommodation at our hotel in Salta. (B L D)

Wednesday 12th November “Train of the Clouds” Today we join “The Train of the Clouds”, a tourist train service that runs on a route connecting the Argentine north-west with the Chilean border in the Andes mountain range. It is known as the “Train of the Clouds” because clouds can sometimes envelope the train as it passes through the mountains. There are some spectacular views as the train runs from Salta Station to the La Polvorilla Viaduct, located at 4,220 metres (13,850 ft) above sea level. The route has 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags – the latter allow the train to climb steep gradients without the use of rack-and-pinion for traction. The service includes a dining car and we shall dine on board the train. We continue by luxury coach to Antofagasta where we stay overnight. (B L D) Thursday 13th November Special steam excursion with North British 2-8-4T No. 34 Antofagasta is a port city in a major mining area of northern Chile. It is known as ‘The Pearl of the North’ because of its historical and economic importance. This morning we have arranged a specially chartered train hauled by the magnificent North British, Glasgow, built 2-8-4T steam tank locomotive No. 34. We have a return trip to Mejillones, a port city situated on the Pacific Ocean coast 60 km north of Antofagasta.

Lunch will be provided on the train. We stay overnight in Antofagasta. (B L D) Continued overleaf.

Nigel Dobbing

Hooper

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£6095 £515

Ground only Price per person

£5295

Price includes: • Flights from London to Montevideo and from Buenos Aires to London • Internal flights • 17 nights accommodation with breakfast • 16 lunches and 17 dinners • Ferry and boat trips • All rail travel shown • All visits and coach journeys shown • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner November 2014 M

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Yana Zhuchenko

Friday 14th November To Santiago, capital of Chile After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Baquedano for a vintage electric train trip into the Atacama desert area with further details to be given later. In the early evening we take a flight to Santiago, where we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Saturday 15th November To Temuco Today we travel by fast train operated by ‘TerraSur’ from Santiago to Chillian on the electrified main line. Currently this is the only inter-city service that still operates in the country, and is the fastest rail service in South America.

At Chillian we transfer by road coach to Temuco.

This afternoon we visit the Pablo Neruda National Railway Museum in Temuco. The former Chilean Railways locomotive depot retains the coaling stage, locomotive workshops, and halfroundhouse where a collection of twenty locomotives, mainly steam, are on display.

We transfer to our hotel in Temuco for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Sunday 16th November By steam to Valdivia Following breakfast this morning, we join our special steam train at Temuco Station to travel to Antilhue. The train will be hauled by a powerful “Baldwin” designed (1953) 4-8-2 steam locomotive hauling 1930-built Linke Hoffman carriages, and an Argentinean Fiat dining car in which lunch will be served. During the journey, a number of stops will be made, in the glorious scenery, for photographic run-pasts. On arrival at Antilhue, we change to another special steam train formed of clerestory carriages and hauled by Beyer Peacock designed 2-6-0 steam locomotive No.120. We travel to Valdivia where we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Monday 17th November Steam trains from Valdivia to Puerto Montt After breakfast we return to Valdivia Station where we board our special train, hauled by 2-6-0 steam locomotive No. 120, for the journey to Antilhue. We change trains at Antilhue and join a specially chartered train hauled by “Baldwin” built ‘Mountain’ Class 4-8-2 steam locomotive No. 620 for a pleasant highly scenic journey to Orsorno.

During the journey lunch will be served in the dining car. On arrival at Orsorno we transfer by road coach to the nautically themed Presidente Hotel in Puerto Montt for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday 18th November Lake crossing to Bariloche This morning we board a vessel to begin the famous lake crossing to San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina. We cruise three beautiful lakes, interspersed with short road journeys on unmarked roads. We pass active volcanoes, spectacular glaciers, and majestic mountains always covered in snow. This must be one of the top five scenic journeys in the world! On arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche, we check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

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Wednesday 19th November The Old Patagonian Express After breakfast we transfer by road coach to Cerro Mesa. At around 10:30 our train, hauled by a narrow gauge 2-8-2 ‘Mikado’ locomotive, will steam out into the Patagonian wilderness of moors, mountains and forests. Despite its 750 mm (2 ft 5½ in) narrow gauge, the Old Patagonian Express includes a restaurant car where we shall be served coffee, tea, light refreshments and lunch. We shall see for ourselves how difficult this country is for railways as we experience an invigorating ride, battling against the force of gravity up though the mountains. After several photographic opportunities en route, we are due to arrive at El Maiten by 16:00 from where we transfer by road coach to El Bolson and our 3-star hotel. (B L D) Thursday 20th November ‘La Trochita’ to Esquel After breakfast, we transfer to El Maiten Station and again board the Old Patagonian Express.

Refreshed with hot coffee and snacks we set off for Esquel on ‘La Trochita’, a nickname meaning ‘The Little Narrow Gauge’ in Spanish. This is a wild and remote line which is still totally steam

operated. Our ride will be extremely exciting as the train tackles severe gradients through the mountains, with the high Andes always in sight.

Lunch is served on board the train and we are due to arrive in Esquel at around 17:00.

On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Saturday 22nd November Flight to Buenos Aires Following breakfast this morning we take a flight from San Carlos de Bariloche to Buenos Aires.

There will be some free time in the capital city before we have our farewell dinner. We have overnight accommodation in Buenos Aires. (B L D)

Friday 21st November Train to Lepa then on to Bariloche Today there are two choices. The first option is to transfer to Esquel Station where ‘La Trochita’ waits for us. We travel steam-hauled to Lepa, for a barbecue lunch beside the line. The second option includes a morning tour of the Esquel area visiting some early settlements where, unusually, only Welsh and Spanish are spoken! Later, those who chose this option will rejoin the rest of the group for the barbecue at Lepa. We then transfer by road coach to San Carlos de Bariloche where we stay overnight. (B L D)

Sunday 23rd November Return to UK After a leisurely breakfast we transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport for our flight to London. (B) Monday 24th November Arrival in London We have an early afternoon arrival at London Heathrow.

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£6095 £515

Ground only Price per person

£5295

Price includes: • Flights from London to Montevideo and from Buenos Aires to London • Internal flights • 17 nights accommodation with breakfast • 16 lunches and 17 dinners • Ferry and boat trips

Nigel Dobbing

• All rail travel shown • All visits and coach journeys shown • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner November 2014

Robyn Macnamara

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World Tours - South American Adventure

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Hugh Ballantyne

Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special Saturday 14th February to Thursday 26th February 2015 The explorer Marco Polo described Sri Lanka as ‘the finest island in the whole world’. It is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, noted for its tea plantations. We explore many of the most attractive areas by specially chartered steam train. The “Viceroy Special” is comprised of two very comfortable air conditioned lounge cars and a restaurant and bar car, hauled by British built Edwardian steam locomotives of the classic 4-6-0 type. We shall stay at the best possible hotels as we travel by rail around the Island and discover striking scenery that includes mountain forests, cascading waterfalls, valleys and rivers. There is an abundance of exotic wildlife, and Indian elephants can be seen in their natural habitat. We visit sites exhibiting the rich heritage of the island which has a recorded history of more than 2,500 years.

This tour offers unrivalled diversity appealing to many varying tastes.

Saturday 14th February Fly to Colombo We leave London Heathrow on a mid-morning direct flight to Colombo.

Sunday 15th February Steam train from the Airport We arrive at Colombo Airport early in the morning and transfer to the nearby airport railway station.

Here we join the “Viceroy Special” chartered train hauled by B1 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No. 340 named "Sir Thomas Maitland". Breakfast is served on the train as we travel south through Colombo to Mount Lavinia Station. We check in to the adjacent Mount Lavinia Hotel, an impressive colonial building at this beach resort.

In the afternoon there is an optional visit by road coach to the Dematogoda locomotive depot where there is an interesting collection of both broad and narrow gauge steam locomotives.

We return to the Mount Lavinia Hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D) Monday 16th February Elephant Orphanage; steam train to Kandy This morning we rejoin the “Viceroy Special” at Mount Lavinia Station for the journey inland to Kandy, hauled by B1 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No. 251. We stop en route to visit the Pinnawala

Elephant Orphanage, and then continue along the spectacular route into the hills. On arrival at Kandy we visit the famous Temple of the Tooth and, if time permits, the Botanical Gardens.

We stay overnight at the luxury five star Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy. (B L D) Tuesday 17th February The highest town on the island Today our train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive as we travel from Kandy into the ‘Hill Country’, passing tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and forests. We stop at Nanu Oya, from where we transfer by road coach to Nuwara Eliya, the highest town on the island. It contains many colonial style homes with English-type lawns and gardens looking out across a beautiful lake, making it seem like a piece of the English Lake District. We stay at The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. (B L D) Wednesday 18th February Tea Plantation and Botanical Gardens We spend today in the ‘Hill Country’ visiting a tea plantation and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens.

The afternoon is free to explore Nuwara Eliya, a picturesque location where many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period. We stay at The Grand Hotel for a second night. (B L D) World Tours - Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special

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Thursday 19th February Kandy This morning we rejoin the “Viceroy Special” at Nanu Oya. We descend between mountain ranges through thickly wooded areas to the interior of the island at Kandy. We shall have a tour of the sacred city of Buddhism. In the evening we visit the Kandy Lake Club for a memorable cultural pageant and watch a fire walking show. We have overnight accommodation at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy. (B L D) Friday 20th February Lion’s Rock; Golden Temple; steam train to Trincomalee We travel to Sigirya by road coach this morning and visit the 600 foot high ‘Lion’s Rock’.

This massive ancient fortress and palace ruins is surrounded by one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. We continue to Dambulla where we visit the impressive Golden Temple, a multi-cave temple complex containing statues and paintings. We join our special train, hauled by steam locomotive No. 340, at Habarana Station.

We pass through the Habarana jungle, which is heavily populated by elephants, and travel northeastwards via Galoya Junction to Trincomalee.

Here we transfer to the Chaaya Blu Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Saturday 21st February By steam from Trincomalee to Batticaloa After breakfast we rejoin the “Viceroy Special” at Trincomalee Station. Our train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 340 as we return to Galoya Junction. Here we change direction of travel and head south-eastwards along the Batticaloa branch. The line runs south along the Indian Ocean coast from Valaichenai to Batticaloa.

On arrival at Batticaloa we transfer to an idyllic beach resort, the Maala Malla Beach resort or similar. (B L D) Sunday 22nd February Batticaloa beach resort leisure Batticaloa is on the flat eastern coastal plain of the Indian Ocean in a beautiful area where there are three lagoons containing several islands linked to the mainland by bridges. We have a free day at our beach resort and there will be options to join a boat trip and do some sightseeing, or simply relax and enjoy the unspoilt natural beach. (B L D) Monday 23rd February Anuradhapura, the ancient capital This morning we travel by road coach to Galoya.

Our train has left Batticaloa the day before and will be waiting for us. We steam south-westwards passing through Habarana, where elephants roam in the jungle, to Maho Junction. Here we change locomotives and B2 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No. 213 will haul our train northwards to Anuradhapura. We shall have a tour of Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilisation. We visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya Tree, which is the oldest living documented tree in the world. We have overnight accommodation in a tranquil gardens setting at the Miridiya Lodge Hotel. (B L D) Tuesday 24th February First steam to Jaffna for many years This journey has only been possible since peace was restored in Northern Sri Lanka and the Northern Line has been reconstructed.

We have a day trip by our special train, hauled by No. 213, from Anuradhapura to Jaffna and Kankesanturai. The route mainly runs through open country, across the North Central plains.

At Elephant Pass, it crosses the lagoons to enter the Jaffna Peninsula. We have a city tour of Jaffna where the Public Library, Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, and Jaffna Fort are notable buildings.

We return by our train, diesel hauled, to Anuradhapura, where we stay for a second night at the Miridiya Lodge Hotel. (B L D) Wednesday 25th February Steam to Mount Lavinia Today we travel on the “Viceroy Special” hauled

by No. 213 from Anuradhapura to Mayo Junction.

Here we change locomotives and No. 340 will haul our train southwards through Polgahawela Junction, where we join the Main Line, to Colombo Fort and Mount Lavinia Station.

Those who opt for the beach extension then travel by road coach to the Club Bentota Hotel for three nights accommodation. The remainder of the group returns to the Mount Lavinia Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Thursday 26th February Return to UK We have a late morning departure from the hotel for our afternoon direct flight to London Heathrow. (B) BEACH EXTENSION Wednesday 25th February 3 Day Beach Extension Those who opt for the Beach Extension transfer by road coach from Mount Lavinia Station to the Club Bentota Hotel for three nights all inclusive accommodation. The resort hotel is located on Paradise Island. (B L D) Saturday 28th February Return to UK We have a morning departure from the hotel for our afternoon direct flight to London Heathrow.

(B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£3995 £640

Ground only Price per person

£3500

Price includes: • Flights from London to Colombo and return • 11 nights hotel accommodation • 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners • All rail travel shown • All visits and coach journeys shown • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Beach Extension Price per person Single supplement

£375 £105

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Kankesanturai Jaffna

Elephant Pass

Trincomalee Anuradhapura

Polonnaruwa

Batticaloa

Kurunegala Kandy Colombo

Nuwara Eliya

World Tours - Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special

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Booking Conditions THE ATTRACTION OF TRAINS By their very nature, trains, especially steam hauled trains, attract enthusiasts.

Our tours will always include a number of photographic opportunities in the form of false starts and run pasts where this is practical and possible. Where possible, we also arrange locomotive footplate rides, museum and depot visits.

Many of our customers do not have the same exclusive interest in trains shown by some enthusiasts; therefore, we keep in mind the need to diversify our tour programmes. We do this by including visits to castles and historic houses, and to wildlife parks, using accommodation in resort style hotels, and providing free time for shopping and exploring.

Nevertheless the main attraction and therefore the emphasis of our tours is travel by train which includes the nostalgia, the companionship on board, and the passing scenery. We consider that those travelling on our tours will see more scenery and in greater comfort than by road coach or cruise liner.

SCHEDULES AND SERVICES We arrange and advertise tours in good faith. Many scheduled railway organisations - train operators and track operators - only work two months ahead and therefore cannot confirm final schedules to us until that ‘window’. Likewise we cannot confirm and advise final numbers for a tour until full balances have been received from tour customers. Tours may be subject to occasional rescheduling or re-routing. The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that each of our tours runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible.

FIRE RISK In many countries at times of exceptionally dry weather, coal fired steam locomotives may be banned from operating and diesel or electric traction may have to be substituted. Oil fired steam locomotives however are normally still allowed to operate. The Railway Touring Company cannot accept any responsibility for steam bans during times of high fire risk.

SEAT RESERVATIONS AND OVERNIGHT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS On some trains seat reservations are by individual seats, on others by block booking or complete carriage. Since the railways concerned make the allocations, we have to accept and be flexible about the seating arrangements. Where overnight travel is necessary we will arrange either to stay in a convenient hotel en route, to use one of the newer ‘hotel trains’, or to book Standard Class twin berth sleeper car trains (First Class is often single berth). These decisions are made on the basis of the length of the journey, the range of scenery likely to be missed by overnight travel, and the accommodation options available.

PORTERAGE Some tours include porterage between stations and hotels; some include full luggage transfers between hotels, using either a supplementary road coach or scheduled ‘luggage in advance’ facilities. Porterage, where advertised, is included in the cost. However, there will be occasions when porters are not available or included and it will be each customer’s responsibility to handle their own luggage.

ACCOMMODATION We aim to use 4-star designated hotels throughout our tours as this offers us the standards of hospitality, catering and service that we would wish for our customers.

We also seek out establishments which are either conveniently located for the railways in order to minimize transfers, or which afford some unique character.

Where we cannot meet either of these criteria we ensure the best and most comfortable accommodation available.

FOOD AND DRINK Meals will be taken on trains, boats, planes, in hotels and restaurants and even al fresco, picnic or packed! Mindful of the diversity of our customer’s tastes we try to adopt a ‘middle of the road’ approach when choosing menus. We must also accept the limitations of on-board catering and marvel at the success that chefs regularly achieve in the confines of train kitchens. Hotel and restaurant meals are usually a set menu, with options for special dietary needs. If customers have any special dietary requirements they must please ensure that they let us know them at the time of booking. In this way we can make the necessary arrangements for customers with special requirements. Some of our tours include alcoholic and soft drinks and coffee, in which case this is clearly stated in tour information.

Otherwise customers are responsible for their own refreshments.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH ISSUES Customers are responsible for holding the necessary and appropriate travel documentation for their journey. For tours outside the UK, customers must ensure that there is at least six months validity remaining on their passports. We assume our customers are British Citizens whose passport shows they have a right to reside in the UK. If a customer has a passport of another country or state, or one that indicates restrictions on return to their country of origin, then they must please contact us prior to booking and well in advance of intended use.

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We will advise customers of the requirements and processing arrangements for visas where they are required. We will offer any help we can in arranging your visas.

Health advice is dependent upon the destination, medical history and current health of each customer participating in a tour and we cannot assume any responsibility.

Customers MUST seek advice from their GP or a travel medical centre.

PRETOUR and TRAVEL DOCUMENTS We will send out information to tour customers for visa and general planning purposes when appropriate, usually at the ‘balance due’ time. If there is nothing significant to communicate then we will simply acknowledge that the customer’s balance of payment has been received.

We prepare and send a booklet of information to tour customers for all tours.

This includes a passenger list with first or ‘known as’ names, where advised, (check on an old acquaintance, aide-memoir for names during the tour); the latest known itinerary with as much detail as necessary (including meal times/locations); emergency and general contact details; and usually some general and specific information about features of the tour programme. This is intentionally a small part of the information available and tour customers are advised to research and obtain detailed reference material, maps, schedules etc. appropriate to their particular interests.

Air travel tickets are usually sent to us for onward despatch less than two weeks before travel - please don’t panic! Rail tickets are often group travel documents held by the Tour Manager. In this case tour customers will be provided with joining instructions, which please observe since the party cannot progress until all members are present. Tickets, vouchers and coupons for onward travel during a tour, are usually held and distributed by the Tour Manager.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Many customers arrange their own travel insurance. THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY cannot assume any responsibility relating to travel insurance issues and customers should ensure that they are familiar with procedures should an incident occur. This is especially important with medical cover since we do not undertake to obtain medical attention, but to hand over the customer to an appropriate and suitable authority.

INFIRMITY AND DISABILITY Tour managers are responsible for the general care and well-being of the whole group and are neither available, nor trained or insured for individual ‘personal’ care. Each tour, by way of the trains and terrain being visited, presents its own opportunities and restrictions. Customers should ascertain the suitability of the itinerary and facilities available relevant to their own needs. We shall be pleased to discuss customers concerns with them before they commit to a booking. We will attempt to accommodate and resolve any needs or problems caused by undisclosed mobility/dietary/general health issues but cannot accept responsibilities beyond those stated above. We would especially draw customer’s attention to the tours that visit high-altitude locations and the resulting possibility of cardiovascular and respiratory problems.

CONFIDENTIALITY, PRIVACY AND MAILING LISTS Customer’s names and addresses have been obtained as a result of their response to advertisements, having been a previous customer or enquirer, or a referral from some other party. We do not share these details with anyone outside Warren Travel Ltd trading as The Railway Touring Company or The Railway Touring Company Ltd. Customer’s personal details such as credit card numbers, travel arrangements, companions etc. will only be kept to be used within the requirements of tour operating.

We are registered under the Data Protection Act. If one customer wishes to communicate with another customer, then please forward the stamped envelope/ package to us. We will add the address and post on the mail. We will not divulge any addresses or telephone numbers.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and hold ATOL Number T7149.

This ensures that in the event of the failure of our Company, customer’s money will be protected. If customers are on holiday at the time of Company failure, arrangements will be made for them to complete their holiday and return home.

The flights we provide are supplied by other ATOL holders and are protected by their bonds. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

PAYMENTS FOR FLIGHTS The payments that customers make for their flights are held by us in our trust account, on behalf of the ATOL holder who is supplying the flight, until the date that we pass the money to that ATOL holder. The ATOL holder supplying the flight will issue an ATOL confirmation invoice to confirm their contract with the customer.

We will forward this to the customer no later than the day after we have received it.

Booking Information Status The Railway Touring Company is a direct sell tour operator and retail travel agent. All parts of a customer’s holiday are covered by our TTA membership (number T726X), and the air travel for all of our customer’s holidays is covered by our ATOL membership (number T7149).

Warren Travel Ltd, trading as The Railway Touring Company, acts as a booking agent for the service providers whose terms and conditions of booking and carriage apply to our tours. Copies of these terms and conditions will be obtained from the relevant service providers and forwarded to customers on request.

Tours will be confirmed and take place subject to minimum and maximum numbers booking.

Railway components of a tour are provided subject to the serviceability of motive power and stock, and the operating conditions prevailing at the time of the tour. In the event of a failure to operate services as advertised then ‘best’ alternatives will be provided.

Programme and Prices Details of each tour programme and its cost are published in our tour brochure, in leaflets, by correspondence, or by amendments notified to customers. Customers are required to acknowledge their acceptance of this information.

Payments All tour bookings should be accompanied by payment of a deposit per person as follows: £100 for travel in the UK £150 for travel within Europe £350 for travel beyond Europe A confirmation of booking will be sent to customers which includes a statement of their account and a balance due date.

The balance of payment is required in time for us to pay our suppliers, usually ten weeks before travel. There are occasions when we are required to pay for group tickets earlier than this and the balance due date will reflect this.

During the period of time that we are establishing a viable tour group, deposits are fully refundable. Once we have confirmed the operation of a tour then deposits are not refundable.

Fidelity Insurance It is a requirement that all tour bookings be covered by Fidelity Insurance. This is a financial protection insurance which protects the customer’s money until the tour takes place. The cost of this insurance is included in the tour price.

Credit Cards We make no charge on deposits paid by credit card. However full balances paid by credit card will be subject to a 2.1% charge. We are charged this percentage by the credit card companies and due to the ever increasing use of credit cards we are no longer able to absorb this cost. There are no charges for payments made by debit card, cash, bank transfer or cheque.

Customer Cancellation We have the following customer cancellation policy for all of our tours: Cancellation prior to 12 weeks before tour departure – loss of deposit Cancellation between 8-12 weeks prior to tour departure – 25% refund of tour cost Cancellation less than 8 weeks prior to tour departure – no refund Passports, Visas and Health Customers are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct travel documentation for tours, and this includes passports, visas and health certificates. We are willing to give advice on passport and visa requirements but customers should seek professional guidance on medical related matters.

We shall obtain guidance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and tourist board where a security risk exists or arises in respect of a tour destination. This information will then be passed on to tour customers.

Prices: Prices are determined against known exchange rates, fuel costs and tax regimes prevailing at 20th November 2013. The exchange rates used for prices quoted in this brochure are as follows: £1 = 1.19 Euros £1 = 1.60 US$ £1 = 9.83 Norwegian Krone £1 = 1.47 Swiss Francs In the event of significant changes we must reserve the right to amend prices.

A NO SMOKING policy will be pursued where we have the control or influence over the service that we are providing on our tour.

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Pre-Tour and Post-Tour Arrangements and Travel Insurance Pre-Tour & Post-Tour UK Hotels and Holiday Parking We are able to arrange customer’s pre-tour and post-tour hotel accommodation, car parking, coach and train travel, and connecting flights.

Customers may wish to consider staying overnight before and/or after travel on one of our tours. A night in a conveniently located hotel before departure or after return can mean that the customer begins or ends the tour more rested and relaxed. It may also avoid the frustrations and anxieties of early morning and late evening travel.

Pre-booked car parking can also be arranged for customers.

Examples:Airport Hotels with Holiday Parking • Gatwick from £89 per room • Heathrow from £105 per room • Manchester from £76 per room Secured Airport Parking • Gatwick from £7.25 per day • Heathrow from £9.80 per day • Birmingham from £6.70 per day Travel by road coach from and to the customer’s local town together with overnight hotel accommodation can be arranged.

Prices are available on request.

Rail tickets from and to the customer’s home railway station to the tour departure point can only be booked where two or more passengers are travelling together. Prices are available on request.

The prices quoted above are correct at 20th November 2013.

Please telephone for details or indicate your requirements on the booking form.

UK Connecting Flights We are willing to make enquiries and, where possible, arrange connecting flights from the customer’s local airport to the main tour departure point. Prices are available on request.

Travel Insurance Due to changes in the travel insurance regulations we are no longer able to sell travel insurance direct to our customers.

We can however recommend and send to customers details of travel insurance through Holiday Extras, in conjunction with the Travel Trust Association. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to receive details of this insurance.

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

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

Please ensure your names are as they appear in your passport.

Address of first named........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... Phone..................................................................

Please reserve the (tour title).................................................................................................................................................................................

Indicate your requirements/preferences: Twin bedded room

Double bedded room

Single room(s)

(Please tick)

Where options are available for the tour (ie choice of travel) please clearly state your choice(s). ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Please also specify any dietary or health related requirements. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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 (payable to THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY CLIENT ACCOUNT).

Please charge my credit or debit card for: £..................................... deposit

full fare

(Please tick)

Card Number........................................................................................................................

Expires..................................................................................................................................

Start Date.............................................................................................................................

Please accept my booking on the terms and conditions as stated in the RTC Great Railway Adventures 2013 brochure.

Please sign and date..............................................................................................................................................................................................

Please send this form to: 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

Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net 87

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

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