Winter Day Trips - 2022 - The Railway Touring Company

WINTER DAY TRIPS

with the railway touring company

Welcome

Dear Customer,

I am sure that you, like us all here at Railway Touring Company, are looking forward to Christmas and as we head now into Autumn and the festive season draws closer, I wanted to let you know what we have planned.

Why not join us for a little of what you enjoy whether it’s Christmas shopping for presents or you’re just looking for a bit of festive cheer we have many trips available with departures around the UK. You can travel in premier dining and enjoy the luxury of being served at your seat, first class with morning and afternoon refreshments served or in the standard class where you can bring a picnic hamper along or grab a cup of tea from the buffet car. However you decide to travel with us you will be able to sit back and relax, take in the views and embrace the atmosphere on board.

From all of us here at The Railway Touring Company we thank you for your continued support and look forward to hearing from you and to welcoming you on board.

Kelly Osborne

Managing Director.

The Railway Touring Company.

Bob Green

UK Steam Rail Day Trips Winter 2022

Winter Day Trips

The Blackpool Illuminations

The Kentish Belle Armistice Day

The Christmas Cheshireman

The Cardiff Christmas Express

The Christmas Sussex Belle

The York Yuletide Express

The Worcester Christmas Fayre

The Lindum Fayre

The York Yuletide Express

The Sherborne Christmas Carol

The Bath and Bristol Christmas Market

The Edinburgh Christmas Market

The Worcester Christmas Express

The York Yuletide Express

The Edinburgh Christmas Market

Meet the Team

Brochures

Terms and Conditions

UK Day Trip Information

The

Illuminations

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £285 £200

First £185 £130

Standard £115

A special charter train day out to the Flyde Coast, with the added bonus of arriving in Blackpool behind a magnificently restored steam locomotive. With a late afternoon arrival at the resort, there will be ample time to see the spectacular Blackpool Illuminations before we return to Manchester. Join us from Manchester Victoria, Bolton, Wigan North Western* and Preston to visit Blackpool.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. *Wigan North Western passengers will travel by service train from Manchester Victoria on the return journey.

The Kentish Belle Armistice Day Friday 11th November 2022

Can you imagine a more lovely way to take luncheon than aboard a special steam train travelling through the “Garden of England” between London and Margate? Watch the Kent countryside go past your window as Jubilee class steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas is put through its paces hauling our train. Join us from London Victoria to visit Margate.

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £259

First

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

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

Bob Green

Bob Green

The Christmas Cheshireman Saturday 19th November 2022

Join us on this interesting trip by vintage steam train to the historic city of Chester, an unusual destination from Bristol. We travel via the Severn Tunnel, the South Wales Main Line, the scenic Welsh Marches route, and the Shrewsbury to Chester line. There will be over three hours to explore Chester. Join us from Bristol Temple Meads, Filton Abbey Wood, Cwmbran and Abergavenny to visit Chester.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

The Cardiff Christmas Express Tuesday 22nd November 2022

Bob Green

A scenic rail tour by steam train through the Thames Valley, the beautiful Cotswold Hills and along the river Severn, hauled by Princess Coronation class steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our destinations will be the cathedral city of Gloucester, or Cardiff, the vibrant Capital of Wales. Join us from London Victoria, Staines, Ascot, Reading and Didcot Parkway to visit Gloucester or Cardiff.

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Bob Green

The Christmas Sussex Belle Thursday 24th November 2022

Join us on a special train to celebrate the Festive Season in style. Our train travels from London Victoria to the Sussex coast, crossing the North and South Downs and passing through the beautiful countryside of the Weald. It will be steam hauled by a Black 5 steam locomotive. A wonderful way to enjoy lunch and the scenic views. Join us from London Victoria to visit Eastbourne.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £259

First £165

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

The York Yuletide Express Saturday 26th November 2022

Join us for a trip from London’s Ealing Broadway to York and an opportunity to experience the Festive Season’s activities. The city of York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. Join us from Ealing Broadway, St. Albans, Luton, Bedford, Kettering, Leicester * and Alfreton to visit York.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Adult Junior Family

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. *Leicester passengers will travel by service train from Kettering on the return journey.

Bob Green

Bob Green

The Worcester Christmas Fayre

Thursday 1st December 2022

Join us on this scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills.

Our destination is the cathedral city of Worcester, located on the banks of the river Severn and internationally famous as the home of Worcestershire Sauce. Join us from London Victoria, Staines, Reading and Didcot * to visit Worcester.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £285

First £185

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. *Didcot passengers will travel by service train to Reading to join the train.

The Lindum Fayre Saturday 3rd December 2022

The Lincoln Christmas Market, otherwise known as the Lindum Fayre, is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. To visit the Fayre is a truly unforgettable experience and we shall take you there in style, in the comfort of a special steam hauled train. Join us from London King’s Cross, Potters Bar,* Stevenage and Peterborough to visit Lincoln.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £285 £200 £870

First £185 £130

Standard £115

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. *Potters Bar passengers will depart the train at either Gordon Hill or Finsbury Park on the return journey.

Bob Green

Steve Precious

The York Yuletide Express

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £285 £200 £870

First £185 £130

Standard £115 £85

This exciting seasonal trip by steam train offers an opportunity for passengers from the Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Sheffield areas to visit the popular city of York at Christmas time. The route cuts across the rugged Pennine terrain of the scenic Hope Valley line to York. Join us from Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Victoria and Sheffield * to visit York.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. *Sheffield passengers will travel by service train from Wakefield Kirkgate on the return journey.

The Sherborne Christmas Carol Tuesday 6th December 2022

This day trip by steam train provides a unique opportunity to visit either the picturesque market town of Sherborne in Dorset at Christmas time, or the Yeovil Railway Centre. The special train will be hauled by a Black 5 steam locomotive. Join us from London

Victoria, Staines, Woking and Basingstoke to visit either Sherborne or Yeovil.

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares

Junior

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

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

Bob Green

Bob Green

The Bath and Bristol Christmas Market Saturday 10th December 2022

Start the Christmas season with a trip by steam train on the ‘Bath & Bristol Christmas Market’?

There will be ample time to sample Bath’s award winning Christmas Market, Bath Abbey and the famous Roman Baths, or to visit Bristol for the ‘best Christmas shopping in the South West’. Join us from London Victoria, Staines, Woking and Winchfield/Basingstoke to visit either Bath or Bristol.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First

Standard

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

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

The Edinburgh Christmas Market

Saturday 10th December 2022

Bob Green

This special steam hauled train will run at speed both ways from York to Edinburgh and return.

There will be time in Edinburgh to visit the sights, including the extensive Christmas Market located in Princes Street Gardens, before we return south. Join us from York, Durham and Newcastle to visit Edinburgh.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability).

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First

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

Bob Green

The Worcester Christmas Express

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First £185

Standard

A classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscapes, and the special atmosphere of Worcester at Christmas time. This day trip will be steam hauled from Cambridge to Worcester and from Worcester as far as Leicester on the return. Join us from Cambridge, Ely, March and Peterborough to visit Worcester.

There are three classes available:

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

The York Yuletide Express

Saturday 17th December 2022

Join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscapes and the special atmosphere of York at Christmas time. This trip will be steam hauled from Norwich to York by Princess Coronation class steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Join us from Norwich, Thetford, March and Peterborough to visit York.

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier

First

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Bob Green

Bob Green

The Edinburgh Christmas Market

Fares Adult Junior Family

Premier £285 £200 £870

First £185 £130 £565

Standard £115 £85 £358

This special steam hauled train using Princess Coronation Class locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland will run at speed both ways from York to Edinburgh and return. There will be time in Edinbugh to visit the sights, including the extensive Christmas Market before we return south. Join us from York, Durham and Newcastle to visit Edinburgh.

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

First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

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

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Bob Green

Rachel Jackson Operations Manager

Meet the Team

Hollie Kimber Operations Manager

Kelly Osborne Managing Director

Allison Sanders Operations Manager

Julia Barrett Office Assistant

Annabelle Benjamin Operations Assistant

Jade Mott Operations Assistant

friendly team

Online Shopping

Visit our online shop to purchase themed Railway Touring Company merchandise.

Bookmarks, Greeting Cards and Postcards. We will be adding to our range

new products become available.

you make a booking

by email

Brochures

UK Day Trip Information

Travelling 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.

Covid-19

With regards to Covid-19 we will always adhere to Government requirements specific at the time of travel. Currently social distancing is not required on board so this means that you can expect to share your table with other passengers if your booking is for 3 or less passengers per table and you have not purchased a table for two option. Should the situation change, we will observe any requirements issued by the UK Government.

We request, for the safety of all, that passengers keep movement around the train to a minimum.

Passengers will be encouraged to follow the guidelines regarding hand washing and we recommend that you carry hand sanitiser for personal use and reassurance during the journey.

Covid 19 cancellations – All bookings are made on a non-refundable basis. If a tour is cancelled by us due to Covid-19 restrictions being in place at the time of travel then all passengers would be offered to transfer their bookings to an alternative date, or if they prefer, would be entitled to a refund of monies paid to us. If a passenger has a confirmed positive test for covid 19 ahead of travel, consideration at our discretion will be given to hold their funds in credit for 6 months. No refund will be offered against cancellations on tours which are scheduled to proceed.

Premier Dining Class

Premier Dining Class on our trains is a silver served dining experience providing you with a full meals service at your table, whilst you relax in spacious comfortable seating. The coaches used are British Rail Mark 1 First Open coaches.** The Premier Dining service usually includes a traditional full English breakfast soon after you board the train, and a four course meal on the return journey. Onboard chefs prepare fresh food for all of the meals. We are able to offer vegetarian options but cannot meet other dietary requests. A fully licensed bar service is always available, we kindly ask passengers to not consume their own alcoholic drinks. A corkage fee of £10 per person will apply for alcohol not purchased on board. 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 £30.00 * per person, subject to availability. Premier Dining Class is available up to and including any pick up station before 10:30.

* prices shown as per individual tour page.

** on some occasions a Pullman coach may be used.

First Class

First Class seats accommodation on our trains is provided in British Rail Mark 1 First Open coaches ** and offers tables for four or for two in spacious comfortable seating. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £30.00 per person, subject to availability. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by scone with butter and jam. A fully licensed bar service is always available, we kindly ask passengers to not consume their own alcoholic drinks. A corkage fee of £10 per person will apply for alcohol not purchased on board.

** on some occasions a Pullman coach may be used.

Standard Class

Standard Class seats are accommodated in a mid 1960's tourist standard open coach. These are usually arranged in groups of four around a table. In some cases you may be seated in second corridor coach which is a compartment coach seating six passengers per compartment without 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 formwhich 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 661 800. Passengers can also book by telephone during office hours on 01553 661 500. Office hours are Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00.

We accept most major credit and debit cards. There are no charges for paying with a credit card.

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 future trip with us. Please contact the office to purchase these.

Junior Tickets

Junior children includes ages 15 and under (children 3yrs and under may travel on your lap but if they do require a seat then a junior ticket price applies).

Family Tickets

2 adults and 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. There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train. Please note whilst every effort will be made to ensure the use of the advertised steam locomotive the organisers reserve the right to substitute a different steam locomotive on occasions should it be required, for operational reasons, which would have to be accepted, no refunds will be offered for changes to advertised locomotives. 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. Please note all timings shown in the brochure are approximate and subject to change. 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. In the event of a failure of the scheduled steam locomotive prior to departure of the trip, every best effort will be made to find a suitable steam locomotive as a replacement. However, if this is not possible and if there is insufficient time available to cancel or postpone the trip, then a diesel may be used as substitute. In such circumstances, outside of our control, acceptance of these terms signifies your acceptance of such a change and no refund will be due.

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 or substitutions are available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers, which can happen on occasions. We will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer or pay any compensation to you.

Due to the age and construction of our trains it is not possible to board whilst seated in a wheelchair, however we will be pleased to convey passengers of limited mobility whenever possible, provided they can step onto the train from the platform and move to their reserved seats with the help of an able-bodied carer, the wheelchair then being folded by you and stored at the end of the carriage. We are unable to convey mobility scooters or non-folding wheelchairs due to the age and design of the trains used. We are limited to only being able to provide a vegetarian dietary alternative, all other diet request are not available.

We recommend that during the winter months you travel wearing suitable layered clothing as the carriages on occasion can be cold. Although they are heated, unforeseen complications along with the nature of travelling by steam in vintage carriages can result in cooler conditions for passengers than modern trains.

N.B. – All timings shown are approximate and subject to change unless otherwise shown.