2 minute read
The Cotswold Venturer
Saturday 26th August 2023
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, home of Worcestershire Sauce. We travel outward via Staines and then from Reading via the Great Western Main Line to Didcot and Swindon. We then run via the Golden Valley line through Kemble and Stroud, which will include the steep climb up to Sapperton tunnel and return via the same route.
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Our steam train leaves London Paddington at around 07.15 hauled by steam locomotive No.35028 Clan Line and heads down the ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) main line. We stop at Slough, Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers. We follow the GWR main line through the Vale of White House to Swindon where we branch off to take the Golden Valley route towards Cheltenham. After Kemble, the line starts to climb steeply towards the summit at Sapperton Tunnel. The pleasant Golden Valley scenery, with its steep sided leafy valley walls, runs down the gradient through to Stroud. At Standish Junction we join the Midland Railway’s Bristol to Birmingham line and head for Cheltenham Spa. Here, we will call to set down passengers who may wish to visit this attractive Regency spa town, noted for its Pump Rooms, many museums and the nearby famous racecourse. The Cotswold Venturer continues northwards through to Worcester Shrub Hill station, were we will spend the afternoon here whilst Clan Line is turned and serviced. There will be plenty of time 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 has long associations with the composer Sir Edward Elgar. Our steam train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill in the late afternoon and returns by the same route to Cheltenham Spa where we will pause to pick up passengers who chose to leave their earlier. We head southwards away from Cheltenham, by-pass Gloucester, and then join the Golden Valley route at Standish Junction. We pass through Stroud and climb up through the picturesque Stroud Valley to Sapperton Tunnel where the gradients increase dramatically to 1 in 74 at Chalford. We continue through Kemble and on to Swindon where we join the ex-Great Western Main Line. We call at Didcot, Reading and Staines to set down passengers, before arriving in London Victoria. Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington 07:15 20:30 Slough 07:45 20:00 Reading 08:10 19:30 Didcot 08:30 19:10 Cheltenham Spa 12:40 17:05 Worcester Shrub Hill 13:15 16:30
There are three classes available:
Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver 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.
