Group Travel Information 2012
‘Bellerophon’ stands at DIlhorne Park, aka Hanbury Halt during the filming of ‘Cranford’. ‘Florence No.2’ hauling a train on the Foxfield Railway.
The Foxfield Light Railway is one of the UK’s earliest heritage railways. The line was built in the 1890’s and operated until 1965. After closure, the Society, which was formed in 1967, purchased the line and commenced building up its unique collection of locomotives, rolling stock and railway artefacts. Unlike many other heritage lines which follow valleys, the Foxfield Railway boldly crosses open moorland, hills and woods. This results in spectacular sounds and sights as the trains climb the steepest gradients to be found on standard gauge railways in the UK. The Societys’ main station at Blythe Bridge emulates the classic branch line termini of 100 years ago. It does, however, have the most modern of facilities and is fully accessible. The buffet, with its selection of traditional food, is complimented by our award winning “real ale” bar and souvenir shop. Our display of artefacts and historic locomotives is also here. The Foxfield Railway was recently the setting for the many railway scenes in the popular BBC costume drama Cranford, which starred Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench. The railway featured in the two part special which was screened over the Christmas period. This has already prompted a welcome increase in visitor numbers. Our steam trains travel past many of the filming sites which are located in the beautiful unspoilt countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands. At our main station we have recently rebuilt the main car park with a tarmac surface and specially widened entrance gates which enable better access for road coaches. These can now turn within the car park and gain access without risk of grounding. As the railway is staffed by volunteers, trains normally operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter until Christmas. However special trains for groups can be arranged for other times and the railway is available for hire for corporate events. Please see our timetable on page 4. We are located 6 miles to the east of Stoke on Trent, close to the Blythe Bridge junction on the A50, 8 miles from the M6 and 35 miles from the M1 along the A50. We hope to see you soon...
Richard Barnett Marketing Manager
Foxfield Railway Operating Days 2012 April M
T
W
May
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
June F
1 6
7
9
8
S
S
5
6
7
13
M
4
T
5
W
T
F
S
S
2
3
6
10
15
20
16 17
22
27
24
29
July M
T
W
T
September
August F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
S 2
1
1
5
4
8
8
11 12
11
15
15
19
16
18
21 22
22
25 26
23
25
29
27
29
8
9
29 30
October M
T
W
T
F
S
S
7 14 20 21 27 28 31
Please Note: Steam locomotives are used throughout the year and the smoke from these engines adds to the heritage ambience of this historic railway. Please take care when close to the locomotives, especially when trains are leaving the stations. Every effort will be made to maintain the services shown. However, the Company reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice and accepts no liability for any loss, inconvenience or delay thereby caused.
Foxfield Railway Timetable 2012 Special Events are indicated by dates surrounded by a white border. Please visit our website for details of extra trains in service and/or activities taking place around the railway.
All Steam
All Steam
Red Timetable C
Yellow Timetable D
Caverswall Road 12:00 13:30 15:00 11:30
13:00 14:30 16:00
Dilhorne Park
12:18 13:48 15:18 11:48
13:18 14:43 16:18
Dilhorne Park
12:25 13:55 15:25 11:55
13:25 14:55 16:25
Caverswall Road 12:43 14:13 15:43 12:13
13:43 15:13 16:43
All Steam Caverswall Road 11:00 12:15 13:30 14:45
16:00
Dilhorne Park
11:18 12:33 13:43 15:03
16:18
Dilhorne Park
11:25 12:39 13:55 15:09
16:25
Caverswall Road 11:43 12:57 14:13 15:27
16:43
General Information The Foxfield Railway welcomes pre-booked groups on any of our services. Travelling as a pre-booked group not only provides a discount on your ticket price for our standard train services but it also includes reserved seating on our trains, if required, and other services not normally available. Group travel is available for pre-booked groups of ten or more persons. Discounts apply on all Red, Yellow and Blue Timetable days as shown in our Timetable calendar , please contact us to discuss your requirements. Groups of 25 or more persons will receive 20% discount and groups of 10 to 24 will receive a 10% discount. The starting point for your journey will be at Caverswall Road Station as this provides the best access to the train especially for anyone with any physical impairment. The best value ticket is for the whole line round trip and this normally takes about 1 hour. The whole line journey is from Caverswall Road to Dilhorne Park but will be extended once our extension to Dilhorne is completed. Other services available include;
Homemade cake served during the journey – A slice of either Victoria Sponge or Chocolate Cake and a tea or a coffee. Price £2.50 per person including VAT. Food options include traditional sandwiches, assorted buffets, fish/sausage and chips and more. Please tell us of your requirements. Guided tours of Caverswall Road Station including the locomotive shed and maintenance workshops and usually available free of charge.
Please see our Timetable page to plan your visit. If we are not running on the day you require we may be able to run a train especially for you. 10%
20%
Adults
£6.75
£6.00
Concession
£4.95
£4.40
Children
£2.70
£2.40
All prices quoted on this page include VAT where relevant but please note that there is no VAT on train travel.
Other Services Cream Tea Land Cruise Train: Come and enjoy a majestic Sunday afternoon steam hauled train journey while enjoying a cream tea on board. Your steam hauled train will depart Caverswall Road Station at 16:00hrs prompt for a 50 minute scenic round trip to the setting of the BBC's Victorian Costume drama "Cranford". Your train will travel through the Staffordshire Moorlands to the famous "Hanbury Halt" station which displays fine views across the across the countryside, during your journey a cream tea consisting of a large homemade scone, jam, cream and a pot of tea will be served to you at your seat. After disembarking you may wish to sample a real ale or a glass of wine in our fully licensed bar before onward travel.
On Site Facilities: The Buffet Our excellent café opens early so why not visit for a hearty full breakfast before starting your day or choose your own combination, all individually priced. If you are looking for a tasty lunch we serve a variety of light meals, sandwiches and snacks. All food is also available in takeaway boxes, so why not grab something to take on your train journey. Teas, coffees, cold drinks and a selection of homemade cakes and snacks are available throughout the day. ‘The One Legged Shunter’ Potteries Pub of the Month ~ July 2007 Come and relax in Foxfield's very own licensed bar 'The One Legged Shunter' serving some of Staffordshires finest real ales from breweries including Titanic, Burton Bridge, Townhouse, Peakstones and Blythe Brewery. Also we have guest's from further a field like Archers, Hopback, RCH and many more. We also stock a small range of bottled beers and wines.
Finding Us The railway's headquarters at Caverswall Road Station, Blythe Bridge, Stoke on Trent is just 20 minutes from Junction 14 & 15 off the M6 motorway and 45 minutes from Junctions 24 & 28 off the M1. By Road: Follow the Brown tourist signs from the A50 (the Stoke on Trent to Derby Road), into the village of Blythe Bridge and then turn left into Caverswall Road just after a Railway level crossing. Foxfield's Caverswall Road Station is 1/2 mile up the hill on the right hand side.
Contact Us By Post: Foxfield Railway, PO Box 1967, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8YT In Person: Foxfield Railway, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, ST11 9BG Telephone: 01782 396210 Email: groups@foxfieldrailway.co.uk Website: www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk