Railway Touring Company - Rail Tours and Day Trips 2013

The Railway Touring Co. UK Rail Tours and Day Trips 2013

First Edition

Welcome Welcome to the 2013 edition of our UK Rail Tours and Day Trips brochure. This year we have put together an outstanding programme that includes new routes, new steam locomotives, and new pick-up points. Past favourites are not forgotten especially with the popular series of regular summer trains. 2013 is a year of anniversaries and we shall celebrate some of these in style by recreating past events. Please browse through our brochure and see for yourself what is in store. We look forward to hearing from you soon and to sharing with you the enjoyment of travelling by steam train.

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

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

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

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

First Class First Class accommodation on our trains is provided at tables for four or for two in deep cushioned armchair seats with plenty of room. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £20.00 per person, subject to availability. First class usually includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

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

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

We accept most major credit and debit cards.

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

Organisers arranging group travel for ten or more persons on a UK Day Trip are invited to contact the office, details above, regarding discounts where a single booking is to be made.

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

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

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

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

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

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

All reasonable efforts, within the control of the organisers, will be made to ensure that on the day of the trip, the train runs as planned. However, we cannot accept any responsibility for delays, mishaps, alterations or curtailment of the tour from situations outside of our control.

There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train. In adverse conditions the train operating company, West Coast Railways, may feel the need to run with a diesel locomotive attached to the rear as a precaution.

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

The organisers cannot accept responsibility for the options under the control of third parties and are only responsible for returning passengers to their joining stations.

Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions.

No refund is available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers.

Folding wheelchairs can be carried on all services.

Motorised wheelchairs generally can not be carried due to the small opening doors. Special arrangements must be made to carry these.

N.B. – All timings shown in this brochure are approximate and subject to change.

Front cover image: Bob Green.

UK Rail Tours and Day Trips – 2013

Tours The Great Britain VI

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The Summer Highlander

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The Cock O’The North

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Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

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The West Highlander Steam Express

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The Western Isles

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Day Trips The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Swanage Belle

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The Anniversary Fenman

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The Devonian

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The Cotswold Adventurer

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The Canterbury Belle

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The Mayflower

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Tin Bath

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The White Rose

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The Hadrian

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The Bath and Bristol

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The Wansbeck

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The Weymouth Seaside Express

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The Buxton Spa Express

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The Devonian

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The Atlantic Coast Express

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The Yorkshireman

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The Heart of Wales

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The End of Southern Steam

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The Peak Forester

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The Canterbury Belle

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The Welsh Borders

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The Coast to Coast Express

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The Heart of Midlothian

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The West Somerset Steam Express

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The Southern Irishman

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The Waverley

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The Canterbury Belle

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The Welsh Mountaineer

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The Jolly Fisherman

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The Dorset Coat Express

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The Canterbury Belle

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The Scarborough Flyer

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The North Wales Coast Express

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The North Wales Coast Express

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The Royal Wessex

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The 15 Guinea Special

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The Royal Duchy

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The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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The Cheshireman

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The Royal Duchy

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The Easterling

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The Pembroke Coast Express

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Day Trips Booking Form

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The Cheshireman

Reservation and Booking Forms Tour Reservation Form

THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net The holiday tours in this brochure are covered by the terms and conditions in our Great Railway Adventures 2013 brochure and are available on request.

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Bob Green

The Great Britain VI Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th April 2013 Following the highly successful Great Britain V rail tour we shall again divide our train in Scotland, thus operating two trains around Scotland at the same time. Passengers change from one train to the other by travelling across the beautiful Island of Skye. This allows all passengers to experience the spectacular Mallaig & Kyle of Lochalsh routes.

The all steam-hauled tour begins at London Paddington and on day one takes the West of England main line to Newquay.

The second day includes the route through South Wales to Swansea and the following day follows the awesome Central Wales Line.

There is the option of a day sightseeing in Edinburgh or a trip to Aberdeen and back with an A4 class Pacific steam locomotive. We also travel over the scenic Highland main line.

Saturday 20th April A Castle to Taunton and a West Country with a Battle of Britain to Newquay The Great Britain VI departs London Paddington a little after 09:00 and steams along the ex-Great Western Railway main line to Reading. Here we join the Berks and Hants route and head for the West of England through Newbury. At Taunton our ex-Great Western Railway Castle class locomotive is replaced by two locomotives rebuilt West Country class No. 34046 “Braunton” and Battle of Britain class No. 34067 “Tangmere”.

Our double-headed train now begins the climb to Whiteball summit, on the border of Somerset and Devon, before dropping down the Culm Valley into Exeter. We follow the Exe Estuary and then run beside the sea wall from Dawlish to Teignmouth, one of the most superb stretches of railway line in Britain.

It is an exhilarating experience to travel along this route through tunnels and rock cuttings right at the edge of the sea.

After Newton Abbot, there are some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country.

First there is the difficult climb of Dainton Bank, up to Dainton Tunnel, before dropping down to Totnes, and then it is the climb up Rattery Bank before the descent to Plymouth. After leaving Plymouth we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, The Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the

wonderful Cornish countryside crossing numerous viaducts en route to Par. From here our two ex-Southern Railway Pacific’s take our train over the amazing steeply graded line to Newquay where we arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to our hotels.

Sunday 21st April Over the South Devon banks to Bristol; through the Severn Tunnel to South Wales After a leisurely breakfast we depart Newquay mid morning hauled by our two ex-Southern Railway Pacifics. We join the main line at Par and should then enjoy some spirited running through the splendid Cornish countryside. We cross Brunel’s Saltash Bridge before entering Plymouth.

Leaving Plymouth our two steam locomotives demonstrate their true power as they tackle the long steep climbs of Hemerdon and Dainton banks. After Exeter the climb to Whiteball will be followed by a fast run from Taunton to Bristol across the Somerset Levels. At Bristol a Castle Class locomotive replaces the Pacifics for the run to Swansea. The route is through the Severn Tunnel and along the South Wales main line to Cardiff and the terminus station at Swansea.

Overnight accommodation is in Swansea.

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Monday 22nd April The Central Wales Line with two Black 5’s Our train leaves Swansea Station steam hauled by two ex-LMS Black 5’s and tackles the difficult climb up Cockett Bank. We are soon on the single track Central Wales Line and our first stop will be at Pantyffynnon where the locomotives take on water. We continue northwards through the glorious Welsh countryside to Llandeilo, and then follow the River Towy to Llandovery.

We commence the long and tortuous climb up to Sugar Loaf Summit, which is approached by gradients as steep as 1 in 60, and pass beneath the hills via the 1,000 yard (910 metres) long Sugar Loaf Tunnel. We descend to Llandrindod Wells where there will be a one hour break while our locomotives are serviced. This ‘spa’ town has many ornate style buildings from the Victorian and Edwardian eras and is also home to the National Cycle Collection. We continue northwards through hills and forests along the sinuous single track. We cross the magnificent turreted Knucklas Viaduct, with its 13 arches, just before Knucklas Station. We stop at Knighton Station in Shropshire, 100 yards from the Welsh border, for our locomotives to take on water and for passengers to ‘stretch their legs’. We join the Welsh Marches line at Craven Arms and continue north-bound to Shrewsbury.

Here we take the ex-GWR Birkenhead route through Ruabon and Wrexham to Chester.

We pass through Frodsham before joining the West Coast Main Line for our run to Preston, where we have overnight accommodation.

Tuesday 23rd April A Duchess over Shap and Beattock Our train leaves Preston mid morning hauled by Pacific locomotive No. 46233 “Duchess of Sutherland”. We should have a fast run along the West Coast Main Line through Lancaster and Carnforth before the climb to Grayrigg.

After Tebay our locomotive will be working hard for the climb to Shap summit, followed by a speedy descent to Carlisle. On leaving Carlisle the “Duchess” will have an easy run to Lockerbie prior to the great climb to Beattock’s summit, the equivalent to two Shaps in one. We descend to Carstairs where we leave the Glasgow line, then tackle the shorter gradient to Cobbinshaw en route to Edinburgh Waverley. We transfer to hotels in Edinburgh for two nights accommodation.

Wednesday 24th April Free day in Edinburgh or an optional trip to Aberdeen steam hauled by an A4 class Pacific Today is a free day to explore Edinburgh.

Breakfast at the hotels is included.

Optional steam trip to Aberdeen Our train leaves Edinburgh Waverley hauled by A4 class Pacific locomotive No. 60009 “Union of South Africa”. The route follows the old Edinburgh suburban line then passes Edinburgh airport before crossing the spectacular Forth Bridge.

We follow the delightful Fife coast then skirt the Lomond Hills before crossing the famous Tay Bridge into Dundee. Our steam locomotive takes on water here before we head north through Arbroath and Stonehaven to Aberdeen. There will be around two and a half hours to explore the Granite City, the oil capital of Europe.

We return to Edinburgh via the outward route over the Tay and Forth Bridges, and hopefully the direct route from Haymarket to Waverley through The Mound Tunnels.

Thursday 25th April Over the Forth Bridge to Inverness or Fort William Britannia class 4-6-2 No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” will be ready to leave Edinburgh Waverley with our train at around 09:00.

We cross the magnificent Forth Bridge, with superb views over the Firth of Forth, and enter Fife. The journey through Fife is both scenic and fascinating; we hug the sea shore for some of the way. At Thornton Junction our train will be divided into two parts.

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person: £2755 Single Supplement: £395 Optional trip to Aberdeen £175

Train 1 Train 1, hauled by No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”, continues through Fife to Ladybank where it takes the single track line via Newburgh to Perth.

We then head northwards along the Highland main line through Pitlochry and Blair Atholl passing through amazing scenery. The terrain becomes more rugged as we climb to Druimuachdar Summit, 1484 feet above sea level, the highest on Britain’s Railways. We descend to Aviemore before beginning the climb to Sloch Summit (1315 ft.), from where it is downhill all the way to Inverness. We transfer to hotels in Inverness for overnight accommodation.

First Class Price per person: £2050 Single Supplement: £340 Optional trip to Aberdeen £125

Train 2 After reversal at Thornton Junction, train 2 will be hauled by No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” and head south-westwards to Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline. Here we join a freight line which runs along the Forth to Longannet Power Station and Alloa. We continue through Stirling to the outskirts of Glasgow at Springburn. We pass through Dumbarton before joining the West Highland line at Craigendoran. After a brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbet Station, we observe the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond. We leave Crianlarich, where the Oban line branches off, and head for the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor.

We pass by Loch Treig and through the amazing Monessie Gorge. The highest mountain in Scotland at 4,418ft, Ben Nevis, comes into view as we approach Fort William where we arrive in the mid afternoon. Overnight accommodation is in Fort William.

• Four breakfasts served on the train

Continued overleaf.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £159 per person. (subject to availability) Premier class includes: • Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels • Eight lunches served on the train • Five dinners and one Afternoon tea silver served at your seat on the train • Seats will be in first class open coaches with comfortable deep cushioned Pullman style seats • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First class includes: • Overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 star hotels • Coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches with tables for two (supplement £159 per person) or four • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense Optional steam trip from Edinburgh to Aberdeen – 24.04.13 This includes a Premier class reserved seat, full Scottish Breakfast and 3-course lunch with tea or coffee.

First class seats are also available including Danish Pastries with orange juice, morning coffee or tea, afternoon tea or coffee served with a selection of finger sandwiches and scones with jam and cream.

Bob Green

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Friday 26th April Steam on the Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig routes Train 1 – Inverness to Fort William We depart from Inverness steam-hauled by LMS ‘Black 5’ No. 44871. Premier class passengers will be silver served a full Scottish Breakfast at their seats soon after departure. We pass over the Caledonian Canal on the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge, then take the Kyle line at Dingwall; possibly the most scenic line in the country.

The route takes us up to Raven Rock Summit and Luib Summit before we stop at Achnashellach for the locomotive to take water. We descend to the shores of Loch Carron and experience fine views of the lochs and mountains. At Kyle of Lochalsh we join road coaches which take us on a scenic tour over the Skye Bridge on to the Isle of Skye and to Armadale. Here we take the ferry to Mallaig. On arrival at Mallaig our special train will be waiting with steam locomotive No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”. We enjoy a scenic journey east passing the Sands of Morar and crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct en route to Fort William and our overnight accommodation.

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

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

Here our special train will be waiting for us and we shall be steam-hauled to Inverness by ex-LMS ‘Black 5’ No. 44871. Overnight accommodation is in Inverness.

Bob Green

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Saturday 27th April The best of Scottish Scenery en route to Edinburgh Train 1 – Fort William to Edinburgh We depart from Fort William mid-morning steamhauled by former LNER 2-6-0 No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”. We climb out of Fort William through the Monessie Gorge and pass Roy Bridge before tackling the steepest part of the climb up to Corrour (1,350 ft.), the second highest summit on British Railways. We cross Rannoch Moor and continue through Tyndrum to Crianlarich where our steam locomotive takes on water. We face another stiff climb up to Glen Douglas before reaching Garelochhead. From here “The Great Marquess” will haul our train through Helensburgh and Dumbarton to Edinburgh Waverley.

Overnight accommodation is in Edinburgh.

Train 2 – Inverness to Edinburgh over the Highland Main Line We depart from Inverness late morning hauled by No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We make the arduous climb up to Slochd Summit (1,315 ft.), probably the most gruelling climb on the whole network. We climb for 13 miles at 1 in 60

Bob Green

Tour Summary Premier Class Price per person: £2755 Single Supplement: £395 Optional trip to Stranraer £175 First Class Price per person: £2050 Single Supplement: £340 Optional trip to Stranraer £125 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £159 per person. (subject to availability) Premier class includes:

followed by another 10 miles at mostly 1 in 60.

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

There are fine views of Stirling Castle after we pass through Bridge of Allan. We continue to Edinburgh Waverley and transfer to our hotels for overnight accommodation.

Sunday 28th April No. 4472 Flying Scotsman from Edinburgh to York and No. 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley” from York to London King’s Cross Our train leaves Edinburgh in the morning and heads along the East Coast main line hauled by arguably the world’s most famous steam locomotive, “Flying Scotsman”.

We pass over the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick upon Tweed and enjoy fine views of the North Sea as we pass through Northumbria. We cross over the River Tyne leaving Newcastle and enjoy magnificent views of the cathedral at Durham.

On arrival at York there will be a break while locomotives are changed. We leave York hauled by ex-LNER A4 class Pacific No. 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley” and we have requested a fast run back to London King’s Cross. This will be the culmination of our epic all steam tour of Britain.

• Eight nights overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels • Eight lunches served on the train • Four breakfasts served on the train • Five dinners and one Afternoon tea silver served at your seat on the train • Seats will be in first class open coaches with comfortable deep cushioned Pullman style seats • Apart from breakfast, other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense First class includes:

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

• Overnight accommodation and breakfast in 3 star hotels • Coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Seating is in first class open coaches with tables for two (supplement £159 per person) or four • Apart from breakfast other meals in hotels will be at your own expense Optional steam trip from Edinburgh to Aberdeen – 24.04.13 This includes a Premier class reserved seat, full Scottish Breakfast and 3-course lunch with tea or coffee.

First class seats are also available including Danish Pastries with orange juice, morning coffee or tea, afternoon tea or coffee served with a selection of finger sandwiches and scones with jam and cream.

Bob Green

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Bob Green

The Cock O’The North Thursday 16th to Tuesday 21st May, Thursday 4th to Tuesday 9th July and Thursday 5th to Tuesday 10th September 2013 This tour explores the north of Scotland and avoids busy roads by using fast trains and travelling First Class to and from the North. Highlights of the tour include visits to preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William, plus two nights on the Isle of Skye.

A special coach handles our luggage, accompanying us throughout the Scottish part of our tour.

We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space in which to relax prior to our journey.

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

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

We take a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. It passes through spectacular scenery, with glimpses of the varied wildlife, along a river valley and climbing through dense pine forests.

To end the day, we visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

Saturday Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train After a traditional Scottish breakfast, we have the morning to explore or relax in Inverness before boarding the early afternoon service train bound for Kyle of Lochalsh. Our luggage is transported by privately chartered road coach, which follows our progress over the next three days. We pass through forests, alongside lakes overlooked by mountains, then run along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet. The line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain. From Kyle of Lochalsh, we take a coach journey over the Skye Bridge and on to the Isle of Skye. We travel to Portree, the main town and capital of the island, which is known for its picturesque harbour. We check in at The Royal Hotel which will be our base for the next two nights. (B D) Sunday Tour of Skye Today, we have a tour guide for the day as we explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach.

We shall see the Black Cuillins, mountains of jagged bare rock with twelve summits above 3,000 feet. We return to Portree where there will be time to look around and there will be time to enjoy a picnic lunch. We shall also visit the north of the island, including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods.

Skye is renowned for its spectacular scenery, UK Tours - The Cock O’The North

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vibrant culture and heritage, as well as its abundant wildlife, which includes the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter. As always we will stop the coach for photography and filming when appropriate. (B L D) Monday Ferry to Mallaig for Jacobite Steam Train Trip After breakfast, we say farewell to Portree and head south by road coach to Armadale where we catch the ferry to Mallaig, a boat journey of around thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there will be time to explore the village and find lunch before joining The Jacobite steam train to Fort William, for another unforgettable journey.

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

We shall also travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. At Inverness we check in to our hotel. (B D)

Tuesday The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the railway station to join the Highland Chieftain for our return journey. We can relax in our First Class seats as we leave Inverness and pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience, en route to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L)

Inverness Skye

Kyle

Dufftown

Keith

Broomhill Boat of Garten

London (Price per person) £1230 Peterborough (Price per person) £1195 York (Price per person) £1160 Single supplement £145

Mallaig Ft. William

Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:54 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:53 Inverness 20:11 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary

Perth

Price includes:

Stirling Edinburgh To the South

• First class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining • 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3 star hotels • 5 dinners • 4 lunches • Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys • First class rail travel on The Jacobite from Mallaig to Fort William • Standard class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train) • All train travel, transfers and tours • Reserved seats • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2013 M

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The Western Isles Tuesday 11th to Wednesday 19th June, Tuesday 6th to Wednesday 14th August and Tuesday 17th to Wednesday 25th September 2013 Scotland is just on your doorstep and it is so beautiful! This wonderful tour explores the north-west of Scotland, avoiding busy roads by travelling on fast trains in comfortable First Class seats for the journeys to and from the north. Highlights of the tour include visiting areas where other tours do not normally go, such as the Isles of Harris and Lewis and the beautiful region beyond Ullapool, plus a trip on The Jacobite steam train.

A coach handling our luggage will accompany us throughout Scotland. We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space to relax prior to our journey.

Tuesday Highland Chieftain to Scotland We wave goodbye to London’s King’s Cross Station aboard the Highland Chieftain train and en route a light lunch will be served at your seat.

We stop at York where more passengers may join the train, including those who have travelled by service train from Peterborough. The train continues its journey along the East Coast Main Line via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Stirling. From there, a coach takes us to The Inn at Inverbeg for dinner and overnight accommodation.

The Inn is located in beautiful countryside on the banks of Loch Lomond and enjoys stunning views of both the Loch and Ben Lomond. It also prides itself on its excellent customer service. (L D)

overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Wednesday Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond After a leisurely breakfast, and perhaps a stroll by the Loch, our road coach takes us the short distance to Tarbet where we have a private cruise on Loch Lomond, with a light lunch provided.

We rejoin our coach to travel the short distance to Arrochar and Tarbet Station to catch a train to Fort William. The route passes through spectacular scenery, crossing the remote Rannoch Moor, to Fort William. The town is located in an enviable position on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis, at 4,406 feet Britain’s highest mountain, as its backdrop. Our train is due to arrive at 16:09 and we check in to our hotel for dinner and

Friday Skye and Harris Islands Our coach takes us across Skye to Uig, pausing a few times for us to take in the scenery. Our ferry departs at around 14:00 for the one and half hour crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. We travel onwards through the bleak landscape of Harris and Lewis to the island’s capital, Stornoway, where we stay at a hotel for two nights. (B D)

Thursday The Jacobite and over the Sea to Skye Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, The Jacobite steam train takes us for 42 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The final destination is Mallaig, where we have around two hours to explore the village and fishing port and find lunch. We board the ferry for the Isle of Skye. At Armadale we rejoin our road coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage, to travel to our hotel in Portree. (B D)

Saturday The Isle of Lewis Today we have a guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis, including the Butt of Lewis with its lighthouse, and the Calanais Stone Circle.

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

We join the ferry for Ullapool to return to the mainland before travelling on to Lochinver, a pleasant village with a beautiful harbour and a magnificent mountain backdrop. We stay here for two nights at the luxurious Inverlodge Hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the bay. All rooms have splendid views and deer often appear on the lawns outside. (B D) Monday North West Scottish Highlands Our road coach takes us to discover the remote, impressive landscape of the North West Highlands, which offer deserted sandy beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. The tour passes through Scourie and Laxford Bridge before arriving at Durness, where there will be time for lunch.

(B D)

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

A highlight of the visit will be the falconry display.

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

(B L D) Wednesday The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the railway station to join the Highland Chieftain for our return journey.

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

Stornaway Helmsdale Ullapool

Tour Summary

Uig Inverness Mallaig Fort William

London (Price per person) £1480 Peterborough (Price per person) £1450 York (Price per person) £1430 Single supplement £290

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Price includes: • First class rail travel from London to Stirling and Inverness to London with at-seat dining • 8 nights half board accommodation in 3 star hotels • 5 Lunches • All train travel and coach transfers mentioned in the itinerary • First class rail travel on The Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig • Standard class rail travel between Arrochar and Fort William and Golspie and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains) • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2013 M

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UK Tours - The Western Isles

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Derek Phillips

The Summer Highlander Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th July 2013 This tour allows us to travel to and from Scotland by fast trains, avoiding busy roads and making the journeys even more enjoyable by travelling First Class. Highlights of the tour include travel by train on preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William, and the Isle of Skye.

We are accompanied throughout Scotland by a road coach that will handle our luggage.

We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space in which to relax prior to our journey.

Tuesday 16th July Highland Chieftain to Scotland At mid-day the Highland Chieftain train leaves London’s King’s Cross Station bound for Inverness.

It stops at York to collect further passengers, including those who have travelled by service train from Peterborough. As we speed along the East Coast Main Line a light lunch will be served at our seats. We pass through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth en route to Kingussie, from where we transfer by road coach to our hotel in Fort William.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (L D) Wednesday 17th July The Jacobite and over the Sea to Skye The Jacobite steam train is described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. It takes us for 42 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from stunning mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. The final destination is Mallaig, where there will be around an hour to explore this attractive fishing port and then board the ferry for the Isle of Skye. At Armadale we rejoin our road coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage. We travel through Kyleakin and Broadford on the picturesque Isle of Skye before crossing the famous Skye Bridge, which links Skye to the Kyle of Lochalsh. At Kyle of Lochalsh we board the late afternoon service train to Inverness and travel along one of Europe’s most scenic railway lines. We run alongside Loch Carron, then

enjoy superb views of lochs and mountains, and pass through forests, en route to Inverness, where we arrive around 20:00. We transfer to our hotel which will be our base for 3 nights. Dinner will be served at our hotel. (B D) Thursday 18th July The Far North Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant before we depart by road coach to Dunrobin Castle.

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

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

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Friday 19th July The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways Today, our road coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a Strathspey Railway steam train for the journey to Broomhill and return. Our train will travel through the countryside at a leisurely pace, with the Cairngorm Mountains in view, allowing us to fully appreciate the scenery in an area famous for its stunning natural beauty. On arrival back at Aviemore, our coach takes us to Dufftown, where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a railway restaurant car. We take a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. It passes through spectacular scenery, with glimpses of the varied wildlife, along a river valley and climbing through dense pine forests. To complete our day, we have a visit to a traditional Highland whisky distillery before we return to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D) Saturday 20th July The Highland Chieftain back to London We enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the railway station to join the Highland Chieftain for our return journey. We can relax in our First Class seats as we leave Inverness and pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience, en route to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L)

Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:54 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13.54 13:53 Kingussie 19:16 ------Inverness ------- 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary

London (Price per person) £945 Peterborough (Price per person) £925 York (Price per person) £900 Single supplement £175 Price includes: • First class rail travel on the Highland Chieftain and on The Jacobite Steam train • Standard class rail travel between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness and between Thurso and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains) • 4 nights accommodation in a twin, double or single room • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2013 M

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Toby Smith

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells Friday 26th July to Thursday 1st August and Friday 16th to Thursday 22nd August 2013 This popular tour to Cumbria and around North Wales features main line steam trips and steam trains on ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’.

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

One highlight of the tour is to travel over the railway wonder of the 21st Century, the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway.

These journeys by steam train present a very special way of seeing some of the best scenery in the British Isles.

All in all a steam epic! With limited spaces available, we recommend early booking to secure a place.

Friday Explore Liverpool We meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Liverpool, located opposite Lime Street Station, which will be our base for two nights. Arrive at your leisure giving you time, if you wish, to explore this fine city. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Holiday Inn Hotel. (D) Saturday The Settle to Carlisle Railway Today we join the “Cumbrian Mountain Express” steam train at Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Our journey begins with an impressive exit from the station hauled by a magnificent Pacific locomotive, either “Duchess of Sutherland” or “Oliver Cromwell”. Breakfast will be served at our seats soon after departure. We head north to Preston and Carnforth then skirt the Lake District before entering the Lune Valley. Our steam locomotive will be fully extended as we begin the ascent to the summit of Shap Fell. Descending through Penrith North Lakes, we halt at Carlisle for a two hour break and time to explore the Border City. Leaving Carlisle we join the Settle and Carlisle Railway, climbing up through Langwathby and Culgaith and pausing for water at the market town of Appleby. Spectacular scenery follows as we climb the steep gradient to Ais Gill summit and pass through Dent Dale, with the Peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent

dominating the landscape. Twenty major viaducts and fourteen tunnels culminate in the magnificent 24 arch Ribblehead Viaduct. As we continue back to Liverpool Lime Street, we enjoy a four course dinner, silver-served at our seats. We stay overnight at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. (B D) Sunday Steam along the North Wales Coast After breakfast we join the “North Wales Coast Express” special steam train at Liverpool Lime Street Station and take our reserved 1st class seats. Hauled by steam locomotive No. 6201 “Princess Elizabeth”, we take the Liverpool to Manchester Railway route of 1830 before joining the West Coast Main Line to Warrington.

On leaving Chester we cross the River Dee and enter Wales, running along the Dee Estuary and then beside the Irish Sea as we pass Prestatyn and Rhyl. This coastline is known for its stunning beaches and, at Colwyn Bay, we have fantastic views of the Great Orme. We pass through several small seaside resorts on the Irish Sea coast before arriving at Bangor. Here we transfer by road coach to Penrhyn Castle for a short visit. This dramatic neo-Norman fantasy, with extensive grounds, was built in the early 19th Century for a wealthy Welsh family. It is crammed with fascinating objects and has a stable block which contains an industrial railway, dolls, and model railway museums.

Afterwards our coach takes us across Anglesey to UK Tours - Snowdonia and The Northern Fells

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Holyhead where we rejoin our steam train for the return journey to Llandudno.

We walk to the Imperial Hotel and check in for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Monday The Snowdon Mountain and Welsh Highland Railways This morning we transfer to Llanberis Station for a diesel trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, with its superb summit views, weather permitting!

Back in Llanberis there will be some free time to explore this delightful Snowdonian town and have lunch. In the afternoon we take a trip on the newly completed Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, through the magnificent Snowdonia National Park.

This fantastic forty mile journey, steam hauled by a two foot narrow gauge Garratt locomotive, begins close to Caernarfon Castle. It takes us through spectacular mountain scenery, Beddgelert, and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass. On arrival at Porthmadog, we return by road coach to the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Tuesday A Steam spectacular to Blaenau Ffestiniog; the Ffestiniog Railway After breakfast we take a ride on the 3’6” gauge Great Orme Tramway from Llandudno Victoria Station to Great Orme Summit Station.

Afterwards we go to Llandudno Junction Station to join ‘The Welsh Mountaineer’ special steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It will be hauled by a former LMS ‘Black 5’ or ‘8F’ steam locomotive along this incredibly steep branch line, climbing uphill into Snowdonia through Betws-y-Coed and Pont-y-Pant to Blaenau Ffestiniog. There will be around two hours to explore Blaenau Ffestiniog and find lunch before we travel on the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog. We transfer to Portmeirion where we have dinner and overnight accommodation at The Hotel Portmeirion. (B D)

Chris Parry

Wednesday The Cambrian Coast and Talyllyn Railway After breakfast we transfer to Porthmadog Railway Station where we join a service train for the scenic journey south along the Cambrian coast to Tywyn.

At Tywyn we travel on the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway (TR) for the full length of the line to Nant Gwernol and return. On return to Tywyn, there will be a tour of the TR museum and time to purchase lunch. We then board a service train from Tywyn to Aberystwyth where we have dinner and overnight accommodation at the Marine Hotel.

(B D) Thursday Vale of Rheidol Railway and Welshpool and Llanfair Railway Today we travel on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge. From Devil’s Bridge we transfer by road coach to Welshpool.

There will be time to find some lunch in Welshpool before we begin our journey on the picturesque 2’6” gauge Welshpool and Llanfair Railway.

We take an enjoyable steam hauled ride through the delightful Banwy Valley to Llanfair Caereinion, and return to Welshpool. From here we return to Liverpool by road coach, calling at Chester Station on the way for the convenience of customers who may wish to catch a train there for their homeward journey. (B)

Tour Summary Price per person Single supplement

£1225 £190

Price includes: • 6 nights accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels • 5 breakfasts in hotels and one on the train • 6 dinners • All seat reservations and coach transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2013 M

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UK Tours - Snowdonia and The Northern Fells

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Bob Green

The West Highlander Steam Express Saturday 21st to Tuesday 24th September 2013 Join us for an exhilarating four day tour around the Western Highlands of Scotland on our own exclusive steam hauled chartered train, featuring three different steam locomotives. The tour begins in Preston, where there are good connections from London, Birmingham, The Midlands and the North of England.

There is no better way to enjoy the superb scenery of the Western Highlands than to travel through it by train. Highlights of the tour include visits to Fort William, Mallaig and Oban plus views of the majestic Ben Nevis, the tranquil Loch Lomond, the barren beauty of Rannoch Moor, and much, much more.

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

Our train will be hauled by an LMS Royal Scot class, two LMS Black 5’s and LNER K1 class steam locomotives.

It offers the option of travel in Premier Class, with a full meal service served at your seat, First Class or Standard Class.

A buffet car will be included in the train.

Saturday 21st September A Royal Scot from Preston to Glasgow Our train departs from Preston hauled by steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” and heads north, passing through Lancaster.

After Oxenholme Lake District, the gradient begins to increase and our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb up to Grayrigg Summit.

We pass through the scenic Lune Gorge and Tebay before commencing our assault on the dramatic Shap Fell, a major obstacle in the days of steam.

On arrival at Carlisle there will be a break while our steam locomotive is serviced. We cross the border into Scotland at Gretna and, after Lockerbie, face a formidable climb up to Beattock Summit. The route then drops down through undulating countryside to Carstairs and Glasgow Central Station. We transfer to Glasgow hotels for overnight accommodation.

Sunday 22nd September The spectacular West Highland Line to Mallaig We transfer to Glasgow Queen Street Station for an early departure, at around 06:30. Today our special train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” for the journey to Fort William. We travel around the outskirts of Glasgow towards the West Highland Line. We shall soon be passing within sight of the famous River Clyde between Dalmuir, Dumbarton and Craigendoran. After a brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbet Station we witness the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond. We leave Crianlarich, where the Oban line branches off, and head for the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor. We pass by Loch Treig and through the amazing Monessie Gorge. The highest mountain in Scotland at 4,418ft, Ben Nevis, comes into view as we approach Fort William around lunchtime. Here we have a short break and a different steam locomotive, K1 class No. 62005, comes on to our train for the journey to Mallaig and back.

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

Monday 23rd September Fort William, Oban and Glasgow At 09:00, after a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Fort William, steam hauled by No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman”. Climbing out of Fort William through the spectacular scenery of the Monessie Gorge, we pass Roy Bridge, then tackle the steepest part of the climb up to Corrour, the second highest summit on British railways.

We cross Rannoch Moor and continue through Tyndrum Upper to Crianlarich where we change locomotives. We set off for Oban double headed by two Black 5 locomotives 44871 and 45407, passing through Tyndrum Lower and continuing through the magnificent scenery of Loch Awe and the Falls of Cruachan. Soon after passing Taynuilt we arrive at the terminus of the line, Oban, where there will be a break for lunch. As soon as we leave Oban we begin an awesome climb where the locomotives will be working flat out to reach the summit. We begin our descent to Connel Ferry and Taynuilt, retracing our route to Crianlarich, from where “Scots Guardsman” will return our train to Glasgow. We face another stiff climb up to Glen Douglas before descending to Helensburgh and the Clyde valley. We pass through Dumbarton and Springburn before arriving at Glasgow Queen Street.

Tuesday 24th September Journey home We depart Glasgow Central at 09:30 hauled by No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” travelling by the Glasgow and South Western route through Paisley and Dalry to Newton on Ayr. Here we take the freight only line to Mauchline Junction where we join the Glasgow and South Western Main Line. We continue through Kirkconnel, Dumfries and Gretna to Carlisle.

We continue steam hauled climbing up to Shap summit, and then descend to pass through Carnforth and Lancaster en route to Preston.

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

LMS Royal Scot Class 4-6-0 No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” Preston – Glasgow – Preston and Glasgow – Fort William – Glasgow LNER K1 Class 2-6-0 No. 62005 Fort William – Mallaig – Fort William 2 x LMS ‘Black 5’ Class Nos. 44871 & 45407 Crianlarich – Oban – Crianlarich Approximate Timings Saturday 21st September Preston 10:20 Glasgow Central 17:55 Sunday 22nd September Glasgow Queen Street 06:30 Crianlarich 10:35 Fort William 12:50 – 13:15 Mallaig 15:00 – 17:00 Fort William 18:50 Monday 23rd September Fort William 09:00 Crianlarich 12:00 – 12:30 Oban 14:00 – 15:00 Crianlarich 16:30 Glasgow Queen Street 19:30 Tuesday 24th September Glasgow Central 09:30 Preston 16:00

Tour Summary Premier Class £955 First Class £755 Standard Class £545 Premier Class Single Supplement £100 First Class Single Supplement £100 Standard Class Single Supplement £79 Premier Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Glasgow and Fort William • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners silver served at your seat on the train • First class accommodation on the train Table for two supplement £50.00 per person First Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast in Glasgow and Fort William • Dinner in Fort William • First class accommodation on the train Table for two supplement £50.00 per person Standard Class price includes: • 3 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast in Glasgow and Fort William • Dinner in Fort William • Standard class accommodation on the train September 2013 M

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Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturdays in February and 2nd and 9th March 2013 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980’s when the Settle and Carlisle Railway in winter was the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via Shap to Carlisle and back to Preston via the Settle and Carlisle line. We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

We leave London Euston at around 07:10 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line. We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston. At Carnforth, we change locomotives and steam locomotive A4 Class ‘Pacific’ No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” or Black ‘5’ No. 45305 takes over the train.

On leaving Carnforth we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. There is always a chance that we will beat these gradients’ record times, so hang on to your hats! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around an hour and a half in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

We leave Carlisle and join the Settle–Carlisle line, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-yghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water.

Our journey continues through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn to Preston, where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. Our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:10 Watford Junction 07:30 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 Northampton* 07:40 21:15 Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 Preston 10:30 18:20 Carlisle 12:40 14:30 *Northampton passengers travel to and from Rugby by service train.

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

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

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

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

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

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Bob Green

The Anniversary Fenman Saturday 23rd February 2013 Join us on a special train to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Britannia Pacific’s on the Great Eastern Main Line. This rail tour around East Anglia features former Norwich based Britannia Pacific steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

The train runs from London Liverpool Street to Norwich along the main line where Britannia’s made their mark in the 1950’s, then cross country to Ely for the Fen Line to King’s Lynn. A very special occasion, not to be missed!

We leave London Liverpool Street at approximately 09:00 and head down the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) through Bethnal Green, Stratford, Ilford and Romford. We climb Brentwood Bank before passing through Shenfield where the Southend-on-Sea line diverges. We continue northwards to Chelmsford where the station is elevated on a viaduct; Witham, the junction for the Braintree branch; and Marks Tey, junction for the Sudbury branch. At Colchester we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water and to pick up further passengers.

We continue down the GEML to Manningtree and Ipswich, an important junction station for the East Suffolk Line to Lowestoft and the Felixstowe branch. We can expect a fast run onwards through Stowmarket and Diss to Norwich. We hope to arrive in Norwich shortly before mid-day and whilst our locomotive is being serviced at Crown Point there will be time to visit this delightful City. Norwich, on the River Wensum, is known for its cathedral, castle museum and mustard!

We leave Norwich at around 13:30 and take the scenic cross country line through Thetford Forest to Ely. This line retains old manual signal boxes and semaphore signals at most locations. We change direction of travel at Ely and “Oliver Cromwell” will ‘run round’ our train and set off travelling tender first. Our route takes us over the Fens along the line travelled by the “Fenman” in years gone by. We pass through Littleport, Downham Market and Watlington before arriving in Kings Lynn where there will be time to visit the town. King’s Lynn, on the River Great Ouse, has historic marine links that are still a defining feature of the town.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Liverpool St. 09:00 21:15 Colchester 10:30 20:00 Norwich 11:50 13:30 Ely 14:40 15:00 Kings Lynn 15:30 17:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

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

We leave Kings Lynn at around 17:30 to return to London Liverpool Street. The route is via the Fen Line to Ely; the Ely to Ipswich line through Soham and Bury St. Edmunds; and the GEML from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street via Colchester, where we stop to set down passengers. We are due back into Liverpool Street at around 21:15. Don’t miss out on this memorable outing that provides a fitting tribute to the 1950’s operations of the Britannia’s in East Anglia.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£141

£519

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Anniversary Fenman

19

Bob Green

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 9th March 2013 Join us on this scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswolds.

Our destination is the cathedral city of Worcester, internationally famous as the home of Worcestershire Sauce. We travel outward via the Cotswold Line through Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham and return via the Golden Valley line through Stroud and Kemble. Our train will be hauled by Castle class steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”.

We leave London Euston shortly after 08:30 and immediately our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb Camden Bank. At Willeseden Junction we take the North London Line to Acton where we join the ex-Great Western Railway main line from Paddington. We stop at Slough, Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 08:30 20:40* Slough 09:40 20:15 Reading 10:15 19:15 Didcot 10:40 18:45 Worcester 12:55 16:10 *Returns to Paddington

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Cotswold Venturer

20

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£128

£75

£331

Standard

£85

£52

£222

Bob Green

The Mayflower Saturday 16th March 2013 Join us on this very special trip featuring over 440 miles of steam train travel in one day. Our train will be ‘double-headed’ from London to Plymouth and back to Taunton by two ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 steam locomotives, No. 34046 “Braunton” and No. 34067 “Tangmere”. “Braunton” will haul the train back to London from Taunton.

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

We leave London Paddington at around 07:00 steam hauled by our two ‘Pacific’ steam locomotives. We stop at Slough and Reading to pick up more passengers. From Reading, we take the very attractive Berks and Hants route which runs through picturesque rural countryside. We make a final stop to pick up passengers at Newbury. The line runs beside the Kennet and Avon Canal after Hungerford and then makes a steady climb up to Savernake Summit. We pass through the Vale of Pewsey before Westbury, where one of the famous Wiltshire ‘White Horses’ is prominent on the hillside. The onward journey is through undulating agricultural land to Castle Cary and Taunton.

After Taunton our two steam locomotives tackle the first major incline on the route, climbing to Whiteball Summit. They will be working hard and should provide an impressive display as they climb to the summit.

We descend to the Culm Valley and on to Exeter. From Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth we run along the magnificent sea wall passing through short tunnels carved from the rock right at the water’s edge.

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

Our locomotives will be ‘turned’ and serviced whilst we are at Plymouth, ready for our departure at around 16:10. We immediately begin climbing Hemerdon ‘Bank’; a very difficult climb with a ruling gradient of 1 in 41. After Hemerdon the gradient eases but we are still climbing all the way to Wrangaton Summit. We descend to Totnes before we begin the climb to Dainton Summit from the ‘other side’. We descend to Newton Abbot and then it is back to the sea wall and on to Exeter. There is more climbing to Whiteball Summit before we descend to Taunton where we say goodbye to “Braunton”. We return to London via the Berks & Hants line hauled by “Tangmere”.

We call at Newbury, Reading and Slough, to set down passengers, before arriving in Paddington at around 22:10.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Paddington 07:00 22:10 Slough 07:35 21:35 Reading 08:15 21:20 Newbury 08:35 20:15 Plymouth 13:05 16:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£210

£149

£569

First

£139

£77

£355

Standard

£94

£54

£242

UK Day Trips - The Mayflower

21

Phil Jones

The Tin Bath Sunday 17th March 2013 This is an exciting trip by steam train from Preston and Manchester over the steeply graded routes to West Yorkshire and passing through areas renowned for Lancashire cotton mills and Yorkshire woollen mills, part of our industrial heritage.

The train will be hauled by two steam locomotives ‘Black 5’ 4-6-0’s Nos. 44871 and 45407, and they will face some of the fiercest gradients in the country.

Our special train leaves Preston at around 08:45 ‘double-headed’ by our two steam locomotives and travels south to Wigan where we stop to pick up more passengers. We continue through Newton le Willows and Eccles to Manchester Victoria where we stop to pick up further passengers. On leaving Manchester we climb steeply up Miles Platting Bank. We pass through Romiley and Chinley taking the scenic Hope Valley Line to Sheffield, where there will be a break of around one hour. Passengers may wish to visit the city centre, perhaps by the modern trams, and see snooker’s famous Crucible Theatre in the pedestrianised Tudor Square.

On leaving Sheffield we head northwards to Wincobank Junction where we join the Barnsley Line. It is a long climb from here up to Chapeltown, passing through Elsecar and Wombwell, to Barnsley.

We continue climbing from Barnsley Station up very steep inclines with gradients of 1 in 50, followed by 1 in 57 to Dodworth, where the gradient eases to 1 in 100. Soon, we approach the former junction at Penistone where we steam over the magnificent 29-arch viaduct (longer than the famous Ribblehead Viaduct) before entering Penistone Station.

Our journey continues past Denby Dale (famous for its huge meat pies!) to Huddersfield, crossing many fine bridges and viaducts, including the lengthy Lockwood Viaduct, on the way. We are in typical West Yorkshire woollen mill territory and at Brighouse we stop for our locos to take on water. We continue through West Yorkshire to Hebden Bridge and after Hall Royd Junction we commence the difficult climb to Copy Pit Summit (749 ft).

On reaching the summit we drift downhill to Blackburn before tackling the climb to Sough Tunnel.

We run through Bolton to Manchester Victoria where we stop to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Preston 08:45 19:20 Wigan 09:00 18:40 Manchester Victoria 10:00 18:00 Sheffield 15:30 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

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

We return to Preston, diesel hauled, and stop at Wigan to set down passengers. We reach our final destination, Preston, at around 19:20.

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Tin Bath

22

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£169

£110

£448

First

£99

£65

£263

Standard

£65

£40

£170

Bob Green

The Hadrian Saturday 30th March 2013 Breathtaking landscape and nostalgic steam locomotive haulage combine in one of our most exciting and varied tours by special train. We speed along the East Coast Main Line, travel on the 150-year old Tyne Valley Line, and experience the magnificent and world famous Settle to Carlisle Line – a thrilling day’s excursion!

Our train will be steam hauled from Hellifield to York via Carlisle by the A4 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 No. 60009 “Union of South Africa”.

Our train leaves Leicester, diesel hauled, at around 06:00 and stops to pick up passengers at Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Alfreton, Chesterfield and Sheffield. We change to steam power at Hellifield and No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” will haul our train over the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway. From Hellifield to Carlisle there’s scarcely a level mile but our steam locomotive will negotiate the 78 miles of ups and downs in classic style. Settle Junction marks the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we will see – and hear – working very hard!

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

The route runs high above valleys, over bridges and through more tunnels to Dent, the highest station in England. We make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it, the dramatic peak of our journey! We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our steam locomotive takes on water. We enjoy a fast run downhill from Appleby along the Eden Valley to Carlisle, where we arrive a little before 13:00. There will be plenty of time to explore the border city with its many attractions, including the great medieval fortress.

We return by a different route to maximise on the effects of the wonderful scenery that can be experienced. We shall be hauled by “Union of South Africa” from Carlisle to York. We leave Carlisle at around 15:45 and take the scenic Tyne Valley Line to join the East Coast Main Line at Low Fell.

We then head south through Durham and Darlington to York. Our train will be diesel-hauled from York and stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Leicester 06:00 22:55 Loughborough 06:15 22:40 East Midlands Parkway 06:25 22:30 Alfreton 06:40 22:15 Chesterfield 06:55 22:00 Sheffield 07:15 21:40 Carlisle 13:10 15:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£145

£543

First

£129

£81

£339

Standard

£87

£52

£226

UK Day Trips - The Hadrian

23

Derek Phillips

The Wansbeck Saturday 30th March 2013 This unusual rail tour by steam train covers parts of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland. It passes through rural and coastal scenic areas including Wansbeck, named after the river in Northumberland. It travels along routes with an interesting history, some of which are open for ‘freight only’. For most of the journey, the train will be ‘topped and tailed’ by steam locomotives class K4 No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” and class K1 No. 62005, one at each end.

Our train leaves Newcastle Central Station at around 09:00 and heads north along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) to Morpeth, the county town of Northumberland. Just north of Morpeth we branch off to the east and travel along the ‘freight only’ Blyth and Tyne Line. We reverse our direction of travel at Bedlington Junction and then head north to Ashington, crossing the River Wansbeck at West Sleekburn.

On arrival at Ashington we reverse again and return to Marchey’s House Junction. Here we branch off eastwards passing Winning Junction and continuing to the North Sea Coast at Cambois. We then travel southwards along the coast to North Blyth, a small settlement on the north eastern side of the River Blyth harbour.

We reverse direction of travel at North Blyth and return on the ‘freight only’ line to Winning Junction and West Sleekburn Junction. We then travel southwards on the Blyth and Tyne route to Benton Junction, where we rejoin the ECML. We stop to pick up passengers at Newcastle Central Station, then cross the famous King Edward VII Bridge en route to Tyne Yard, where our locomotives take on water.

We continue southwards along the ECML, passing through Durham with its spectacular Victorian viaduct high above the city. We leave the ECML at Ferryhill and head for Stockton, Middlesborough and Redcar.

At Saltburn West Junction we join the scenic freight only line to Boulby, running along the cliff tops with spectacular sea views. The Boulby Potash Mine was opened in the 1970’s and is Europe’s second deepest mine. We return to Saltburn West Junction and reverse to Saltburn Station where we enjoy a visit to this seaside town.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Newcastle 09:00 21:15 Newcastle 10:50 ------Middlesborough 12:30 18:40 Boulby 13:30 ------Saltburn 15:00 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

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

Our train returns to Newcastle, steam hauled, via Middlesborough, Darlington and the ECML.

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Wansbeck

24

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£141

£519

First

£125

£72

£322

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Buxton Spa Express Saturday 6th April 2013 This day trip by special train offers a rare opportunity to travel from London, Watford Junction, Bletchley, Bedford, Kettering and Melton Mowbray to Buxton in the Peak District. The journey includes an interesting mix of high profile main lines and picturesque rural routes. Our train will be hauled by Britannia class 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” between London, Buxton and Stockport.

The “Buxton Spa Express” leaves London Euston at around 08:00 hauled by our steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We head north up Camden Bank and through Willesden to Watford Junction where we stop for more passengers. We continue along the West Coast Main Line stopping at Bletchley and Bedford for more passengers. We join the truncated Cambridge to Oxford line and travel crosscountry to Bedford where we stop to pick up further passengers. We then travel down the Midland Main Line to Kettering where we stop for passengers and for our locomotive to take on water.

We take the former Midland Railway Main Line for Nottingham, passing through Corby and climbing up to the magnificent Harringworth Viaduct, the longest masonry viaduct in Britain. We then face a stiff climb up to Wing Tunnel, run downhill to Manton Junction, and pass through Oakham, the county town of Rutland, England’s smallest county. We make our final stop for passengers at Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies, before continuing along the Wreake Valley to the Midland Main Line at Syston North Junction.

We pass through Loughborough and take the Erewash Valley line at Trent Junction on our way to Chesterfield and Dronfield. We take the Hope Valley Line at Dore South Junction and pass through Totley Tunnel into the Peak District. This picturesque hilly area of wild moorland is popular with hikers and walkers. We pass through Edale en route to Buxton where there will be well over two hours to explore the highest market town in England. The Spa town of Buxton is well known for its thermal springs and bottled water.

Our train leaves Buxton at around 17:00 for the return journey. “Oliver Cromwell” will haul our train through Whaley Bridge to Stockport where a class 47 diesel locomotive takes over for the remainder of the journey back to London Euston.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 08:00 22:55 Watford Junction 08:25 22:35 Bletchley 09:00 22:10 Bedford 09:30 21:40 Kettering 10:30 21:10 Melton Mowbray 11:20 20:30 Buxton 14:15 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£205

£147

£557

First

£134

£82

£350

Standard

£87

£51

£225

UK Day Trips - The Buxton Spa Express

25

Bob Green

The Atlantic Coast Express Sunday 7th April 2013 This is a classic example of the re-creation of a former express passenger train that ran from London Waterloo to West Country seaside resorts between 1926 and 1964. The Atlantic Coast Express is named after the Southern Railway’s multiportioned train which at its peak included carriages for nine separate destinations in Devon and Cornwall. Many of the lines to these destinations are now closed but the West of England main line to Exeter remains and we travel that route.

We leave London Waterloo at 10:30 hauled by steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”, an ex-Southern Railway type regularly used to haul portions of the Atlantic Coast Express. We take the fast route through Wimbledon, Surbiton, and Weybridge, and then stop at Woking and Basingstoke to pick up more passengers. At Worting Junction we leave the Bournemouth line and take the West of England Main Line to Salisbury, our final stop to pick up passengers.

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

The historic city of Exeter is the county town of Devon and retains part of the original Roman walls.

The gothic Cathedral is the city’s top attraction and the Cathedral Green opposite is a favourite meeting and picnic place. The historic quayside includes the 17th Century Custom House. The city centre has three significant shopping areas that connect to the High Street.

Returning along the Southern Main Line as outward we will be banked by Tangmere between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central. Braunton will haul our train back to London Waterloo.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Waterloo 10:30 21:15 Woking 11:05 20:30 Basingstoke 11:40 20:00 Exeter 14:50 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Features two Bullied Pacifics 34067 Tangmere and 34046 Braunton.

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Atlantic Coast Express

26

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£142

£540

First

£126

£75

£327

Standard

£87

£53

£227

The Heart of Wales Saturday 13th April 2013 Here is an opportunity to enjoy a very scenic journey by steam train travelling over the remote Central Wales line through Llandrindod Wells. The circular route will also include travel over the picturesque Welsh Marches line. Our train will be hauled from Newport to Shrewsbury by two former LMS steam locomotives, ‘Black 5’ No. 44871 and No. 45407. There is no better way to experience this wonderful Welsh mountain scenery than from the comfort of our steam train.

Our train leaves Oxford at around 08:00, diesel hauled, and calls to pick up passengers at Swindon and Bristol Parkway. We continue through the Severn Tunnel under the River Severn into Wales.

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

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

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

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Oxford 08:00 22:15 Swindon 08:45 21:30 Bristol Parkway 09:20 21:00 Llandrindod Wells 15:30 17:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

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

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£204

£151

£559

First

£137

£88

£362

Standard

£89

£56

£234

UK Day Trips - The Heart of Wales

27

Bob Green

The Peak Forester Sunday 14th April 2013 Join us on this very special train from London to Matlock in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire. There we shall travel over the ‘Peak Rail’ Heritage Railway line between Matlock and Rowsley.

Our train will be steam hauled throughout by West Country class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton”.

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

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

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

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

Our train, steam hauled by “Braunton”, leaves Rowsley late in the afternoon and stops at Matlock to pick up passengers who have been visiting the town. We return via Derby, Trent Junction and Melton Mowbray to Oakham, Stamford and Peterborough where we have stops to set down passengers.

At Conington our steam locomotive takes on water. We call at Stevenage to set down passengers before journeys end at London King’s Cross.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 09:30 21:55 Stevenage 10:15 21:15 Peterborough 11:45 19:30 Stamford 12:05 19:05 Oakham 12:20 18:50 Matlock 13:30 17:30 Rowsley 13:50 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Peak Forester

28

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£119

£72

£310

Standard

£89

£54

£232

Bob Green

The Welsh Borders Saturday 4th May 2013 Join us on this scenic circular tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills and the Welsh Borders. Our destination is the cathedral city of Worcester, internationally famous as the home of Worcestershire Sauce. We travel outwards via the Golden Valley Line and the Cotswold Line to Worcester. We return by the Welsh Marches Line via Abergavenny. Our train will be hauled by West Country class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton”.

We leave Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:30, steam hauled by “Braunton”, and call to pick up further passengers at Bristol Parkway. We head north to Gloucester, where our steam locomotive is turned and further passengers join the train. We now head south to Standish Junction where we join the Golden Valley Line, pass through Stroud, and climb steeply through the Cotswold Hills. The summit of the route is at Sapperton Tunnel and then it is downhill to Swindon, where we join the Great Western Main Line.

There should be some fast running along the main line to Didcot where at Foxhall Junction we take the line to Oxford, the university city of ‘dreaming spires’.

At Wolvercot Junction we join the scenic Cotswold Line and pass through Finstock, Charlbury and Ascottunder-Wychwood. The Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is characterised by attractive small towns and villages built of Cotswold stone, a yellow oolitic limestone. We pass through Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh, then through Campden Tunnel, down Honeybourne Bank to Evesham, and on to Worcester Shrub Hill.

There will be around three hours to explore this fine city where the 12th Century Worcester Cathedral overlooks the River Severn. It is also the home of Royal Worcester Porcelain, and the birthplace of the composer Sir Edward Elgar.

We leave Worcester Shrub Hill at around 16:30 and stop to pick up passengers at Worcester Foregate Street, near to the city centre. We continue through Malvern, Ledbury and Hereford, where we join the Welsh Marches Line. We cross the border into Wales and pass through Abergavenny and Pontypool.

At Maindee Junction we avoid Newport and join the South Wales Main Line.

There are views of the Bristol Channel as we approach Severn Tunnel Junction where we take line through Chepstow and alongside the River Severn to Gloucester, our first stop to set down passengers.

We stop at Bristol Parkway and our journeys end is at Bristol Temple Meads.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:30 20:50 Bristol Parkway 08:40 20:40 Gloucester 09:50 19:30 Worcester Shrub Hill 13:30 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£120

£478

First

£125

£80

£330

Standard

£79

£55

£213

UK Day Trips - The Welsh Borders

29

Bob Green

The Heart of Midlothian Saturday 4th May 2013 This excursion provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy a relaxing journey to the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh. The “Heart of Midlothian” recalls the former status of the city and the title of a novel by Sir Walter Scott.

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

The “Heart of Midlothian” will be diesel-hauled for its early morning departure from Huddersfield and stop to pick up passengers at Dewsbury, Leeds and York. We head north along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) towards Darlington and pass high above Durham, famous for its Norman Cathedral. Later we see the Angel of the North sculpture which heralds our approach to Tyneside. We cross the River Tyne on King Edward VII Bridge and enter the busy metropolis of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Huddersfield 07:25 21:45 Dewsbury 07:40 21:15 Leeds 08:00 21:00 York 08:30 20:00 Newcastle Central 09:45 18:30 Edinburgh Waverley 13:30 15:00 There are three classes available:

We continue north through Morpeth, and then beside the North Sea with its magnificent coastal views.

In the distance across the shoreline can be glimpsed the Farne Islands, renowned for the heroic exploits of Grace Darling. Lindisfarne or Holy Island is famous for its Lindisfarne Gospels. We cross the spectacular Royal Border Bridge over the River Tweed at Berwick-on-Tweed and enter Scotland. More sea views follow and the route begins a long climb through Grantshouse. Soon after Dunbar we enter an urban area and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station, located conveniently in the heart of the city.

Edinburgh has many attractions to entertain visitors, including the celebrated shopping paradise of Princes Street and its famous imposing castle overlooking Princes Street Gardens. St. Giles Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament, and Holyrood Palace (the Queen’s official residence in Scotland) can be found in the Old Town along the Royal Mile.

After a break of around one and half hours our train returns to York hauled by Britannia class steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We travel up the ECML which has some long sections of fairly straight and level track, particularly between Thirsk and Northallerton, where our locomotive will be able to run at its maximum speed. At York a diesel locomotive will take over the train for the remainder of the journey to Huddersfield. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Heart of Midlothian

30

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£137

£82

£356

Standard

£87

£53

£227

Bob Green

The Southern Irishman Monday 6th May 2013 This train to South West Wales offers a marvellous day out passing through some wonderful scenery just waiting to be discovered. It provides a rare opportunity for passengers from Birmingham and the West Midlands to travel by steam train in the Principality. The train will be hauled by ‘Castle’ class steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” from Newport to Carmarthen and from Fishguard Harbour to Newport. Why not join us for a memorable outing?

Our train leaves Birmingham International, diesel hauled, at around 06:10 and stops to pick up further passengers at Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester. It then heads southwards skirting the picturesque Severn Estuary, passing through Lydney and over the border into Wales at Chepstow. There is a stop at Newport to pick up more passengers and for our steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” to replace the diesel locomotive on our train.

We can expect some fast running to Cardiff where our train makes its final stop to pick up passengers.

We continue westwards along the South Wales Main Line. At Briton Ferry we take the Swansea District Line to Llangennech, thus by-passing Swansea. We stop at Carmarthen for our steam locomotive to be serviced and passengers will have an opportunity to visit the town, perhaps including the famous castle.

A class 47 diesel locomotive will haul our train onwards to Fishguard Harbour where there will be time to explore the harbour area.

Our steam locomotive “Nunney Castle” will be hauling our train when we leave Fishguard Harbour and travel up the steep and twisting gradients to Clarbeston Road. We continue to Whitland, the junction for the line to Pembroke Dock, and then bypass Carmarthen by taking the south curve for Llanelli.

We follow the main line through the outskirts of Swansea where our steam locomotive will be tested on the steep ascent of Cockett Bank. Later we should make rapid progress along the South Wales Main Line and all too soon we reach our first set down stop at Cardiff.

At Newport we say goodbye to “Nunney Castle” and a class 47 diesel locomotive will take our train back to Birmingham International.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Birmingham Int. 06:10 22:40 Birmingham New St. 06:30 22:25 Barnt Green 06:50 22:05 Worcester Shrub Hill 07:15 21:40 Cheltenham Spa 07:35 21:00 Gloucester 07:50 20:45 Newport 08:55 19:55 Cardiff 09:35 18:55 Carmarthen (arr.)

12:00 ------Carmarthen (dep.)

13:30 ------Fishguard Harbour 14:30 15:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability) Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£119

£517

First

£137

£58

£332

Standard

£84

£41

£209

UK Day Trips - The Southern Irishman

31

Bob Green

The Canterbury Belle Thursday 9th May 2013 This is a nostalgic trip harking back to the days of steam in Kent when many trains were hauled by Bulleid Pacific’s. The Canterbury Belle will be hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”.

This locomotive was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester in West Sussex, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Relive the golden age of steam, and also visit the world famous city of Canterbury.

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

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

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

After almost three hours in the city, we leave Canterbury for the return journey. Our route takes us from Canterbury West Station across to Minster and down to Deal, before beginning the climb to Martin Mill.

We travel south-eastwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. Our route then turns inland to Ashford where we join our outward route for the rest of the return journey. Our train stops at Redhill and East Croydon to set down passengers and arrives at London Victoria at 17:40.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:00 18:45 East Croydon 10:25 18:15 Redhill 10:48 17:40 Canterbury West 12:30 16:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Canterbury Belle

32

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£169

£135

£473

First

£105

£69

£279

Standard

£59

£42

£160

Bob Green

The Jolly Fisherman Saturday 11th May 2013 Join us on a day out by train to the seaside, to the well known Lincolnshire resort of Skegness, famous for its slogan “Skegness is SO Bracing”. Skegness rose to fame because of this slogan, on a railway poster of 1908, depicting a jolly fisherman.

Our train will be hauled by Britannia class ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” from London King’s Cross to Sleaford and No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” from Sleaford to Skegness.

Our train leaves London King’s Cross at around 08:30. We head north along the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and it is mainly uphill to Potters Bar, where we stop to pick up more passengers. We continue to Stevenage where we stop for further passengers, and then have a fast run to Peterborough, our final pick up point. Our steam locomotive will take on water here. We leave Peterborough and take the former Great Northern Railway (GN) Main Line to Spalding, then the GN/GE (Great Eastern Railway) joint line through Lincolnshire to Sleaford.

We change direction of travel at Sleaford, so No. 61994 “The Great Marquess” will take over the haulage of our train. We continue to Boston and then join the single track line to Skegness. En route, we stop at Wainfleet where there is an option for passengers to leave the train and visit the Batemans Brewery.

This is one of the country’s oldest family breweries, based on an old windmill dating back two centuries, and overlooking the River Steeping. The visitor centre provides tours and includes attractions for all the family.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 08:30 22:30 Potters Bar 09:00 21:35 Stevenage 09:30 21:10 Peterborough 10:45 19:45 Wainfleet 14:35 17:08 Skegness 14:45 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

For those who choose to remain on the train to journey’s end, we shall soon arrive in Skegness, a former vast GN terminal station, now significantly reduced in size. Look out for the Jolly Fisherman!

Amongst attractions for visitors are the clock tower, seal sanctuary, pier, and vast sandy beach – with donkey rides and sticks of rock for the children!

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

Our train leaves Skegness at around 16:25, hauled by our No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell for the return journey to King’s Cross. We call at Wainfleet to pick up those passengers who visited the brewery, and then continue through Sleaford to Grantham, where we join the ECML. We climb up to Stoke Tunnel and then it should be a fast run down the famous Stoke Bank to Peterborough, where we stop to set down passengers.

We continue to King’s Cross stopping en route at Stevenage and Potters Bar to set down passengers.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

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

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£129

£527

First

£124

£69

£317

Standard

£85

£45

£215

UK Day Trips - The Jolly Fisherman

33

Bob Green

The Canterbury Belle Wednesday 15th May 2013 This special train provides an opportunity for a nostalgic trip back to the days of steam in Kent. The Canterbury Belle runs from the East Midlands to Canterbury, a world famous historic cathedral city. The train will be hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” from Southall, West London to Canterbury and back. This locomotive was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester in West Sussex, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain.

The Canterbury Belle leaves Nottingham at around 07:30, diesel hauled, and will call to collect further passengers at East Midlands Parkway, Leicester and Kettering. The train continues, diesel hauled, to the outskirts of London taking the North London Line to Southall in west London. Here steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” will take over the train for the remainder of the journey to Canterbury. The route is via Kensington Olympia, Clapham Junction, and around the south London suburbs to Bromley South.

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

There will be more than three hours in Canterbury where the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage since the murder there of Thomas Becket in 1170. There are numerous other historical locations in the city including churches, an abbey, and castle ruins. Amongst the city’s museums is the Rupert Bear Museum, and ‘punt’ trips are available on the River Stour.

We leave Canterbury for the return journey taking a different route from Canterbury West Station across to Minster and down to Deal, before beginning the climb to Martin Mill. We then travel south-eastwards to Dover and follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. We continue through Ashford, Tonbridge, Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia back to Southall where “Tangmere” will leave our train. We return to Nottingham, diesel hauled, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Nottingham 07:30 21:00 East Midlands Parkway 07:10 20:40 Leicester 08:00 20:15 Kettering 08:30 19:40 Canterbury 12:10 15:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Canterbury Belle

34

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£69

£339

Standard

£69

£42

£180

Bob Green

The Cheshireman Saturday 18th May 2013 Join us on a special steam hauled train and indulge in a nostalgic experience in the comfort of vintage 1950’s carriages. Our train will run from North Lincolnshire to the magnificent city of Chester via the picturesque Derbyshire Peak District.

The train will be hauled by Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

Reserve your seat now for this special journey that will transport you back in time!

Our train leaves Cleethorpes at 06:30 hauled by steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

We stop to pick up passengers at Grimsby Town, Barnetby, Scunthorpe, and Crowle. From here we head for Doncaster and Sheffield, then through the Dore and Totley Tunnel into the scenic Hope Valley, with mountains to the north and hills to the south. We skirt round Manchester by way of Guide Bridge to Stockport and Altrincham. We then take the former Cheshire Lines Committee route to Chester, passing through Delamere Forest on the way.

We shall have nearly four hours to explore the city of Chester, one of the most visited places in the UK. Situated on the River Dee, it is famous particularly for its walls which date back as far as AD79. An elevated walk around the walls is recommended, taking in other attractions on the way such as the popular River Dee area, the Castle, the Cathedral, historic houses and the Rows. The Rows are first floor level galleried walkways, connecting shops and cafes, which date back to 14th Century.

Our train leaves Chester at around 16:20 for the return journey. We shall be steam hauled by 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” as far as Doncaster where a diesel locomotive takes over for the remainder of the return journey to Cleethorpes.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Cleethorpes 06:30 21:40 Grimsby 06:40 22:25 Barnetby 07:20 22:00 Scunthorpe 07:50 21:35 Crowle 08:05 21:25 Doncaster 08:30 16:20 Chester 12:30 16:20 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£70

£300

Standard

£78

£44

£200

UK Day Trips - The Cheshireman

35

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Wednesday 22nd May 2013 Recreating the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980’s when travelling over the Settle & Carlisle Railway was the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via Shap to Carlisle and back to Preston via the Settle and Carlisle line. We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

We leave London Euston at around 07:10 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston. We continue north along the WCML to Carnforth where we change locomotives and either Royal Scot class No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” or Jubilee class No. 45699 “Galatea” will take over our train.

On leaving Carnforth we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. There is always a chance that we will beat these gradients’ record times, so hang on to your hats! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around an hour and a half in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

We leave Carlisle and join the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water.

Our journey continues through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn to Preston, where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. Our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for a fast run to London.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:10 Watford Junction 07:30 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 Northampton* 07:40 21.15 Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 Preston 10:30 18:20 Carlisle 12:40 14:30 *Northampton passengers travel to and from Rugby by service train.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability) Fares

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

36

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£135

£82

£352

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Monday 27th May 2013 A rare opportunity to travel from the West Midlands for a trip over the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway line. The route follows the West Coast Main Line providing an added bonus of steam hauled travel over the famous Shap incline. This year is the 75th anniversary of the world speed record set by “Mallard” and our train will be hauled by steam locomotive ex-LNER A4 class ‘Pacific’ No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” or No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” for the steam section of the trip.

Our train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill, diesel hauled, at around 07:00. We call at Kidderminster, Stourbridge Junction, Birmingham New Street, Thame Bridge Parkway and Wolverhampton to pick up more passengers.

We continue northwards along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) through Crewe to Preston, where we stop for more passengers. At Carnforth, our steam locomotive A4 class ‘Pacific’ No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” will take over our train.

On leaving Carnforth we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. We stop in Carlisle while our steam locomotive is turned and serviced, providing time to discover some of the city’s many interesting features which include its historic castle, 12th Century cathedral, Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, and ‘The Lanes’ shopping area.

We leave Carlisle and join the Settle to Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water.

Our journey continues through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn, then along the WCML to Preston where a diesel locomotive will be attached to our train. We depart southbound through Crewe to Worcester setting down at Wolverhampton, Thame Bridge Parkway, Birmingham New Street, Stourbridge Junction, Kidderminster and Worcester Shrub Hill.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Worcester Shrub Hill 07:00 22:10 Kidderminster 07:20 21:50 Stourbridge Junction 07:30 21:30 Birmingham New Street 07:50 21:10 Thame Bridge Parkway 08:10 21:00 Wolverhampton 08:20 20:15 Crewe 09:00 19:30 Preston 10:00 18:30 Carlisle 11:50 14:50 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£134

£78

£346

Standard

£84

£48

£216

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

37

Bob Green

The Royal Wessex Saturday 1st June 2013 Join us on this delightful rail tour to the South Coast, with a choice of destinations in Dorset, either Bournemouth or Weymouth. Bournemouth is famous for its pier, its seven miles of golden sandy beaches and clean seas. Weymouth is a traditional English seaside resort that has managed to preserve much of its charm. Our train will be hauled by West Country ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton” from London to Weymouth and return.

Our train leaves Littlehampton at around 07:00, diesel hauled, and stops at Worthing, Hove, Preston Park, Haywards Heath and Three Bridges to pick up more passengers. We continue towards London and by-pass the capital to the west. At Acton our diesel locomotive gives way to West Country ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton” which takes over the train for the run to Weymouth.

There should be some fast running as we head down the South Western Main Line towards Southampton. We pass through the New Forest and then stop at Bournemouth for those passengers wishing to visit the town. Bournemouth overlooks Poole Bay and has 7 miles of sandy beaches.

The shopping streets are mostly pedestrianised and from the Square, footpaths lead down from the Central Gardens, through pine forests, to the sea front and pier.

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

We pass through Wareham and travel through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery to Dorchester. We arrive at Weymouth at around 13:00 and have over three hours there to discover much of what this seaside town has to offer. The railway station is close to the beach and shops.

We return from Weymouth at around 16:40 and our train will be hauled by steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton”. We climb Upwey Bank which is very steep and our steam locomotive will be working flat out. We stop at Bournemouth to collect those passengers who left the train there on the outward journey. We continue to Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Preston Park, Hove, Worthing and Littlehampton where we stop to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Littlehampton 07:00 22:54 Worthing 07:15 22:35 Hove 07:25 22:20 Preston Park 07:35 22:10 Haywards Heath 07:48 21:50 Three Bridges 08:05 21:35 Bournemouth 12:00 17:35 Weymouth 13:00 16:40 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Royal Wessex

38

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£131

£78

£340

Standard

£86

£51

£223

Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd June 2013 These exciting steam train excursions take us from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon & Cornwall. The Royal Duchy was a train of yesteryear, and our trains follow the same route to Cornwall, one of two royal duchies in England.

The spectacular journey includes running beside the sea at Dawlish, a series of steep inclines known as the South Devon Banks, and crossing the famous Brunel Saltash Bridge into Cornwall.

Our train departs Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:30 and calls to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Our steam locomotive will then be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. We stop at Exeter St. David’s Station for our locomotive to take on water and this will provide an opportunity to take photos. On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary to the sea at Dawlish we continue along the sea wall to Teignmouth, one of Britain’s most famous stretches of railway line.

After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country. First there is the difficult climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, followed by a dramatic drop down to Totnes; then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. There will be around four hours free time to explore this historic maritime city which includes the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium, or to take a boat trip around Plymouth Sound. After leaving Plymouth, we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside before arriving at Liskeard where we stop for passengers who may wish to travel by branch line service train to the picturesque harbour town of Looe.

At Par there will be a break of more than three hours while our steam locomotive is turned and serviced.

For those who choose this option, a road coach will take passengers, at no extra charge, to visit either the picturesque seaside town of Fowey or the harbour village of Charlestown. The latter is a working port and home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre. We leave Par at around 17:45 and stop to pick up our passengers at the set down stations. We then steam back to Bristol, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip were all built for use on express passenger trains and come from the following pool: No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”, Castle class 4-6-0, built at Swindon in 1934 by the Great Western Railway (GWR).

No. 34067 “Tangmere” unrebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Brighton in 1947 by the SR. No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:30 22:30 Yatton 09:10 22:05 Taunton 09:50 21:20 Exeter 11:25 20:25 Plymouth 13:10 19:00 Liskeard 13:40 18:30 Par 14:05 17:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes English breakfast and a three course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£169

£129

£467

First

£122

£76

£320

Standard

£79

£49

£207

UK Day Trips - The Royal Duchy

39

The Cheshireman Thursday 6th June 2013 We are offering a unique tour by train to the historic city of Chester, featuring haulage by Britannia class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” between London Euston and Chester. We can expect some spirited running down the West Coast Main Line to Crewe. “The Cheshireman” recalls the days of over 50 years ago when named express trains were hauled by Britannia class steam locomotives.

Be sure to book early to join us on this historic occasion.

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

Our final stop for passengers is at Northampton Station.

We continue northwards and pass the Daventry Railfreight Terminal (DIRFT) before rejoining the WCML at Rugby, the birthplace of rugby football and the jet engine. We then follow the Trent Valley Line to Nuneaton and Lichfield, notable for its three-spired medieval cathedral. We continue northwards to the famous railway junction town of Crewe where we take the North Wales Coast line to Chester.

There will be over three hours to explore the Roman city of Chester, one of the most visited places in the UK. Chester lies on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, and is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. The city contains a number of medieval buildings and is famous for its 14th Century ‘Rows’, the first floor level galleried walkways connecting shops and cafes. Other places of interest include the Castle, the Cathedral, and the picturesque racecourse which is located between the city walls and the River Dee. Our special train leaves Chester around 17:00 and will be hauled by a diesel or an electric locomotive for the return journey to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Cheshireman

40

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£129

£78

£336

Standard

£79

£48

£206

Bob Green

The Easterling Sunday 9th June 2013 Join us on a journey by steam train that recreates the classic summer holiday express. The Easterling ran non-stop from London Liverpool Street to Beccles via the East Suffolk line. Here it divided into two portions, one that continued to Yarmouth South Town and the other to Lowestoft. This was a classic 1950’s holiday train that transported many thousands of Londoners to the popular Norfolk Broads and the famous East Anglia seaside resorts.

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

Our steam train will depart from London Liverpool Street at around 08:50 and stop at Colchester to pick up more passengers and for the locomotive to take on water. There should be some spirited running along the former Great Eastern Railway main line to Ipswich and on through Diss. We arrive at Norwich shortly after mid-day and stop here for around two and a half hours. Passengers will have time to visit this historic city which is famous for its cathedral and mustard!

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

Our return journey is along the 49 mile-long scenic East Suffolk line through Saxmundham and Woodbridge, famous for having the only working Tide Mill in the UK, dating from 1793. We join the main line from Norwich at Ipswich and then stop at Colchester to set down passengers and for our steam locomotive to take on water. We expect to have a fast run along the Great Eastern Railway’s main line through Chelmsford and Romford. We arrive back at London Liverpool Street Station at around 21:35.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Liverpool St. 08:50 21:35 Colchester 10:20 18:55 Norwich 12:15 14:45 Lowestoft 15:20 16:25 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£142

£540

First

£125

£75

£325

Standard

£84

£51

£219

UK Day Trips - The Easterling

41

Bob Green

The Swanage Belle Thursday 13th June 2013 A unique experience awaits those who join this steam train trip to Swanage, over the recently re-opened rail link from Wareham which is available only to specially chartered trains. Swanage is a superb seaside destination with the railway station situated right in the centre of town. The train will be hauled by two ex-Southern Railway ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 steam locomotives, No. 34046 “Braunton” on the outward journey and No. 34067 “Tangmere” on the return journey.

We leave London Victoria Station at around 08:45 hauled by our steam locomotive. We stop at Staines to pick up more passengers and then re-cross the river Thames. We rejoin the South Western Main Line at West Byfleet and stop at Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water.

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

There will be more than three hours for passengers to explore the pleasant seaside resort of Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck. It is located at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a sandy beach and Victorian pier.

Our train leaves Swanage, steam hauled, at around 17:15 for our return journey. There are stops at Basingstoke, Woking, and Staines, to set down passengers. The train is due to arrive in London Victoria soon after 22:00.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 08:45 22:05 Staines 09:35 21:10 Woking 10:10 20:35 Basingstoke 10:40 20:05 Swanage 13:30 17:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Swanage Belle

42

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£129

£79

£337

Standard

£88

£51

£227

Bob Green

The Devonian Saturday 15th June 2013 Join us on this marvellous excursion from Birmingham and the West Midlands to glorious Devon. It features two steam locomotives double heading the train from Bristol to Plymouth and back over the formidable gradients of the South Devon Banks. The ex-Great Western Railway duo of Castle class No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” and Hall class No. 4936 “Kinlet Hall” will recreate the former days when locomotives of this type regularly worked this route.

Our train leaves Birmingham International at around 06:00, diesel hauled, and calls to pick up passengers at Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Worcester Shrub Hill and Cheltenham Spa. At Stoke Gifford, near to Bristol Parkway, we exchange our modern diesel locomotive for steam locomotives “Nunney Castle” and “Kinlet Hall”. They will haul our train into Bristol Temple Meads, our final pick up point.

From there we can expect a fast run across the scenic Somerset Levels and through Taunton, before our steam locomotives are fully extended as we tackle the climb up to Whiteball Summit.

We stop at Exeter St. David’s Station for our locomotives to take on water and this will provide an opportunity to photograph our steam locomotives. On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary to the sea wall near Dawlish, and then travel along one of Britain’s most famous stretches of railway line.

It is a truly dramatic experience as the train races along through tunnels and rock cuttings right on the edge of the sea, all the way to Teignmouth. After Newton Abbot, our steam duo will demonstrate their real strength as they power up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country.

First there is the difficult climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, followed by a dramatic drop down to Totnes, then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth.

There will be around three hours free time to explore historic Plymouth. The pannier market is well worth a visit as it has more than a hundred stalls in a light, airy and cool market hall with an impressive shell shaped concrete roof. Francis Drake, the final sailing of the Mayflower, magnificent views from the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, all bear witness to Plymouth’s exciting maritime past.

Leaving Plymouth, our steam locomotives tackle the long, steep climbs up Hemerdon and Dainton Banks.

We stop at Exeter for the locomotives to take on water and then continue to Bristol Temple Meads.

We return diesel-hauled from there to Birmingham, calling at the same stations as on our outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Birmingham Int. 06:10 23:10 Birmingham New St. 06:30 22:55 Barnt Green 06:50 22:30 Worcester Shrub Hill 08:00 21:55 Cheltenham Spa 08:30 21:25 Bristol Temple Meads 09:20 19:50 Plymouth 13:00 16:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£129

£527

First

£129

£79

£337

Standard

£89

£55

£233

UK Day Trips - The Devonian

43

Bob Green

The Canterbury Belle Tuesday 18th June 2013 This special train provides an opportunity for a nostalgic trip back to the days of steam in Kent. The Canterbury Belle runs from Birmingham to Canterbury, a world famous historic cathedral city. The train will be hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” from Acton in West London to Canterbury and back. This locomotive was named after the Battle of Britain wartime RAF station near Chichester in West Sussex.

The Canterbury Belle leaves Birmingham New Street at around 07:00, diesel hauled, and calls to collect passengers at Birmingham International, Coventry, Rugby and Northampton. The train continues, diesel hauled, up the West Coast Main Line to the outskirts of London. Here steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere” will take over the train for the remainder of the journey to Canterbury. The route is via Kensington Olympia, Clapham Junction, and around the south London suburbs to Bromley South.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Birmingham New St. 07:00 21:15 Birmingham Int. 07:20 20:55 Coventry 07:30 20:40 Rugby 07:45 20:30 Northampton 08:00 20:10 Canterbury 12:10 15:30 There are three classes available:

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

There will be more than three hours in Canterbury where the cathedral has been a place of pilgrimage since the murder there of Thomas Becket in 1170. There are numerous other historical locations in the city including churches, an abbey, and castle ruins. Amongst the city’s museums is the Rupert Bear Museum, and ‘punt’ trips are available on the River Stour.

We leave Canterbury for the return journey taking a different route from Canterbury West Station across to Minster and down to Deal, before beginning the climb to Martin Mill. We then travel south-eastwards to Dover and follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. We continue through Ashford, Tonbridge, Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia back to Acton Lane where we say “good bye” to “Tangmere”. We return to Birmingham, diesel hauled, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. We arrive at Birmingham New Street at around 21:15.

Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Canterbury Belle

44

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£115

£69

£299

Standard

£69

£42

£180

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Thursday 20th June 2013 Recreating the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980’s when travelling over the Settle & Carlisle Railway was the icing on the cake in the main line ‘steam’ calendar. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via Shap to Carlisle and back to Preston via the Settle and Carlisle line. We return to London behind our blue electric locomotive.

We leave London Euston at around 07:10 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston. We continue north along the WCML to Carnforth where we change locomotives and either Royal Scot class No. 46115 “Scots Guardsman” or Jubilee class No. 45699 “Galatea” will take over our train.

On leaving Carnforth we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. There is always a chance that we will beat these gradients’ record times, so hang on to your hats! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around an hour and a half in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

We leave Carlisle and join the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water.

Our journey continues through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn to Preston, where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. Our blue class 86 electric locomotive takes over the train for a fast run to London.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:10 Watford Junction 07:30 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 Northampton* 07:40 21:15 Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 Preston 10:30 18:20 Carlisle 12:40 14:30 *Northampton passengers travel to and from Rugby by service train.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability) Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£149

£547

First

£135

£82

£352

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

45

Bob Green

The White Rose Saturday 22nd June 2013 This is one of the Railway Touring Company’s favourite trips as it offers a comfortable yet speedy run along the East Coast Main Line from London to York, where there will be ample time to explore the historic city. Our train will be hauled throughout the trip by the impressive Gresley-designed A4 class steam locomotive No. 60009 “Union of South Africa”, one of a class of 35 built in the 1930’s that operated out of King’s Cross until 1963.

We leave King’s Cross at around 08:20 and follow the route of famous old trains like the Flying Scotsman. Our steam locomotive “Union of South Africa” will run with two tenders which will provide an increased supply of water and reduce the number of water stops, thus speeding up the journey considerably. We storm up the gradient through Finsbury Park and northwards, calling at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough to pick up more passengers.

Our steam locomotive tackles the 15 mile climb up the famous Stoke Bank where “Mallard” achieved a record 126mph travelling in the opposite direction. Once over the summit we should have a good, fast run down the 20 mile descent to the Trent Valley and on through Grantham, Newark and Retford.

We steam through Doncaster, where “Union of South Africa” was built, and continue to our stop in York.

We stay in York for almost four hours, providing good time to visit the wealth of attractions.

Take in a boat trip down the River Ouse; walk round the ancient city walls; or visit York Minster, climbing the tower for magnificent views over the city. Shop for souvenirs in the Shambles, one of the oldest shopping streets in York, or immerse yourself in local history at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Many will wish to visit the National Railway Museum and marvel at the wonders of our railway heritage.

Our train leaves York at around 17:10, retracing the route along the East Coast Main Line. It stops to set down passengers at the same stations as on the northbound journey, arriving at King’s Cross at around 20:45. “Union of South Africa” will make a fine sight at the buffer stops at King’s Cross, recalling the glorious days of steam in the 1950’s.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London King’s Cross 08:20 20:45 Potters Bar 08:45 20:20 Stevenage 09:05 19:55 Peterborough 10:30 19:05 York 13:10 17:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The White Rose

46

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£132

£530

First

£134

£68

£336

Standard

£85

£49

£219

Bob Green

The Bath and Bristol Saturday 29th June 2013 It has been more than 400 years since Bath was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth I and today this beautiful West Country destination continues to offer a unique combination of history, architecture and more contemporary attractions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The route then follows the beautiful Avon Valley to Bathampton Junction, where the Great Western Railway’s main line from London Paddington via Swindon converges from the right. It is then only a short distance to Bath and the well-kept Bath Spa Station, close to the city centre.

The afternoon is free to explore the Georgian city and discover sights such as the famous Roman Baths, the beautiful Abbey, and Royal Crescent, or to visit Sally Lunn’s House and Museum for refreshments which include the famous buns.

Approximate Timings

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

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

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

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£129

£75

£333

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Bath and Bristol

47

Bob Green

The Weymouth Seaside Express Sunday 30th June, all in July and August and 1st September 2013 A trip down memory lane awaits those who join this special train which recreates the days of seaside excursions run by British Railways in the 1950’s. The train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that will evoke the past and complete this nostalgic experience. Our destination is the attractive seaside town of Weymouth – a traditional English seaside resort that has managed to preserve much of its charm. This is a lovely outing for a summer day.

Our special train leaves Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:50, hauled by our steam locomotive, and heads eastwards. We stop to pick up passengers at Keynsham and Bath. We take the route up the picturesque Avon Valley, travelling southwards to Trowbridge and Westbury, where we make stops to pick up more passengers.

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

There will be around five hours in Weymouth to soak up the atmosphere, and hopefully the sun, at this much loved south coast seaside resort.

We leave Weymouth at around 18:10 for our return journey and head north up the steep Bincombe Bank (1 in 50) to Dorchester. Later we climb up to Evershot Summit from the south side before the descent to Yeovil Pen Mill. We stop at Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath and Keynsham to set down passengers.

Finally we arrive at Bristol Temple Meads where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive.

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

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

UK Day Trips - The Weymouth Seaside Express

48

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:50 21:20 Keynsham 09:00 21:10 Bath 09:15 20:55 Trowbridge 09:40 20:35 Westbury 10:10 20:20 Frome 11:05 20:00 Weymouth 13:05 18:10 There are two classes available: First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches. As there is no kitchen car on this service, disposable plates and cups will be used.

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

First

£96

£58

£250

Standard

£65

£38

£168

Bob Green

The Devonian Thursday 4th July 2013 Join us on this superb trip by steam train, travelling from the South Coast to the historic city of Exeter. We shall take a circular route from Salisbury through some of the finest scenery to be found in Wiltshire and Somerset.

Our train will be hauled by West Country class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34046 “Braunton”, a type regularly used on the routes that we follow, in the ‘days of steam’.

We leave Poole at around 08:30 and stop for more passengers at Bournemouth, Christchurch, Brockenhurst, Southampton and Eastleigh. We head north to Salisbury, our final pick-up point for passengers and where our steam locomotive takes on water.

Our route from Salisbury follows the West of England main line of the former London & South Western Railway through Yeovil Junction, Crewkerne, Axminster and Honiton. The line, which is largely single track, passes through the undulating countryside of Somerset and Devon.

It includes a six mile climb at 1 in 80 to the summit of the line at Honiton tunnel. Our train stops at Exeter Central Station, where passengers can alight for the city centre, before dropping steeply down a 1 in 37 to Exeter St. David’s Station.

Exeter has been described as the ‘capital of the South West’ and there will be almost three hours to explore the city and discover Princesshay, the High Street, and indoor shopping areas. City landmarks include the ancient city walls, cathedral, guildhall, and the Custom House in the attractive Quay area.

The return journey begins at Exeter St. David’s Station from where our train departs at around 16:00.

We head north along the West of England main line of the former Great Western Railway through Tiverton Parkway. Our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb to Whiteball summit; then speed down Wellington Bank where “City of Truro” became the first steam locomotive to exceed 100 miles per hour. After Taunton we cross the Somerset Levels and head for Bristol.

We pause at Bristol Temple Meads Station for crew purposes and then continue through Bath Spa and Westbury. We climb to Warminster and cross Salisbury Plain before arriving at Salisbury, where our steam locomotive takes on water. We continue to Poole, stopping to set down passengers at the same stations as on the outward journey.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Poole 08:30 21:55 Bournemouth 08:45 21:40 Christchurch 09:00 21:20 Brockenhurst 09:30 21:05 Southampton 09:50 20:40 Eastleigh 10:00 20:30 Salisbury 10:50 19:45 Exeter Central 12:35 ------Exeter St David’s 12:45 16:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£129

£527

First

£126

£75

£327

Standard

£89

£55

£233

UK Day Trips - The Devonian

49

Bob Green

The Yorkshireman Saturday 6th July 2013 This day trip by train provides an opportunity for those in the London area, the Home Counties and the East Midlands, to visit the historic city of York. The train takes an interesting route which includes the Midland Main Line but also unusual lines rarely used by passenger trains. The train will be hauled by an express steam locomotive for the journey to York. This reminder of the great days of steam train travel is an experience not to be missed.

Our train leaves London Victoria Railway Station at around 06:35 hauled by Britannia Class ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We travel around West London through Kensington Olympia and Neasden to Dudding Hill Junction where we take the Brent curve to join the Midland Main Line (MML) at Cricklewood.

We head north and stop at St. Albans, Luton, Bedford and Kettering, to pick up further passengers.

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

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

York is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year. It has a huge variety of attractions including the world famous National Railway Museum, the Minster, the Shambles, the Castle and its museum, and the Viking Jorvik Centre. Open top buses leave from the station forecourt on tours around the city.

Our train leaves York at around 17:10 and returns to London Victoria diesel hauled. We shall stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 06:35 22:45 St. Albans 08:05 21:30 Luton 08:20 21:20 Bedford 08:45 21:00 Kettering 09:35 20:30 Melton Mowbray 10:45 19:50 York 13:45 17:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Yorkshireman

50

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£141

£539

First

£129

£72

£330

Standard

£82

£48

£212

Derek Phillips

The End of Southern Steam Tuesday 9th July 2013 This classic day trip by steam train recreates the “end of Southern Steam”.

On the 9th July 1967 steam locomotives finished working on the Southern Region of British Railways, some thought ‘never to return’. How wrong they were and today we can still travel by steam train hauled by ex-Southern Railways steam locomotives over ex-Southern Railway routes. Join us for this unforgettable anniversary trip of nostalgia hauled by two ex-SR steam locomotives.

We leave London Waterloo at around 10:30 hauled by steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”, an ex-Southern Railway type that survived in service to ‘the end of southern steam’. We take the fast route through Wimbledon, Surbiton, and Weybridge, and then stop at Woking and Basingstoke to pick up more passengers. At Worting Junction we leave the Bournemouth line and take the West of England Main Line to Salisbury, our final stop to pick up passengers.

We continue west from Salisbury passing Wilton Junction and through Templecombe and Sherborne.

We stop at Yeovil Junction for our steam locomotive to take on water. The route becomes single track as we continue through Crewkerne and Axminster and then climb the famous Honiton Bank. We arrive at Exeter Central shortly before 15:00 and there will be almost two hours to explore this fine city.

Central Station is conveniently located close to the city centre.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Waterloo 10:30 21:30 Woking 11:05 20:55 Basingstoke 11:40 20:30 Salisbury 12:50 19:30 Exeter 14:50 17:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

The historic city of Exeter is the county town of Devon and retains part of the original Roman walls.

The gothic Cathedral is the city’s top attraction and the Cathedral Green opposite is a favourite meeting and picnic place. The historic quayside includes the 17th Century Custom House. The city centre has three significant shopping areas that connect to the High Street.

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

We leave Exeter Central Station for the return journey hauled by ex-Southern Railway steam locomotive No. 30777 “Sir Lamiel”. We travel along the West of England Main Line via Honiton, Crewkerne and Templecombe to Salisbury, where we stop to set down passengers. We also stop at Basingstoke and Woking, to set down passengers, before arrival at London Waterloo at around 21:30.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

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

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£199

£150

£548

First

£129

£76

£334

Standard

£89

£51

£229

UK Day Trips - The End of Southern Steam

51

Bob Green

The Canterbury Belle Thursday 11th July 2013 This is a nostalgic trip harking back to the days of steam in Kent when many trains were hauled by Bulleid Pacific’s. The Canterbury Belle will be hauled by Battle of Britain class ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive No. 34067 “Tangmere”.

This locomotive was named after the wartime RAF station near Chichester in West Sussex, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain. Relive the golden age of steam, and also visit the world famous city of Canterbury.

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

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

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

After almost three hours in the city, we leave Canterbury for the return journey. Our route takes us from Canterbury West Station across to Minster and down to Deal, before beginning the climb to Martin Mill.

We travel south-eastwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. Our route then turns inland to Ashford where we join our outward route for the rest of the return journey. Our train stops at Redhill and East Croydon to set down passengers and arrives at London Victoria at 17:40.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 10:00 17:40 East Croydon 10:25 17:10 Redhill 10:42 16:50 Canterbury West 12:10 15:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz, full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

UK Day Trips - The Canterbury Belle

52

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£169

£135

£473

First

£105

£69

£279

Standard

£59

£42

£160

Bob Green

The Coast to Coast Express Saturday 13th July 2013 The “Coast to Coast Express” steam hauled train will run from Liverpool to Scarborough, linking the Irish Sea with the North Sea. Passengers will have the option of spending time in the historic city of York or continuing to the East Coast seaside resort of Scarborough. We expect the train to be hauled by two steam locomotives ex-LMSR 4-6-0 ‘Black 5’ No. 45305 and Britannia class ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

At around 07:50 the “Coast to Coast Express” will steam out of Liverpool Lime Street Station hauled by ‘Black 5’ No. 45305. The train will stop at St. Helens Central and Wigan North Western to pick up more passengers. There will be another stop for passengers at Preston where steam locomotives will be changed; No. 45305 will give way to No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”. We head east to Blackburn where we stop for further passengers, then continue to Rose Grove before commencing the climb to Copy Pit Summit (749ft). We join the Calder Valley route at Hall Royd Junction and continue through Sowerby Bridge, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate and Castleford to our first set down station at York.

York is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year, with a huge variety of places to see, such as the Minster, The Shambles, the Jorvik Centre and the superb National Railway Museum. Open-topped buses leave from York Railway Station for tours around the city.

Our train leaves York, steam hauled by “Oliver Cromwell” and takes the Scarborough line, immediately crossing the River Ouse from where there are views of the Minster. We should have a fast run along the Vale of York before slowing for the curves to follow the river past Kirkham Abbey. Soon we shall pass through the market town of Malton, then Seamer, before arriving at Scarborough. There will be over four hours in the ‘most popular seaside resort in Yorkshire’ and perhaps the whole East Coast. Scarborough has everything you would expect from an established seaside resort, with two stunning bays, the North Bay and South Bay. We leave Scarborough shortly before 17:00 for the return journey to Liverpool. “Oliver Cromwell” will haul our train to Preston via York and Blackburn, our first stop to set down passengers. No. 45305 will take our train from Preston to Liverpool, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 07:50 20:30 St. Helens Central 08:10 20:00 Wigan North Western 08:35 19:40 Preston 09:20 19:20 Blackburn 09:35 18:50 York 11:20 17:00 Scarborough 12:20 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£135

£513

First

£110

£60

£280

Standard

£74

£40

£188

UK Day Trips - The Coast to Coast Express

53

Bob Green

The West Somerset Steam Express Saturday 13th July, 24th August and 7th September 2013 This is a completely new route for a series of special steam trains from the West Midlands to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway, the country’s longest heritage railway. The train will be hauled from Kidderminster to the WSR and return by an express steam locomotive from a pool of three. Different steam locomotives, based on the WSR, will haul our trains from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. Not to be missed!

Our train leaves Kidderminster at around 10:00 and heads south stopping at Droitwich Spa and Worcester Shrub Hill for more passengers. After Worcester we join the Birmingham to Bristol main line, calling at Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Temple Meads to collect further passengers. We can expect some fast running across the Somerset Levels to Taunton.

Soon after leaving Taunton we arrive at Norton Fitzwarren where we transfer to the West Somerset Railway (WSR), the longest Heritage Railway in the country. We continue to Bishops Lydeard where a WSR steam locomotive will take over our train for the remainder of the journey to Minehead.

The WSR runs along the edge of the Quantock Hills between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet where it meets the coast. The line then turns inland to Washford and returns to the coast at Blue Anchor, Dunster, with its magnificent castle, and Minehead.

There will be more than two hours to explore Minehead, a delightful Bristol Channel seaside resort where the railway station is close to the beach.

A WSR steam locomotive will haul our train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard where our main line steam locomotive will take over for the return journey to Kidderminster. The train will stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

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

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

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Kidderminster 10:00 21:15 Droitwich Spa 10:15 20:55 Worcester 10:30 20:40 Cheltenham Spa 11:30 20:00 Bristol Temple Meads 12:20 19:25 Bishops Lydeard 13:15 18:15 Minehead 14:30 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability) From Kidderminster, Droitwich Spa, Worcester and Cheltenham

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£129

£487

First

£118

£77

£313

Standard

£78

£55

£211

From Bristol Temple Meads

UK Day Trips - The West Somerset Steam Express

54

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Standard

£59

£33

£151

Bob Green

The Waverley Every Sunday from 21st July to 1st September 2013 This summer series of steam hauled trains provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle–Carlisle Line, probably the most famous railway route in Britain.

There is also the option of visiting the Cumbrian market town of Appleby or the border city of Carlisle. We have three steam locomotives available for these trains, types that were regularly seen on this route in the ‘days of steam’.

Our train will set out from York at 09:15 and immediately reach high speeds along the long, flat, straight stretch of line to Church Fenton. Here we take the route to Leeds, where we stop to pick up passengers.

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

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

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

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

Passengers who choose to continue to Carlisle will enjoy a swift downhill run through the Eden Valley and arrive in the ‘Border City’ at around 14:00. There will be over one and a half hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city. On departure we climb almost continually for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill, tackling gradients as steep as 1 in 100. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our locomotive to take on water and to pick up the passengers who spent the afternoon there. From Ais Gill our locomotive can ‘take a breather’ as it rushes back down the hill. We stop again for our locomotive to take on water before continuing on our return journey to York, where we arrive at around 20:30.

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

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

No. 45699 “Galatea” Jubilee class 4-6-0, built at Crewe in 1936 by the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR), for use on express passenger trains.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return York 09:15 20:30 Leeds 09:50 19:45 Shipley 10:10 19:25 Keighley 10:25 19:10 Skipton 10:45 18:55 Appleby 12:50 16:55 Carlisle 14:00 15:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£139

£497

First

£115

£69

£299

Standard

£69

£45

£183

UK Day Trips - The Waverley

55

Bob Green

The Welsh Mountaineer Tuesday 30th July, 20th August and 3rd September 2013 These special steam trains travel from Preston to Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the heart of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park. The trains will be hauled by a powerful steam locomotive typical of the type seen along the route in the ‘days of steam’. The route is via Chester and along the scenic North Wales Coast Line to Llandudno Junction then up the beautiful Conwy Valley to the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog. A most memorable journey!

Our steam train leaves Preston at 07:40 and heads up the West Coast Main Line to Warrington Bank Quay where we stop to pick up more passengers. We continue to Frodsham where further passengers may join the train and our steam locomotive takes on water. Chester is our final pick up point for passengers and as we leave, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales.

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

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

Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station is the terminus of the Conwy Valley Line and also the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway. We stay for almost three hours in Blaenau Ffestiniog, a town known as the Victorian slate capital of the world. The industry declined so that only the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, a former slate mine, remain and as a tourist attraction open to visitors.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Preston 07:40 21:10 Warrington 08:30 20:25 Frodsham 09:10 19:30 Chester 10:05 19:10 Llandudno Junction 11:55 17:30 Blaenau Ffestiniog 13:15 16:00 There are two classes available: First Class includes morning coffee with a Danish pastry and afternoon tea with scones, jam and cream, along with a selection of finger sandwiches.

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

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

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

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

No. 61994 “The Great Marquess”, K4 class 2-6-0, built at Darlington Works in 1937 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains on the West Highland line in Scotland.

UK Day Trips - The Welsh Mountaineer

56

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

First

£125

£72

£322

Standard

£85

£50

£220

Bob Green

The Dorset Coast Express Wednesday 24th, 31st July, all in August, 4th and 11th September 2013 We are offering a number of lovely summer day trips from London to Weymouth and back by steam train, providing plenty of opportunity to visit the beautiful Dorset coast. Each train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that was built for express passenger train work. An added attraction, on leaving Weymouth, will be the steam locomotive at the rear of the train to ‘bank’ it on the steep climb of Upwey Bank as far as Dorchester South.

Our train leaves London Victoria Station at around 08:45 and travels westwards, crossing the Thames at Barnes Bridge, through Kew and Feltham. We stop at Staines and Woking to pick up further passengers.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return London Victoria 08:45 20:50 # Staines 09:35 -------* Woking 10:05 20:10 Basingstoke 10:55 19:30 Bournemouth 12:50 17:45 Weymouth 13:45 16:35 # Returns

We stop at Bournemouth to set down those passengers wishing to visit this coastal resort.

After leaving Bournemouth look out for spectacular views of Poole Harbour. We continue to Wareham and Dorchester travelling through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery.

We arrive at Weymouth at around 13:45 and have over three hours there to discover much of what this seaside town has to offer. The railway station is close to the beach and shops.

We return from Weymouth at around 16:35 and our train will be hauled by one steam locomotive and ‘banked’ at the rear by another. We climb Upwey Bank which is a very steep climb and our steam locomotives will be working flat out. We stop at Dorchester South to detach our ‘banker’.

We stop at Bournemouth to collect passengers who left the train there on the outward journey. Our next stop is at Basingstoke, where we set down passengers and our steam locomotive takes on water.

We expect a fast run along the main line from Basingstoke to Woking, where we stop to set down passengers, and on to our final destination at London Waterloo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£134

£492

First

£115

£71

£301

Standard

£72

£42

£186

UK Day Trips - The Dorset Coast Express

57

Bob Green

The Scarborough Flyer Every Friday from 26th July to 13th September 2013 The “Scarborough Flyer” is a summer series of steam trains running on Fridays from the end of July until mid September. The trains originate at Crewe and pick up passengers at stations on a scenic route through Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. There is a choice of destination, either York or Scarborough. The trains will be hauled by an express passenger steam locomotive evoking memories of the 1950’s and a former train named the “Scarborough Flyer”.

The “Scarborough Flyer” leaves Crewe at around 06:55 and stops to pick up further passengers at Wilmslow, Stockport and Huddersfield. The route is then via the Calder Valley into the Pennines and passing through Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge before dropping down to Brighouse, where there is another stop to pick up passengers. The train follows the route of the old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to Wakefield Kirkgate, the last stop for passengers.

Our train continues to York where those passengers who choose this destination will have almost six hours to explore the city which has a rich heritage and a wealth of historic attractions.

The unquestioned appeal of the city includes such sights as the Minster, The Shambles, the Jorvik Viking Centre, the medieval city walls, Castle Museum and, of course, the superb National Railway Museum.

On leaving York, we take the Scarborough line and immediately cross the River Ouse, with lovely views of the Minster. We should have a fast run through the Vale of York before slowing for the curves that follow the River Derwent past Kirkham Abbey. We continue through Malton and Seamer to our final destination at Scarborough, the most popular seaside resort in Yorkshire and perhaps the whole of the East Coast.

It has everything you would expect from an established seaside resort, with two stunning sandy bays and a host of things to do and see. Our train leaves Scarborough for the return journey at 16:55 and retraces the route to York. Departure from York is at 18:00 and our train stops at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

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

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

Fares from Huddersfield and Wakefield

Fares from York

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£155

£121

£431

First

£84

£50

£218

First

£69

£40

£178

First

£95

£59

£249

Standard

£51

£31

£133

Standard

£39

£24

£102

Standard

£66

£41

£173

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Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 06:55 22:45 Wilmslow 07:25 22:10 Stockport 07:45 22:00 Huddersfield 09:00 20:00 Wakefield Kirkgate 10:20 19:30 York 12:00 18:00 Scarborough 13:05 16:55

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 27th July and 17th August 2013 This is a wonderful opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Lancashire to travel with us by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes.

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

Our train is diesel hauled from Crewe to Liverpool via Runcorn, where we stop to pick up further passengers. We leave Liverpool Lime Street just after 07:00 and stop to pick up passengers at Broad Green and St. Helens Central. We then join the West Coast Main Line before stopping for more passengers at Wigan, and Blackburn, where Preston passengers join the train.

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

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

The line crosses over bridges and passes through tunnels before reaching the highest railway station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and descend to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We pass through the Eden Valley and arrive in the Border City of Carlisle at around 12:50. There will be more than three hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

Our steam locomotive will return our train to Liverpool via the steeply graded route over Shap summit on the West Coast Main Line. We stop to set down passengers at Preston, Wigan, St. Helens, Broad Green and Liverpool Lime Street where we arrive around 20:25. Our train continues to Runcorn and Crewe diesel hauled.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

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

No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” A4 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Doncaster in 1937 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), for use on express passenger trains.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 05:50 21:45 Runcorn 06:25 21:05 Liverpool Lime Street 07:05 20:25 Broad Green 07:15 20:10 St. Helens Central 07:40 19:55 Wigan North Western 08:00 19:40 Preston -------* 19:10 Blackburn 09:05 ------Carlisle 12:55 16:10 *Passengers for Preston change trains at Blackburn.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£135

£513

First

£125

£79

£329

Standard

£79

£48

£206

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

59

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 28th July and 18th August 2013 The North Wales Coast Express is a special train that runs from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead on two summer Sundays. It provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line.

Passengers have a choice of three destinations: the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead.

Our train leaves Liverpool Lime Street Station at around 10:00, hauled by a magnificent steam locomotive, and makes a highly atmospheric departure as it climbs up through the deep cutting to Edge Hill.

We stop to pick up more passengers at Broad Green Station, where there is a large car park, Warrington Bank Quay, Frodsham and Chester.

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

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

We stop at Bangor Station to set down those passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city. Our train crosses the Britannia Bridge, over the Menai Strait, into Anglesey, and steams on to Holyhead.

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

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

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

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

No. 60009 “Union of South Africa” A4 class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Doncaster in 1937 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), for use on express passenger trains.

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

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Approximate Timings

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£176

£131

£483

First

£106

£60

£272

Standard

£69

£41

£179

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 4th August, 1st and 8th September 2013 This year we have introduced a new route for these day trips with a train starting from Crewe and travelling via Manchester to Chester. This provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from the Manchester area to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line. Passengers have a choice of visiting the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead.

Our train leaves Crewe at around 09:00 diesel hauled and stops to pick up further passengers at Wilmslow and Manchester Piccadilly. Here our steam locomotive will take over and haul our train through Stockport, Altringham and Northwich to Chester.

On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales.

We steam along beside the Dee Estuary with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay, along the delightful Irish Sea coastline which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction where passengers wishing to spend time at the seaside resort of Llandudno change trains and join a service train for the short onward journey to Llandudno.

We continue along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the unusual Conway railway bridge over the Conway Estuary. The railway line is very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey. We stop at Bangor Station to set down passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city. Our train crosses the Britannia Bridge, over the Menai Strait, into Anglesey, and steams on to Holyhead.

Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled for the return journey, at around 17:00. It stops at Bangor, Llandudno Junction (for Llandudno), to pick up passengers who opted for these destinations.

It continues to Chester, Manchester Piccadilly where we will be diesel hauled to Crewe stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

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

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 09:35 21:50 Wilmslow 10:05 21:20 Stockport 10:40 22:40 Manchester Piccadilly 10:30 21:05 Altringham 11:20 20:10 Chester 12:00 19:40 Llandudno Town* 14:00 18:00 Llandudno Junction 13:15 18:45 Bangor 13:40 17:45 Holyhead 14:20 17:00 *Service train connection from/to Llandudno Junction.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability) Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£179

£135

£493

First

£106

£64

£276

Standard

£69

£41

£179

UK Day Trips - The North Wales Coast Express

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Bob Green

The 15 Guinea Special Sunday 11th August 2013 Recreate British Railway’s final steam train of forty-five years ago on the 11th August 1968. Tickets for that train cost 15 guineas in pre-decimal currency (now £15.75) and 1T57 was its reporting number, by which signalmen and other railway staff identified the train. The anniversary train will be hauled by four different steam locomotives including two that were actually used 45 years ago. Book early to avoid disappointment.

We leave Liverpool Lime Street at 09.10 hauled by former LMS ‘Black 5’ steam locomotive No. 45305 (No. 45305 was allocated to the original train but failed the night before and was replaced by No. 45110). We climb through Russell Street, Mount Pleasant and Edge Hill tunnels up to Edge Hill.

Here we are diverted due to engineering work to the CLC Route and head south-east to Hunts Cross West Junction.

We continue eastwards through Widnes, Warrington Central, and Trafford Park to Longsight. Here No. 45305 leaves our train and is replaced by Britannia class ‘Pacific’ No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”.

We call almost immediately at Manchester Piccadilly to collect further passengers. We continue north through Bolton and commence our climb to Sough Tunnel. We then drop down to Blackburn and pass through Clitheroe en route to Hellifield, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water.

We join the Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction and begin one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive which we shall see and hear working very hard! We cross the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. The line crosses over bridges and passes through tunnels before reaching the highest railway station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and descend to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We pass through the Eden Valley and arrive in the Border City of Carlisle shortly before 15:00.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 09:10 19:50 Manchester Piccadilly 11:06 ------Manchester Victoria ------- 18:48 Carlisle 14:56 15:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

We leave Carlisle hauled by two ‘Black 5’ steam locomotives, No. 44871 and No. 44932 (disguised as No. 44781). We return via the Settle & Carlisle Railway and our outward route to Manchester Piccadilly.

At Manchester Victoria No. 44871 and No. 44781 leave our train and are replaced by No. 45305 for the journey back to Liverpool. We take our outward route DLC lines through Warrington Central to Edge Hill and the magnificent Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Fares

UK Day Trips - The 15 Guinea Special

62

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£170

£688

First

£169

£90

£428

Standard

£109

£50

£268

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 31st August, 7th and 14th September 2013 A wonderful opportunity for those from the Crewe and Manchester areas to travel with us by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes.

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

Our steam train leaves Crewe at around 06:00 and calls at Wilmslow, Stockport and Manchester Victoria, to pick up passengers. It then takes the route over Chat Moss to join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) at Golborne Junction before stopping at Bolton, and Blackburn, where passengers from Preston join the train.

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

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

The line crosses over bridges and passes through tunnels before reaching the highest railway station in England at Dent. There are magnificent views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it! We travel above the valley at Mallerstang and descend to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We pass through the Eden Valley and arrive in the Border City of Carlisle shortly before 13:00. There will be more than three hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient city.

Our steam locomotive will return our train to Crewe via the steeply graded route over Shap summit on the West Coast Main Line. We set down at Preston, Bolton, Manchester Victoria, Stockport, Wilmslow and Crewe.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip come from the following pool: No. 45305 Black ‘5’ 4-6-0, built for the LMSR by Armstrong-Whitworth of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1936, a ‘mixed traffic’ locomotive for use on passenger and freight trains.

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

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

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Crewe 06:05 22:10 Wilmslow 06:35 21:40 Stockport 06:50 21:25 Manchester Victoria 07:50 20:15 Bolton 08:10 19:50 Blackburn 09:30 ------Preston* ------- 19:15 Carlisle 12:55 16:10 *Passengers from Preston travel by service train to Blackburn to join the train.

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

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£138

£516

First

£125

£70

£320

Standard

£83

£48

£214

UK Day Trips - The Cumbrian Mountain Express

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Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Sunday 8th and 29th September 2013 These exciting steam train excursions take us from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon & Cornwall. The Royal Duchy was a train of yesteryear, and our trains follow the same route to Cornwall, one of two royal duchies in England.

The spectacular journey includes running beside the sea at Dawlish, a series of steep inclines known as the South Devon Banks, and crossing the famous Brunel Saltash Bridge into Cornwall.

Our train departs Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:30 and calls to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Our steam locomotive will then be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. We stop at Exeter St. David’s Station for our locomotive to take on water and this will provide an opportunity to take photos. On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary to the sea at Dawlish we continue along the sea wall to Teignmouth, one of Britain’s most famous stretches of railway line.

After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country. First there is the difficult climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, followed by a dramatic drop down to Totnes; then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. There will be around four hours free time to explore this historic maritime city which includes the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium, or to take a boat trip around Plymouth Sound. After leaving Plymouth, we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside before arriving at Liskeard where we stop for passengers who may wish to travel by branch line service train to the picturesque harbour town of Looe.

At Par there will be a break of more than three hours while our steam locomotive is turned and serviced.

For those who choose this option, a road coach will take passengers, at no extra charge, to visit either the picturesque seaside town of Fowey or the harbour village of Charlestown. The latter is a working port and home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre. We leave Par at around 17:45 and stop to pick up our passengers at the set down stations. We then steam back to Bristol, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

The steam locomotives to be used on this day trip were all built for use on express passenger trains and come from the following pool: No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”, Castle class 4-6-0, built at Swindon in 1934 by the Great Western Railway (GWR).

No. 34067 “Tangmere” unrebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Brighton in 1947 by the SR. No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2, built at Crewe in 1951 to British Railways ‘standard’ design, and used on express passenger trains in East Anglia.

UK Day Trips - The Royal Duchy

64

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:30 22:30 Yatton 09:10 22:05 Taunton 09:50 21:20 Exeter 11:25 20:25 Plymouth 13:10 19:00 Liskeard 13:40 18:30 Par 14:05 17:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a three course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£169

£129

£467

First

£122

£76

£320

Standard

£79

£49

£207

Bob Green

The Pembroke Coast Express Sunday 15th September 2013 This is a rare opportunity to travel by steam train over the scenic branch line from Whitland through Tenby to Pembroke Dock. The “Pembroke Coast Express” recalls the 1950’s days of named steam trains on the former Western Region of British Railways. The train ran from London Paddington through South Wales to the Pembroke Coast. We recreate this train hauled by ex-Great Western Railway Castle class steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”.

The “Pembroke Coast Express” leaves Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:15 hauled by Castle class steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle”. It heads west through the Severn Tunnel calling to pick up further passengers at Newport and Cardiff before continuing into West Wales. We pass through Bridgend and Port Talbot and at Briton Ferry, we take the Swansea District Line to Llangennech. From Llanelli we run by the sea wall most of the way to Carmarthen where our steam locomotive will be serviced. There will be around one hour to visit the oldest town in Wales which is linked to the railway station on the other side of the River Towy by a cable stay bridge.

Our train will be diesel-hauled when we leave Carmarthen for Whitland, where we join the scenic branch line to Pembroke Dock. We pass through Kilgetty and Saundersfoot before stopping at Tenby to set down passengers who may wish to spend time at this attractive seaside resort. There will be almost two and a half hours to visit the walled town which is famous for its sandy beaches and its nearby offshore monastic Caldey Island. Our train continues through Penally, with fine views over the Irish Sea, to Pembroke Dock.

We leave Pembroke Dock hauled by our steam locomotive No. 5029 “Nunney Castle” and return to Tenby to pick up passengers who left the train there. We continue to Whitland where we join the main line from Fishguard Harbour. We avoid the terminus station at Carmarthen by taking the south curve. We pass through Kidwelly and Llanelli before the steep ascent of Cockett Bank – a 1 in 50 gradient. Our train avoids the terminus station at Swansea High Street and passes through Neath to join the main line at Briton Ferry. There should be some fast running en route to Cardiff, our first set down stop. We stop at Newport to set down further passengers before continuing through the Severn Tunnel and onwards to Bristol, our journey’s end.

Approximate Timings

Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:15 20:56 Newport 09:00 20:09 Cardiff 09:21 19:50 Carmarthen (A) 11:57 ------Carmarthen (D) 13:15 ------Tenby 13:57 16:30 Pembroke Dock 14:26 14:48 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat.

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

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

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £20 per person. (subject to availability)

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£189

£129

£507

First

£125

£67

£317

Standard

£89

£45

£223

UK Day Trips - The Pembroke Coast Express

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THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net 66

Day Trips Booking Form Name of Day Trip:..............................................................................................................Date:...................................................................

Joining Station:.............................................................................................................................................................................................

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Total Price

Premier Dining Adult

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£

Premier Dining Junior

£

£

Premier Dining Family

£

£

First Class Adult

£

£

First Class Junior

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£

First Class Family

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Table for two supplement*

£20

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Standard Class Adult

£

£

Standard Class Junior

£

£

Standard Class Family

£

£

*Table for two supplement is available in Premier Dining and First Class. (subject to availability)

Total Price: £

I enclose a cheque for the full balance. (made payable to THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY) Please charge my Visa credit card/Mastercard for the full balance. (payments by credit card are subject to a 2.1% charge) Please charge my Visa debit card/Maestro/Electron card for the full balance.

Card Number:...............................................................................................................................................................................................

Start Date:........................................................Expiry Date:........................................................Issue Number(Maestro):..........................

Please sign and date to confirm that you have read and accepted the terms and conditions as stated on the inside cover of this brochure and on our website.

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

Online booking available at www.railwaytouring.net

THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661500 • Fax: 01553 661800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net 67

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

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