Worldwide Rail Holidays 2025-26 by LucidSynergy Ltd

2025/26

Welcome

Dear Customer,

We’re pleased to share our 2025/2026 Worldwide Rail Holiday brochure with you, featuring an exciting selection of tours across some of the world’s most captivating destinations.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re delighted to present exceptional trips including Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special and the Hill Railways of India. These journeys promise memorable experiences aboard historic trains, travelling through stunning and varied landscapes. You’ll discover a wonderful blend of rich culture, fascinating history, and breathtaking scenery that brings each destination to life.

Alongside a diverse range of tours, our programme offers options to suit every traveller’s taste and pace, whether you prefer leisurely exploration or something a little more adventurous.

Our friendly and experienced team is here to make your holiday planning as simple and enjoyable as possible, offering support and advice every step of the way.

With a passion for delivering meaningful rail travel, we invite you to sit back, relax, and discover the many journeys we have created with you in mind.

We hope you find plenty to inspire your next getaway and look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Kelly Osborne Managing Director

The Railway Touring Company

Worldwide Rail Holidays 2025/26 Second Edition

Autumn in Alsace

Thursday 2 October to Thursday 9 October 2025

Enjoy the famous wine-making region of Alsace in full autumn splendour by steam train on this enchanting holiday in eastern France.

• Based in the vibrant city of Colmar, you’ll explore the region on privately chartered steam trains on all the preserved railways in Alsace and a forest railway in nearby Lorraine.

• Tour highlights include excursions into nearby southern Germany and a visit to the impressive steam Abreschviller Forest Railway in Lorraine, hauled by an 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive.

• Discover historic Basel in Switzerland on a wonderful sightseeing tour by vintage tram and cruise through the canals of Strasbourg on an open-top riverboat.

• There’s also a visit to a hilltop German vineyard town with private wine-tasting and scenic cruise on the River Rhein at the cathedral town of Breisach.

• Short transfer distances from Colmar to all the featured attractions make this a truly relaxed and engaging tour, the perfect opportunity to see France with a completely new perspective.

Thursday 2 October

London to Colmar

You travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, before a transfer to Paris Gare de l´Est for the onward journey by TGV express to Strasbourg, where you change onto a regional service to Colmar. You check in to your centrally located hotel in the heart of this picturesque town. The rest of the day is free to explore and discover the timber-framed houses and quaint canals of historic Colmar. (B)

Friday 3 October

Scenic river cruise and tramways in Strasbourg

This morning you board a locomotive-hauled French Railways (SNCF) service train for the short journey from Colmar to Strasbourg,

the capital of Alsace and a place steeped in European history. You have a 75-minute relaxing sightseeing cruise in one of the city’s famed open-top panoramic riverboats, cruising past timber-framed houses, colourful alleys and stately palaces. Later you have free time to discover the Cathedral Square and ‘Petite France’ district at your own pace. You may also take advantage of your complimentary public transport ticket to ride the city’s trams and take the unique international tramway over the River Rhine to Kehl, Germany. You return to Colmar in the late afternoon and have dinner at a typical Alsatian restaurant in the heart of the Old Town. (B D)

Saturday 4 October

Steam along the Rhine in France; hilltop vineyard visit in Germany

After breakfast you travel by road coach to visit the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin, located in the nearby town of Volgelsheim. This standard-gauge railway operates both French and German steam locomotives hauling Austrian carriages with balconies. You’ll traverse the 13 km (8 mile) line from Volgelsheim to the Sans Souci Quay at Marckolsheim, where the River Rhine and canal separate. En route there will be run-pasts and a guided visit to the steam shed. A buffet lunch will be provided in the railway’s convivial bar car. In the afternoon you cross the River Rhine to Germany and visit a spectacular vineyard perched at a hilltop high above Breisach. From there you have gorgeous views of Alsace, Southern Germany, the Vosges

Rudi Schloepker

Mountains and the Black Forest. You will try six different wines as part of the connoisseur experience. In the afternoon you return by coach to Colmar and have a free evening to enjoy all that this beautiful town offers. (B L)

Sunday 5 October

Steam on the Thur Doller Railway; scenic drive along the Alsatian wine route

Today you visit the enchanting Train Thur Doller Alsace, which operates a 13 km (8 mile) long standard-gauge branch line from Cernay to Sentheim, along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and crossing the River Doller. The railway features a number of coaches dating from the late 19th century. A powerful early 20th century steam tank locomotive hauls you over this preserved line on a privately chartered train at a time when there is no regular traffic. A buffet lunch will be served at the station building in Burnhaupt, where you’ll visit the shed and see the railway’s extensive collection of historic rolling stock. You then travel by road coach to Colmar along the Alsatian wine route. (B L)

Monday 6 October

Steam in the Black Forest of Germany; River Rhine cruise at Breisach

The German theme continues today as you visit the Kandertalbahn, located on the very tip of Southern Germany, near Basel. This 12.9 km (8 mile) long branch line runs through rural scenery in the Kander Valley. Your train comprises an early 20th century German steam tank locomotive with matching period carriages, and a buffet lunch of regional delicacies will be served when you reach the end of the line at Kandern. In the afternoon you drive by coach to Breisach for a River Rhine cruise with complimentary cake and drinks at this pretty cathedral town right on the border between Germany and France. (B L)

Tuesday 7 October

Vintage trams in Basel and museums and trams in Mulhouse

Today you travel by loco-hauled SNCF TER train to Basel, where you enjoy a private sightseeing tour of this attractive Swiss city by vintage tramway from the 1920s. You will cross all three tram bridges across the River Rhine and have superb views of Basel’s Minster and modern skyline. Then you carry on by TER service to Mulhouse, famous for its outstanding museums, with the largest railway and automobile museums in Europe. You will travel by local tramway to the ‘Cité du Train’, the national railway museum of France and one of the largest

collections of steam locomotives in the world. Then you proceed to a collection of classic cars in the nearby ‘Cité de l’Automobile’, which includes vintage sports cars and iconic Bugatti vehicles. In the late afternoon you return to Colmar by train. (B)

Wednesday 8 October

Steam at the Abreschviller

Forest Railway

Today you make a side-step from Alsace and visit nearby Lorraine. At Abreschviller you will find a remarkable ‘hidden gem’ in the form of the local forest railway, which operates steam locomotives on the unusual 700 mm gauge. You are comfortably accommodated on the railway’s ‘Belle Epoque’ luxury coach and hauled by a 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive dating from 1906. Running through dense forests and crossing the Red Saar River, the train will pause for photos and run-pasts near the village of Grand Soldat. At the terminus of the line, you will also see an old saw mill. Once back in Abreschviller, you still have time to visit the local steam shed and see the other stored steam locomotives, before returning to Colmar. In the evening you have a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 9 October

Colmar to London

You say a fond ‘au revoir’ to Alsace today and return to Paris by TGV express train. You transfer from Paris Gare de l´Est to Gare du Nord and board a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

£2295

Includes Eurostar Plus on Eurostar, TGV and other SNCF service trains.

Single supplement

£295

Ground only £2025 (Colmar – Colmar)

Please be advised that travel will be allocated in Eurostar Plus carriages on Eurostar services. Please note that ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK and return or any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.

Price includes:

✱ Eurostar Plus seating London to Paris and return

✱ 7 Nights accommodation with breakfast

✱ 4 Lunches

✱ 2 Dinners

✱ All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All rail, road, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All visits as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Rail travel from London to Colmar and back

✱ Rover ticket for the Mulhouse urban tram network

✱ All seat reservations and transfers

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast

= Lunch - D = Dinner

Autumn Steam in the Harz Mountains

Friday 17 October to Sunday 26 October 2025

Enjoy Autumn Steam at its best in the spectacular Harz Mountains in Germany, featuring iconic narrow-gauge charters across a stunning landscape of vibrant seasonal colours.

• Explore Germany’s largest narrow-gauge network while based for three days in the historic town of Wernigerode, using your complimentary HSB rover ticket.

• Enjoy scenic trips on the standard gauge Braunschweig and narrow gauge Feldbahn Fortuna heritage railways, with private steam charters hauled by historic tank engines.

• Discover the unique city of Wuppertal with its suspension railway from 1900 and railway viaduct from 1897.

• Further highlights include visits to Hannover and Wuppertal tramway museums, with private charters at both, plus a ride on Braunschweig’s heritage tram to see the rebuilt city palace from 1841.

Friday 17 October

London to Hannover

You travel from London St. Pancras to Hannover in Northern Germany by Eurostar and German ICE. You’ll spend the next two nights in Hannover, at a centrally-located hotel near the station. There’s a dinner at the hotel after arrival. (B D)

Saturday 18 October

Steam in Braunschweig and heritage tramway in the Old Town to see the Palace

You begin your tour with a steam highlight, visiting the historic roundhouse and standard gauge steamshed at Braunschweig, the so-called Lokpark. In this railway complex , there’s an intricate internal network of tracks and sidings, that you will have a private charter with a 100-year old tank engine from 1925. You will get a behind-the-scenes look at the impressive steam works, viewing other preserved steam and

diesel locomotives. You then proceed for a visit in the city centre of Braunschweig, at the rebuilt city palace Residenzschloss. Originally opened in 1841, it was destroyed in the Second World War, torn down in 1960 and finally, rebuilt in the early 2000s. A historic tramway will shuttle you between Braunschweig Hauptbahnhof and the city centre on a private charter run. In the late afternoon you return by train to nearby Hannover for an evening at leisure in the city. (B)

Sunday 19 October

Hannover Tramway Museum and arrival to Wernigerode

After a leisurely breakfast, today you visit the Hannover Museum in Sehnde, one of the largest and finest collections in Germany. It has a unique fleet of streetcars and its own running track. You’ll enjoy a private charter on an early 20th-century tram, including photo stops, before a coach transfer to Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains. After checking into your hotel,

there’s ample time to sightsee this lovely German town, famed for its colourful rows of timberframed houses, Gothic city hall and hilltop castle. Your hotel is near the Wernigerode steam yard, and in the late afternoon you can photograph trains returning from Mount Brocken from the visitor observation tower at Wernigerode station. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B L D)

Monday 20 October to Wednesday 22 October

Steam and scenery in the Harz Mountains

For the next three days, you are free to make the most of your complimentary HSB rover ticket, allowing you to explore Germany’s largest narrow-gauge railway network. Enjoy unlimited steam during the most colourful time of the year and storm up the spiralling line to the summit of Mount Brocken, Northern Germany’s highest point. Alternatively, you can ride the line to

Eisfelder Talmühle or explore the Selke Valley railway from Quedlinburg to Alexisbad and Hasselfelde, the oldest narrow-gauge railway in the Harz Mountains. On a day of your choice, the short main-line railway return ticket from Wernigerode to Quedlinburg is included. Each day, dinner will be served at your hotel. (B D)

Thursday 23 October

Wernigerode to Wuppertal

The time has come to leave the Harz Mountains and proceed to the lovely Rhineland. You leave after 9:45, so you can still watch the day’s first steam departure from Wernigerode. A coach directly transports your luggage today, as you make your way to Wuppertal. You arrive in Wuppertal in the afternoon and after check-in have some free time for a first ride on the world famous suspension railway. Tonight dinner is at the hotel. (B D)

Friday 24 October

Wuppertal monorail, trip over Germany’s highest railway viaduct and Wuppertal tramway museum

Today you visit one of the most unique transport systems and engineering marvels in the world, the unique ‘dingle dangle’ monorail in Wuppertal, an iconic landmark from 1900. Once thought to be the transport system of the future, it remains the only prototype ever built. You’ll travel the full length of the 13.2km long ‘Schwebebahn’ along and above the River Wupper from Vohwinkel to Oberbarmen. Later you’ll have time to alight and take pictures along the line or sightsee some of the city’s other landmarks. Afterwards you have a ride on the railway line from Wuppertal via Remscheid to Solingen, with this one hour trip passing over Germany’s highest railway viaduct, the Müngstener Brücke from 1897, which sits

some 107 m above the valley floor. Finally you conclude the day with a visit to Wuppertal’s tramway museum, the Bergische Museumsbahn. This 3km long line is what is left of a once much larger urban and inter-urban light rail system. Following a private charter with a vintage 1920s streetcar at Germany’s version of the Crich tramway of Derbyshire, you return to the city centre of Wuppertal for an evening at leisure, perhaps choosing to visit one of the typical German brew houses. (B)

Saturday 25 October

Steam at the Feldbahn Fortuna heritage railway

To cap your German Autumn Steam holiday in spectacular fashion, today you visit a narrowgauge field railway in the rural countryside of Hessen. A wonderful museum with its industrial works railway has been preserved here, at the site of a former iron ore mine. It operates with a unique collection of different steam locomotives, including the famed ‘Brigadelok’ trench locomotives. You visit both the local museum and travel the full length of the line on your private charter train. You make your return journey to and from the Feldbahn Fortuna using the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed railway line to and from Limburg Süd, before changing onto a private coach for the short transfer. Lunch at the Fortuna museum restaurant is included. (B L)

Sunday 26 October

Return to London

The time has come to leave Germany, as you travel by high-speed train from Wuppertal via Cologne to Brussels Midi, before changing onto a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2425

£235

£2195

(Hannover – Wuppertal)

Price includes:

✱ 9 Nights accomodation with breakfast in Hannover, Wernigerode and Wuppertal

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 6 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus travel on Eurostar services and First Class travel on ICE trains*

✱ All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All rail journies as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All museum visits and private tramway charters as detailed in the itinerary

✱ A 3 day HSB Rover Ticket to cover travel on the Harz Steam trains

✱ All seat reservations and coach transfers

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

*Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Southern Austrian Steam Safari

Sunday 26 October to Sunday 2 November 2025

Discover the natural splendour, rich cultural heritage and spectacular steam railways of southern Austria on this glorious autumn holiday, packed with vibrant colours and unique attractions.

• Explore scenic main lines, panoramic bylines and dramatic narrow gauge rural routes on privately chartered trains hauled by historic steam locomotives and vintage 1930s electrics, all framed by majestic mountains.

• Relax on a wonderful private cruise aboard the famous Wörthersee. You’ll reach new heights at the Mölltal Glacier, arriving via one of the world’s longest funiculars to discover a magical world of snow and ice.

• Enjoy the delightful ‘Little Trains’ of Austria with steam at the rural Taurachbahn.

• Travel First Class on locomotive-hauled OBB trains across the legendary Tauern and Semmering transalpine railways.

• You’ll be conveniently based in the charming city of Villach throughout your adventure, enjoying a relaxed experience with plenty of comfort and convenience.

Sunday 26 October

Fly to Salzburg, travel by train over Tauren Railway to Villach

You arrive in Salzburg around mid-day, after a morning flight from London. After a convenient private transfer by coach to Salzburg railway station, you board a locomotive-hauled OBB Intercity for the spectacular southbound train journey over the famed Tauern railway to Villach. Along the way you will pass imposing hilltop castles and traverse impressive viaducts.

You arrive in the charming small city of Villach in the late afternoon and check into your centrally located quality hotel, where dinner will be taken.

(D)

Monday 27 October

Main line and narrow gauge steam in Carinthia

After breakfast Austrian main line and branch line steam awaits you on two private charter

trains. First you’ll travel eastwards with the vintage 1927 2-8-2 tank engine 93.1332, making your way along the delightful shores of Lake Wörthersee from Villach to Klagenfurt, before continuing further south to Weizelsdorf and pausing for photos en route. At Weizelsdorf you’ll change onto a classic steam tramway for the continued journey over the mountainous branch line to Ferlach, which is only used by heritage trains.

The green tramway locomotive Adele, dating back to 1888, will stage a few run-pasts with the magnificent Carinthian Alps in the background. In the afternoon you’ll retrace the trip on the steam tramway from Ferlach to Weizelsdorf before being hauled by the historic electric locomotive 1245.05 back to Villach with glorious lake views. Back at your hotel for the evening, there’s another fine dinner to enjoy. (B L D)

Tuesday 28 October

Traversing the mountain railways of Carinthia with the vintage electric 1245.05

Today you board another private charter train, this time exploring Austria’s serene mountain railways on OBB’s national network.

You’ll delve deeper into beautiful Carinthia, hauled by 1245.05 westwards to Arnoldstein, on the border with Italy. There you have lunch at another delightful inn, before continuing to Rosenbach on the border with Slovenia. Travelling via the rare avoiding curves at Finkenstein and passing through the circular Villach freight yard, you eventually return to Villach. The locomotive and train will stop for souvenir photos at stations along the way. Once back in Villach, you may spend the evening at leisure. (B L)

Wednesday 29 October

Vintage Streamliner along Lake Ossiach and to the Castles of Friesach

This morning you’ll experience another icon of Austrian railway travel, this time the vintage 1936 streamlined railcar 4042.01 with its attractive dark blue and ivory livery. This veritable time machine from the early 20th century whisks you along the pretty secondary line from Villach along the banks of Lake Ossiach and through Sankt Veit to the historic Carinthian castle city of Friesach, just north of Klagenfurt. The beautifully-preserved medieval centre, walled ramparts and countless classic churches make Friesach a little gem, one of Austria’s best kept secrets and a world away from the tourist crowds. After lunch in town you’ll return to Villach via 4042.01 to St. Veit then OBB locohauled train. The evening is yours to spend as you wish, with a host of good restaurants and inns to choose from. (B L)

Thursday 30 October

Travel the Lend Canal Tramway for a classic cruise on the Wörthersee

After breakfast you’ll take the OBB train to Klagenfurt, where a short transfer aboard a vintage 1940s bus takes you to the Lend Canal Tramway. There you’ll enjoy a delightful ride in heritage trams before taking a private cruise on the sparkling Wörthersee, one of Austria’s bestloved Alpine lakes. Your vessels for the day are the beautiful ships Loretto and Lorelei, elegant and stylish craft built in the 1920s. The views of the vivid autumn forests and their colourful foliage, all set against a backdrop of towering snow-topped pinnacles, are breathtaking. Afterwards you return to the historic centre of Klagenfurt to explore at leisure before returning by train to Villach. In the evening there’s another excellent dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Friday 31 October

Magnificent mountains and a spectacular funicular at the Mölltal Glacier

Having enjoyed awe-inspiring views of the mountains from down in the valleys, today you’ll ascend to the top, taken to dizzying heights to explore Austria’s higher elevations at the spectacular Mölltal Glacier, a place so snowy there’s year-round skiing. After a sensational

thirty minute train ride to Spittal, a road coach transfers you to the Glacier funicular base station to board the aptly-named Mölltal Gletscher Express, the Glacier Express. This impressive feat of funicular engineering takes you to the summit station at 2235m above sea level, with immersive views of countless small mountain lakes and many of Austria’s highest peaks. This magical world of snow, ice and rock is similar to the Jungfrau in Switzerland but far less busy, perfect for soaking up the pristine air and incredible scenery in peace. In the afternoon you’ll retrace the journey by funicular, coach and train to Villach, where another flavoursome dinner at the hotel awaits you. (B D)

Saturday 1 November

A day in Slovenia, including Ljubljana Railway Museum and Castle Funicular

Today you explore the neighbouring country of Slovenia, taking a direct loco-hauled train from Villach to Slovenia’s vibrant capital city Ljubljana. There you visit the noteworthy railway museum in the old roundhouse, where the oldest engines date from the 1860s and typically one narrow gauge locomotive is also in steam for travel up and down the local yard. You continue to the city centre for a ride on the panoramic castle funicular and ascend to the castlemount for grand views of the city below. After some free time to wonder along the river and over the famed Dragon Bridge, you return by train to Villach for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B L D)

Sunday 2 November

Semmering Railway to Wein and flight to London

The time has come to say “Auf Wiedersehen” to Villach and southern Austria, but one more railway highlight awaits for on your way to Vienna airport. Today you travel in First Class on an OBB RailJet over the UNESCO-designated Semmering Railway as you make your way north to Austria’s capital. Passing along Austria’s signature railway route, the first European transalpine railway dating from the mid 19th century, you once again enjoy the best views of passing peaks and valleys. At Wien Hbf there is a quick and easy interchange onto another direct RailJet to the airport. From there you have a late afternoon flight back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2295

£145

£2195 (Villach – Villach)

Price includes:

✱ Outbound flight from London to Salzburg and return flight from Austria to London

✱ 7 Nights hotel accommodation with breakfast at a 4-star hotel

✱ 4 Lunches

✱ 5 Dinners

✱ Travel on all the charter trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Journeys on all the steam trains, trams, cruises and funiculars as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All transfers

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

The French Riviera and Italian Ligurian Coast

Thursday 6 November to Sunday 16 November 2025

Enjoy a fabulous railway holiday along the French Cote d’Azur and the Ligurian Coast in Italy, including exploring the world-famous Cinque Terre.

• Journey by Eurostar from London to Paris and then on to elegant Nice for a day of sightseeing, before you continue along the Cote d’Azur to the historic port city of Genoa.

• Enjoy the elegance and sophistication of the French Riviera and deep blue Cote d’Azur in the beautiful city of Nice and at the colourful seaside town of Menton, one of France’s best kept secrets. A visit to the mico nation of Monaco and its posh capital Monte Carlo is also included.

• Highlights in Genoa include rides on the historic funiculars and mountain climbing rack railways, as well as a harbour cruise and exploration of the rich maritime history.

• Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world along the Ligurian coast to Pisa, including a visit to the Leaning Tower, and explore the world famous five fishing villages of Cinque Terre.

• Discover Milano’s historic tramways and elegant urban sites, as you stay for 2 nights in Italy’s classy metropolis.

Thursday 6 November

London to Nice by high speed rail

You travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord before a direct afternoon TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. You arrive at Nice in the evening and check into your hotel, where dinner will be served. (B D)

Friday 7 November

Tramways and leisure in Nice

Nice is one of the most beautiful cities in France, full of elegant architecture, colourful historic buildings, and spacious esplanades. You have a free day to enjoy the French Cote d’Azur, exploring at your own pace with your complimentary 1-day rover ticket for use on the well-connected local tramway system. In the evening dinner is served at your hotel. (B D)

Saturday 8 November

Cote d’Azur scenery at Menton and Monte Carlo

Today you take the train from Nice Ville to the seaside town of Menton, on the border with Italy. This charming village is adorned by gorgeous houses, quaint church spires and beautiful views of the Mediterranean. After visiting this colourful town you continue by train to the micronation of Monaco, to see its glamorous capital Monte Carlo, with its twin-towered casino and sprawling yacht harbour. After the return to Nice, you have a free evening to once again explore its wonderful old town with spacious squares, where there are numerous vibrant restaurants, cafes and bars to be sampled. (B)

Sunday 9 November

Seaside railway trip from Nice to Genoa, Balbi scenic lift in Genoa

Today you bid ‘Adieu’ to France and say ‘Ciao’ to Italy as you enjoy a 3-hour scenic train trip from Nice to Genoa, changing at Ventimiglia. You travel past sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, Italianate churches, and lots of historic buildings. On arrival at Genoa’s elegant Piazza Principe station, you check into your adjacent hotel, within walking distance of the Old Town, the Ancient Port, and the hillside palaces. You’ll receive a public transport rover ticket, valid on the city’s Metro and central trolleybus routes. In the afternoon you will enjoy riding on the unique Balbi scenic lift, an engineering marvel dating from 1929. In the evening there is a buffet dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Monday 10 November

Panoramic mountain railways and funiculars of Genoa, seaside splendour at Nervi

The hillside city of Genoa features a number of rack railways, funiculars and vertical elevators, which provide rides to vantage points high above the port. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with a vast collection of impressive palaces and grand churches.

Using your complimentary public transport pass, you will have a guided visit to enjoy rides on all the noteworthy mountain railways, funiculars and elevators in the morning. In the afternoon, you will be free to enjoy time at leisure in this grand Italian city or make a brief trip by train to the breathtaking seaside esplanade at Nervi. Dinner is back at the hotel in the evening. (B D)

Tuesday 11 November

Genoa harbour cruise, aquarium visit and historic ships on the Old Port Today we explore Genoa’s rich maritime attractions and heritage. First you take a return trip on the harbour ferry known as Navebus. It runs on the water from Porto Antico to Molo Archetti, taking you past huge oceanliners and the airport runway. After your Navebus trip you visit Genoa’s world-famous aquarium in the Porto Antico, with an impressive display of sea life. You may choose to visit the impressive Maritime Museum with the preserved Italian naval submarine ‘Nazario Sauro’ from 1976. Tonight you are free to dine in the city at a restaurant of your choice. (B)

Wednesday 12 November

Seaside railway and villages of Cinque Terre

The five legendary villages of Cinque Terre take centre stage today, as you will first travel from Genoa to Monterosso al Mare, before changing for the short continuation to Vernazza. In each of the five towns you will have time to enjoy the unrivaled views and iconic postcard scenery, which have become renowned around the world. You can ‘hop on and off’ between the different little towns, also visiting Manarola and Riomaggiore and spending time there at leisure. In the late afternoon you take a direct Intercity from La Spezia back to Genoa. There’s another buffet dinner at the hotel tonight. (B D)

Thursday 13 November

Train trip to Pisa, visit to the Leaning Tower

Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world today, as you travel

along the Ligurian coast past famous resorts like Sestri Levante and Levanto. You arrive in Pisa, near the famed Leaning Tower and cathedral. You will have three hours in the city to explore, before the afternoon return trip to Genoa, where you will once again travel along the seaside route. In the evening you enjoy one more buffet dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Friday 14 November

Genoa to Milano by rail, landmarks of Milano

Today you take a Trenitalia service from Genoa via the hills of Alessandria to Milan. Arriving at the monumental Milano Centrale station, you get to experience one of the most grandiose railway terminals in the world. After checking in and a light lunch at your hotel, you are free to explore Milano, using your complimentary public transport rover ticket, which is valid on the city’s trams, trolleybuses and underground Metro. Why not visit the famed Duomo (Cathedral), turreted Castello (Castle) and the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from 1867. (B L)

Saturday 15 November Museum of Science and Technology and 1920s tramways in Milano

After breakfast you visit the palatial National Museum of Science and Technology, which has an outstanding collection of preserved steam locomotives, historic aircraft and even a full-scale Italian submarine. The museum is housed in an elegant Palazzo near the city centre Castello. After the museum visit you are free to enjoy more time at leisure in Milano, making the best of your public transport rover to ride the iconic ‘Ventotto’ trams from the 1920s. In the evening you reconvene with your fellow travelers at the hotel for a farewell dinner. (B D)

Sunday 16 November

Milano to London via the French Alps and Paris

Take a direct high-speed train from Milano to Paris Gare de Lyon, experiencing another scenic railway journey straight through the Alps, capping your holiday to southern Europe in style. In Paris you transfer to Gare de Nord, where you take your final journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras.(B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2595

£425

£2345 (Nice – Milano)

Price includes:

✱ 10 Nights accommodation with breakfast at centrally located, quality hotels

✱ 1 Lunch

✱ 7 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus travel on Eurostar services

✱ First Class travel on FS Trenitalia InterCity service from Genoa to Pisa

✱ Standard Class travel on local trains when First Class is not available

✱ Complimentary public transport rover tickets in Nice, Genoa and Milano

✱ All privately chartered trains, funicular rides and vintage tramway rides as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Complimentary public transport rover tickets

✱ Museum and site admissions to all the attractions as detailed in the itinerary

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

Please note that ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK and return or any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Ancient steam, legendary Crocodiles and icons of Swiss railways

Thursday 20 November to Tuesday 25 November 2025

An exciting one-off tour with some of the most iconic yet rare steam, electric and diesel locomotives in Switzerland, including tank engines from 1881, main line and pocket Crocodiles of SBB and massive Sulzer diesel giants.

• A unique programme of private charter trains with incredible locomotives on scenic routes, which for operational and capacity reasons can only be staged in the late autumn off-season month of November. Don’t miss out, as this itinerary cannot be repeated.

• Storm over the Old Hauenstein route, Switzerland’s first mountain-crossing railway with the original green SBB Crocodile 14305 built in 1926.

• Travel through the scenic Emmental valley with double-headed steam behind the vintage 1881 tank engine ‘Langnau’, which only returned to steam in Spring 2025 after more than 55 years out of service and a previous career as a static showpiece at the Verkehrshaus in Luzern. Now it is one of the oldest main line steam locomotives in the world.

• Enjoy more main line steam with a private charter along the foot of the cragged Jura Mountains from Oensingen to Solothurn West, crossing the River Aare behind the rarely used OeBB tank engine Nr. 2 from 1899. More ancient and full certified main line steam.

• Experience some of the Switzerland’s remarkable mid century classics, such as the giant Sulzer diesels of the Bm 6/6 class, the type Ee 3/3 ‘Pocket Crocodiles’ and the iconic Re 6/6 Bo-Bo-Bo electrics, which now are only in freight use and will remarkably also haul our main line train charter over the newest part of the Swiss national network from Mägenwil to Birr.

Thursday 20 November

London to Olten by rail

You travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gaare du Nord. You then continue from Paris by TGV to Basel, arriving in Switzerland by late afternoon. From there you continue on an SBB train for the short distance to Olten.

This will be your base for the duration of your holiday. You check into your hotel near the station and the historic old town and have time to relax before a welcome dinner is provided.

(B D)

Friday 21 November

With SBB Crocodile 14305 over the Old Hauenstein

Olten is the centre point of the Swiss railway network and also the main depot of SBB Historic. The preserved and fully operational Crocodile 14305 will haul your private charter formed of luxurious first class coaches over the Old Hauenstein line. This steeply graded route has embankments as formidable as the Gotthard and first opened in 1858 as Switzerland’s very first mountain railway through the ridge of

the Jura range. Engineering highlights include stone-arched viaducts and horseshoe curves. Numerous photo stops will take place on the return journey from Olten to Sissach, via Läufelfingen and Rümlingen. In the afternoon you have time to use your Swiss Travel Pass* for further exploration of Switzerland’s railways at your own leisure. (B)

Saturday 22 November

Pocket Crocodiles, Sulzer Diesels and Re 6/6 Electric Giants along the Jura Mountains and over the newest part of the Swiss national network

Today an epic lineup of historic and rare locomotives await. You venture from Olten to nearby Oensingen, where the former SNCF, roddriven Pocket Crocodile C 20155 (SBB Ee 3/3 16515) will haul your train on the scenic branch line to Balsthal. At the terminus, the giant Sulzer diesel Bm 6/6 18505 of 1958 vintage will haul your train for the final half kilometre on the rarely traversed industrial siding to the Balsthal paper factory at the far end of the line. After reversal, 18505 will then haul the train back to Oensingen, once again pausing for photos at Klus, beneath the impressive castles and rock formations. The Bm 6/6 are the largest main line diesels previously operated by SBB. At Oensingen a classic 1970s electric Bo-BoBo giant of the Re 6/6 Class takes over the private charter train and hauls it on the main line to Olten, Aarau and then Mägenwil, before reversing to do the new long curve to Birr, which is the newest part of the Swiss national network and recently opened in 2023. From Birr the Re 6/6-hauled train continues via Brugg and Olten back to Oensingen. This remarkable experience will provide the exceptionally rare opportunity to travel behind one of the most powerful European electric locomotives ever built. (B)

Sunday 23 November

Ancient Steam in the scenic Emmental with ancient tank engines

Today you travel steam hauled through the pastoral Emmental region, on a circular route. The charter train starts at Konolfingen and first ventures east to Langnau with haulage provided by a truly ancient steam locomotive from 1881. The 0-6-0 tank engine No. 3 “Langnau” was built for this route 125 years ago and is today one of the oldest main line certified locomotives in the world. It last steamed in 1970 and was then on static display at the Swiss Museum of

Transport in Luzern for several decades. It made an unexpected return to steam in spring 2025, for the 150th jubilee of Emmentalbahn. On our visit, it will be paired with the fellow 0-6-0 tank engine “Lise”, which previously worked at the Gas Works in Bern and dates from 1908. It has only just returned to steam in early 2025 and is an SLM tank.

From Langnau the train continues to Sumiswald, where traction will change to the vintage electric ‘Pocket Crocodiles’ Ee 3/3 16403 and 16408. These veterans from the 1940s will then haul the train on the freight-only branch line to Wasen in top and tail mode. Back at Sumiswald, steam takes over again for journey back to Konolfingen, traveling on the rest of the circular route via Hasle and Schafhausen, thus completing a large loop for the day. Back at Konolfingen depot, the rod-driven electric tractor Te 155, providing one last classic locomotive to see on the day. (B)

Monday 24 November

Main line steam with 1899 tank engine from Oensingen to Grenchen

For the final day of the tour another rare steam engine takes centre stage, as the original locomotive No. 2 from the Oensingen-BalsthalBahn (OeBB) hauls the train on the main line from Oensingen to Solothurn and then across the River Aare to Grenchen. This line provides grand views of Mount Weissenstein and other high peaks of the Jura Mountains. The SLM tank No. 2 dates from 1899 and is one of the prototypes of the later much more numerous class of SBB ‘Tiger’ tanks. After the steam trip you still have some free time in the afternoon to make use of your Swiss Travel Pass* and explore some more regional railway lines at your own leisure. In the evening there’s a farewell group dinner. (B D)

Tuesday 25 November

Return to London

You return from Olten to London via Basel and Paris, using SBB, TGV and Eurostar high speed services. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price (First)

£2675

Tour price (Standard) £2495

Single supplement £295

Ground only £2165 (Olten – Olten)

Price includes:

✱ An Enthusiast Tour available in both First and Standard Class

✱ Eurostar journeys from London to Paris and return, in Eurostar Plus or Standard Class depending on your booked class of travel

✱ All TGV and SBB train services to and from Olten (First or Standard Class)

✱ 5 Nights accommodation with breakfast at the Hotel Amaris

✱ 2 Dinners

✱ *4-day Swiss Travel Pass in First Class for all travellers

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Steam and Christmas Markets in Germany

Thursday 4 December to Thursday 11 December 2025

Discover the festive splendour of Germany’s legendary Christmas Markets. This unique steam holiday explores historic towns and charming cities set against a winter wonderland landscape, including the idyllic highlands of Thüringen and the enchanting Harz Mountains.

• This all-new winter tour is based in two locations: the vibrant city of Erfurt and the picturesque town of Wernigerode, offering refined travel and a relaxed holiday experience for the seasoned traveller and Christmas Market newcomer alike.

• You’ll sample steam and ‘Plandampf’ – hauling regular trains by steam locomotives on different gauges – while sightseeing gorgeous historic cathedral cities and lovely rural landscapes.

• Enjoy a private main line charter with dramatic run-pasts on the steeply graded Rennsteigbahn in the forested Thüringerwald, hauled by the mighty 0-10-0 Prussian tank engine 94 1538 from 1922.

• In the Harz Mountains you’ll experience a thrilling steam departure on a rarely-used trunk from Nordhausen, storming to the summit of Mount Brocken as often as you like thanks to your complimentary network rover ticketplenty of comfort and convenience.

Thursday 4 December

London to Gotha

Every step of this journey is a treat, from start to finish. First of all you’ll travel by Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to the historic castle town of Gotha. On arrival you’ll check into your quality, centrally located hotel near Gotha’s splendid palace gardens for a delicious welcome dinner. (B D)

Friday 5 December

Main Line Steam with 94 1538 on the Rennsteigbahn

On the first full day you’ll experience one of the biggest operational standard gauge tank engines in Germany on one of the country’s steepest rural railways! The impressive 0-10-0 needs every bit of available power to battle the fierce

6% gradients on the circuitous Rennsteigbahn between Ilmenau, Rennsteig and Themar in the rural, hilly and densely forested hinterland of Thüringen. The train includes a stylish historic dining car where you’ll enjoy a tasty lunch. A series of photo stops and spectacular run-pasts reveal a landscape often smothered in snow at this time of year, adding to the magic. After the full round-trip by steam, you’ll return to Gotha by service train in the late afternoon. (B L)

Saturday 6 December

Erfurt Christmas Markets and Sightseeing by Heritage Tramway Saturday is all about sampling the delights of Erfurt, whose Christmas Market has been rated the best in Europe. Located right the heart of Germany, scenic Erfurt has countless spacious squares, proud Burgher Houses, wonderful old

bridges and quaint pedestrianised alleys. Today you’ll explore the city’s sights and scenes on a privately chartered heritage tramway from the early 20th century, before taking free time to immerse yourself in the award-winning Erfurt Christmas Market with its festive atmosphere, mulled wine and heart-warming traditional cuisine. (B)

Sunday 7 December

Steam in the Harz Mountains from Norhausen to Mount Brocken and on to Wernigerode

This morning’s adventure takes you on a DB service train from Gotha to Nordhausen, while your luggage is transferred by minivan to your hotel in Wernigerode. Departing in the late morning, you’ll travel Nordhausen steam-hauled north via Eisfelder Talmühle to the junction

station of Drei Annen Hohne before traversing the long trunk line of the Harz narrow gauge network steam-hauled. A different steam locomotive takes over for the dizzying ascent up Mount Brocken. After refreshments and photo opportunities at the summit, you’ll descend back to Drei Annen Hohne and then proceed to Wernigerode, completing an epic steam journey through the stunning winter scenery. For the next three nights you’ll be based in Wernigerode, given the opportunity to experience both the best of the Harz Mountains and the excellent local Christmas Market near your hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. (B D)

Monday 8 December

Steam from Quedlinburg and along the Selke Valley

There’s steam on the menu today in the eastern part of the Harz narrow gauge network, on board a powerful 2-10-2 tank engine at Quedlinburg for the round-trip to Alexisbad. Along the way the locomotive overcomes some formidable inclines and passes through beautiful landscapes, a delightful steam round-trip. You’ll be able to explore the UNESCOdesignated town of Quedlinburg with its timber framed buildings and impressive hilltop basilica. In the late afternoon you’ll return by DB service train to Wernigerode for another tasty dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 9 December

Day at leisure with Harz network rover

This is the final day of your three day Harz network experience, your chance to have another go at the amazing Brockenbahn with its steep gradients, snow-covered scenery and spiraling alignment. You can also film or photograph

trains at the junction station Drei Annen Hohne, or take one of the regular steam services to Eisfelder Talmühle. Alternatively, simply relax in Wernigerode and enjoy the markets, castles and cultural attractions before returning to the hotel for dinner. (B D)

Wednesday 10 December

Scenic heritage railway in the Exertal and Essen Christmas Market

Making our way westwards, including a comfortable direct transfer on a luxury coach from Wernigerode to the village of Bösingfeld, we enter the German hinterland. The pastoral Exertalbahn is one of Germany’s rare preserved electrified railways, operating original electric ‘boxcab’ locomotives from the 1920s. One of these stylish locomotives will haul your private charter train through rolling hills and gentle fields, pausing for photos and run-pasts along the way. Lunch is served in a delightful red Mitropa dining car, typical of German railways from the early 20th century, one of Germany’s best off-the-beaten path secrets and a fitting railway highlight to cap your tour. In the late afternoon you’ll continue to the city of Essen to stay at the stylish 1913 Handelshof Hotel, next to the city’s Christmas Market and opposite the main railway station. (B L)

Thursday 11 December

Return to London by high-speed rail

It’s time to say Auf Wiedersehen to Germany as you travel from Essen via Cologne to Brussels on ICE high-speed services, before changing onto a Eurostar for the direct return to London St. Pancras. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2395

£325

£2135 (Gotha – Essen)

Price includes:

✱ Eurostar Plus travel on Eurostar services London – Bruxelles and return

✱ 7 Nights accommodation in quality hotels in Gotha, Wernigerode and Essen

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 4 Dinners

✱ HSB 3-day network rover ticket included in the price

✱ Private sightseeing tour of Erfurt by vintage tramway

✱ Private charter trains with steam and vintage electric traction

✱ First Class rail travel where possible on high speed trains

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Christmas and New Year in the Swiss Alps

Tuesday 23 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026

Make it a Christmas and New Year to remember as you spend the holiday in a genuine Winter Wonderland, surrounded by the snow-capped Swiss Alps.

• The tour includes a 15-Day Swiss Pass rail rover in First Class as well the extra journey on the world famous mountain railway to the Gornergrat, where you will see glaciers, the Matterhorn and unrivalled high altitude landscapes.

• Celebrate Christmas Day in style with a wonderful steamboat cruise on Lake Geneva. Additional scenic cruises on Lake Lucerne are also possible with the Swiss Pass.

• Make the most of your First Class Swiss Pass on six free days of the tour for individual discovery of the many mountain railways of Switzerland, such as the Golden Pass, Glacier Express route, Brünig Railway, Rhätische Bahn and countless others.

• A brand-new tour highlight is the festive trip for New Year’s Eve aboard the luxurious ‘Swiss Classic Train’ in opulent Pullman Class, with a sophisticated 8-course menu served at seat, including complimentary sparkling wine to toast the new year and access to the train’s elegant Bar Car.

• This tour is running on a half-board basis, with breakfast and dinner included every day at your centrally located, quality hotels in the mountainous towns of Brig and Lausanne, thus providing excellent value and ideal comfort.

Tuesday 23 December

London to Brig by high speed rail

You travel from London to Brig via Paris on Eurostar and TGV services. On arrival you check in to the 3-star Hotel Victoria, located directly across from the railway station. A welcome dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (B D)

Wednesday 24 December

Along the Glacier Express route to Zermatt, Gornergrat rack railway and Matterhorn

Your tour starts with a real highlight as you take the scenic narrow gauge railway to Zermatt, following along the route of the famed Glacier Express. Then you transfer to the Gornergrat

Railway, ascending to 3089 metres. It’s Europe’s second highest railway, eclipsed only by the Jungfrau. From this high Alpine summit, enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers and a front view of the Matterhorn. After refreshments at Gornergrat, you can descend back down to Zermatt, with ample time to explore the car-free village centre that is lined by typical Swiss chalets. This initial group excursion will allow you to get familiar with the Swiss railway system, giving you insights on how to best use your Swiss Pass for individual trips on other days. In the afternoon, there is time for individual discovery, before dinner back at the hotel in Brig. (B D)

Thursday 25 December

Festive Lake Geneva steamboat cruise

For Christmas Day, the memorable highlight is a splendid cruise on Lake Geneva and along the vineyards and chateaux of the Swiss Riviera. You board at Montreux and make a circular cruise aboard an early 20th century ‘tall stack’ paddle-wheeler. The cruise offers stunning views of the French Alps and also passes through the famed resort town of Evian and past Chillon Castle. In the afternoon you alight at Vevey and return to Brig by train. Back at the hotel, your Christmas dinner awaits. (B D)

Georg Trueb

Friday 26 until Monday 29 December

Freedom of Switzerland with First Class Swiss Travel Pass

For the next few days, you can individually discover all that Switzerland has to offer. Aside from attractions like the nearby Bernese Oberland or the Golden Pass route, you can explore the narrow gauge railway lines in the serene Gruyere region or make a side-step to Domodossola in Italy and then travel on the stunning Centovalli route to Locarno. Enjoy iconic ‘little trains’, towering viaducts and mountain vistas at attractions all around Switzerland. Excursions over the Oberalp Pass to the Rhaetian Railway are also possible. Each night, dinner is served at the hotel in Brig. (B D)

Tuesday 30 December

Brig to Lausanne

After breakfast you check out of your hotel in Brig and travel by train to Lausanne, where you check into your new hotel for the last three nights of the tour. (B D)

Wednesday 31 December

New Year’s Eve on the Swiss Classic Train in luxurious Pullman Class

In the early afternoon you continue by SBB train to Vallorbe. There a new highlight for this popular tour, as you spend New Year’s Eve in Pullman Class aboard the magnificent ‘Swiss Classic Train’. This splendid luxury train with atseat dining in deeply cushioned, wide armchairs, includes a Bar Car with a live piano. Your train

will be hauled by a vintage electric locomotive and make a 8-hour, all-evening roundtrip on the main line through western Switzerland and up the Lötschberg north ramp to Kandersteg. There you will have an hour’s break to enjoy this magical, snow-covered chalet village.

As a special treat, you will be served an 8-course gala menu, that is expertly presented and comfortably stretched out through the evening. At midnight, the train will stop at the beautifully illuminated medieval town of Romont, as you can toast the New Year in the Bar Car or on the platform. The train returns after midnight to Lausanne, capping a memorable experience and the most exclusive way to spend New Year’s Eve on a Swiss luxury train. (B D)

Thursday 1 January

At leisure in Lausanne or discovery of regional railways

Today you can relax in the beautiful city of Lausanne, with its historic landmarks and world class attractions. You can also use your Swiss Pass one more time to discover pretty local railways, such as the narrow gauge lines above Lake Geneva from Morges to Biere or Nyon to St. Cergue. In the evening there’s a final group dinner at the hotel in Lausanne. (B D).

Friday 2 January

Return to London

After your exhilarating Christmas holiday you return to London via Paris by TGV and Eurostar services. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2895

£395

£2645 (Brig – Lausanne)

Price includes:

✱ 10 Nights half board at centrally located quality hotels in Brig and Lausanne with breakfasts and dinners

✱ First Class rail travel from London to Switzerland and return (seats are reserved in Eurostar Plus carriages on Eurostar services)

✱ A 15-Day First Class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel by train, bus and boat. Discounted mountain railways, panoramic trains and free museum entrance throughout Switzerland where applicable.

✱ Gornergrat mountain railway excursion

✱ Festive 8-course gala dinner in Pullman Class on the Swiss Classic Train for New Year’s Eve, including complimentary welcome drink and sparkling wine for midnight

✱ Christmas Day cruise on Lake Geneva aboard historic Belle Epoque paddler

✱ All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days)

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Georg Trueb

Steam in Eastern Germany – Saxony and the Baltic Coast

Tuesday 6 January to Wednesday 14 January 2026

Journey through a genuine Winter Wonderland on our ever-popular tour to Eastern Germany. Timber-framed houses, fairy-tale castles and romantic steam trains all add to the enchantment of this seasonal holiday.

• Discover first-hand the charm and culture of Eastern and Northern Germany, staying in such fine cities as Dresden, Rostock and Bad Doberan.

• Ride on the famed ‘little trains’ that circulate on the renowned narrow-gauge networks of Saxony, the Ore Mountains and along the Baltic Coast.

• Visit iconic locations such as the Island of Rügen and steam-hauled street-running at Bad Doberan, with excellent chances of steam in the snow in the Saxon Ore Mountains at Oberwiesenthal.

• Experience legendary German ‘Plandampf’ on five different narrow-gauge steam railways, all with their own unique and individual character.

• Enjoy private charters on wonderful heritage tramways in the historic cathedral cities of Dresden and Rostock, and a trip on the 1901 ‘dingle-dangle’ mountain monorail in Dresden.

Tuesday 6 January

London to Dresden

Travel by Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to Dresden. On arrival check into your quality, centrally located hotel in the heart of Dresden’s Old Town. (B D)

Wednesday 7 January

Private sightseeing tour of Dresden by classic Tramway, Historic Funicular and Mountain Monorail

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll receive a complimentary public transport rover ticket, valid for the duration of your stay in Dresden. After some free time for a first look around

in the morning, there’s a sightseeing tour of the city by privately chartered tram in the afternoon, concluding at the ‘Blue Wonder’ Loschwitz Bridge. You then ride the ‘dingledangle’ mountain monorail from 1901 before taking the adjacent 1895 funicular to the Weisser Hirsch summit terminus, from where there are magnificent panoramic views of the city. After returning to the city centre by tramway, you have some more free time before dinner at the hotel (B D)

Thursday 8 January

Steam to Radeburg with a Saxon VII K locomotive and Leisure in Dresden

After breakfast, you visit the local narrow-gauge

railway at Radebeul, where a 2-10-2 Saxon VII K tank locomotive takes you down the 16.5 km long line to Radeburg, pausing at Moritzburg Castle. The train returns to Radebeul by midday, from where you return to Dresden Hbf on a DB service train. You can then explore Dresden at your own pace and make good use of your complimentary public transport rover ticket to explore the extensive tram network or visit the famed landmarks and museums. (B)

Friday 9 January

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway to Kurort Kipsdorf

Today you have a morning excursion to the recently reopened narrow-gauge Weisseritz

Valley Railway. You’ll be steam-hauled through Saxony’s ‘canyon landscape’ from FreitalHainsberg via Dippoldiswalde to Kurort Kipsdorf, along the river Weisseritz. Enjoy the panoramic views from the open balconies of your vintage carriage. You return to Dresden in the early afternoon, with time to further explore its many attractions. (B)

Saturday 10 January

Steam in the Ore Mountains from Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal

You travel on DB service trains from Dresden to Cranzahl, and board a steam train to travel over the iconic Fichtelbergbahn for the journey to Oberwiesenthal, the ‘St Moritz of Saxony’. After free time in this resort town and photo opportunities with steam trains passing over the railway viaduct by the station, you return from Oberwiesenthal to Cranzahl by steam train in the afternoon and from there continue to Dresden on DB service trains. (B)

Sunday 11 January

Dresden to Rostock, sightseeing tour of the city by vintage tramway

After breakfast you take a direct DB Intercity train via Berlin to Rostock. You arrive in this attractive Hanseatic city with distinctive redbrick architecture and Baltic heritage in the early afternoon. After checking into the hotel you have a private sightseeing tour of the city by vintage tramway. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B D)

Monday 12 January

Steam at the Molli Railway along the Baltic Coast

Today you visit the 15.4-kilometre-long seaside railway ‘Molli’. Famous for its street running

section in Bad Doberan, this 900 mm gauge railway boasts lots of rugged German tank engines. You’ll have reserved seats for the northbound journey to Kühlingsborn along the Baltic Coast, before returning to Bad Doberan to film the street running there. In the afternoon you return by rail to nearby Rostock for a free evening in the city. (B)

Tuesday 13 January

Steam on the Island of Rügen and historic Stralsund

German Plandampf once again takes centre stage today as you travel by service train via Stralsund to Putbus on the Island of Rügen and then experience the island’s famous narrowgauge ‘Racing Roland’ railway. The 24 km long line runs via Binz to the seaside terminus Göhren. After lunch you have time to visit the beach and pier at Göhren, before you return to Putbus behind a different steam locomotive and continue by regular service train to Stralsund. In the late afternoon you have time to discover historic Stralsund, a beautiful Hanseatic city with distinctive red-brick architecture and Baltic heritage. Dinner is once again served at your hotel. (B L D)

Wednesday 14 January

Return to London

As you say ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Germany, you travel from Rostock to Cologne by DB IC and ICE trains, before changing to high speed services to Brussels and finally London St Pancras. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

£1895

£395

Ground only £1695 (Dresden – Rostock)

Price includes:

✱ Eurostar Plus travel on Eurostar services from London to Bruxelles and return

✱ High Speed train travel from Bruxelles to Dresden and from Rostock to Bruxelles in First Class (where possible)

✱ 8 Nights accommodation with breakfast

✱ 1 Lunch

✱ 4 Dinners

✱ All seat reservations and transfers

✱ All steam train rides and tramway charters as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Included local public transport and rail rover tickets

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snow and Steam in Austria and Moravia

Thursday 15 January to Wednesday 21 January 2026

Discover the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Austria on this wonderful winter holiday packed with unique steam attractions for you to enjoy.

• Enjoy an epic lineup of iconic narrow gauge steam locomotives on scenic line.

• Travel steam-hauled on a private steam charter train on the Alpine Mariazellerbahn, Austria’s longest and most mountainous narrow gauge railway.

• Enjoy a separate private steam charter with the original 0-8+4 articulated locomotive Mh 1 from 1906 on the rural railway from Gmünd to Litschau.

• Explore the famed Semmering railway on a panoramic OBB train.

• Visit the largest steam collection in Austria at Strasshof Museum and take a ride in steam there behind an archaic tank engine from the late 19th century.

• Make an exciting sidestep from Vienna north to Moravia for the very best of Czech main line steam with the mighty 2-8-2 tank engine 423.041 on the local lines around Olomouc.

Thursday 15 January

Arrive in Vienna, at leisure in Austria’s wonderful capital You arrive in Austria’s capital around mid-day, following a morning flight from London. After a direct transfer from the airport you check into your centrally located hotel, where you’ll be based for the whole tour. You have a welcome lunch at the hotel, before you can spend the rest of the day exploring iconic Vienna at your leisure, using the complimentary public transport rover ticket supplied, valid for the duration of your stay in the city. (L)

Friday 16 January

Narrow-gauge steam from Gmünd to Litschau with Mh.1

In the morning you take ÖBB service train over the picturesque Franz-Josefs-Bahn from Wien FJB to Gmünd, located on the Czech border. Gmünd is home to an extensive narrow-gauge network and today you take a private charter hauled by the classic Austro-Hungarian 0-8+4 type articulated steam locomotive Mh.1 over the idyllic branch line from Gmünd to Litschau, deep in the Austrian hinterland. Framed by rolling fields and dotted small towns, the line meanders north towards the Czech border. Along the way your train poses for photos, with run-pasts added where possible. After lunch in Litschau, you return to Gmünd by steam train and then head back to Wien by ÖBB service. (B L)

Saturday 17 January

Prater Ferris Wheel and steam at Strasshof with archaic tank engine

After breakfast you’ll still have the morning to further explore Vienna and all of its wonderful sights, including the dense tram network and busy main line railway stations. Then you rejoin the group in the early afternoon for a trip to the famed Strasshof railway museum and steamshed, located just north of the city. The site hosts one of the largest collections of preserved and operational steam locomotives in Central Europe and has many iconic tank and tender locomotives dating from the Austro-Hungarian era. Indeed, the archaic 2-6-2 tender locomotive 30.33 dating from 1897 will be in steam and provide cab-ride opportunities up and down the expansive, milelong museum yard. Naturally, attractive filming

options will also be staged. After a good outing, you return to Vienna by late afternoon, with the evening still free to spend at leisure. (B)

Sunday 18 January

Steam on the Mariazell Railway with Mh. 6

After breakfast you take a high speed train from Vienna to St. Pölten, the provincial capital of Lower Austria. There you join an exclusively chartered steam train on the spectacular Mariazellerbahn, Austria’s longest and most famous narrow gauge railway. Your private charter train of First Class carriages is first hauled by the original, rod-driven vintage electric from 1911 from St. Pölten to the steam shed at Obergrafendorf. There the vintage 1908 0-8+4 articulated tender locomotive No. Mh 6 takes over for the long and steeply graded mountain section of the Mariazellerbahn with its breathtaking views and snow-covered landscape. Along the way, photo stops will be staged and lunch is served in the dedicated bar car. After arrival to the famed pilgrimage town of Mariazell, the locomotive will take water and use the turntable. You make the long and scenic descent back down to Obergrafendorf, before completing the last short leg once again with the vintage electric St. Pölten. From there you return to Wien by high speed RailJet. (B L)

Monday 19 January

Steam in Moravia with 423.041

This day adds more international flavour to the holiday, as you travel on an EuroCity train in First Class from Vienna north to the Czech

Republic. In the region of Moravia you then enjoy Czech main line steam with the mighty 2-8-2 tank engine 423.041 from 1924. It will haul your train on the local lines around Olomouc and on to Litovel. After lunch in the town, you return to the Olomouc, before returning by EC train to Vienna. (B L)

Tuesday 20 January

The world famous Semmering railway and Vienna at leisure

After breakfast you board a loco-hauled ÖBB train and travel over Austria’s first and still most famous mountain railway south to Mürzzuschlag, over countless stunning, stone-arched viaducts. Built as Europe’s first trans-alpine main line from 1848 to 1854, the Semmering railway is a UNESCO World Heritage site and enduring monument to the harmonious blending of nature and engineering. At Mürzzuschlag there is time to view the Semmering monument and historic locomotives, before making the return northbound trip over the Semmering on a different loco-hauled train. Once back in Vienna you still have free time to enjoy the city for the afternoon. In the evening you join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Wednesday 21 January

Return to London

Today you return to the UK on a direct flight from Vienna airport back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

£2095

£185

Ground only £1995 (Vienna – Vienna)

Price includes:

✱ Flights from London to Vienna and return

✱ 6 Nights hotel accommodation at centrally located quality hotel in Vienna

✱ 4 Lunches

✱ 1 Dinner

✱ All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All service train travel as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All transfers and visits as detailed in the itinerary

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals

Highlights of Switzerland in Winter

Thursday 22 January to Thursday 29 January 2026

Experience the splendour of the snow topped Swiss Alps on this spectacular summer holiday. Trips on Switzerland’s most iconic mountain railways are conveniently included, giving you a chance to sample ‘the best of the best’.

• Initially based in the Swiss Riviera town of Vevey on Lake Geneva and the historic city of Brig and Chur, you’ll stay in topquality hotels featuring typical Swiss hospitality.

• Discover Switzerland’s spectacular mountain railways from west to east, including the Rochers-de-Naye, Golden Pass, Glacier Express, Gornergrat, Oberalp Pass, Rhaetian Railway, as well as the UNESCO designated Albula and Bernina lines.

• Travel aboard opulent ‘Belle Epoque’ Pullman Cars over the Golden Pass, plus enjoy private accommodation in the 1930s Art Deco Pullman coaches of the Rhaetian Railway for trips to Arosa and Tirano.

• Sample the amazing BLS ‘Blue Arrow’ on a private charter run in the Bernese Oberland. Journey back in time aboard this wonderfully dynamic streamliner dating from 1938, allowing you to sit next to the driver.

• See impressively engineered railways up close and get the best high-altitude views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat summit station.

• Go ’peak-hopping’ on rack railways, funiculars and aerial cableways, whilst exploring local towns and castles with complimentary public transport rover tickets.

Thursday 22 January

London to Vevey

Travel on Eurostar and TGV via Paris to Geneva, then by SBB service train to Vevey, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Here you check in to the 4-star Hotel Astra, conveniently located opposite the station. A welcome dinner will be served at the hotel tonight. (B D)

Friday 23 January

Golden Pass in Pullman coaches; Blue Arrow railcar in the Bernese Oberland

Today you travel in style from Montreux via Gstaad to Zweisimmen over the Golden Pass in elegant ‘Belle Epoque’ Pullman coaches on the Golden Pass Classic train. The line climbs to the highest point, near Saanenmöser, at 1279

metres. In Zweisimmen you board the vintage 1938 BLS ‘Blue Arrow’ with luxurious passenger accommodation and open cab vestibules, allowing you to sit or stand beside the driver. The route winds through the Simmental Valley to Spiez and along Lake Thun to Bern. You’ll have free time to visit the medieval city of Bern, before travelling back to Lake Geneva via the Gruyere foothills and Lausanne. Back in Vevey you’ll have a free evening to enjoy dinner at a lake-side venue of your choosing. (B)

Saturday 24 January

Swiss Riviera and Mont Pelerin Funicular; Rochers de Naye Rack Railway

You start your day by exploring Vevey and Lake Geneva’s famed ‘Swiss Riviera’. You catch a funicular to the terraced vineyards high above the lake, reaching a formidable observation point at the summit of Mont Pelerin. Later on, you can use your complimentary, public transport rover ticket to take the trolleybus route to Montreux and see the medieval Chillon Castle. Early afternoon you board a rack railcar for the steep journey from Montreux to the summit of Rochers de Naye, 2042 metres above sea level. From the top there are panoramic views of the French and Swiss Alps. You return to

Georg Trueb

Montreux, for a further look around town or ride on another local funicular before returning back to Vevey. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Sunday 25 january

Glacier Express route to Zermatt; Gornergrat Railway; the Matterhorn

This morning you board an SBB service train from Vevey station to Visp, where you’ll travel on a panoramic narrow-gauge train for the final section of the Glacier Express route. This scenic railway line winds through rocky valleys and over steep inclines to reach Zermatt. Here you transfer to the Gornergrat rack railway, ascending to 3089 metres above sea level. It’s Europe’s second highest railway, eclipsed only by the Jungfrau. From this high Alpine plateau, enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers and a fabulous front perspective of the Matterhorn. After refreshments at Gornergrat you can film the passing trains in their characteristic chocolate-brown livery, before riding back down to Zermatt. You’ll have some time to look around car-free Zermatt, with its rows of wooden chalets and stone churches. Then you board another panoramic narrow gauge train for the onward journey on the Glacier Express route to Brig. You’ll spend the night in Naters allocated within the district of Brig, an historic, elegant city, which has become famous as a major railway junction and gateway to nearby Italy. Dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Monday 26 January

On the Glacier Express and via the Oberalp Pass to Chur

A true highlight awaits, as you step aboard the legendary Glacier Express and travel in First Class accommodation on one of the world’s most famous trains! Enjoy the sleek dome cars with their grandiose windows as well as the refinement of on train catering, for the half-day journey from Brig to Chur. The Glacier Express initially traverses the narrow valleys of the Obergoms, before travelling through Andermatt and climbing up to the breath-taking Oberalp Pass. From there you descend through the Surselva region and along the Rhine Gorge, arriving in Chur, one of Switzerland’s oldest cities. You check into a centrally located hotel with free time to explore, before dinner is served. (B L D)

Tuesday 27 January

Rhaetian Railway from Chur to Arosa by private Pullman Coach; Ascent to the Weisshorn

Today you experience the famous Rhaetian Railway in a privately chartered, original 1930s Pullman car. Aside from the luxury of deep cushioned chairs, large panoramic windows give fine views of the mountainous landscape, as you traverse the impressively engineered 25 km branch line from Chur to Arosa. The route climbs 1155 metres via tunnels and bridges, including the 284-metre-long Langwieser Viaduct.

On arrival in Arosa you take the cableway to the summit of the 2653 metre Weisshorn, where majestic views await. You return to Arosa in the early afternoon, where you reboard the RhB train and private Pullman car for the return trip to Chur. You have the evening to explore the heart of the medieval old town. (B)

Wednesday 28 January

Albula Railway to Pontresina; Bernina Railway to Tirano by private Pullman coach

Another signature attraction awaits, as you journey over both the UNESCO-designated Albula and the Bernina railways. From Chur you take an express train over the beautiful Albula line to Samedan and Pontresina. This allows you to ride over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct and experience the countless horseshoe curves that make the Albula line renowned around the world. In Pontresina you change onto the Bernina Railway and are once again accommodated in a private Pullman coach for the journey over the wonderful Bernina pass, the only Swiss trans-alpine railway that climbs over the ridges between north and south without using a tunnel. Enjoy the ascent to the summit at Ospizio Bernina and the spiralling descent to Poschiavo, before the famed circular viaduct is reached at Brusio and you finish your journey amidst palm trees in Italy. In Tirano, you have time for a look around the station and town.Light lunch refreshments are directly provided with at seat-catering in the Pullman Car. On returning to Pontresina you travel back to Chur over the Albula line aboard another RhB express service. A farewell dinner is served at your hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 29 January

Return to London

Today you return to London from Switzerland, travelling via Chur, Basel and Paris on RhB, SBB, TGV and Eurostar trains. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2950

£495

£2695 (Vevey – Chur)

Price includes:

✱ 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Astra, Vevey

✱ 1 Night accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Alex, Naters

✱ 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Romantik Stern, Chur

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 4 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus service from London to Switzerland and return. First Class travel within Switzerland where possible

✱ 8 Day First Class Swiss Travel pass

✱ All privately chartered vintage trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ First Class travel on Golden pass panoramic train (Montreux to Zweisimmen)

✱ First Class travel on Glacier Express (Brig to Chur) including lunch on-board

✱ All train travel and transfers

✱ SBB luggage transfers from hotel to hotel

✱ Seat reservations (where possible)

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Winter Steam and Luxury Trains in Bohemia

Saturday 14 February to Saturday 21 February 2026

A unique one off-tour to Prague and the Czech countryside for some of the grandest steam locomotives and luxury carriages in Central Europe, all embedded in a romantic winter landscape.

• Enjoy the very best of Czech main line steam on four different days and diverse routes over ‘rare track’ through the picturesque countryside with excellent chances for snow in the Eagle Mountains and Jeseniky Range.

• Travel with steam legends like the elegant 4-8-2 tender locomotive 475.111, the powerful Skoda-built 2-10-0 freight engine 50.1171 and the recently refurbished tank green tank 312.3629.

• On two days of main line steam in northeast Bohemia you will have the benefit of being accommodated on one of the finest early 20th Century luxury trains in Central Europe, with a splendidly refurbished rake of classic 1st Class coaches dating from the 1930s, a Bar Car and an amazingly restored 1906 teak dining car.

• The tour is based in the beautiful Czech capital of Prague, giving you ample free time to explore and appreciate all that this amazing city has to offer. You will also spend three nights at Letohrad Castle in a stylish countryside hotel with historic flair.

Saturday 14th February

London to Prague

You have a direct morning flight from London to Prague, with a mid-day arrival in the Czech capital. After arrival to your centrally located hotel, you will be greeted with a welcome lunch before having the rest of the day to spend at your leisure exploring Prague and all of its historic as well as cultural attractions (L)

Sunday 15th February

Steam in the Giant Mountains with 312.3629

After breakfast you take a service train from Prague’s elegant 1909 main station through much of Central and North Bohemia to Tanvald. Along the way you will pass through the socalled ‘Czech Paradise’, marked by rugged cliffs and romantic hilltop castle ruins. You are also likely to encounter snow on these remote routes.

You arrive to Tanvald in the late morning, where you will continue on the steeply graded line to Korenov and Harrachov. You will have a private charter train with the newly overhauled green tank engine 312.3629, an industrial 0-6-0 dating from 1957 one the only one of its kind currently in running order. As you steam towards the Polish border over towering viaducts, the scene will be marked by vast forests and deep valleys. Photo stops and run-pasts with your private charter steam train will be included. In the late afternoon you return to Prague by service train. (B L)

Monday 16th February

Prague at leisure

After a full day of steam, this Monday is designed to let you relax and enjoy Prague, making the most of your complimentary public transport rover to ride the historic Tatra trams or

sightsee on foot in the charming old town. Walk across the Charles Bridge, ride the tramway up to Prague Castle or visit one of the many brewpubs. The choice is yours and your Tour Manager will be pleased to advise you. (B)

Tuesday 17th February

Main line steam in West Bohemia with 475.111

A real highlight of European steam awaits today with the elegant and refined Czech Class 475. These mighty 4-8-2 tender locomotives were built by Skoda in the late 1940s and are iconic for their large driving wheels and lofty boiler placement. These graceful machines were mainstay motive power until the late 1970s and have featured in countless major motion pictures since. You will travel with the Pilsen based 475.111 from Pilsen north on the scenic secondary line to Zatec. Along the way you

pause for photos and lunch. In the late afternoon your private charter train returns to Pilsen’s elegant Art Nouveau station, from where you return to Prague by Intercity train. (B L)

Wednesday 18th February

Free morning in Prague, ‘Baltic Express’ to Letohrad

In the morning there’s more free time to continue your exploration of Prague, before you take the early afternoon ‘Baltic Express’ EuroCity train from Prague to Letohrad, located near the Polish border. This railway junction is also a pretty historical town and features a stately 18th Century Baroque Chateau, where you will be accommodated for the next three nights. Dinner is at the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Thursday 19th February

Luxury train and main line steam to the Jeseniky Mountains

After breakfast you take a service train from Letohrad to Dolni Lipka, one of the large steam sheds in the Czech Republic. From there you will have a private steam charter hauled by the mighty Skoda-built 2-10-0 freight locomotive 50.1171 dating from 1942. Your train will be formed of 1930s former Swiss coaches and the vintage 1906 Ringhoffer-built Teak dining car, which was only just restored in 2025, after decades out of use. You will steam through the Sudetenland along the Polish frontier and pause

for photos at one of the Czech defensive bunkers built in the 1930s. After pausing for photos you continue to the railway junction Hanusovice, before then also steaming on the steeply graded branch line to Stare Mesto. Lunch will be served in the Teak car and the train also includes a fine bar car originally dating from 1913. You return by steam to Dolni Lipka in the afternoon, once again pausing for photos and also a run-past. From there you continue to your hotel for dinner. (B L D)

Friday 20th February

Luxury train and main line steam in the Eagle Mountains

In the morning the same wonderful steam train consist as from the day before picks you up in Letohrad and then takes you for another charter run on the main line westbound to Usti nad Orlici and the the branch line to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Litomysl, this time passing through the scenic Eagle Mountains.Lunch will once again be served in the beautiful teak dining car and dinner at the castle hotel. On the return run you pause for more photo stops. (B L D)

Saturday 21st February

Return to Prague by train, flight to London

You return to Prague by train and then transfer by coach to Prague airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

(Prague – Prague)

Price includes:

£2495

£345

£2395

✱ Flights from London to Prague and return

✱ All train and heritage rail travel as detailed in the itinerary

✱ 7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels

✱ 5 Lunches

✱ 3 Dinners

✱ Complimentary public transport tickets in Prague

✱ All train and heritage rail travel as detailed in the itinerary

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals

Winter in the Harz Mountains

Saturday 21 February to Saturday 28 February 2026

Enjoy the best of German steam and snowy-drenched landscapes in the stunning Harz Mountains. This exciting holiday also includes a visit to Saxony for additional steam, culture and World War II history.

• Experience the best of German narrow gauge steam with a 3-day Harz Rover ticket, allowing you to storm up to Mount Brocken, while also exploring the rest of the network.

• Visit Leipzigs tramway museum and board a privately hired sightseeing tour with a luxurios Maximum car from the early 1900s.

• Enjoy steam at two other heritage railways, including the Meuselwitz mining railway south of Leipzig and the Berlin Park Railway at Wuhlheide.

• Travel by steam through the eastern part of the Harz narrow gauge network, on board a powerful 2-10-2 tank engine at Quedlinburg for the round-trip to Alexisbad.

Saturday 21 February

London to Leipzig

You travel to Leipzig from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt on Eurostar and ICE highspeed services, including the Erfurt to Leipzig high-speed line in Central Germany. In Leipzig, you check into your 4-star city centre hotel, near the railway station and all the major attractions. A light dinner of soup and sandwiches is served after arrival. (B D)

Sunday 22 February

Steam at the Meuselwitz heritage railway and a visit to Colditz Castle

Today you visit the fascinating Meuselwitz mining railway, a remarkable industrial history complex with fascinating buildings and a special collection of tank engines as well as giant electric steeple cab locomotives. You have a private charter steam train over the length of the

line, including numerous run-pasts and photo opportunities. Lunch will also be served in the museum grounds at a nice restaurant. In the afternoon you continue by coach to nearby Colditz Castle. This iconic landmark served as an allegedly escape-proof prison for Allied officers during the Second World War and was made famous by a 1970s BBC television series. You return to Leipzig in the late afternoon and may enjoy the evening at leisure in the city, perhaps sampling one of the many famous brew houses. (B L)

Monday 23 February

Sightseeing tour of Leipzig by heritage tramway, visit to Napoleonic battle monument

After breakfast you visit Leipzig’s wonderful tramway museum near the main railway station and then have a private sightseeing tour aboard

an old and quite luxurious ‘Maximum’ car from the early 1900s. You will see the city centre and principal landmarks as well as the well preserved historical districts of interest. The tramway will also take you to the monumental Battle of Nations memorial from the Napoleonic battle that took place in Leipzig in 1813. From the top of the monument tower you have wonderful views of the city and its spires. After some free time to further explore Leipzig at your own leisure in the afternoon, you will have dinner at the Rathauskeller, the cellar restaurant and brew pub of the historic city hall from 1907. (B D)

Tuesday 24 February

Steam in Berlin and Brandenburg Gate

In the morning you take a direct ICE express from Leipzig to Berlin, where you first visit the large park railway at Wuhlheide, which features an elaborate network and extensive

steam locomotive collection. You have a private charter train replete with run-pasts and photo stops, before visiting the steam shed for warm tea, mulled wine and cake. Afterwards you continue directly by train to the city centre of Berlin, where you have the opportunity to visit Brandenburg Gate and see the Reichstag building. You return to Leipzig in the evening and have dinner at the Bayerischer Bahnhof, the city original railway station dating from 1843 and framed by a large white portal arch. (B L D)

Wednesday 25 February

Harz steam from Norhausen to the Brocken and Wernigerode

Today you experience the best of legendary German ‘Plandampf’ on the large Harz narrowgauge network. As an unusual treat, you’ll enjoy a steam departure from Nordhausen before travelling north over the long trunk line to the junction station of Drei Annen Hohne. From there, your train gets a different steam locomotive for the ascent up Mount Brocken. As you storm up the spiraling line through snow-covered pine forests, you listen to the 2-10-2 tank engine battle the gradients. At an altitude of 1141 metres (3743 feet) it’s Northern Germany’s highest point and the most famous steam train terminus in the country. After refreshments and photo opportunities at the summit, you descend back to Drei Annen Hohne, travelling behind the third different steam locomotive of the day. From Drei Annen Hohne you carry on to Wernigerode, having completed 80km’s behind steam over the largest part of the Harz network. You spend the next two nights at a centrally located hotel in Wernigerode, a pretty town well known for its colourful timber-framed houses. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Thursday 26 February

Steam from Quedlinburg and along the Selke Valley

Friday 27 February

Day at leisure with Harz network rover

This is the final day of your three day Harz network experience, your chance again to perhaps travel up the amazing Brockenbahn with its steep gradients, snow-covered scenery and spiraling alignment. You can also film or photograph trains at the junction station Drei Annen Hohne, or take one of the regular steam services to Eisfelder Talmühle. Alternatively, simply relax in Wernigerode and enjoy the markets, castles and cultural attractions before returning to the hotel for dinner. (B D)

Saturday 28 February

Return to London by high-speed rail

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

£2175

£245

Ground only £1945 (Leipzig – Wernigerode)

Price includes:

✱ 7 Nights accommodation with breakfast

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 6 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus seating London to Brussels and return

✱ First Class rail travel where possible on high speed trains

✱ HSB 3-day network rover ticket included in the price

✱ Private charter trains with steam and vintage electric traction

✱ Private sightseeing tour of Leipzig by vintage tramway

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Highlights of Switzerland in Winter

Thursday 5 March to Thursday 12 March 2026

• Initially based in the Swiss Riviera town of Vevey on Lake Geneva and the historic city of Brig and Chur, you’ll stay in topquality hotels featuring typical Swiss hospitality.

• See impressively engineered railways up close and get the best high-altitude views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat summit station.

• Go ’peak-hopping’ on rack railways, funiculars and aerial cableways, whilst exploring local towns and castles with complimentary public transport rover tickets.

Thursday 5 March

London to Vevey

Friday 6 March

Golden Pass in Pullman coaches; Blue Arrow railcar in the Bernese Oberland

Today you travel in style from Montreux via Gstaad to Zweisimmen over the Golden Pass in elegant ‘Belle Epoque’ Pullman coaches on the Golden Pass Classic train. The line climbs to

the highest point, near Saanenmöser, at 1279 metres. In Zweisimmen you board the vintage 1938 BLS ‘Blue Arrow’ with luxurious passenger accommodation and open cab vestibules, allowing you to sit or stand beside the driver. The route winds through the Simmental Valley to Spiez and along Lake Thun to Bern.

You’ll have free time to visit the medieval city of Bern, before travelling back to Lake Geneva via the Gruyere foothills and Lausanne. Back in Vevey you’ll have a free evening to enjoy dinner at a lake-side venue of your choosing. (B)

Saturday 7 March

Swiss Riviera and Mont Pelerin Funicular; Rochers de Naye Rack Railway

Georg Trueb

of the French and Swiss Alps. You return to Montreux, for a further look around town or ride on another local funicular before returning back to Vevey. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Sunday 8 March

Glacier Express route to Zermatt; Gornergrat Railway; the Matterhorn

Monday 9 March

On the Glacier Express and via the Oberalp Pass to Chur

Tuesday 10 March

Rhaetian Railway from Chur to Arosa by private Pullman Coach; Ascent to the Weisshorn

Wednesday 11 March

Albula Railway to Pontresina; Bernina Railway to Tirano by private Pullman coach

Another signature attraction awaits, as you journey over both the UNESCO-designated Albula and the Bernina railways. From Chur you take an express train over the beautiful Albula line to Samedan and Pontresina. This allows you to ride over the iconic Landwasser Viaduct and experience the countless horseshoe curves that make the Albula line renowned around the world. In Pontresina you change onto the Bernina Railway and are once again accommodated in a private Pullman coach for the journey over the wonderful Bernina pass, the only Swiss trans-alpine railway that climbs over the ridges between north and south without using a tunnel. Enjoy the ascent to the summit at Ospizio Bernina and the spiralling descent to Poschiavo, before the famed circular viaduct is reached at Brusio and you finish your journey amidst palm trees in Italy. In Tirano, you have time for a look around the station and town. Light lunch refreshments are directly provided with at seat-catering in the Pullman Car. On returning to Pontresina you travel back to Chur over the Albula line aboard another RhB express service. A farewell dinner is served at your hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 12 March

Return to London

Today you return to London from Switzerland, travelling via Chur, Basel and Paris on RhB, SBB, TGV and Eurostar trains. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2950

£495

£2695 (Vevey – Chur)

Price includes:

✱ 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Astra, Vevey

✱ 1 Night accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Alex, Naters

✱ 3 Nights accommodation with breakfast at 4-star Hotel Romantik Stern, Chur

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 4 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus service from London to Switzerland and return. First Class travel within Switzerland where possible

✱ 8 Day First Class Swiss Travel pass

✱ All privately chartered vintage trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ First Class travel on Golden pass panoramic train (Montreux to Zweisimmen)

✱ First Class travel on Glacier Express (Brig to Chur) including lunch on-board

✱ All train travel and transfers

✱ SBB luggage transfers from hotel to hotel

✱ Seat reservations (where possible)

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

The French Riviera and Italian Ligurian Coast

Friday 13 March to Monday 23 March 2026

Enjoy a fabulous railway holiday along the French Cote d’Azur and the Ligurian Coast in Italy, including exploring the world-famous Cinque Terre.

• Journey by Eurostar from London to Paris and then on to elegant Nice for a day of sightseeing, before you continue along the Cote d’Azur to the historic port city of Genoa.

• Highlights in Genoa include a private charter train on the spectacular Genova-Cassella narrow gauge railway and sightseeing its rich maritime attractions.

• Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world along the Ligurian coast to Pisa, including a visit to the Leaning Tower, and explore the colourful fishing villages of Cinque Terre.

• Discover Turin’s historic tramways as a stay in this fine Alpine city concludes your tour in style, highlighted with a trip on the historic Sassi-Superga electric rack railway.

Friday 13 March

London to Nice by rail

You travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord before a direct afternoon TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. On arrival into Nice, you check into your centrally located hotel where a welcome dinner is served. (B D)

Saturday 14 March

Tramways and leisure in Nice

Sunday 15 March

Seaside railway trip from Nice to Genoa

Today you bid ‘Adieu’ to France and say ‘Ciao’ to Italy as you enjoy a 4-hour scenic train trip from Nice to Genoa, changing at Ventimiglia. You travel past sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, Italianate churches, and lots of colourful buildings. On arrival at Genoa’s elegant Piazza Principe station, you check into your adjacent hotel, centrally located and within walking distance of the Old Town, the Ancient Port, and the hillside palaces. You’ll receive a public transport rover ticket, valid on the city’s Metro and central trolleybus routes. Genoa also boasts a remarkable system of hillside rack railways, funiculars, and historic elevators, all free to use. Take the funiculars and hillside lifts to wonderful panoramic vantage points for views of the city. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Monday 16 March

Historic charter train at the Ferrovia Genova – Casella

Above the hills of Genoa runs a remarkable metre gauge railway, 24 km in length from Genova Piazza Manin to the rural town of Casella. Opened in 1929 and fully electrified from the outset, this charming line remains much of its original appearance and also operates historic rolling stock. With numerous horseshoe curves and steep gradients of up to 4.5%, the line is as scenic as it is operationally fascinating. You have a private charter train using the railway’s original rolling stock. After a typical Italian lunch in Casella, you return to Genova Piazza Manin. In the evening you are free to enjoy the city and find dinner at one of the many trattorias in the Old Town. (B L)

Tuesday 17 March

Train trip to Pisa, visit to the Leaning Tower

Experience one of the most spectacular seaside railway trips in the world today, as you enjoy the comfort of First Class on an FS Trenitalia InterCity service from Genova Piazza Principe via La Spezia to Pisa. You travel along the Ligurian coast past famous resorts like Sestri Levante and Levanto, as well as the five fishing villages of Cinque Terre. You arrive in Pisa at mid-day and have lunch in the Old Town before visiting the famed Leaning Tower and cathedral. You return to Genoa in the afternoon by InterCity Train along the same seaside route. (B L)

Wednesday 18 March

Genoa Navebus harbour cruise, aquarium visit and historic ships on the Old Port

Today we explore Genoa’s rich maritime attractions and heritage. First you take a return trip on the harbour ferry known as Navebus. Functioning as a public transport service line, it runs on the water from Porto Antico to Molo Archetti, taking you past huge oceanliners and the airport runway. After your Navebus round trip you visit Genoa’s world-famous aquarium in the Porto Antico, one of the premier such sites in Europe, with an impressive display of large sea life. Also included in your museum admission are the displays of the preserved Italian naval submarine ‘Nazario Sauro’ from 1976 and the authentic replica of a 17th century pirate galley. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B D)

Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March

Seaside Railway and villages of Cinque Terre

The next two days are free for you to explore the iconic five villages of Cinque Terre at your leisure, using the direct railway line between Genua and La Spezia. You’ll be given a Cinque Terre rail rover, allowing use of all Trenitalia regional express trains, with fast and frequent services along the coast and stops at the five famed villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola und Riomaggiore. Additionally, you’ll find the large seaside resorts of Sestri Levante, Levanto, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure worth a visit. You can also use your Cinque Terre rail rover inside Genoa. A notable highlight is the amazing seaside walk along cliffs, palaces, and old forts right outside the Genova Nervi railway station, on a purposebuilt, flat pedestrian path. (B)

Saturday 21 March

Genoa to Turin by rail

Today you take a Trenitalia service from Genoa via the hills of Alessandria and the prosecco countryside of Asti, to the smart Alpine city of Turin. It’s famous for its long, arcaded walkways and as the film site of the legendary 1969 movie ‘The Italian Job’. You arrive late morning and have lunch at your city centre hotel, located near the historic Porta Nuova station. You then visit the city’s principal architectural monument, the Mole Antonelliana, a slender, domed tower dating from the late 19th century that overlooks the city rooftops and includes a museum. For the rest of the afternoon, you are free to enjoy Turin at leisure, exploring its smart streets, spacious squares, and numerous palaces. You’ll will be given a complimentary day ticket, should you wish to use the city’s tram and metro network. In the evening you are free to dine at the pizzeria or osteria of your choice. (B L)

Sunday 22 March

Vintage tramways and Sassi-Superga rack railway in Turin

After Milan, Turin has the largest tram network in Italy and one of the largest fleets of preserved heritage vehicles in southern Europe. You’ll enjoy a private charter tramway tour, allowing you to sightsee the city in comfort and style. Covering the most attractive parts of the urban light rail network, you travel over some rare track, including a stop at the ‘Gran Madre’, a replica of the Roman Pantheon. The tramway tour ends at Sassi, where you have lunch at the rack railway terminus, before travelling on the historic electric rack railway to the Superga summit. Here you’ll find the namesake domed basilica and hilltop panoramic terrace overlooking the city. The rack railway maintains its original electric railcars from the 1930s and uses a third rail to draw power. You return to Sassi, taking a service tram to the city centre. Join your fellow travellers at your hotel for a farewell dinner. (B L D)

Monday 23 March

Turin to London via the French Alps and Paris

Travel by road coach from your hotel in Turin to Chambrey Challes Les Eaux railway station, here you travel by high-speed train to Paris Gare de Lyon. In Paris you transfer by road coach to Gare de Nord, where you take your final journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2595

£395

£2345 (Nice – Milano)

Price includes:

✱ 10 Nights accommodation with breakfast at centrally located, quality hotels

✱ 1 Lunch

✱ 7 Dinners

✱ Eurostar Plus services from London –Paris and return

✱ First Class travel on FS Trenitalia

InterCity service from Genoa to Pisa

✱ Standard Class travel on local trains when First Class is not available

✱ Complimentary public transport rover tickets in Nice, Genoa and Milano

✱ All privately chartered trains, funicular rides and vintage tramway rides as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Complimentary public transport rover tickets

✱ Museum and site admissions to all the attractions as detailed in the itinerary

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals

as:

Central Switzerland Adventure

Wednesday 18 March to Tuesday 24 March 2026

Discover the diverse, wonderfully picturesque Alpine foothills, an area loved for its stunning landscapes, vivid history and vibrant culture. Azure lakes and dizzying peaks, incredible views and enormous skies join some of Switzerland’s most exciting railway experiences to deliver an adventure to remember.

• Enjoy a stunning lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau, as well as a catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne.

• Embrace views from the top of Rigi Kulm before ascend Mount Rigi on board a glorious historic steam engine.

• Elevate by cable car to Mount Pilatus, featuring views of several peaks, the highest of which is Tomlishorn at 2,128.5m above sea level.

• Discover the lovely Alpine village of Stoos via the world’s steepest funicular.

• A 5 day ‘Lucerne Travel Pass’ provides unlimited travel on the region’s trains, buses, boats and cable cars.

Wednesday 18 March

London to Basel by International Rail

You travel First Class by Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. You then journey from Paris to Basel by highspeed train. After arriving in Basel, you board an SBB train to Lucerne, a memorable journey through the legendary Swiss countryside with majestic mountains as your backdrop. Travelling through flourishing green pastures past quaint farms, hamlets and villages, it is a wonderful way to ease yourself into the sheer beauty of Central Switzerland. Your hotel is located in Lucerne for the full duration of your stay, on arrival you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner. (B D)

Thursday 19 March

Discover the Swiss Transport Museum and the many wonders of Lucerne

After breakfast at the hotel, your 5 day Lucerne Travel Pass comes into its own for the first time

as you board the train from Lucerne to Lucerne Verkehrshaus to visit the world famous Swiss Transport Museum. This fascinating interactive museum tells the story of cars, trains, planes and more in an interactive way that brings everything to vivid life. Spend as much time as you like there before we return to central Lucerne by train. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy exploring this small, lively Swiss city’s many indoor and outdoor attractions. Nestling at the foot of the mighty Mount Pilatus massif and perched like a jewel at the far end of Lake Lucerne, the city is famed for its unique alpine beauty, excellent restaurants, and well-preserved buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Dinner is yours to enjoy independently (B)

Friday 20 March

Mount Pilatus, Kriens and Lake Lucerne

Following breakfast at the hotel you’ll hop on

board a local bus from Lucerne station to Kriens at the foot of Mount Pilatus. The mountain features several peaks, the highest of which is Tomlishorn at 2,128.5m above sea level. With panoramic views of as many as 73 Alpine peaks on a clear day, it’s no surprise this place comes with ancient legends of dragons. The peak is accessible via cable car and cogwheel railway, and there are several official viewpoints to marvel at. A leisurely independent lunch on Mount Pilatus is yours, followed by a return journey to Lucerne via cable car and local bus. Then you’ll enjoy an hour-long panoramic Catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne, which plays a key role in Central Switzerland’s transport network. Navigable since the first route was opened over the Gotthard Pass in the year 1230, the northerly terminus at Flüelen was once the only practical means of travel to Lucerne and beyond. You’re free to spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Saturday 21 March

Stoos Excursion - Ride the Schwyz–Stoos funicular

After breakfast you’ll board an SBB train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau then take a local bus to Schwyz, Stoosbahn.

Ascending to the village of Stoos via the world’s steepest funicular, also called the Schwyz–Stoos funicular or Standseilbahn Schwyz–Stoos, the views are breathtaking. Connecting the Hintere Schlattli in Muotatal, Morschach and Schwyz with the mountain resort, the route lifts you just over a mile while handling a dramatic height difference of 744 metres with ease, an extraordinary piece of human ingenuity and engineering. Opened in late 2017 to replace the old Schwyz-Stoos funicular, in operation since 1933 on a different route, the unique barrelshaped carriages rotate to keep the floor level. You have time to enjoy lunch at high altitude before making your way back to Lucerne via funicular, local bus and cable car. Then you’ll spend the rest of the day exploring more of the city or just doing your own thing, free to arrange your own dinner. (B)

Sunday 22 March

Lake Cruise- Lucerne to Vitznau, guided tour of Rigi rail depot, ascend Mount Rigi.

After breakfast at the hotel we set off on a lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau for a day packed with drama. A guided tour of the Rigi railway depot on Vitznau reveals the history of the Vitznau–Rigi railway, which starts off from a terminal in the town centre station next door to the landing stage served by the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees. The company owns some interesting historic paddle steamers that set sail on services linking the town to Lucerne and other stop-off points along the shore of the lake. Ascending Mount Rigi on an historic steam engine you’ll experience outstanding views of the eastern shore of the lake, which have been delighting tourists since the start of the age of steam.

The first mountain destination to build a cogwheel railway, dating back to 1871, this is a unique treat. You’ll have time to relax on Rigi Kulm, a rich green mountainous area on the northern shores of the lake studded with cable cars. The top station, which you reach after a journey of an hour and a half through amazing scenery, lies at 1798m above sea level with views to match. Descending via Arth-Goldau and returning to Lucerne by train, the remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Dinner is yours to enjoy independently. (B)

Monday 23 March

Lucerne to Engleberg and Mount Titlis and monastery visit

After breakfast you travel by train from Lucerne to Engelberg-Titlis, the region’s best-loved holiday destination and home to a famous monastery. The cable car ride from Engelberg to Mount Titlis is quite an experience, taking you high up into the Uri Alps on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Bern to the highest summit in the range north of the Susten Pass. You’ll travel through diverse landscapes with views of dramatic rocky outcrops and snowcapped peaks, reaching an elevation of 3,238 m above sea level. The Titlis Glacier extends to just under half a square mile, a favourite with skiers, snowboarders and glacier trekkers and quite a sight. After some free time to purchase lunch, we return to Lucerne via cable car and train. There’s an optional cheese workshop to enjoy at the monastery in Engelberg, a Benedictine Monastery dating back to 1120 where around 30 monks still live and work. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish, with a farewell dinner and a final overnight stay at the hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 24 March

Lucerne to London

After a final breakfast at the hotel you travel to Basel SBB by train for your onwards International Rail travel back to London St. Pancras (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£1995

£325

£1795 (Lucerne – Lucerne)

Price includes:

✱ 6 Nights Bed and Breakfast at 3-star Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

✱ 3 Course dinner excluding drinks on days 1 and 6

✱ Eurostar Plus rails services from London to Paris and return

✱ First class international rail services

✱ Standard class rail travel in Switzerland

✱ A 5-day Lucerne Travel Pass valid from days 2 to 6

✱ Seat reservations throughout, where possible

✱ All rail, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All escorted visits as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days)

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals

day are shown as:

Georg Trueb

Steam in Saxony and Bavaria

Friday 3 April to Monday 13 April 2026

Idyllic narrow-gauge railways, exhilarating main line steam locomotives, paddle steamers and the Dresden steam locomotive festival are the signature attractions of this delightful Spring holiday to southern and eastern Germany.

• Start the holiday in the beautiful city of Nürnberg and enjoy a private steam charter at the nearby heritage railway ‘Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz’ in northern Franconia, hauled by a historic tank engine dating from 1923.

• Enjoy main line in Bavaria from Gunzenhausen to Nördlingen with a large 2-10-0 freight engine, with an ensuing private charter on an archaic tank engine from the late 19th century, including museum visit and sightseeing of the walled medieval city of Nördlingen.

• Visit Germany’s premier steam locomotive gathering and round-house festival, with the “Dampfloktreffen” in Dresden, including access to the festival grounds and rides on the different main line excursions with various big tender locomotives.

• Relax during a beautiful paddle steamer cruise on the River Elbe from Dresden to Pillnitz Palace, as well as excursions on the city’s unique mountain monorail and funicular.

• Experience narrow gauge ‘Plandampf’ on the regional lines from Radebeul to Radeburg and Freital to Kurort Kipsdorf with the impressive 2-10-2 tank engines.

Friday 3 April

London to Nürnberg

You travel from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to Nürnberg on Eurostar and ICE high speed services. You check into your hotel for 3 nights and dinner will be served at the hotel. (B D)

Saturday 4 April

Steam in northern Franconia at Ebermannstadt

A beautiful German heritage railway awaits you for your first full day in Bavaria, as you visit the Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz ab Ebermannstadt. This line passes through lovely hillside scenery and is marked by several impressive rock formations. A classic tank engine will haul your train, with cake, tea and coffee

included for mid-day refreshments. Photo stops and run-pasts will also feature. In the afternoon you return by service train to Nürnberg. (B L)

Sunday 5 April

Steam at the Bavarian Railway Museum in Nördlingen

Today you visit the historic city of Nördlingen in western Bavaria. You arrive there on the Easter steam special with the main line train from Gunzenhausen, travelling in a reserved coach with a large 2-10-0 tender locomotive over ‘freight only’ track through picturesque countryside. Nördlingen is famed for its circular medieval ramparts, timber-framed buildings and is home to the Bavarian Railway Museum, with one of the largest steam locomotive collections in Germany. You will see a number of exhibits

and enjoy an additional steam train ride with one of the museum’s smaller tank engines, which will shunt your coach off the main line directly to the museum sidings. At the museum there will be opportunities for turntable photography and a chance to see the rest of the extensive collection. You return to Nürnberg in the late afternoon and have your final evening dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Monday 6 April

Nürnberg at leisure and train ride to Dresden

In the morning you are able to enjoy the celebrated city of Nürnberg at leisure and visit its beautiful old town, full of historic squares, soaring spires and the impressive landmark castle. Enjoy Germany at its best and most

Niels Kunick

iconic. In the early afternoon you then catch an ICE train and travel over the high speed line via Erfurt and Leipzig to Dresden, arriving there in the late afternoon. After checking into your hotel for 7 nights, you enjoy dinner. (B D)

Tuesday 7 April

Paddle steamer cruise on the River Elbe and Mountain Monorail in Dresden

After a leisurely breakfast, you have some free time to explore Dresden and your Tour Manager will be glad to introduce you to the principal landmarks. In the early afternoon you then embark on a relaxing paddle steamer cruise for a ride upriver past the iconic ‘Blue Wonder’ bridge to Pillnitz Palace. On the return, you alight and Blasewitz and ascend on the local funicular to the hilltop, before capping the day with one more highlight on the unique ‘dingle-dangle’ mountain monorail from 1901, taking you to a spectacular vantage point high above the city and with some of the best views in all of Saxony. (B)

Wednesday 8 April

Steam at the Muskau Forest Railway and Pückler Park visit

Today you have an exciting private steam charter on the 600mm gauge Muskau Forest Railway near the Polish frontier. You’ll cover the two different branch lines to Bad Muskau and Kromlau, with run-pasts along the way. At lunch time, there’s time for refreshments in the namesake town of Bad Muskau with its charming local chateau and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Pückler Park. In the late afternoon you return from Weisswasser by service train to Dresden, via Görlitz (B L).

Thursday 9 April

Steam to Radeburg with a Saxon VII K locomotive and Leisure in Dresden

After breakfast, you visit the local narrow-gauge railway at Radebeul, where a 2-10-2 Saxon VII K tank locomotive takes you down the 16.5 km long line to Radeburg, pausing at Moritzburg Castle. The train returns to Radebeul by midday, from where you return to Dresden Hbf on a

DB service train. You can then explore Dresden at your own pace and make good use of your complimentary public transport rover ticket to explore the extensive tram network or visit the famed landmarks and museums. (B)

Friday 10 April

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway to Kurort Kipsdorf and Dresden steam locomotive festival

Today you have a morning excursion to the recently reopened narrow-gauge Weisseritz Valley Railway. You’ll be steam-hauled through Saxony’s ‘canyon landscape’ from FreitalHainsberg via Dippoldiswalde to Kurort Kipsdorf, along the river Weisseritz. Enjoy the panoramic views from the open balconies of your vintage carriage. You return to Dresden in the afternoon and in the evening join the opening of the steam locomotive festival with the special illuminations evening locomotive show at the Dresden Altstadt roundhouse and steam shed, one of the most atmospheric shows of the festival. (B)

Saturday 11 April and Sunday 12 April

Dresden steam loco festival and main line steam excursions

This festive weekend is entirely dedicated to the sounds and sights of Germany’s premier annual steam gala and locomotive gathering, which typically includes a variety of both express and freight type steam locomotives. Throughout the festival weekend there are several main line steam excursions departing Dresden’s main station and featuring parallel running. You will join one of these spectacular excursions each day with seats in a specially reserved coach. The main line steam special also includes a vintage 1930s Dining Car for refreshments. Enjoy continental main line steam at its best. On Sunday evening there is a farewell dinner at the Dresden hotel (B D)

Monday 13 April

Dresden to London by rail

Today you travel on high-speed services from Dresden via Frankfurt to Cologne and then continue to Brussels, where you board a Eurostar train back to London (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£2345

£395

£2155 (Dresden – Nürnberg)

Price includes:

✱ Eurostar Plus services London to Brussels and return

✱ ICE High speed services in First Class (Where possible)

✱ 10 nights accommodation with breakfast

✱ 2 Lunches

✱ 4 Dinners

✱ Public transport rover tickets for Dresden

✱ All privately chartered steam trains, other steam excursions and visits mentioned in the itinerary

✱ All transfers and train travel as listed within in the itinerary

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Golden Triangle with Shimla

Sunday 14 December to Saturday 27 December 2025

Sunday 18 January to Saturday 31 January 2026

Sunday 15 February to Saturday 28 February 2026

Sunday 8 March to Saturday 21 March 2026

Sunday 12 April to Saturday 25 April 2026

Discover the enchanting delights of British colonial history on this magical tour across Northern India. In the Days of the British Raj a hill town in the Indian Himalayas become the summer capital of government officials, military attaches, viceroys and attendant servants and families. They went to Shimla to escape the heat and even ruled from there. Now you can ride the same narrow-gauge railways they used (and built) as you travel the Kalka-Shimla line into Britain’s colonial past.

• You will stay in Shimla, ‘Queen of Hills’ including visits to all the sights including the famous Gaiety Heritage Theatre and the iconic Christ Church.

• A broad-gauge ride from Delhi to Agra in India’s semi-bullet train – Gatimaan Express, vintage Rail Bus travel over a myriad of aqueducts and bridges on the Kalka-Shimla line.

• Your adventure then moves to Delhi, for two days of sightseeing among the greatest monuments in Indian history, including the National Rail Museum.

• A short stay in Agra, where you visit the Taj Mahal – one of the seven Wonders of the World – and the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

• A whirlwind tour end in Jaipur, the Pink City of India. Amer Fort and visit the iconic Temples and Palaces of the city.

• Visit to Jhala Leopard Sanctuary along with the Elephant Park. All yours to discover on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the enigmatic East.

Sunday

Depart UK

You board an overnight flight from UK to Delhi to start your Indian adventure.

Monday

Arrive Delhi and travel to Chandigarh

You arrive Delhi in the morning and internally transfer from the international terminal to domestic terminal to board a short flight to

Chandigarh. You’ll receive a traditional welcome on arrival at Chandigarh airport with fresh marigold flower garlands. You then transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel. Evening at leisure or visit the lively and bustling market. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in your hotel in Chandigarh. (D)

Tuesday

Chandigarh – Kalka and Shimla

This morning, you have a short tour of Chandigarh city, visiting the Rock Garden followed by a transfer by coach to Kalka station, to the narrow-gauge line platform to board an exclusive chartered vintage Railcar bound for Shimla. You will ride exclusively on the UNESCO World Heritage Narrow Gauge enjoying the scenic 96.5 km ride on this historical Kalka-Shimla

Amit Chopra

‘Toy Train’ line. With its 105 tunnels and single and double arch bridges, this leisurely journey from Kalka to Shimla climbs the foothills of the Himalayas and negotiates an altitude difference of 1400 metres. Shimla straddles an eight-mile long ridge, with buildings clinging to the green hillsides. The British began coming here in the 1820s as a refuge from the summer heat and by 1864 Shimla, nicknamed The Queen of Hills, was the official summer capital of the British Raj. You arrive by early evening and are transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday

Shimla

Today after breakfast, you’ll have a guided tour of Shimla, including its main shopping centre, the Mall. You start with visiting the fascinating Indian Institute of Advances Studies, which is the Viceregal Lodge, residence of the Viceroy of India since 1884 during the British Raj until India’s independence where it was used as the President’s Retreat. A beautiful museum in one of the sections of this Gothic Victorian style building, now mainly houses the scholars and researcher’s. The Ridge is an open space that runs from east to west along the Mall, which connects to the Scandal point on the west. Scandal point, at an altitude of nearly 2200 metres is Shimla’s highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. Also on the Mall is The Gaiety Heritage Theatre – a remarkable piece of Victorian-theatre architecture. It has been called a miniature version of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Among many other highlights is Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. (B D)

Thursday

Shimla

A free day at leisure to enjoy the hotel, main shopping centre and The Mall. (B D)

Friday

Return on the main line express broad gauge to Delhi

You enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and a free morning in Shimla before transferring by coach to Kalka. On arrival at Kalka station, you board the 12012 Kalka Shatabdi Express at 17:45 to arrive Delhi railway station at 21:55 hrs. Dinner will be served on board. On arrival in New Delhi, you are met before transfer to your hotel. (B D)

Saturday

Delhi: Old Delhi cycle rickshaw ride & other highlights

This morning you meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a tour of the historic city of Delhi. Under the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, Delhi has been built, destroyed and re-built over seven times. Your guided tour takes you to the monuments that depict these different eras. The highlights include: Cycle Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and explore the narrow lanes of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw being peddled through the old part of the city showcasing the magnificent havelis, tiny shops, wholesale trading of almost everything you can think of; Raj Ghata memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Originally it was the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi on the banks of Yamuna river; drive past the India GateAt the centre of New Delhi stands the 42-m high India Gate. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I; President HouseThe Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina Hill in New Delhi. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy’s House and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India. After your fascinating tour, you return to your hotel. (B D)

Sunday

Delhi: New Delhi with National Rail Museum

Today after breakfast, your guide will meet you in hotel lobby to enjoy a guided visit of New Delhi city. You will visit the Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent garden tomb and the first substantial example of Mughal architecture built in 1565. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (Charbagh) with water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. In the afternoon you visit the National Railway Museum – The museum focuses on the rail heritage of India since 1st February 1977. The recently renovated indoor gallery and outdoor exhibits from across the country makes it an interesting place to visit. A number of attractions have been added to enhance your visit. (B, D)

Monday

Mainline broad gauge train to the monument of love – Taj Mahal

After an early breakfast, you transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to board a train for Agra, the Gatimaan Express which is India’s first semi-bullet train. Enjoy a guided visit of the Itimad-Ud-Daulah, also known as Baby Taj, often

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

(Chandigarh – Delhi)

Price includes:

£4595

£785

£4095

✱ All flights from London to Delhi and return and internal flights in India

✱ 12 Nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels

✱ 3 Lunches

✱ 13 Dinners

✱ Travel on the Shimla Railway and any other rail or transport

✱ All visits, monuments, museums as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All seat reservations and coach transfers

✱ The services of an English speaking guide

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

described as a ‘Jewel Box’ and regarded as a draft version of the Taj Mahal. You’ll visit a local marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious stones also known as Pietra dura, which is the same art of stone work illustrated on the Taj Mahal & Baby Taj. You then transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the early evening, you visit Agra Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in red sandstone. You return to your hotel for dinner after another rewarding and fascinating day (B D).

Tuesday

Dawn visit to Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri abandoned city of the Mughals and Happy Village walk

You’ll need to rise early today to enjoy a dawn visit with your guide to the famous wonder of the world – the Taj Mahal. One of the best views of the Taj is during dawn with fewer people around. The porous nature of Taj’s white marble helps it absorb light and thus reflecting different shades of white making it look even more stunning for pictures. You’ll have a relaxing hour or so to enjoy the views through different angles. The unquestionable beauty of this piece of extravagance can only be treasured by visiting it. Afterwards you return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, you are driven to Bharatpur, and en-route enjoy a guided visit of Fatehpur Sikri. This city originally belonged to the Rajput clan, but was re-found in 1569 by the great Mughal emperor Akbar. It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best-preserved collections of Indian Mughal

architecture in India. You then transfer to a heritage palace hotel in Bharatpur. In the early evening, you have a guided Bharatpur Village walk – A rural experience – We have arranged a special visit to the ‘happy village’ of Bharatpur for an exciting walk amongst the villagers and just experiencing their daily routine and perhaps learn a bit about its 1000 years old history. A rural experience like no other. (B L D)

Wednesday

Bharatpur UNESCO World Heritage bird sanctuary

After breakfast, you have a guided tour of Bharatpur bird sanctuary by rickshaw with your naturalist guide. The sanctuary was established in 1956. This 29-sq.km marshland is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world with over 360 species of birds, out of which 117 are the local birds. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it used to be a part of the private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. Around noon you are driven to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It’s the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727, the city today has a population of 3.1 million. In 1876 Jaipur was coloured in terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert, and hence the name ‘Pink City’. (B, D)

Thursday Pink city Jaipur

Today we have an early breakfast at hotel then we go on a guided walking tour to the vegetable & flower market followed by an excursion to grand Amer Fort by jeep. Amer was the capital

of the Kachwahas Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. The Amber Fort is built in white marble and red sandstone and the nearby lake adds to its charm. There will be an opportunity during the day for you to visit the following sites as you wish; Diwan-e-Aam, or Hall of Public Audience; the Diwan-e-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience; the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace); or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas, where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace.

The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these observatories.

The Hawa Mahal Palace is where the poet King Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds, one of the landmarks of Jaipur. By evening, you also visit a hand block-printing factory and local arts & crafts reflecting the royal character of a bygone era. After a busy day you will enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Friday

Leopards and Elephants

An early start today as we head off to enjoy the Jhalana Leopard Safari by open jeeps. Spread in an area of 23-sq km, the reserve is home to around 35 leopards with many of those having territory in the tourism area of park. Keep your eyes peeled as you look for these majestic animals. You then return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, we will then visit the Elefantastic Sanctuary where we’ll spend quality time with the elephants. An introduction with the elephants will be explain the basics of elephant language spoken by the caretakers (mahout’s).

Amit

Chopra

Followed by elephant feeding, traditional elephant body painting with natural colors, bath time and walk with the Elephant in the village. A lunch is organized by the sanctuary and after an exciting day, we will return to our hotel for dinner (B L D)

Saturday

Jaipur to Delhi – Return to UK

Our final day sees us have breakfast at the hotel. We are then driven back to Delhi and transfer to airport hotel for a chance to change and a farewell dinner. We then transfer to Delhi International airport terminal to board your return flight. (B D)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

£4595

£785

Ground only £4095 (Chandigarh – Delhi)

Price includes:

✱ All flights from London to Delhi and return and internal flights in India

✱ 12 Nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels

✱ 3 Lunches

✱ 13 Dinners

✱ Travel on the Shimla Railway and any other rail or transport

✱ All visits, monuments, museums as detailed in the itinerary

✱ All seat reservations and coach transfers

✱ The services of an English speaking guide

✱ The services of a Tour Manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Amit Chopra

Sri Lanka – The Viceroy Special

Sunday 8 February to Tuesday 24 February 2026

Explore ‘the finest island in the whole world’ (Marco Polo) on the impressive Viceroy Special Train as you discover the exotic wildlife, holy Buddhist sites, verdant landscapes, unspoilt beaches and rich colonial heritage of this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean.

• Your ‘Viceroy Special’ train comprises two air-conditioned lounge cars and a restaurant and bar car, hauled by British-built Edwardian steam locomotives of the classic 4-6-0 type or diesel locomotive.

• Staying at the best hotels you journey on the Viceroy Special past tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and lush forests as you visit the outstanding historical sites of an island whose recorded history stretches back 2,500 years.

• Countless tour highlights include visits to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a trip to the sacred Buddhist ‘Tree of Enlightenment’ and a jeep safari to Minneriya National Park, heavily populated by wild elephants.

• Discover Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural centre and the sacred city of Buddhism, now a UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the Temple of the Tooth, housing one of Sri Lanka’s most important relics – a tooth of the Buddha.

• With fine cuisine, luxury accommodation and travel and an abundance of photo opportunities, this exotic holiday is a must for even the most seasoned traveller and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those new to steam travel tours.

Sunday 8 February

Fly to Colombo

You leave London on a mid-morning in-direct flight to Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo.

Monday 9 February

Free day to relax

You arrive at Colombo Airport early morning and transfer to the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, where you will spend the day relaxing. In the afternoon you have the option to travel by coach to visit the Dematagoda depot and Hydro-loco shed. On return back to the hotel you have the evening at leisure before dinner is served. (B L D)

Tuesday 10 February

Steam train from the Airport to Kandy via Elephant Orphanage

This morning you transfer to the Colombo Fort Railway station. Here you join the Viceroy Special, a chartered train hauled by B1 class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No.340 ‘Sir Thomas Maitland’. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the train as you travel to Kandy. En-route you stop to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular animal attractions. Later you continue along the spectacular route into the hills, there will be a stop in Kadugannawa to visit the Railway Museum. On arrival at Kandy you transfer to the luxury 5-star Mahaweli Reach Hotel, where you can relax for the rest of the afternoon before dinner. (B L D)

Wednesday 11 February

Kandy to Nuwara-Eliya, the highest town on Sri Lanka

Today your special train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive as you travel from Kandy into the sublime green heights of Sri Lanka’s hill country, passing tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and verdant forests. You stop at Nanu Oya village, from where you transfer by road coach to Nuwara Eliya, the highest town on the island. It boasts many colonial style homes with English-type lawns and gardens looking out across a placid lake. You enjoy a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens following which the rest of the day is free to relax. You’ll stay at the impressive Grand Hotel tonight, where dinner will be served. (B L D)

Thursday 12 February

Nuwara-Eliya to Badulla and return

After an early breakfast you transfer by coach to the Nanu-Oya Railway Station for a oneday excursion on the Viceroy Special along the highlands railway to the mountain terminus station of Badulla. This rail journey is rated one of the world’s best. The rolling hills are strewn with tea plantations, gushing streams and cascading waterfalls. En-route, photo stops at Pattipola Summit Level (15 minutes), Idalgashinna View Point (5 Minutes), a run Past at Demodera Nine Arch Bridge (30 minutes) and a photo stop at Demodera Loop (15 minutes) will be staged. Lunch, tea and coffee will be served on the train. On this scenic journey you descend from the heights of Nuwara Eliya at nearly 2000 metres down to Badulla at 680 metres on the banks of the Badulu Oya (river). The railway features numerous spirals, loops, spectacular viaducts and quaint colonial stations. You then enjoy a sightseeing tour of Badulla by tuk tuks, before returning to Nuwara Eliya by either coach or on board the train. You stay overnight again at The Grand Hotel. (B L D)

Friday 13 February

Nuwara-Eliya

This morning, you have a guided tour of NuwaraEliya scheduled, which includes a visit to the Pedro Estate Tea Plantation and Factory. The rest of the day has been kept free for you to explore Nuwara-Eliya, the self-styled ‘Little England’ set in a scenic valley at the base of the island’s tallest mountain, Piduruthalagala. Colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows and pretty gardens abound here, and the parks, Lake Gregory, the post office and the market place offer excellent reasons to stroll around. You stay overnight again at The Grand Hotel. (B L D)

Saturday 14 February

Viceroy Special to Kandy

This morning you re-join the diesel hauled Viceroy Special at Nanu Oya. The train descends between mountain ranges through thickly wooded areas to the interior of the island at Kandy for a tour of this sacred city of Buddhism. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala Kings, is Sri Lanka’s cultural centre, and has now become a UNESCO World Heritage site. A tour highlight is the famous Temple of the Tooth, housing one of Sri Lanka’s most important relics – a tooth of the Buddha. In the evening you visit the Kandy Lake Club for a memorable cultural pageant and to watch a firewalking show. Overnight accommodation is at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel this evening. (B L D)

Sunday 15 February

Kandy to Habarana – Visit Golden Temple; Lion’s Rock

You travel by road coach this morning to Habarana, en route you stop off at Dambulla to visit the impressive Golden Temple, a multicave complex containing statues and paintings. Following lunch at your hotel Habarana you visit the 183-metre-high ‘Lion’s Rock’. This massive ancient fortress and palace ruins is surrounded by one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Your accommodation tonight is at the luxury Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Habarana. (B L D)

Monday 16 February

Minneriya National Park; Steam Train to Trincomalee

This morning after breakfast, you have a Jeep safari to Minneriya National Park, which is heavily populated by wild elephants, after which you join a special train, hauled by steam locomotive No. 251, at Gal-Oya Junction Station and travel northeastwards via to Trincomalee, sited on one the world’s finest natural harbours. Lunch is served on the train. On arrival at Trincomalee you visit the Fort Fredrick and the famous Hindu Temple built on Swami Rock within the fort area. In the evening you transfer to the 4-star Trinco Blu Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Tuesday 17 February

By steam from Trincomalee to Passekudah (Batticaloa)

After breakfast you re-join the Viceroy Special at Trincomalee Station. Your train will be hauled by steam locomotive No.251 as you return first to Galoya Junction. Here you change direction and head south-eastwards along the Batticaloa branch line. Lunch is served on the train.

On arrival at Valachchenai you transfer to an idyllic beach resort at Passikudah. Batticaloa enjoys a spectacular coastal position surrounded by idyllic lagoons with palm-filtered sunlight glancing off the water. Batticaloa District is also home to the pristine beaches of Kalkudah and Passikudah Bay, and you are free to explore the area at leisure. You stay overnight at the Uga Beach Resort.

(B L D)

Wednesday 18 February

Batticaloa beach resort leisure

After breakfast, you have a free day at your beach resort with options to join a boat trip and do some sightseeing, or simply relax and enjoy the unspoilt natural beaches. In the afternoon you can enjoy a sightseeing tour of Batticaloa.

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£8195

£1195

£7495 (Colombo – Colombo)

Price includes:

✱ Special garlanded welcome on arrival

✱ 15 Nights hotel accommodation (with breakfast, lunch and dinner)

✱ “Viceroy Special” luxury train travel as detailed in the itinerary with unlimited tea and coffee service

✱ All visits and coach journeys as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Site visits including entrance fees

✱ Unlimited bottled drinking water

✱ Services of a National Tour Guide

Beach Extension

Price per person

Single supplement

Price includes:

£595

£365

✱ 3 nights all Inclusive accommodation

✱ Ground transfers

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

Lunch

Dinner

Batticaloa, situated on the flat Indian Ocean eastern coastal plain where three lagoons and several islands link to the mainland by bridges. Your sightseeing tour includes a walk around the parapet of the small fort, and visits to the Catholic Church and Mahatma Ghandi Park. You spend the night at Uga Bay Beach Resort once more. (B L D)

Thursday 19 February

Steam Train to Maho: Diesel Hauled Maho to Jaffna

This morning you travel by road coach to Habarana. Your train will have left Batticaloa the day before and will be waiting for you. Steaming south-westwards, you pass through areas where elephants roam wild in the jungle. Lunch is served on the train before arriving at Maho Junction, here the locomotive changes from steam to diesel and travels northwards to Kankesanthurai and back to Jaffna. This journey has only been possible since peace was restored in Northern Sri Lanka and the Northern Line reconstructed. The route mainly runs through open country, across the North Central plains. At Elephant Pass, it crosses the lagoons to enter the Jaffna Peninsula. On arrival at Jaffna itself, you transfer to the Jetwing Jaffna Hotel for overnight accommodation and dinner. (B L D)

Friday 20 February

City tour of Jaffna Jaffna Peninsula is a region characterised by

fields of Palmyra palms, technicolor temples, holy springs and miles of coastline.

After breakfast, you have a city tour scheduled to see its notable buildings, such as the Public Library, Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, and Jaffna Fort.The afternoon is free for further sightseeing and leisure. Overnight accommodation is again at the Jetwing Jaffna Hotel. (B L D)

Saturday 21 February

Anuradhapura, the ancient capital

Following breakfast this morning you travel diesel hauled to Anuradhapura, arriving around lunch for an afternoon tour of one of the historic capitals of Sri Lanka, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This sacred city features many ancient ruins, including huge bell-shaped stupas built of small sun-dried bricks, temples, sculptures, palaces, and ancient drinking-water reservoirs. You’ll visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya ‘Tree of Enlightenment’, alleged to be the oldest living tree in the world. Tonight, you are accommodated in a tranquil setting at the Palm Garden Hotel. (B L D)

Sunday 22 February

Steam to Mount Lavinia

Today you travel on the Viceroy Special diesel hauled to Maho Junction. Here you change locomotives and travel southwards under steam through Polgahawela Junction, where you join the main line to Colombo Fort and Mount Lavinia Station. On arrival, you check in to the

adjacent Mount Lavinia Hotel, an impressive colonial building at this beach resort. In the afternoon there’s an optional visit by road coach to the Dematogoda locomotive depot to view an interesting collection of both broad and narrowgauge steam locomotives. A drive around the city of Colombo is also scheduled. In the evening, you return to the Mount Lavinia Hotel for overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Monday 23 February

Viceroy Special to Galle

Today you set off on the last leg of your journey aboard the Viceroy Special. Departing Mount Lavinia you steam south through outer suburbs and along the coast. The line frequently runs parallel to the beach allowing great sea views. Lunch is served on board before you arrive in Galle for a tour, finishing at the World Heritagelisted old fort complex known as the ‘Ramparts of Galle’. Annexed by the Portuguese in the 16th century and extensively fortified by subsequent Dutch and British custodians, the fort has a remarkable old-world atmosphere after 500 years of occupation. The minimalistic, stately and elegant Lighthouse Hotel is another Sri Lankan gem designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Your farewell dinner and accommodation tonight is at the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel Galle overlooking the Indian Ocean. (B L D)

Tuesday 24 February

Return to UK

After breakfast in the hotel, if you have not opted for the beach extension you transfer to the airport for your direct flight back home. (B)

BEACH EXTENSION

Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 February

(Both days Inclusive)

3 Day Beach Extension

If you have opted for the Beach Extension you

transfer by road coach from Lighthouse Hotel

Galle to the RIU Ahungalla Hotel for three nights all-inclusive accommodation (B L D)

Friday 27 February

Return to UK

You have a morning departure from the hotel for your afternoon flight direct to London Heathrow. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

£8195

£1195

Ground only £7495 (Colombo – Colombo)

Price includes:

✱ Special garlanded welcome on arrival

✱ 15 Nights hotel accommodation (with breakfast, lunch and dinner)

✱ “Viceroy Special” luxury train travel as detailed in the itinerary with unlimited tea and coffee service

✱ All visits and coach journeys as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Site visits including entrance fees

✱ Unlimited bottled drinking water

✱ Services of a National Tour Guide

BEACH EXTENSION

Price per person

Single supplement

Price includes:

£595

£365

✱ 3 nights all Inclusive accommodation

✱ Ground transfers

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Hill Railways of India

Wednesday 18 March to Thursday 4 April 2026

Travelling on the best of Hill Railways of India on this timeless railway tour of the old British colonial outposts in Northern & North-Bengal in East India staying in lovely & charming hotels.

• You will start in India’s state of Punjab visiting Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikh community, The Golden Temple a tour highlight and on to the Kangra Valley Railway. A visit to Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama’s temple will also be enjoyed.

• A number of narrow-gauge thrills await including the UNESCO listed Kalka Shimla Railway and other historic railways of British India in the days of the Raj.

• You journey down to Delhi, India’s capital city where we explore both Old and New Delhi. A flight to north-Bengal in East India, a state bordered by Bhutan, allows us to explore the region on the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railway.

• The final part of the holiday is based in the Ooty (extension to the main tour), including a trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway hauled by steam.

• Your tour is never far away from the stunning Himalayas, breathtaking scenery and the wide range of diverse Indian culture, cuisine and its people. A tour of a lifetime to immerse yourself in and remember forever.

Wednesday 18 March

Flight to India

You have an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi to connect with an onward flight on Wednesday to Amritsar in North India.

Thursday 19 March

Arrival in Amritsar

On arrival in Amritsar in the morning hours, we will be welcomed at the airport and then assisted for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to acclimatise. By late evening, we will have a guided visit to the holy Sikh shrine of Harmandir Saheb, the famous Golden Temple, to witness the beautiful ‘Palki’ ceremony where the holy book of Sikhism, ‘Shri Guru Granth Sahib’ is put to rest in a beautifully decorated palanquin (palki).

The breath taking views of the golden shimmering views of the main shrine cannot be missed. (D)

Friday 20 March

Full day tour of Amritsar

After breakfast, a leisurely guided visit to 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. You’ll visit the garden memorial built to honour the hundreds who died. You can then walk up to the Golden Temple to visit this grand temple for a richer insight. It’s easy to be stunned with the massive volunteerism and service offered in the kitchen which is serving food 24/7 and 365 days a year. It’s free and open for all persons of any caste or religion.

The temple is a source of positive energy and a feel-good vibe. We will then visit the Partition Museum, consisting of stories, materials, and documents related to the post-partition riots that followed the division of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. We then enjoy an afternoon excursion to the Wagah border for the India-Pakistan gate closing ceremony. (B D)

Saturday 21

March

Experience a ride on the broad gauge and then Kangra Valley Railway (KVR)

This morning we’ll transfer to Amritsar Junction railway station to board our service to Pathankot Junction railway station. It’s a proper Indian Rail experience with open window carriages and plenty of lovely and friendly Indian fellow passengers to chat to. On arrival in Pathankot Junction we will switch over to narrow gauge platform to board the service to Kangra where we and our luggage transfer by road to our hotel. (B D)

Sunday 22 March

Full ride on the Kangra Valley Railway (KVR)

Today we have a full train riding day, continuing the service from where we left at Kangra to Palampur and then on to Baijnath. Enjoy the lovely views of the Kangra village life with the backdrop of Dhauladhar mountain ranges. It’s mainly a local commuter train and possibly you’ll be the only tourists on it. We will visit the popular and ancient Hindu Baijnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a rich history with a lovely setting with the mountains overlooking the temple. We then ride on the last stretch of the KVR from Baijnath to Joginder Nagar to the end of the line before the train turns around to return back to Baijnath. You will have plenty to photograph and watch the railway staff in action at level crossings, signal boxes, points etc. We return to our hotel by evening. (B D)

Monday 23 March

Tour of Dharamsala

A day’s excursion to Dharamsala by road of approximately 2 hours each way. We will visit the Dalai Lama Temple and museum, walk in the McLeodganj market and St John’s Church in the wilderness before returning to Palampur for overnight. (B D)

Tuesday 24 March

Journey to Chandigarh

After a relaxed breakfast, transferred to Dharamsala airport to board a short direct flight to Chandigarh to arrive by afternoon. Chandigarh, is a beautiful and well-planned city designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier. We will visit the popular Rock Garden and Sukna lake before checking in our hotel. (B D)

Wednesday 25 March

Kalka to Shimla by Vintage Railbus

After breakfast, an hour’s road transfer in the morning from Chandigarh hotel to Kalka railway station narrow-gauge platform to board the

exclusive Vintage Rail Car/Bus. You’ll then travel the full length of the KSR from Kalka to arrive in Shimla, the summer capital of British India in the days of the Raj. This historic vehicle was originally used to transport notable travellers on the railway and so only has first class accommodation. Its glass roof and forward views let you fully enjoy the fantastic scenery as it passes by. You are now travelling through the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the lap of the Himalayas and famous for its abundant natural beauty.You ascend the foothills of the picturesque Shivalik Mountains to Shimla Railway Station. Lunch boxes will be served in the railcar today. On arrival in Shimla late afternoon, you transfer to a colonial hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Thursday 26 March

Viceregal Lodge, The Mall Road, Ridge, Christ Church

After a leisurely breakfast, we visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) or the former Viceregal Lodge to discover the most iconic residence of the former Viceroy of India during the Raj. We will enjoy a conducted tour of the building, which will provide a nostalgic touch to the existence of Shimla. Later, we will visit The Mall, Ridge, the Christ Church, Scandal Point and the local arts and crafts. We then return to the hotel. (B D)

Friday 27 March

Shimla to Delhi

After breakfast, we transfer to Shimla railway station to board the service train to Kalka railway station where we’ll switch over to the broadgauge platform to join the Shatabdi Express train service to New Delhi. You will be served dinner onboard the train and this is included.

The Shatabdi Express trains are very popular fast train service connecting major cities and are day trains with cushioned armchair travel. We arrive New Delhi railway station late evening and a transfer to your hotel. (B D)

Saturday 28 March

Delhi city tour

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a guided city tour of Old & New Delhi to include a visit to the Chandni Chowk in old part of the city on a cycle rickshaw. Visit to Raj Ghat gardens, Mahatama Gandhi’s resting place, Humayun’s Tomb of Mughal era, drive past President’s House, Indian Gate memorial, walk through Connaught Place. You may also like to enjoy a short ride on the Delhi Metro train for an experience (optional). (B D)

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£5495

£1245

£4885 (Armistar – Darjeeling)

Ooty Extension

Price per person

Single supplement

Price includes:

£1595

£425

✱ 16 Nights accommodation and breakfast and last night’s wash & change room

✱ 2 Lunches and 17 Dinners

✱ Train travel Amritsar – Pathankot

✱ Kangra Valley Railway service trains, Kalka – Delhi

✱ Transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Local guide services in Amritsar, Dharamsala, Delhi, Shimla & Darjeeling

✱ All special trains, charters and service trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Vintage RailBus from Kalka – Shimla

✱ Steam charter on DHR (Siliguri –Tindharia – Kurseong – Darjeeling)

✱ Regular service WP or Fairy Queen steam hauled loco ride from Delhi –Rewari. Subject to approval from Indian Railways

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Sunday 29th March

Steam train to Rewari Steam Centre; return by regular express train

After breakfast, you’ll have a short transfer to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station for the regular steam train to visit the Rewari Steam Centre. Your 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 and metre gauge steam locomotives. The site also includes a small exhibits museum, a steam crane and restored saloon carriage. The latter will be your venue for a specially arranged lunch. You board the afternoon service train from Rewari for Delhi Cantonment Railway Station to arrive by early evening and transfer to hotel. *WP steam loco operation is subject to fitness and permissions from Indian Railways. (B L D)

Monday 30 March

Delhi to Siliguri

After breakfast, we will make a visit to India’s finest National Rail Museum on the way to the airport for afternoon direct flight to arrive in Bagdogra. You then transfer to Siliguri, in the foothills of the Himalayas, where you check into your hotel. The remainder of your day will be free time to relax. (D)

Tuesday 31 March

Steam charter on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to Kurseong

After an early breakfast, you transfer to the local depot of the famous narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in time to see a B Class steam locomotive being shunted to your specially chartered train. You depart to travel to the hill station of Kurseong. En-route, you pass Sukna Station where the landscape changes from flat plains to the wooded lower slopes of the mountains, and the gradient changes dramatically. You arrive at Kurseong by late afternoon. Kurseong is a quiet town and you’ll stay in an attractive colonial bungalow, now converted into a hotel. The DHR track runs through the length of this former town from the days of the British Raj. The early evening is free for you to discover the local natural sights and surrounding tea estates. (B D)

Wednesday 1 April

Steam train to Darjeeling via the Batasia Loop

This morning you travel by jeep to Kurseong Station again to board your steam train on the DHR. You’ll 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 ranges. This renowned spiral railway was commissioned in 1919 to lower the gradient of ascent of the DHR.

You arrive in Darjeeling by lunchtime and transfer to the most iconic colonial hotel for overnight accommodation. (B D)

Thursday 2 April

Sightseeing visits to local landmarks

After a relaxed start and a leisurely breakfast, this morning around you’ll visit the famous Tibetan Refugee Centre in Darjeeling, where traditional handmade textiles and handicrafts can be seen, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) there. This museum houses the collectibles of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and the local Sherpa of Darjeeling, Tenzing Norgay, who were of course the first conquerors of Mt. Everest. Also, you’ll visit the adjoining zoo that houses variety of Himalayan wild cats, including the Bengal Tiger, exotic birds and the famous Red Panda. We will plan to return back to the hotel at about sunset. You can also have a leisurely stroll down the main Mall road through Chowrasta. (B D)

Friday 3 April

Excursion Ghum Monastery and optional Joy Train to Ghum

A short walk behind your hotel will lead you to a viewing point where you can have exceptional and uninterrupted view 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 not to be missed. There are also views of Mount Everest in the distance, if the weather

is clear. After breakfast, you visit the Yiga Choeling Monastery in Ghum, one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Darjeeling area and built in 1850. It boasts a 15-foot-high statue of Buddha known as the Buddha of the Future or the Coming Buddha. We will have opportunity to photograph the steam or diesel service up from Darjeeling to Ghum. *Optional (not included in main tour price): A ride on the ‘Joy Train’ to Ghum, with another opportunity to photograph the spectacular Himalayan Mountains when the train pauses at Batasia Loop. You stop at Ghum and visit the museum above the station before returning to Darjeeling. (B D)

Saturday 4 April

Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport; Flight to Delhi

You leave Darjeeling after breakfast today travelling by scenic road to Bagdogra airport for an afternoon internal flight to Delhi for a further connection to the international terminal to board a return flight to UK. (B)

Ooty Extension

Price includes:

✱ 4 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast

✱ 3 dinners

✱ Transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Steam charter ride from Mettupalayam to Coonoor

✱ Diesel train ride from Coonoor to Ooty

✱ Train travel Coonoor to Ooty (First Class)

✱ Local guide services in Ooty

Saturday 4 April

Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport; Flight to Delhi

You leave Darjeeling after breakfast today travelling by scenic road to Bagdogra airport for an afternoon internal flight to Delhi for an overnight at Delhi airport hotel. (B D)

Sunday 5 April

Transfer to Coimbatore

We’ll transfer for a late morning flight to Coimbatore where we’ll transfer to a city hotel for an overnight stay. (B D)

Monday 6 April

Coimbatore to Mettupalayam and Ooty by steam

Following an early breakfast we depart by road to Mettupalayam station and then board our steam hauled special charter on the metre gauge rack and pinion Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor, where we visit the steam shed and is the end of the rack and pinion mechanism. We then travel on the regular diesel service to arrive in Ooty in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation at a luxury colonial hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 7 April

Ooty

This morning you have the option of riding on the diesel service from Ooty to Coonoor and return or spend a free morning in Ooty. In the afternoon we have a visit to the Botanical Garden and Ooty Lake, with the option of a ride on the toy train/Garden Railway along the lake. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Wednesday 8 April

Return to UK

After breakfast in Ooty we have the day at leisure until noon (rooms are subject to availability for late checkout). We then transfer by road to Coimbatore airport for the domestic flight to Delhi for further connection with our return flight to the UK. (B)

Thursday 9 April

Arrive UK

We arrive at London Heathrow airport in the morning hours.

Tour Summary

Tour price

Single supplement

Ground only

£5495

£1245

£4885 (Armistar – Darjeeling)

Ooty Extension

Price per person

Single supplement

Price includes:

£1595

£425

✱ 16 Nights accommodation and breakfast and last night’s wash & change room

✱ 2 Lunches and 17 Dinners

✱ Train travel Amritsar – Pathankot

✱ Kangra Valley Railway service trains, Kalka – Delhi

✱ Transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Local guide services in Amritsar, Dharamsala, Delhi, Shimla & Darjeeling

✱ All special trains, charters and service trains as detailed in the itinerary

✱ Vintage RailBus from Kalka – Shimla

✱ Steam charter on DHR (Siliguri –Tindharia – Kurseong – Darjeeling)

✱ Regular service WP or Fairy Queen steam hauled loco ride from Delhi –Rewari. Subject to approval from Indian Railways

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

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

Meet the Team

Our friendly team are available to answer any questions and to help you make a booking –please feel free to contact us on 01553 661 500 Monday to Friday 9am–5pm or by email to enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk

Online Shopping

Visit our online shop to purchase themed Railway Touring Company merchandise. Currently Bookmarks, Greeting Cards and Postcards. We will be adding to our range as new products become available.

www.railwaytouring.net/shop/

Julia Barrett Office Assistant

David Zemaiciunas Operations Assistant

Ellie Copping Office Assistant

Kelly Osborne Managing Director

Hollie Kimber Senior Assistant Manager

Jade Mott Operations Assistant

Jack Amos Office Assistant

Online Brochures

Please visit our website www.railwaytouring.co.uk to view and download our latest UK Day Trips, UK and Worldwide Rail Holiday Brochures.

Terms and 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, where this is practical and possible. 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’ and confirmation is received. 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.

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.

Luggage and Passenger Assistance.

Whilst most major stations are equipped with lifts, escalators or walking ramps, not all smaller stations feature these facilities. We therefore recommend that you use a lightweight case with wheels, to allow you to best handle it. Please also ensure that your packed case is still light enough for you to successfully lift it in and out of trains and to enable you to walk comfortably with it. You will be responsible for your own luggage whilst on holiday. Passenger Assistance can be booked upon request, if required and necessary. Please let us know prior to the start of the holiday, should you require assistance.

Accommodation.

We aim to use 3 or 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 is available.

Single supplements.

We are pleased to advise that we do not financially benefit from single supplement charges. Supplement charges only apply due to hoteliers charging higher rates for rooms that are solely occupied. All of our prices listed are per person based on two persons sharing. Therefore, any room that is solely occupied does incur a charge, whether it be a single or double room. If a double room is preferred please state your preference at the time of booking in order for us to obtain a quote, double rooms for single use may be slightly more expensive than the single supplement stated. All other elements of our tours are priced on a per person rate, so no extra fees are applied for solo customers.

Ground only.

Please be advised that ground only travel is where you the customer, makes their own way to a designated tour joining point, normally the first hotel or overnight stay on the holiday. Ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK or return. It also does not include any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.

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 we know them at

Terms and Conditions

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 paying 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 after returning back to the UK. 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. 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 customers’ 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.

Pre-tour 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, (to 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 dispatch 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 must please be observed 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. You will need to double check with your insurance providers that your terms cover you for such things like a pandemic i.e Covid-19 or if you fall ill whilst away and need emergency medical treatment, if you are unsure we highly advise you to contact your provider to see if you are covered, not all policies cover for this.

• If you have not purchased your holiday insurance you will be looking for the following standard of cover, Medical and repatriation costs if you become unwell with any coronavirus (including Covid-19) or contagious disease.

• If your trip or holiday has to be cancelled because you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with any coronavirus (including Covid-19) or contagious disease and are unable to travel.

• Emergency repatriation costs to bring you home if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) impose travel restrictions (while you’re at your destination), either in the UK or at your destination, and has requested you to return to the UK.

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 are happy 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. It is your responsibility to disclose an accurate description of your mobility and any other relevant information relating to your health and fitness at the time of booking. We would especially draw the attention of customers to the tours that visit high-altitude locations and the resulting possibility of cardiovascular and respiratory problems. You must contact and advise us of any changes to your level of mobility or health and fitness between booking your holiday and departing on your tour.

Behaviour and damage

Railway Touring Company reserves the right in our absolute discretion to terminate without any form of prior notice, the holiday arrangements of any customer whose behaviour is such that it causes or is likely to cause, in our reasonable opinion, or in the opinion of any Railway Touring Company Tour Manager (if on an escorted holiday) or any other person in authority, any distress, damage, danger or significant annoyance to a third party, or damage to property. In these circumstances all our obligations to you under our contract or otherwise will cease to be applicable, full cancellation charges will apply and we will not be liable for any refund, compensation or costs incurred by you whatsoever. You may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and we will hold you individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the hotel or other supplier prior to departure. If you fail to

Terms and Conditions

make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we may incur in pursuing any claim against you.

Confidentiality, privacy and mailing lists.

Customers’ 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. Please refer to our website for information regarding our Privacy Policy ensuring you fully understand it. Your acceptance of our Privacy Policy is deemed to occur upon your first use of Our Site.

Financial protection.

We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and hold Air Travel Organizers’ Licensing Scheme (ATOL) Number T7149. This ensures that in the event of the failure of our Company, customers’ 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.

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.

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

Travel Trust Association

2 Crown Square Woking GU21 6HR 01483 545 780 www.traveltrust.co.uk

The holidays in this brochure that include air travel are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CCA). 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.

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 customers’ 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: £200 for travel in the UK £250 for travel within Europe – £350 for travel beyond Europe

Terms and Conditions

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 twelve 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. Due to the high costs involved with debit and credit card transactions our preferred methods of payments for balance payments are cheque or bank transfer.

Fidelity insurance.

It is a requirement that all tour bookings be covered by Fidelity Insurance. This is a financial protection insurance that protects the customer’s money until the tour takes place. The cost of this insurance is included in the tour price.

Customer cancellation by you, before Tour departure.

The cancellation charges below have been calculated as a pre-estimate of the losses we would incur in the event you cancelled your holiday within the stipulated time period. The scale of cancellation charges is as follows:

- Cancellation prior to 12 weeks before tour departure – loss of deposit* (*Loss of deposit means the loss of the full brochure deposit amount)

- 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

Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned.

Cancellation by you due to extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances.

You have the right to cancel your confirmed arrangements before the departure date without paying the above cancellation charges in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the arrangements or significantly affecting transport arrangements to the destination. In these circumstances, we shall provide you with a full refund of the monies you have paid but we will not be liable to pay you any compensation. Please note that your right to cancel in these circumstances will only apply where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against travel to your destination or its immediate vicinity. For the purposes of this clause, “extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances” means warfare, acts of terrorism, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or its immediate vicinity.

Alterations and cancellations by us.

Railway Touring Company start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance and occasionally, we have to correct errors and/ or make changes to the information contained in our brochures, our website and other details, both before and after bookings have been confirmed, and also cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so.

Please note that occasionally due to events outside our control, including but not limited to adverse weather conditions, or unexpected or unforeseen circumstances, we may have to make changes to your itinerary with little or no notice.

Cancellations by us: All our escorted holidays are organised on the basis of a minimum number of clients. In the unlikely event the holiday (which would include any individually purchased variations or extensions), has to be cancelled because of insufficient numbers, you will be informed at least 6 weeks prior to departure. We will not cancel your arrangements less than 6 weeks before departure except for reasons of Events Beyond Our Control or failure by you to pay the final balance.

We will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer or pay any compensation to you.

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 7th November 2024. The exchange rates used for prices quoted in this brochure are as follows:

£1 = 1.15 Euros

£1 = 1.21 US Dollars

£1 = 1.1 Swiss Francs

£1 = 12.58 Norwegian Krones

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. 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

Terms and Conditions

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. However, on occasions due to popularity and where space permits this number can be exceeded.

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 £149 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 customers can make their own way 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, so please check our website for the most up-to-date 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 information.

Customers should ensure that they read all our ‘Booking Information’ before booking a holiday with us.

Pre-tour and post-tour UK hotels and holiday parking.

We are able to arrange customers’ 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 £120 per room

• Heathrow from £150 per room

• Stansted from £125 per room

Secured airport parking

• Gatwick from £9.00 per day

• Heathrow from £18.00 per day

• Stansted from £9.00 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 the time of print and may be subject to change and can vary depending on your preferences.

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.

Reservation Form

T itle .................... Forename .................................................................. Surname ................................................................

Title Forename Surname

*DOB = Date of Birth

Please ensure your names are as they appear in your passport.

Address of first named .................................................................................................................................................................................

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 (i.e. Ground only) please clearly state your choice(s).

Please also specify any dietary requirements, health or mobility related requirements. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The deposit is £350 per person outside Europe, £250 per person within Europe and £200 per person for UK tours. The balance/full fare is due 12 weeks before travel; dates will be advised on your confirmation. As stated in our booking information a Fidelity Policy will be added at the time of booking.

I enclose a cheque (payable to The Railway Touring Company).

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 this brochures booking information pages and on our website, railwaytouring.net

Please sign and date

Please send this form to: The Railway Touring Company, The Old Stables, Estuary Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HL.