The Railway Touring Company - UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2019 by LucidSynergy Ltd

The Railway Touring Company UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours

2019

Welcome Welcome to our new 2019 UK Day Trips and Tours brochure. We are sure you will find something to enjoy whether its a day out by steam to York or Carlisle or a short break to visit Scotland there are plenty available for all. Travelling by steam on the main line is an experience not to be missed and one we are proud to offer. Why not share the secret with others and bring your family and friends along with you.

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.

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. On board chefs prepare fresh food for all of the meals and it is professionally silver served to your table. 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. 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 £25.00 per person, subject to availability. Premier Dining Class is available on most trips up to and including any pick up station before 10:30, unless otherwise stated.

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 £25.00 per person, subject to availability. First Class usually includes morning coffee with a muffin and an afternoon service of tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. A fully licensed bar service is always available, we kindly ask passengers to not consume their own alcoholic drinks.

Standard Class Standard Class seats are usually 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 returning the booking form at the back of this brochure and sending 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 and Saturday: 09:00 to 16:00. We accept most major credit and debit cards. Payment can also be made by cheque or bank transfer. 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 A family ticket comprises of 2 adults and 2 juniors (aged 15 and under).

Front cover image: Steve Precious

All details are correct at the time of going to print.

UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2019 Day Trips The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Cotswold Venturer

The Royal Duchy

The High Peak Explorer

The North Wales Coast Express

The Yorkshireman

The Welsh Mountaineer

The Cumbrian Coast Express

The Dorset Coast Express

The Edinburgh Flyer

The Hadrian

The Wensleydale Railway

The West Somerset Steam Express

The Pennine Blackpool Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Pennine Limited

The Waverley

The Dartmouth Express

The Cotswold Venturer

The Scarborough Flyer

The Cheshireman

The Cotswold Venturer

The Swanage Belle

The Scarborough Flyer

The Pennine Blackpool Express

The Yorkshireman

The Cumbrian Coast Express

The Bournemouth Belle

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Waverley

The Yorkshireman

The End of Southern Steam

The Tin Bath

Tours The Great Britain Tour XII

42 – 45

The Far North and Orkney

56 – 57

Argyll, Mull and Iona

46 – 47

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

58 – 59

The Shetlander

48 – 49

The Summer Highlander

60 – 61

Arran and Kintyre

50 – 51

The Western Isles

62 – 63

The Cock O’the North

52 – 53

The West Country Explorer

64 – 65

Heart of Scotland

54 – 55

English Lake District

66 – 67

Terms and Conditions

Booking and Reservation Forms

UK Day Trip T&C’s

UK Day Trip Booking Form

UK Tours T&C’s

UK Tour Reservation Form

Online Booking

www.railwaytouring.net

THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661 500 • Fax: 01553 661 800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 26th January 2019 This is a special winter trip by train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes, the main line via Shap summit and the Settle and Carlisle Railway. The train will be hauled by either steam locomotive No.45699 Galatea or No.45690 Leander, for a journey over the spectacular route through the Cumbrian Fells. The destination is Carlisle with time to explore the Border City.

Our special train will depart from Manchester Victoria at about 07:00 stopping to collect passengers at Bolton and Preston. We enjoy a fast run along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Carnforth where we stop for our locomotive to take on water. We climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg and then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. We stay in the Border City for over two hours, providing ample time to visit the castle, cathedral, museum and shops, or just to relax in one of the many fine coffee shops, restaurants or bars. We leave Carlisle and begin to climb as soon as we join the Settle & Carlisle Line, one of the best known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We stop at Appleby, for our steam locomotive to take on water. The route then climbs through Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. We pass over tall 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 to Settle before we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. We continue through Hellifield and Clitheroe to Blackburn, where we stop to set down passengers. We then take the direct line to Manchester, climbing up the steep gradient to Sough Tunnel and then descending to Bolton, where we stop to set down passengers. Shortly after 19:00, we arrive at our final destination of Manchester Victoria, and the end of a truly marvellous day.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Manchester Victoria 07:00 19:08 Bolton 07:45 18:42 Preston 08:15 18:40* Blackburn ------- 17:54 Carlisle 11:30 14:15 *Passengers for Preston travel by service train from Blackburn on the return journey.

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 2nd, 23rd February and 2nd March 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s 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 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive; either No.35018 British India Line, No.45699 Galatea or No.45690 Leander. Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive will be working hard when we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around three hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. 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 tall 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, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction, having said goodbye to our steam locomotive. We pass though Wigan and Warrington en route to Crewe hauled by our blue class 86 electric locomotive with a fast run to London expected. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers. Please note: Premier dining is not available from Preston.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 10:30 ------Preston*** Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train. ***Passengers boarding at Preston will return to Preston by service train from Blackburn.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

Bob Green

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 16th February 2019 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. We travel outward via the Golden Valley line through Kemble and return via the Cotswold Line through Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. We should experience some fast running along the ex-GWR main line. Our steam train leaves London Paddington at around 08:05 hauled by A4 class Pacific steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa and heads down the ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) main line. We stop at Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers. Our journey continues through the Vale of White Horse to Swindon, where we leave the GWR main line to Bristol and take the line to Kemble. We now climb the 1 in 94 gradient up to the summit at Sapperton Tunnel and descend through the Golden Valley via Stroud and reach the Bristol line at Standish Junction. Heading northwards past Gloucester, we travel via Cheltenham Spa to Abbotswood Junction, where we leave the Birmingham line and head for Worcester, our destination for the afternoon. 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 is nearby at Lower Broadheath. Leaving Worcester, we will take the scenic Cotswold Line through to Oxford. 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 Evesham and start to pick up speed before Honeybourne, where there now follows a five mile climb at 1 in 100 to the summit at Campden. After Moreton in Marsh, the gradients fall gently through Kingham and Ascott-under-Wychwood towards Charlbury, where we will pause to water our steam locomotive. The Cotswold line draws to an end at Wolvercote Junction where we meet up with the line from Banbury and head towards Oxford. The city, with its many colleges and historic buildings, has been referred to as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’. We rejoin our earlier route at Didcot, setting down there before continuing along the Thames Valley towards Reading. We set down at Reading and Ealing Broadway before we reach London Paddington, where our tour will terminate. The Cotswold Venturer

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington 08:05 20:45 Ealing Broadway ------- 20:20 Reading 09:05 19:15 Didcot 09:40 18:45 Worcester 12:30 16:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The High Peak Explorer Saturday 2nd March 2019 This special steam hauled tour commences at Carnforth and follows a winding route via Manchester to Buxton, in the High Peak of Derbyshire. Whilst at Buxton, we will take our train along the Hindlow freight line to the quarry in the heart of the Peak District. Later, there will be time in Buxton for you to visit its historic and cultural sights.

Our morning departure from Carnforth, hauled by two steam locomotives from the following pool, No.45690 Leander, No.45699 Galatea, 8F 48151 or a Black 5, will be southwards along the West Coast Main line through Lancaster to Preston. After Preston, we make our way towards Manchester Victoria via Wigan and Chat Moss, where we will pick up further passengers. Leaving Victoria, we ascend the 1 in 49 gradient of Miles Platting bank and head for Denton, where there will be a water stop. We continue via Stockport and follow the Hazel Grove Chord to join the former Midland Railway route through Disley Tunnel and onwards to New Mills. Here we climb steadily towards Chinley where we take the Peak Forest line through Dove Holes Tunnel. We pass through the vast Tunstead Limestone Quarry and then join the line through Ashwood Dale to Buxton. Just outside Buxton, our steam locomotives will operate in ‘top and tail’ mode for the run up to Hindlow. We will now traverse the remaining section of the former London & North Western Railway’s line to Ashbourne, running to the present limit of this freight only line at Hindlow Quarry, with its gradients up to 1 in 60. We shall then return to Buxton where we will take an afternoon break to explore the attractions of the highest market town in England, including the Pump Room, The Crescent, Pavillion and its extensive gardens.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Carnforth 06:00 21:00 Preston 06:45 20:15 Manchester Victoria 07:50 19:00 Buxton 13:10 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

After time in Buxton, we will retrace our outward steps back through Peak Forest to Chinley, Stockport and Denton, where there will be a stop for water. After Ashton Moss, we will head down Miles Platting Bank and head for Manchester Victoria. Our return route back to Carnforth will be via Chat Moss, Preston and Lancaster, ending a varied and interesting day out in the Peak District.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The High Peak Explorer

Derek Phillips

The Yorkshireman Saturday 9th March 2019 Join us for a main line steam run from west London Victoria station to York. The city of York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. We travel north via the Midland Main Line stopping at stations to pick up further passengers. Our train will be steam hauled by Princess Coronation Class steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our train leaves London Victoria at around 06:30 hauled by Duchess of Sutherland and travels around West London through Acton Wells and and Neasden South Junction. At Dudding Hill Junction we take the Brent curve and join the Midland Main Line (MML) near 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. We stop to pick up passengers at Melton Mowbray before 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. Our final boarding point for passengers is at Alfreton. 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 well known for its Minster, Castle and city walls. The Snickelways, famous medieval alleys and narrow streets, and The Shambles, are well worth exploring. The National Railway Museum, the many shops and museums, ensure that there is something on offer for everybody.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria 06:30 23:10 St. Albans 08:01 21:50 Luton 08:17 21:39 Bedford 08:48 21:10 Kettering 09:47 20:37 Melton Mowbray 10:47 19:50 Alfreton 11:52 18:39 York 13:51 17:25 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our train leaves York at around 17:25 and returns to London Victoria diesel hauled. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Fares

The Yorkshireman

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Coast Express Saturday 16th March 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s when travelling over the Cumbrian Fells 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 Carlisle, hauled by a blue Class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a steam tour from Carlisle back to Carnforth via the Cumbria Coast. We return from Carnforth 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, before the ascent to Shap. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. We leave Carlisle steam hauled and our return steam hauled journey to Carnforth takes the scenic coastal route around the Cumbrian Coast. After Maryport, we run along the shoreline through to the industrialised district of Workington, once a centre for the production of iron and steel. There are spectacular cliff edge views as we journey southwards from Workington through to Whitehaven, with the Isle of Man visible on a clear day across the Irish Sea. We run very close to the shoreline for several miles prior to St Bees, famous for its priory and school. We pass Sellafield, where the British Nuclear Fuels works dominates the landscape. At Ravenglass, we meet up with the miniature Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway which is normally steam operated. At Millom, we head inland and follow the sweeping estuary through Foxfield and Kirkby in Furness. We will pass through the ship-building town of Barrow in Furness and onwards past the 14th century Dalton Castle to Dalton in Furness. After Ulverston, we cross Leven Viaduct and curve along the edge of the bay through to Grange-over-Sands. There are more views across Morecambe Bay as we cross the lengthy Kent Viaduct at Arnside and approach Carnforth. Here, we shall say farewell to our gallant steam locomotive and our blue Class 86 electric locomotive will take over for a fast run to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 23:15 Watford Junction* 06:40 22:40 Milton Keynes 08:00 22:00 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 21:00 Nuneaton 08:45 20:35 Crewe 09:45 19:35 Preston 10:30 18:30 Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Cumbrian Coast Express

Bob Green

The Edinburgh Flyer Saturday 23rd March 2019 A rare opportunity is on offer with this special steam hauled train using an A4 Class Pacific No.60009 Union of South Africa running at speed both ways over its former territoty from York to Edinburgh and return. There will be time in Edinbugh to visit the sights before we return south.

Our steam hauled journey will commence at the historic city of York, with its long association with railways, including the location of the National Railway Museum. Heading north away from York, we will head down the East Coast main line through to Northallerton, where No.60009 Union of South Africa will build up speed to its maximum on the straight alignment of the tracks. We will pause at Durham momentarily to pick up further passengers, before heading towards Tyneside and over the river Tyne to Newcastle, our final pick up point. Leaving Newcastle, we head northwards and pass through Morpeth, with our speed running at the maximum along this former LNER racetrack, the preserve of the A4 Class Pacifics up to their withdrawal in the mid 1960s. With coastal views and quaint villages along the way, we make our way through Northumberland, with views of Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Island simmering in the distance. Continuing towards Berwick on Tweed, we cross the spectacular 28-arch Royal Border Bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson. Just after Berwick, we cross the border and enter Scotland. Union of South Africa will now be getting steam up ready for the long climb up to Grantshouse, a stiff climb at gradients of 1 in 190/200 and a test of the stamina of locomotives heading towards Edinburgh.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York 06:00 21:30 Durham 07:15 20:15 Newcastle 07:30 19:00 Edinburgh 12:00 15:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

We pass through the Scottish Borders, with more costal views along the way before we reach Edinburgh, the Capital of Scotland. Time will be available here for passengers to visit the city whilst Union of South Africa is serviced for the return journey back to York. Apart from its many shops and restaurants along Princes Street, there are many sights to see and vist, including the Palalce of Holyrood, the Castle on the Royal Mile, Galleries and Museums and Princes Street Gardens. We will return south with Union of South Africa and follow our outward route. Highlight of the jorney back to Newcastle will be the southbound climb to Grantshouse, graded at 1 in 96 for over four miles. In no time at all, we will be back at Newcastle to set down passengers, followed by Durham and finally back to York.

The Edinburgh Flyer

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Wensleydale Railway Saturday 6th April 2019 Our steam hauled journey today commences at Carnforth on the edge of Morecambe Bay. We will journey eastwards across the Bentham Line to Hellifield and onwards through Skipton to Leeds and then York. We then continue along the East Coast Main Line to Northallerton where we will join the 22-mile long Wensleydale Railway for a run through the highly scenic Yorkshire Dales to the line’s present terminus at Redmire. Leaving Carnforth first thing in the morning, hauled by No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea, we will take the Bentham Line and climb through Wennington and Giggleswick to Settle Junction, where we join the former Midland Railway route to Leeds. A pause will be made at Hellifield to top up our steam locomotive’s tender before we continue onwards towards Skipton, where there will be a stop to pick up passengers. We follow the Aire Valley through Keighley towards Leeds, where a further pick up will be made. A fast sprint will follow as we make our way northwards to join up with the East Coast Main Line that will take us onwards to York. At York, a second steam locomotive will be attached for the run to Northallerton, where we will need to reverse to join the Wensleydale line. We expect to run in ‘top and tail’ mode along the branch through the Vale of Mowbray as far as our first stop at Leyburn, where passengers have the opportunity to alight and visit the nearby attractive market town. The train will continue to the current end of the branch at Redmire, where the nearby 14th century Bolton Castle is visible on the edge of the town. After a short break in Redmire, we return to Leyburn for an afternoon break. Apart from its railway interest in and around the station, the attractive market town of Leyburn is just a short walk away, with its small Market Square offering a number of cafes and pubs, plus quaint tourist shops in its centre.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Carnforth 07:20 21:40 Skipton 08:35 20:20 Leeds 09:15 19:40 York 10:45 18:15 Redmire 13:10 13:25 Leyburn 13:40 15:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

After servicing our steam locomotives, we will return along the Wensleydale line back to Northallerton, were we will rejoin the East Coast Main Line for the run southwards back to York. Here we will reluctantly have to say goodbye to our steam locomotives and return to Carnforth with diesel traction, setting down at our earlier pick up points and thus ending a splendid day out travelling over Lancashire and Yorkshire scenic lines. Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Wensleydale Railway

Bob Green

The Pennine Blackpool Express Saturday 13th April 2019 Join us on this special train to the Fylde Coast and the vibrant seaside resort of Blackpool. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth, hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive, as far as Carnforth. Here, we will attach our steam locomotive for a scenic tour via Hellifield and Clitheroe through pleasant Lancashire scenery to Blackpool. We return from Blackpool with our blue Class 86 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the West Coast Main Line to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive chosen from one of the Carnforth-based locomotives. Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive will be working hard as we head eastwards on the climb to Wennington. Beyond is a lengthy climb through Bentham and Clapham to a summit near Giggleswick, where we descend to Settle Junction and join up with the Midland Railway’s route from Carlisle to Leeds. We will pause for water at Hellifield before taking the very scenic Ribble Valley line through Clitheroe, which includes the spectacular 48-arch viaduct over the River Calder at Whalley. Another lengthy climb follows after the viaduct to a summit at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station. We descend into Blackburn and follow the line via Bamber Bridge to Preston. From Preston, we will join the line to Blackpool North, newly electrified to serve local trains and also to allow through trains to and from London. We will head westwards across The Fylde and pass through Kirkham, the junction for the Blackpool South branch. We will take the Blackpool North line and pass through Poulton-le-Fylde station where there should be by now, views of the famous 518 feet tall tower at Blackpool. Time will be available to visit the town and some of its attractions, including the Tower, the Winter Gardens, Madame Tussauds, the three piers or perhaps take a vintage tram ride along the sea front. Shops are also nearby along with many restaurants and pubs to cater for all tastes. After a refreshing break, we will return from Blackpool North to London Euston with our blue electric locomotive arriving around 22:05. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Crewe or Preston on this train.

The Pennine Blackpool Express

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 Preston 10:30 18:20 Blackpool 14:50 17:45 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train.

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Derek Phillips

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 18th May 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s 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 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Here, we will change over our electric locomotive for today’s steam locomotive, from the Carnforth pool, which may include No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb of our first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and in the former days of steam locomotives banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. 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, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction, having said goodbye to our steam locomotive. We pass though Wigan and Warrington en route to Crewe hauled by our blue class 86 electric locomotive with a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Preston on this train.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 10:30 ------Preston*** Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train. ***Passengers boarding at Preston will return to Preston by service train from Blackburn.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Bob Green

The Pennine Limited Saturday 25th May 2019 Join us on this varied and interesting tour from East Anglia to the border town of Carlisle. We shall feature steam haulage from Hellifield to Carlisle and return. This will include the world famous Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the great railway journeys in Britain. There will be time in Carlisle before returning to Hellifield with No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea, with diesel haulage back to Norwich. We leave Norwich early in the morning and make our way across rural Norfolk to York diesel-hauled, calling at Wymondham, Attleborough, Thetford, March and Peterborough to pick up passengers. We shall then make our way northwards towards the Leeds area where we pick up the Aire Valley line through Skipton to Hellifield. Here we will attach our steam locomotive for the run to Carlisle over the famous 72-mile long Settle to Carlisle line.

Passing over Settle Junction, we begin one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. Once through Settle station, there are magnificent views across the Fells to the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass through Dent Dale and the highest station in England at Dent. Travelling through tunnels and crossing valleys on lofty viaducts, we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit (1169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water. Appleby is a historic market town, which lies in a loop of the picturesque River Eden.

There are three classes available:

Continuing through the meandering Eden Valley to Carlisle will have around two hours to explore the Border City, possibly visiting the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum or the Lanes Shopping Centre.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £25 per person (subject to availability).

Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey at around 16:15 and climbs almost continually for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on water ready for the arduous climb to Ais Gill Summit. Once through Garsdale and spectacular Dent Dale, we pass through Blea Moor tunnel and cross Ribblehead Viaduct once again. We shall now retrace our earlier route back to Hellifield, where we shall reluctantly have to say goodbye to our steam locomotive.

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

We now continue our journey back to Norwich with a diesel locomotive, setting down at our earlier calling points.

The Pennine Limited

Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£181

£809

First

£169

£110

£503

Standard

£119

£84

£364

Bob Green

The Dartmouth Express Saturday 8th June 2019 The Dartmouth Express offers an exceptional day out travelling by train from stations in Berkshire to Kingswear in South Devon. We travel along the famous ‘sea wall’ from Dawlish to Teignmouth and over the ‘Heritage’ Dartmouth Steam Railway. The special train will be hauled from Bristol to Kingswear and back by either steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our train starts from Woking in Surrey and will be diesel hauled from there to Bristol. En route, we stop at Guildford, Reading and Newbury to pick up more passengers. The route follows the River Kennet through attractive countryside and then runs beside the Kennet and Avon Canal for some distance before we make our final stop for passengers at Westbury. We change motive power at Bristol and either steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland will take over the train. We shall soon be speeding along through the Somerset countryside and across the Somerset Levels to Taunton, where we make a brief stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. Our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb to Whiteball Summit on the Somerset and Devon border before descending through the Culm Valley to Exeter. We then follow the Exe Estuary, passing the picturesque Cockwood Harbour, and run along the famous sea wall from Dawlish to Teignmouth. This is one of the most famous and scenic stretches of railway line in Britain, which gained international prominence when part of it was washed away in the 2014 storms. After Newton Abbot, we leave the main line to Plymouth and take the Kingswear branch line to Torbay. We pass through the famous holiday resort of Torquay and stop at Paignton where passengers, who wish to spend the time there, may alight. We then join the Dartmouth Steam Railway and our steam locomotive faces a stiff challenge as it climbs the steep gradient of 1 in 60 up to the summit of this line at Churston. The line then drops down to the River Dart and the terminus at Kingswear. The Dartmouth Express fare includes a return journey on the ferry across the River Dart to the picture postcard town of Dartmouth. There will be ample time to explore this historic port town, set on the banks of the tidal River Dart. It has a castle, a railway station where no railway has ever run, now a restaurant, and winding narrow streets with good bistros and specialist shops. We leave Kingswear, steam hauled, for the journey back to Bristol. From there the train will be diesel hauled to Woking. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Woking 06:50 23:00 Guildford 07:05 22:30 Reading 07:20 21:45 Newbury 07:50 21:20 Westbury 09:00 20:15 Paignton 12:10 18:20 Kingswear 13:00 17:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£289

£195

£871

First

£195

£127

£581

Standard

£135

£95

£462

The Dartmouth Express

Bob Green

The Scarborough Flyer Saturday 8th June 2019 This exciting trip by steam train offers an opportunity for passengers from the Greater Manchester and Sheffield areas to visit the seaside town of Scarborough. The circular route cuts across the rugged Pennine terrain to York, and then on to the popular east coast seaside resort of Scarborough. Our train will be hauled by a Jubilee Class steam locomotive.

Our train leaves Manchester Piccadilly, hauled by steam locomotive No.45690 Leander, and heads for Romiley, where we stop to pick up more passengers. We join the former Midland Railway line across the Peak District and pass through Cowburn Tunnel into the beautiful Vale of Edale. We stop again at Hathersage, for more passengers, before passing through the 3½-mile long Totley Tunnel and arrive at Sheffield, our final stop for passengers. We then travel northwards through Swinton and Moorthorpe to York, where passengers will have the option of alighting here to visit the city or the National Railway Museum. Leaving York, we follow the River Derwent through pleasant Yorkshire scenery to Scarborough via Malton. The station at Scarborough features the longest station seat in the world! Scarborough is a Victorian spa town and the largest holiday resort on the East Yorkshire coast. It provides all the facilities that you would expect at an established seaside resort. It has two beautiful bays providing safe sandy beaches, and a busy harbour with an active fish quay. Our train leaves Scarborough, hauled by our steam locomotive, for the return journey to Manchester. We travel westwards through Malton and Castle Howard to York. At Milford Loop we say farewell to our steam locomotive and continue our journey home diesel hauled. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Manchester Piccadilly 08:00 22:15 Romiley 08:40 21:20 Hathersage 09:40 20:05 Sheffield 10:05 19:10 Scarborough 14:05 16:05 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

The Scarborough Flyer

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 15th June 2019 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. We travel outward via the Cotswold Line through Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham and return via the Golden Valley line through Stroud and Kemble. We should experience some fast running along the ex-GWR main line. Our steam train leaves London Paddington at around 07:05 hauled by steam locomotive No.60103 Flying Scotsman and heads down the ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) main line. We stop at Slough, Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers. Our journey continues through Oxford and, at Wolvercote Junction, we join the Cotswold Line. Parts of this line has had double track reinstated, which reopened in 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 speed 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 is nearby at Lower Broadheath. Our steam train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill in the late afternoon and returns 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 ex-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 Paddington 07:05 20:45 Slough 07:40 20:00 Reading 08:05 19:35 Didcot 08:40 19:05 Worcester 11:30 16:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Please note: the use of Flying Scotsman is subject to contractual agreement. Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£310

£205

£928

First

£210

£135

£623

Standard

£144

£110

£453

The Cotswold Venturer

Bob Green

The Scarborough Flyer Saturday 15th June 2019 Our special train originates from the popular east coast seaside resort of Scarborough and will be steam hauled to London. We will make our way through Malton to York where we pick up further passengers, before continuing southwards along the East Coast Main Line towards Doncaster and then via Lincoln before we arrive in Ealing Broadway. We return to Scarborough via our outward route, but with more modern diesel traction. Leaving Scarborough, steam hauled by locomotive No.35018 British India Line, we make our way via Seamer and Malton to the historic city of York with its Minster dominating the area, where we stop for further passengers. We head southwards away from York and make our way at maximum speed to Doncaster. From Doncaster, we take the scenic rural line to Gainsborough and leave South Yorkshire behind and enter Lincolnshire. We cross the River Trent at Gainsborough, a town once famous for its agricultural machinery industry,particularly that of Marshalls who built many steam traction engines. Still in Lincolnshire, we now head for Lincoln. Our steam train will continue its rural ramblings until we see on the horizon the 11th century Gothic cathedral high on the hill overlooking the historic city of Lincoln. We then cut across the flat lands of the Fens and reach Sleaford, an attractive and busy small market town whose skyline is dominated by the 144-foot stone spire of St. Denys’ Church. We now take the rural line into south Lincolnshire and onwards to Spalding, famous as the centre of the UK flower industry. We will now head for Peterborough where we shall join the East Coast Main Line. We will soon get up to maximum speed along the East Coast Main Line. We pass through Hitchin and run through Stevenage and the north London suburban stations as we make our approach on Hornsey. We leave the main line to King’s Cross and make our way via Acton Wells to Ealing Broadway, where we reluctantly have to say farewell to our steam locomotive.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Scarborough 06:35 23:15 York 07:30 22:25 Doncaster 08:15 21:50 Lincoln 09:00 20:45 Ealing Broadway 14:40 17:10 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

After an afternoon break in Ealing Broadway, which has underground connections into the centre of London, we will return to York and Scarborough by diesel traction, setting down at our outward picking up stations. Fares

The Scarborough Flyer

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Yorkshireman Saturday 29th June 2019 Join us for a main line steam run from London’s Ealing Broadway station to York. The city of York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. We travel north via the Midland Main Line stopping at stations to pick up further passengers. Our train will be hauled between Ealing Broadway and York by No.60103 Flying Scotsman.

Our train leaves London Ealing Broadway at around 06:30 hauled by Flying Scotsman. At Dudding Hill Junction we take the Brent curve and 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 well known for its Minster, Castle and city walls. The Snickelways, famous medieval alleys and narrow streets, and The Shambles, are well worth exploring. The National Railway Museum, the many shops and museums, ensure that there is something on offer for everybody.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Ealing Broadway 06:30 23:10 St. Albans 08:01 21:50 Luton 08:17 21:39 Bedford 08:48 21:10 Kettering 09:47 20:37 Melton Mowbray 10:47 19:50 York 13:51 17:25 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our train leaves York at around 17:25 and returns to London Ealing Broadway diesel hauled. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. Please note: The use of Flying Scotsman is subject to contractual agreement. Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£310

£205

£928

First

£210

£135

£623

Standard

£144

£110

£453

The Yorkshireman

Bob Green

The Bournemouth Belle Saturday 6th July 2019 This special not to be missed steam hauled tour commences at London’s Waterloo terminus and we aim to recreate some of the magic experienced by luxury travel on the famous Bournemouth Belle. We will be steam hauled by locomotive No.35018 British India Line for our journey to the popular seaside resort of Bournemouth, hauled by a former Southern Region express steam locomotive.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Waterloo 09:00 20:40 Bournemouth 12:20 17:20

The Bournemouth Belle was introduced by the Southern Railway in 1931 and although interupted by the war years, the Belle returned in 1946 and was hauled by the Merchant Navy Pacifics, running on a two hour schedule. The service lasted until the introduction of the electric services in 1967 along this route.

There are two classes available:

Our journey to Bournemouth commences from the former London & South Western Railway’s terminus at London Waterloo. We thread our way through Clapham Junction and head along the L&SWR main line towards Weybridge and Woking. We will pause for water at Winchfield before heading through Basingstoke to Worting Junction, were we will take the line to Southampton and Bournemouth.

First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit.

The long straight sections of line will allow our locomotive to run at maximum speed through Winchester and Eastleigh. We pass through Southampton and run through the New Forest at Brokenhurst and reach the south coast at Christchurch. Our arrival in Bournemouth will now provide pasengers with an afternoon break in this popular Dorset seaside resort, made fasionable by the Victorians and the arrival of the railway in 1870. The town has a number of attractions to entertain visitors, including its extensive seafront with its Chimes, pier, parks and the pavillion, oceanarium, museums and galleries, plus many shops and restuarants to cater for all tastes.

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

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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our steam locomotive will be serviced whilst we have time in Bournemouth before we return to London Waterloo by way of our outward route. We can expect some fast running as we head towards the Capital with the Bournemouth Belle, thus ending a memorable day out.

Fares

The Bournemouth Belle

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Waverley Sunday 7th July 2019 This steam hauled train provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway 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. These day trips revive the nostalgic former days of steam when travel by train through magnificent scenery was an experience to savour. Our steam hauled train leaves York hauled by steam locomotive No.60103 Flying Scotsman at 09:30 and heads for Church Fenton where we take the direct route to Leeds. We stop to pick up more passengers at Leeds, Shipley, Keighley and Skipton. There will be a stop for our steam locomotive to take on water before we join the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction. Here begins one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass through the highest station open in England at Dent, travelling through tunnels and crossing valleys on numerous viaducts. There are magnificent views across the Fells to the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough as we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit (1169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water. Passengers who choose to alight at Appleby will have around four hours to visit this historic market town which lies in a loop of the picturesque River Eden. Passengers choosing to continue to Carlisle will have over one and a half hours to explore the Border City, possibly visiting the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum or the Lanes Shopping Centre. Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey at around 16:15 and climbs almost continuously for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on water and to pick up those passengers who spent the afternoon there. We continue stopping at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Leeds and York, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York 09:30 21:20 Leeds 10:20 20:30 Shipley 10:45 20:15 Keighley 10:55 20:05 Skipton 11:10 19:50 Appleby 13:35 17:20 Carlisle 14:20 16:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Please note: The use of Flying Scotsman is subject to contractual agreement. Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£310

£205

£928

First

£210

£135

£623

Standard

£144

£110

£453

The Waverley

Bob Green

The End of Southern Steam Tuesday 9th July 2019 This day trip by steam train provides a unique opportunity to visit the Yeovil Railway Centre and the popular seaside resort of Weymouth for the afternoon. This special train to mark the anniversary of the end of Southern steam will be hauled by steam locomotive No.35018 British India Line from Waterloo to Yeovil. We continue to Weymouth diesel hauled before our steam locomotive hauls us back to London via Bournemouth. Our train leaves London Waterloo station at around 08:45 behind our splendid steam locomotive. We pass through Clapham Junction, and continue along the South Western Main Line (SWML) with fast running expected from our steam locomotive, and then stop for further passengers at Woking and Basingstoke. At Worting Junction we take the West of England Main Line to Andover and Salisbury. At Wilton Junction the line becomes single track. We cross the edge of Salisbury Plain and pass through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Tisbury and Gillingham in Dorset. We cross Gillingham Viaduct and pass through Buckhorn Weston Tunnel before Templecombe, where once the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway passed beneath our line. Travelling westwards through north west Dorset we pass through Sherborne, one of the most beautiful towns in England, before continuing with the train to Yeovil Junction where the steam locomotive will be serviced at Yeovil Railway Centre. Our train leaves Yeovil Junction, hauled by a diesel locomotive, and runs southwards through Maiden Newton towards Dorchester and the large seaside resort of Weymouth. There will be a break here to visit the town, with its many attractions and restaurants, before we return to London Waterloo steam hauled.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Waterloo 08:45 21:15 Woking 09:25 20:35 Basingstoke 10:05 19:50 Weymouth 12:45 16:35 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our return route will be via Bournemouth, Southampton and Eastleigh back to Basingstoke and Woking to set down passengers, followed by journey’s end at London Waterloo.

Fares

The End of Southern Steam

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 13th July 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s 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 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Here, we will change over our electric locomotive for today’s steam locomotive, from the Carnforth pool, which may include No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb of our first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and in the former days of steam locomotives banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. 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, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction, having said goodbye to our steam locomotive. We pass though Wigan and Warrington en route to Crewe hauled by our blue class 86 electric locomotive with a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Preston on this train.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 10:30 ------Preston*** Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train. ***Passengers boarding at Preston will return to Preston by service train from Blackburn.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Derek Phillips

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 20th July 2019 This is a wonderful opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Lancashire to travel by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes. Our train travels north to Carlisle by the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway Line and returns via the West Coast Main Line over Shap. We have a magnificent steam locomotive to haul these trains, which recall the glorious days of steam train travel. It promises to provide a memorable day out. Our train will be diesel hauled from Crewe to Liverpool via Runcorn, where we stop to pick up further passengers. We leave Liverpool Lime Street, steam hauled by one of the Carnforth based steam locomotives, about 06:40 and stop to pick up passengers at Broad Green and St. Helens Central. We join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) before stopping for more passengers at Wigan. We head north, leaving the WCML at Farington Junction, and stop at Blackburn, where passengers who have travelled by service train from Preston join our train. We continue to Clitheroe and then stop at Hellifield for our steam locomotive to take on water. We join the Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction and then 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! There are magnificent views of the Pennine ‘Three Peaks’ of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass the highest railway station in England at Dent, crossing over viaducts and passing through tunnels amongst the Yorkshire Dales as we make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, 1169 feet above sea level. 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 train returns to Liverpool, steam hauled, via the steeply graded route over Shap summit on the WCML. We stop to set down passengers at Preston, Wigan, St. Helens Central, Broad Green and Liverpool Lime Street where we arrive around 20:00. Our train continues to Runcorn and Crewe diesel hauled.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Crewe 05:20 21:30 Runcorn 05:55 20:40 Liverpool Lime Street 06:40 20:00 Broad Green 06:55 19:45 St Helens Central 07:15 19:30 Wigan North Western 07:50 19:10 Preston* ------- 18:35 Blackburn** 08:45 ------Carlisle 12:55 15:55 *Passengers from Preston travel by service train to Blackburn on the outward journey. **Passengers for Blackburn travel by service train from Preston on the return journey.

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Sunday 21st July, 4th August, 1st and 15th September 2019 These ever-popular summer day trips by steam train run from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon & Cornwall. The route includes travelling along the internationally famous sea wall at Dawlish, crossing Brunel’s famous Saltash Bridge into Cornwall, and some of the most varied and exciting scenery in the country. Passengers can choose to spend time in Plymouth or travel on to Par, where buses are provided for visits to Fowey or Charlestown. Our train leaves Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:45 and stops to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. We will be steam hauled by either No.60009 Union of South Africa or Black 5 locomotive No.45305 from either Bristol or Taunton. Almost immediately on departure from Taunton, our steam locomotive will 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 for more passengers to join the train. We leave Exeter and follow the Exe Estuary to the seaside. We then travel along the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, an experience not to be missed. 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. Passengers have the option to alight at Plymouth or remain on the train to Par. There will be over five hours free time to explore the historic maritime city of Plymouth which includes the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium. We leave Plymouth and cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, to enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside to Par, where there will be a break of more than three hours. Buses will take passengers from Par, 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 at Plymouth to pick up those passengers who chose to alight there. Our train then returns to Bristol, stopping to set down passengers en route at Exeter, Taunton and Yatton.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:45 22:45 Yatton 09:05 22:25 Taunton 09:40 21:15 Exeter St. David’s 11:30 20:15 Plymouth 12:45 19:00 Par 14:00 17:45 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£185

£816

First

£169

£122

£521

Standard

£119

£86

£367

The Royal Duchy

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 21st July 2019 The North Wales Coast Express is a special train that runs from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead. 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 on Sunday morning, diesel hauled via Runcorn to Crewe where we will attach our magnificent steam locomotive No.45690 Leander for the run to Chester and along the North Wales Coast. Running via Beeston Castle, we reach Chester, where we pick up further passengers. On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales. We steam alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through the coastal resorts of 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 there is a branch line to Llandudno. Passengers have the option to spend time at this popular seaside resort. From Llandudno Junction, we continue westwards along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the Conwy estuary on Robert Stephenson’s Tubular railway bridge, with Edward 1’s castle overlooking the town and bridge. The railway line runs 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, with its cathedral and restored Victorian pier. Our train crosses the Menai Strait on the Britannia Bridge and enters the Isle of Anglesey. We now run across the Island through Valley to enter the sea port of Holyhead, where there will be time to visit the town or marina whilst our steam locomotive is turned and serviced for the return journey. Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled late afternoon, and stops at Bangor and Llandudno Junction to pick up passengers who opted for these destinations. It continues via Chester to Crewe, where we will change over to diesel traction for the run back to Liverpool Lime Street via Runcorn.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 10:15 22:05 Liverpool South P’way 10:30 21:50 Runcorn 10:40 21:40 Crewe 12:00 20:30 Chester 12:30 20:00 Llandudno Junction 13:25 18:45 Llandudno 13:40 18:35 Bangor 14:25 18:20 Holyhead 15:05 17:40 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. Please Note: Visit our website or phone us to find out further fare options available for this trip.

Fares

The North Wales Coast Express

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Welsh Mountaineer Tuesday 23rd July 2019 This day trip provides a rare opportunity for passengers from Lancashire and Cheshire to travel by steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the heart of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park. The route is via Manchester Victoria and Northwich to Chester, providing connections from other parts of the country, and along the scenic North Wales Coast Line. From Llandudno Junction, our steam train heads up the beautiful Conwy Valley to the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Our steam train, hauled by either 8F locomotive No.48151 or Jubilee class locomotive No.45699 Galatea, leaves Preston at around 05:35 and heads up the West Coast Main Line to Wigan North Western, where we we will pick up further passengers, before we continue across Chat Moss to reach Manchester Victoria. We next climb the 1 in 47 gradient of Miles Platting Bank and continue to Stockport via Denton and join the Altrincham line through Northenden. We meet up with the Metrolink Tramawy service for a while before we reach Altrincham and head through rural Cheshire towards Northwich. It is a pretty route ahead as we travel through the Delamere Forest and join the line to Chester. 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 continue westwards beside the Dee Estuary and then travel along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its beaches. We pass through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn and Rhyl. Approaching Colwyn Bay, we enjoy wonderful views of the Little Great Orme. At Llandudno Junction station, we change direction of travel as our steam locomotive needs to ‘run round’ our train for the run up the Conwy Valley. We set off for Blaenau Ffestiniog behind our steam locomotive, following the pretty Conwy Valley through to Llanrwst. We enter 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 the very steep gradients to Blaenau Ffestiniog Tunnel. At over two miles long, this impressive piece of engineering is the longest single-track tunnel in the country.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Preston 05:35 22:30 Wigan North Western 05:55 22:10 Manchester Victoria 06:35 21:30 Stockport 07:35 20:30 Chester 09:35 19:10 Llandudno Jct (Arrive) 10:50 18:10 (D) Llandudno Jct (Depart) 11:40 17:10 (A) Blaenau Ffestiniog 13:15 16:00 There are two classes available: First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in First Class for a supplement of £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway station is the terminus of the Conwy Valley Line and also the adjacent narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway. We stay for almost three hours in Blaenau Ffestiniog, a town known as the Victorian slate capital of the world. Our train leaves Blaenau Ffestiniog, steam hauled, at around 16:00 and returns to Llandudno Junction. After changing direction of travel we continue eastwards, still steam hauled, stopping at Chester and our outward stations towards Manchester Victoria to set down passengers. After Wigan, our final calling point is Preston and so ends a memorable day out in the mountains of Snowdonia.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

First

£179

£117

£534

Standard

£119

£86

£367

The Welsh Mountaineer

Bob Green

The Dorset Coast Express Thursday 25th July, 8th, 22nd August and 5th September 2019 We are offering a number of attractive summer day trips from London to Weymouth by steam train. These trains provide plenty of opportunity to visit the beautiful Dorset coast and relive the ‘golden age’ of steam. Passengers have the option of spending time at the celebrated seaside resorts of either Bournemouth or Weymouth, where both have fine sandy beaches. Each train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that was built for express passenger train work. Our train leaves London Victoria station at around 08:45 steam hauled by either No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland or a Black 5 No.45305 and travels westwards, crossing the River Thames at Barnes Bridge, through Kew and Feltham. We stop at Staines and Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we pause 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. We stop at Bournemouth to set down those passengers wishing to visit this coastal resort, a spa town famous for its parks and pine trees. After leaving Bournemouth, there are spectacular views of Poole Harbour. We continue to Wareham and Dorchester travelling through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery. We arrive at Weymouth around 13:45 and have almost 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 diesel hauled at around 16:40 as far as Southampton, from where the steam locomotive will take over for the return journey. We continue through Winchester to Basingstoke, where we stop to set down passengers and for our steam locomotive to take on water. We then continue Woking and Staines, where we stop to set down passengers, and on to our final destination at London Victoria.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria 08:45 22:00 Staines 09:35 21:15 Woking 10:05 20:40 Basingstoke 10:55 19:50 Bournemouth 12:50 17:45 Weymouth 13:45 16:40 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

The Dorset Coast Express

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Hadrian Saturday 27th July 2019 Breathtaking landscape and nostalgic steam locomotive haulage combine in one of our most exciting and varied tours by special train. Our train will be hauled from Hellifield to York via Carlisle by either No.45699 Galatea or No.45690 Leander. Passengers will experience the magnificent and world famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, travel on the 181-year old Tyne Valley Line, and speed along the East Coast Main Line. It is all here for a thrilling day’s excursion. Our train leaves Leicester, diesel hauled, early in the morning and stops to pick up more passengers at Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Beeston, Ilkeston, Alfreton and Chesterfield. We continue through Leeds and Skipton to Hellifield, where we change locomotives. A steam locomotive replaces the diesel locomotive on our train for the journey over the spectacular Settle to Carlisle Railway. Between Hellifield and Carlisle there is scarcely a level mile but our powerful steam locomotive will negotiate the 78 miles of rising and falling gradients in truly 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, and over numerous viaducts to Dent, the highest main line station open in England. We make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1169 feet of it, the dramatic peak of our journey! We descend through the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our steam locomotive pauses to take on water. We can expect a fast run downhill from Appleby along the Eden Valley to Carlisle, where we arrive at around 12:50. There will be time to explore the ‘Border’ city with its many attractions that include the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, the pedestrianised English Street and the Lanes Shopping Centre. We leave Carlisle at around 16:00 and take the scenic Tyne Valley Line towards Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Newcastle & Carlisle Railway opened this line in June 1838 and it runs eastwards, following the River Tyne just a few miles south of Hadrian’s Wall. We pass through Wylam, the birthplace of railway engineer George Stephenson, before we join the East Coast Main Line at Low Fell. We can expect some fast running as we head south through Durham and Darlington to York. Reluctantly, we shall have to say farewell to our steam locomotive at York where it will retire for the evening to the National Railway Museum. Here a diesel locomotive replaces our steam locomotive for the remainder of the return journey. We will stop to set down passengers at our outward stations before arriving back at Leicester late evening.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Leicester 06:20 23:10 Loughborough 06:40 23:00 East Midlands Parkway 06:45 22:50 Beeston 06:50 22:45 Ilkeston 07:10 22:25 Alfreton 07:25 22:15 Chesterfield 07:50 22:00 Carlisle 12:50 16:00 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Hadrian

Bob Green

The West Somerset Steam Express Saturday 27th July and 17th August 2019 This series of trains from London Paddington to Minehead features haulage by two steam locomotives in one day. An express steam locomotive will haul our train from London Paddington to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard. The Heritage Railway will then provide a steam locomotive to haul our train to Minehead and back. This provides a truly fascinating day out travelling through beautiful scenery to the Bristol Channel coast. We leave London Paddington at around 08:05, steam hauled by A4 Pacific No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland, and stop at Slough and Reading to pick up more passengers. At Reading we join the Berks and Hants line which runs through picturesque rural countryside. We pass the celebrated Newbury Racecourse before making our final stop for passengers at Newbury station. We continue westwards, travelling beside the tranquil Kennet & Avon Canal, and climbing steadily to Savernake Summit. We pass through the Vale of Pewsey, with views of one of the famous Wiltshire White Horses as we approach Westbury, and continue through undulating agricultural countryside 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, passing near to Dunster with its magnificent castle, and terminating at Minehead. On arrival at Minehead, there will be more than two hours to explore this 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 London Paddington. The train will stop at Newbury, Reading and Slough to set down our passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington 08:05 23:20 Slough 08:40 22:35 Reading 09:15 22:10 Newbury 10:05 21:40 Bishops Lydeard 13:00 19:05 Minehead 14:40 17:15 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

The West Somerset Steam Express

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 3rd August 2019 This is a wonderful opportunity for those from the Crewe and Manchester areas to travel by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes. We travel north to Carlisle by the West Coast Main Line over Shap and return via the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway Line. Both routes pass through spectacular mountain scenery. A magnificent steam locomotive will haul these trains, which recall the glorious days of steam travel. Our train hauled by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool, likely to be either No.45699 Galatea or No.45690 Leander, leaves Crewe at around 06:05 and calls at Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria and Bolton to pick up passengers. We join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and travel north to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster and Carnforth, where beyond our steam locomotive will be working hard when we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around three hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. Our train, hauled by our steam locomotive, leaves Carlisle and joins 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 numerous 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 at Hellifield for our locomotive to take on water. Our journey continues from Hellifield to Clitheroe and Blackburn, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction and, shortly afterwards, take the Manchester line, stopping at Bolton and Manchester Victoria to set down passengers. We continue our journey to Crewe stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Crewe 06:05 22:20 Wilmslow 06:35 21:50 Stockport 06:50 21:25 Manchester Victoria 08:00 20:15 Bolton 08:10 19:50 Preston* 08:30 ------Blackburn ------- 19:15 Carlisle 12:55 16:00 *Passengers for Preston travel by service train from Blackburn on the return journey.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 10th August 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s 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 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Here, we will change over our electric locomotive for today’s steam locomotive, from the Carnforth pool, which may include No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb of our first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and in the former days of steam locomotives banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. 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, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction, having said goodbye to our steam locomotive. We pass though Wigan and Warrington en route to Crewe hauled by our blue class 86 electric locomotive with a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Preston on this train.

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 10:30 ------Preston*** Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train. ***Passengers boarding at Preston will return to Preston by service train from Blackburn.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Waverley Sunday 11th, 18th and 25th August and 8th September 2019 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 Railway 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. These day trips revive the nostalgic former days of steam when travel by train through magnificent scenery was an experience to savour. Our steam hauled train leaves York hauled by steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas or No.45690 Leander at 09:30 and heads for Church Fenton where we take the direct route to Leeds. We stop to pick up more passengers at Leeds, Shipley, Keighley, and Skipton. There will be a stop for our steam locomotive to take on water before we join the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction. Here begins one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. Once through Settle station, there are magnificent views across the Fells to the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass through Dent Dale and the highest open station in England at Dent, travelling through tunnels and crossing valleys on lofty viaducts, as we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit (1169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby, where our locomotive takes on water. Passengers who choose to alight at Appleby will have around four hours to visit this historic market town, which lies in a loop of the picturesque River Eden. Passengers choosing to continue to Carlisle will have over one and a half hours to explore the Border City, possibly visiting the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum or the Lanes Shopping Centre.

Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey at around 16:15 and climbs almost continuously for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on water and to pick up those passengers who spent the afternoon there. We continue to stops at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Leeds and York, to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Waverley

Bob Green

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 24th August 2019 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. We travel outward via the Cotswold Line through Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham and return via the Golden Valley line through Stroud and Kemble. We should experience some fast running along the ex-GWR main line. Our steam train leaves London Paddington at around 07.05 hauled by either A4 class Pacific steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland and heads down the ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) main line. We stop at Slough, Reading and Didcot to pick up more passengers. Our journey continues through Oxford and, at Wolvercote Junction, we join the Cotswold Line. Parts of this line has had double track reinstated, which reopened in 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 speed 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 is nearby at Lower Broadheath.

Our steam train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill in the late afternoon and returns 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 ex-Great Western Main Line. We call at Didcot, Reading and Slough to set down passengers, before arriving in London Paddington. Fares

The Cotswold Venturer

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Derek Phillips

The Cheshireman Saturday 7th September 2019 Join us on this new tour that provides an excellent opportunity to travel across the country from east to west, visiting the historic city of Chester. Apart from its cultural attractions, including the Cathedral, Castle and the Medieval Rows, Chester is a well established shopping mecca, with a large choice of designer and main stream shopping on offer. Our steam hauled train will be pulled by either A4 Class Pacific No.60009 Union of South Africa or No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our journey commences at Norwich around 07:00 where we take the line to Ely, calling at Wymondham, Attleborough and across the Fens to the market town of Thetford. We then make a further pick up at Brandon before we bypass Ely to call at March and Peterborough. We now follow the cross country line through Stamford, a town of outstanding architectural and historic interest that is of national importance. The town has over 600 listed buildings, more than half of the total for the County of Lincolnshire. We continue westwards and pass Rutland Water towards Oakham, the small county town of Rutland. Entering Leicestershire, we run through Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies, and head for Leicester, our final pick up station. We follow the main line to London St Pancras for a while as far as Wigston Junction, where we branch off on the Nuneaton and Birmingham line. Our route now takes us westwards through Hinkley to Nuneaton, where we join the West Coast main line. Heading northwards, our steam locomotive can now get up to top speed as we head for Tamworth and Lichfield. Lines split at Colwich Junction and here we follow the WCML through Shugborough Park to round Queensville Curve at Stafford. The four tracks continue northwards through rural Staffordshire, with our steam locomotive working hard as it tackles the long climb to Whitmore Summit. After a few more miles, we slow down and approach the major railway junction of Crewe. Our final part of the journey takes us across the Cheshire Plain through Beeston Castle, with its lofty 13th century castle overlooking the railway and the Shropshire Union Canal. In no time at all, we arrive at Chester, where there will be a break of around four hours for passengers to visit the city with all its attractions. We then return from Chester at around 17:20 for the steam hauled run back as far as Peterborough, where our steam locomotive leaves the train and from where we return to Norwich, diesel hauled, retracing our outward route.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Norwich 07:00 23:20 Wymondham 07:20 23:10 Attleborough 07:30 23:00 Thetford 07:45 22:35 Brandon 07:55 22:25 March 09:00 21:30 Peterborough 09:20 21:10 Leicester 10:20 20:05 Chester 14:30 17:20 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast, light lunch and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£181

£809

First

£169

£110

£503

Standard

£119

£84

£364

The Cheshireman

Bob Green

The Swanage Belle Thursday 12th September 2019 A unique experience awaits those who join this day trip by steam train to Swanage. It uses the re-opened rail link from Wareham to the ‘Heritage’ Swanage Railway, which is available only to specially chartered trains. Swanage is a superb seaside destination where the railway station is situated close to the town centre. The train will be hauled by A4 Class Pacific No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. We leave London Victoria station at around 08:45, hauled by our steam locomotive, and cross the River Thames at Battersea and at Barnes. We pass through Feltham and stop at Staines to pick up more passengers and then re-cross the river Thames. We join the South Western Main Line at Byfleet Junction 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. We leave the West of England Main Line at Worting Junction 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 re-opened link to Norden and 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, with its sandy beach and Victorian pier. Durlston Castle is in Durlston Country Park & Nature Reserve from where there are stupendous views along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park contains Anvil Point Lighthouse, the 40-ton stone Great Globe, fascinating artefacts from London, and an amazing diversity of wildlife. The Park is one mile from the town and can be reached by bus from the railway station or by walking via public footpaths.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria 08:45 23:10 Staines 09:35 22:20 Woking 10:10 21:35 Basingstoke 10:40 20:50 Swanage 14:15 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our train leaves Swanage for the return journey at around 16:55 and is diesel hauled to Southampton where steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland takes over. We then take a different route from the outward journey, via Romsey to the outskirts of Salisbury where we join the West of England Main Line at Laverstock North Junction. We travel up the main line through Andover and then stop at Basingstoke, Woking, and Staines, to set down passengers. The train is due to arrive in London Victoria soon after 23:00. Fares

The Swanage Belle

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Pennine Blackpool Express Saturday 21st September 2019 Join us on this special train to the Fylde Coast and the vibrant seaside resort of Blackpool. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth, hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive, as far as Carnforth. Here, we will attach our steam locomotive for a scenic tour via Hellifield and Clitheroe through pleasant Lancashire scenery to Blackpool. We return from Blackpool with our blue Class 86 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the West Coast Main Line to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive chosen from one of the Carnforth-based locomotives. Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive will be working hard as we head eastwards on the climb to Wennington. Beyond is a lengthy climb through Bentham and Clapham to a summit near Giggleswick, where we descend to Settle Junction and join up with the Midland Railway’s route from Carlisle to Leeds. We will pause for water at Hellifield before taking the very scenic Ribble Valley line through Clitheroe, which includes the spectacular 48-arch viaduct over the River Calder at Whalley. Another lengthy climb follows after the viaduct to a summit at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station. We descend into Blackburn and follow the line via Bamber Bridge to Preston. From Preston, we will join the line to Blackpool North, newly electrified to serve local trains and also to allow through trains to and from London. We will head westwards across The Fylde and pass through Kirkham, the junction for the Blackpool South branch. We will take the Blackpool North line and pass through Poulton-le-Fylde station where there should be by now views of the famous 518ft tall tower at Blackpool. Time will be available to visit the town and some of its attractions, including the Tower, the Winter Gardens, Madame Tussauds, the three piers or perhaps take a vintage tram ride along the sea front. Shops are also nearby along with many restaurants and pubs to cater for all tastes. After a refreshing break, we will return from Blackpool North to London Euston with our blue electric locomotive arriving around 22:05. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Crewe or Preston on this train.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 Preston 10:30 18:20 Blackpool 14:50 17:45 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Pennine Blackpool Express

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Coast Express Saturday 28th September 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s when travelling over the Cumbrian Fells 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 Carlisle, hauled by a blue Class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a steam tour from Carlisle back to Carnforth via the Cumbria Coast. We return from Carnforth 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, before the ascent to Shap. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. We leave Carlisle steam hauled and our return steam hauled journey to Carnforth takes the scenic coastal route around the Cumbrian Coast. After Maryport, we run along the shoreline through to the industrialised district of Workington, once a centre for the production of iron and steel. There are spectacular cliff edge views as we journey southwards from Workington through to Whitehaven, with the Isle of Man visible on a clear day across the Irish Sea. We run very close to the shoreline for several miles prior to St Bees, famous for its priory and school. We pass Sellafield, where the British Nuclear Fuels works dominates the landscape. At Ravenglass, we meet up with the miniature Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway which is normally steam operated. At Millom, we head inland and follow the sweeping estuary through Foxfield and Kirkby in Furness. We will pass through the ship-building town of Barrow in Furness and onwards past the 14th century Dalton Castle to Dalton in Furness. After Ulverston, we cross Leven Viaduct and curve along the edge of the bay through to Grange-over-Sands. There are more views across Morecambe Bay as we cross the lengthy Kent Viaduct at Arnside and approach Carnforth. Here, we shall say farewell to our gallant steam locomotive and our blue Class 86 electric locomotive will take over for a fast run to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

The Cumbrian Coast Express

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 12th October 2019 With these trains we expect to recreate the early days of steam rail tours in the 1980s 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 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 Milton Keynes (where passengers from Watford Junction join by service train), Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth. Here, we will change over our electric locomotive for today’s steam locomotive, from the Carnforth pool, which may include No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea. Leaving Carnforth, we pass the Brief Encounter café and commence the climb of our first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and in the former days of steam locomotives banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. 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, where passengers for Preston leave the train. We join the WCML at Farington Junction, having said goodbye to our steam locomotive. We pass though Wigan and Warrington en route to Crewe hauled by our blue class 86 electric locomotive with a fast run to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers. Please note: Premier Dining is not available from Preston on this train.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston 07:10 22:05 Watford Junction* 06:40 21:50 Milton Keynes 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 Northampton** Rugby 08:25 20:38 Nuneaton 08:45 20:20 Crewe 09:45 19:15 10:30 ------Preston*** Carlisle 12:40 14:40 *Passengers from Watford Junction will travel to Milton Keynes by service train to join our train. **Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train. ***Passengers boarding at Preston will return to Preston by service train from Blackburn.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Derek Phillips

The Yorkshireman Saturday 19th October 2019 Join us for a main line steam run from west London’s Ealing Broadway station to York. The city of York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. We travel north via the Midland Main Line stopping at stations to pick up further passengers. Our train will be hauled between London and York by either A4 Pacific steam locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa or steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our train leaves London Ealing Broadway at around 06:30 hauled by Union of South Africa or Duchess of Sutherland and travels around West London through Acton Wells and and Neasden South Junction. At Dudding Hill Junction we take the Brent curve and join the Midland Main Line (MML) near Cricklewood. We head north and stop at St. Albans, Luton, Bedford and Kettering, to pick up further passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Ealing Broadway 06:30 22:45 St. Albans 08:01 21:50 Luton 08:17 21:39 Bedford 08:48 21:10 Kettering 09:47 20:37 Melton Mowbray 10:47 19:50 York 13:51 17:15

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.

There are three classes available:

We stop to pick up passengers at Melton Mowbray before 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.

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

York is well known for its Minster, Castle and city walls. The Snickelways, famous medieval alleys and narrow streets, and The Shambles, are well worth exploring. The National Railway Museum, the many shops and museums, ensure that there is something on offer for everybody.

Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit.

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Our train leaves York at around 17:15 and returns to London Ealing Broadway diesel hauled. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Fares

The Yorkshireman

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Tin Bath Sunday 3rd November 2019 Who can forget Compo, Clegg and Foggy rolling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath for the long-running TV series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’? In honour of this immortal moment in one of the great TV comedies we have named this tour The Tin Bath. Our train takes in the railways of the South Pennines and the Peak District encompassing Derbyshire, Lancashire and South Yorkshire and visiting some routes rarely used by steam trains along the way. Our train leaves Preston hauled by a Carnforth pool locomotive, likely to be either No.45690 Leander or No.45699 Galatea. We head south up the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Wigan North Western, where we stop for more passengers. We then travel eastwards to Manchester Victoria and a further stop is made to pick up passengers. Our locomotive will be working hard as we leave Manchester and immediately commence the climb of the testing 1 in 47 gradient of Miles Platting bank. We shall then make our way towards Chinley on another long climb and join the former Midland Railway’s ‘Hope Valley’ line to Sheffield. We pass through Hathersage, a charming village associated with Robin Hood and the Eyre family of Bronte fame. This route is spectacularly scenic and encompasses a number of long tunnels, including the passage through the 3½ mile-long Totley Tunnel, first opened in 1892. We soon arrive at Sheffield, where there is a brief stop, prior to watering our steam locomotive at Brightside. On leaving Sheffield we head northwards to Wincobank Junction, adjacent to the famous Meadowhall Shopping Centre, where we join the Barnsley Line. It is a long climb from here up to Chapeltown, Wombwell and Barnsley. But it doesn’t end there! From Barnsley we take a single-track line that climbs steeply at gradients of 1 in 50 and 1 in 57 up to Dodworth, where the gradient eases to 1 in 100. Soon afterwards we approach the former junction at Penistone where after, we pass over the magnificent 29-arch Penistone viaduct.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Preston 09:00 21:30 Wigan North Western 09:30 20:45 Manchester Victoria 10:20 18:30 Sheffield 12:40 13:30 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes Buck’s Fizz, morning tea or coffee served with a Tulip muffin and a four course lunch silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning coffee with a muffin, afternoon tea and coffee with a cake and a biscuit. 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 £25 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

We continue past Denby Dale, famous for its huge meat pies, and the junction for the Kirklees Light Railway. We descend to Huddersfield, crossing many fine bridges and viaducts on the way, including the listed 32-arch Lockwood Viaduct. We continue via Huddersfield to Brighouse where we pause for our steam locomotives to take on water. We then enter the Calder Valley and pass through Hebden Bridge. At Hall Royd Junction near Todmorden, we leave the main line to Manchester, and take the steeply graded 1 in 65 line to Copy Pit summit (749 feet above sea level), before descending through Burnley to Accrington and Blackburn. From Blackburn we now return to Manchester Victoria. Fares

Following a reversal at Manchester Victoria, we now return to Preston via our earlier calling points.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£254

£168

£760

First

£154

£102

£461

Standard

£99

£74

£309

The Tin Bath

Bob Green

The Great Britain Tour XII Saturday 27th April to Sunday 5th May 2019 Our prestigious Great Britain tour returns for its 12th edition, packed with great steam highlights and covering the full span of Britain’s culture, history and incredible landscapes. Your breath-taking adventure starts at London Paddington Station with a picturesque journey to Kingswear, travelling along the famous sea wall at Dawlish en route. You’ll journey from Somerset and Cornwall through Wales and Cumbria to the Scottish Highlands on exclusively chartered trains, steam hauled in relaxed style with overnight stays in comfortable hotels. With incredible highlights including Shap Summit en route to Carlisle, crossing the Forth Bridge, time in classy Edinburgh and a trip to remote Stranraer among many others, you’ll see the wonderful panorama of the British Isles unfold as you travel in style on this true holiday adventure of a lifetime. And with iconic locomotives such as No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland, No.60009 Union of South Africa, B1 No.61264, Jubilees No.45690 Leander and No.45699 Galatea, No.60103 Flying Scotsman and a Black V scheduled to be used on the tour, you’re advised to book early to be certain of your place! Saturday 27th April Steam-hauled to Exeter via Taunton; the Dawlish Sea Wall Your epic nine-day tour of Great Britain starts steam-hauled from London Paddington, along the former Great Western Railway (GWR) main line. You leave London and follow Brunel’s route to Bristol, building speed through west London suburbs. Crossing the Thames via Brunel’s famous arch at Maidenhead, you approach Reading via the mile-long passage through Sonning Cutting. Your route shadows the Thames towards Swindon, passing the former locomotive depot at Didcot, now a working museum. Taking the Swindon line, you traverse the Vale of White Horse, where the prehistoric Uffington White Horse overlooks the railway. Leaving Oxfordshire, you enter Wiltshire at Swindon, famous for the railway works built there by the Great Western Railway in 1841. You continue on to the famous Roman city of Bath, before heading for Bristol. Sited on the river Avon, Bristol’s extensive docks are home to Brunel’s restored steamship SS Great

Britain. From here you head across the Somerset Levels, passing through Highbridge and Bridgwater before reaching Taunton. You now steam toward Wellington bank through the Blackdown Hills to face the 1-in-170 gradient. Once clear of the summit at Whiteball tunnel, you enter Devon and follow the line through Cullompton to the cathedral city of Exeter. The route follows the river Exe past Powderham Castle and through Starcross before reaching the English Channel at Dawlish Warren. You then experience the famous sea wall run between Dawlish and Teignmouth, before heading inland along the river Teign towards Newton Abbot. You’ll branch off the main line here to reach Plymouth at Aller Junction for the short, former GWR branch line to Paignton, a popular seaside resort on the so-called English Riviera. At Paignton, your train moves on to the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway line for the run to Kingswear. Spectacular cliff top vistas and wooded valleys lead to this fine naval and fishing port, where you have time to take the ferry over

The Great Britain Tour XII

the Dart to Dartmouth. You then return from Kingswear to Exeter along the Dawlish sea wall for your first night’s stay in a quality local hotel. Sunday 28th April Heritage steam at the West Somerset Railway This morning, you set off from Exeter back towards Taunton, again tackling the long climb through to the tunnel at Whiteball. After Taunton you follow the local link via Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard, for a memorable trip along the 20 mile heritage West Somerset Railway. Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber and Blue Anchor are just some of the stations on the line. Travelling along the southern edge of the Quantock Hills you skirt the pretty harbour at Blue Anchor Bay to reach Minehead. Here you can either explore the town or take a WSR train back along the line to visit some of the colourfullynamed stations.

Later in the afternoon you depart Minehead back to Bishops Lydeard and thence to Taunton for your overnight stay in a comfortable hotel. Monday 29th April Welsh Marches line to Chester; sightseeing in Hereford Today your train travels across the Somerset Levels towards Bristol, entering Wales via the Severn Tunnel and running along the Welsh Marches line to Hereford. You run via Caerleon and Abergavenny, with spectacular views of the distant Black Mountain and plenty of steep gradients to challenge your steam locomotive. The line twists and turns northwards through Pontrilas, crossing the Wales/England border frequently before reaching Hereford. After a break to sightsee this historic city on the River Wye, you continue via Leominster to Ludlow in Shropshire. Passing the Long Mynd at Church Stretton you descend alongside the winding River Severn towards Shrewsbury, before heading for Chester through Gobowen and Wrexham, crossing the Welsh border at Chirk, famed for its medieval castle. The Llangollen canal and rivers Ceiriog and Dee run nearby, so lofty aqueducts and viaducts are a feature of the line. Elihu Yale, who founded Yale University, is buried in St Giles church in Wrexham. Evidence of former coalmining activity abounds as you head down Gresford Bank and across the Cheshire Plain towards the border. Crossing the river Dee by the Racecourse, you enter the cathedral city of Chester for a comfortable evening stay in a local hotel. Tuesday 30th April Northwards to Edinburgh via Shap Summit and Beattock Leaving Chester, you head inland and follow the line through Frodsham, in the shadow of Frodsham and Runcorn Edges, to Warrington to join the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Heading northwards, you’ll pass through Preston and Carnforth before steep ascents to Oxenholme and Grayrigg. The spectacular Lune Gorge and the Howgills precede the climb to Shap Summit as your steam locomotive tackles this notorious 1-in75 incline.

Descending through Penrith your train reaches the border city of Carlisle, pausing for a short service break while you explore the locality. Back on board you head north and cross the Scottish border at Gretna Green, following the valley of Annandale through pleasant Borders scenery to Beattock, where your locomotive battles to maintain steam on the ten-mile climb against a 1-in-80 gradient. A rapid descent through the upper Clyde valley towards Carstairs follows before you leave the WCML to follow the Edinburgh line. After a long climb to Cobbinshaw you descend to Edinburgh, running through the Princes Street Gardens before reaching Edinburgh Waverley station. You’ll spend the next two nights in Edinburgh, with ample time to discover its many attractions, including the Castle, Cathedral, Palace of Holyrood and fashionable shops. Tomorrow is an optional day, with either a trip to Aberdeen to enjoy, or time to make use of the facilities at your hotel before further sightseeing. Wednesday 1st May Optional trip to Aberdeen; Forth Bridge crossing; time in the ‘Granite City’ This morning your optional return trip to Aberdeen leaves Edinburgh Waverley heading for the world famous Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You follow the coastline through Burntisland and Kirkcaldy, with outstanding views across the estuary. Cutting inland you pass through Ladybank and run via Leuchars to cross the Firth of Tay on the Tay Bridge. Across the water lies Dundee, where Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition ship ‘RRS Discovery’ is housed. Leaving the Tay estuary, you follow the coast towards Arbroath, famous for its culinary ‘Smokies’. Reaching Montrose, which sits on a land-locked lagoon, you move inland through the Howe of Mearns to reach the North Sea again at Stonehaven. Your route follows the coastline before entering the ‘Granite City’ of Aberdeen, where you’ll have time to sightsee and shop, before your steam locomotive retraces the route back to Edinburgh for a free evening to enjoy the city. Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Premier Class

£3495

Premier Class Aberdeen option

£279

Single supplement

£395

First Class

£2695

First Class Aberdeen option

£189

Single supplement

£350

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Optional excursion

£45

All prices shown are per person. Premier Class includes: • 8 nights accommodation and breakfast (when not served on the train) in 3 and 4-star hotels • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners silver served at your seat • Seats will be in First Class open coaches First Class includes: • 8 nights accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels • Morning coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Apart from breakfast other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense • Seating is in First Class open coaches Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £185 per person (subject to availability). Please note: The Aberdeen tour is optional and priced per person. April–May 2019 Mon

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Advertised routes and locomotives are subject to change due to availability and operational issues.

Bob Green

The Great Britain Tour XII

UK TOUR

Bob Green

Thursday 2nd May Steam-hauled through rugged landscapes to remote Stranraer This morning you leave Edinburgh and head west towards Glasgow to pick up the line to Paisley and onwards to Irvine, eventually reaching the Firth of Clyde. Passing through the golf links of Troon and Prestwick, you follow the Ayrshire Coast Railway to the seaside town of Ayr, where you’ll return later in the day. First, however, you enjoy a scenic rail journey south along the Scottish west coast, to the sea port of Stranraer on Loch Ryan off the North Sea, through landscapes that inspired poet Robert Burns, who was born near Ayr. The railway was built by the Glasgow & South Western Railway Company and joined up with the Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint line for the last few miles to Stranraer. It’s noted for some severe gradients, particularly the 1-in-54 climb away from Girvan and the lengthy 1-in-67 climb through Barrhill. On arrival at Stranraer you’ll have time to either visit the town while your steam locomotives are serviced or take in the brisk air off Loch Ryan. You’ll return northward later to Ayr for an overnight stay. Friday 3rd May South into England to Scarborough via the Settle & Carlisle Line You depart this morning from Ayr northwards for Troon, to join the G&SW main line from Glasgow to Carlisle for a run through East Ayrshire to Cumnock and Sanquhar. Passing through dense forests via Nithsdale towards Dumfries, you pass over the border into England at Gretna Green heading for Carlisle, where you’ll take a short break. You leave Carlisle on the spectacular Settle & Carlisle line through the rugged Pennines to Settle Junction, a journey of 72 miles incorporating 20 viaducts and 14 tunnels.

Following the undulating Eden Valley from Carlisle you reach Appleby, a town famous for its annual horse fair. The line climbs for fifteen miles at a gradient of 1-in-100 to the summit of the line at Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level. There then follows the passage through Garsdale to Dent, the highest main line station still open in England. There are spectacular views from your train as it passes through Dent Dale and into Blea Moor Tunnel, before reaching the iconic Ribblehead viaduct, spanning 24 arches and over 100 feet tall. The three peaks of Ingleborough, Wernside and Pen y Gent will be visible as you descend to Settle Junction. Your scenic journey continues along the Aire Valley via Leeds to York. The last section of the day follows the river Derwent across Yorkshire through Malton to the seaside resort of Scarborough, where you’ll stay overnight. As well as two scenic bays overlooked by an imposing castle, this popular North Yorkshire resort has many other tourist attractions. Saturday 4th May Free time in and around busy Scarborough Today is free to do your own thing in and around Scarborough, with its charming shops and market, harbour boat trips, parks, museums and variety of seaside entertainments. Alternatively, you might like to join us on an optional visit to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. We will travel to Pickering by coach and then continue onwards to Whitby steam hauled. Here you will have some free time to enjoy this seaside town before you return to Pickering and then back to Scarborough.

Bob Green

The Great Britain Tour XII

Sunday 5th May South to London through Oxford and Didcot After two nights in Scarborough, you re-join your Great Britain train and head south towards York, with a fast run along the ECML to Doncaster. Threading your way through the South Yorkshire industrial towns of Rotherham and Sheffield, you head past the crooked spire at Chesterfield, to follow the fertile Derwent Valley through Belper to Derby. Leaving the railway town behind you head south along the valley of the Trent through Burton on Trent and Tamworth to the outskirts of Birmingham. Running via Bordesley Junction, you join the Great Western Main Line from Snow Hill at Tyseley and continue through Warwick and Leamington to Banbury. After Banbury, the route follows the meandering Oxford Canal as you head for Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’. You continue south through Didcot to arrive at London Paddington in the early evening to end your comprehensive highlight-packed 9 day rail tour of England, Scotland and Wales.

Tour Summary

Bob Green

Premier Class

£3495

Premier Class Aberdeen option

£279

Single supplement

£395

First Class

£2695

First Class Aberdeen option

£189

Single supplement

£350

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Optional excursion

£45

Bob Green

• Morning coffee or tea and Danish pastries • Afternoon tea and biscuits served at your seat • Apart from breakfast other meals at the hotels will be at your own expense • Seating is in First Class open coaches Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £185 per person (subject to availability). Please note: The Aberdeen tour is optional and priced per person. April–May 2019 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 7

Advertised routes and locomotives are subject to change due to availability and operational issues.s

The Great Britain Tour XII

UK TOUR

Argyll, Mull and Iona Wednesday 1st May to Friday 10th May 2019 Discover the tranquil Trossachs, the rugged Western Highlands and the pristine Inner Hebrides on this unique tour of the remote Scottish Highlands and islands. Initially based in the historic city of Stirling, you then visit the famed port town of Oban, before relaxing for three nights on the inspiring Isle of Mull. You will travel on the storied steamship “Sir Walter Scott” on Loch Katrine, and visit the famed ’Hollow Mountain’ by Loch Awe. At Oban, there’s leisure time and a distillery visit before a scenic drive along the rugged northern Argyll shoreline. You’ll then sail to Mull, where you’ll immerse yourself in the spectacular natural scenery and breathtaking landscapes, from deep lochs and towering peaks to tranquil sandy beaches. Further tour highlights include Ben More on Mull and the ancient Abbey on Iona. With plenty of photo opportunities and stops for exploration, comfortable hotel stays and fine cuisine, this is truly a northern adventure holiday not to be missed. Wednesday 1st May London to Stirling on the ‘Highland Chieftain’ You’ll join the ’Highland Chieftain’ at London’s King’s Cross for the journey to Scotland, following the route of the iconic East Coast Main Line (ECML) through increasingly inspiring scenery. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you travel First Class in spacious comfort. The train travels via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh before you arrive at historic Stirling, where you book into the Golden Lion hotel for the next two nights. A welcome dinner is served at the hotel this evening. (L D) Thursday 2nd May Steam Cruise on Loch Katrine and Stirling Castle In the morning you transfer by coach from Stirling along scenic roads to nearby Loch Katrine, set in the centre of Trossachs National Park. You’ll then enjoy a 2 hour lake cruise on the world-famous steamship ‘Sir Walter Scott’ to Stronachlachar from Trossachs Pier, taking in the beauty of the loch that inspired Sir Walter Scott, Coleridge and

Wordsworth. On returning you’ll take a light lunch at the restaurant on the pier. Afterwards you transfer by coach again to Stirling Castle for a guided tour of the grounds. There will be plenty of free time to have a look around Stirling itself afterwards. Dinner will be taken at the hotel. (B L D) Friday 3rd May Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe and Cruachan Hollow Mountain After breakfast you embark on a scenic drive over the breathtaking Western Highlands to Oban. Enjoy the panoramic windows, extra legroom and upholstered seats of your luxury coach as looming mountains and remote moors pass by. A first highlight is the visit to the ruined 15th century Kilchurn Castle, once the stronghold of Clan Campbell. These towering remains sit in a picture-perfect location on the shores of Loch Awe, dwarfed by Ben Cruachan, the ‘Hollow Mountain’. After your visit the coach continues the short distance to the lake-side Cruachan visitor centre, where a light lunch will be served at the Hollow Mountain Cafe. After lunch, you’ll have a

Argyll, Mull and Iona

30 minute guided tour of the incredible Cruachan hydroelectric power station, inside the mountain. A bus drives you through the long vaulted access tunnel to the massive machine hall, a setting that is straight out of a Bond movie. Alternately, you can use the time to take a stroll along Loch Awe. In the late afternoon, your coach continues the short distance to Oban. You’ll spend the next 3 nights at an elegant, seaside hotel here. Dinner will be served at your hotel tonight. (B L D) Saturday 4th May At leisure in Oban and distillery visit Today you may enjoy a leisurely morning and can take time to explore the pretty seaside port of Oban, ‘Gateway to the Isles’. The town has pedestrian streets and is dominated by McCraig’s Tower, an architectural folly from the early 20th century. The striking stone structure mimics the Roman Colosseum and is visible from afar. In the afternoon, you have a tour visit scheduled to the famed Oban distillery, founded in 1794, and can savour a wee dram of this locally crafted single malt. Dinner will once again be served at your hotel. (B D)

Sunday 5th May Loch Crerar, Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker After a leisurely breakfast, you enjoy a scenic drive along the stunning coastline of northern Argyll. The coach passes alongside spectacular sea lochs, such as Loch Etive, Loch Crerar and the largest of them all, Loch Linnhe. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities so you can capture the unsurpassed natural scenery. You’ll take a lunch break at Port Appin, a small ferry pier with wonderful views over to the deep green island of Lismore. In the afternoon, you visit Portnacroish, where panoramic views of the island situated, sea-framed Castle Stalker round off your day of discovery. You return to Oban in time for dinner at your hotel. (B L D) Monday 6th May Isle of Mull and Duart Castle This Morning, you embark on the morning ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull. From there you start your discovery of this enchanting island, calling first at the legendary Duart Castle for a tour of the grounds. Lunch will be taken there at the local tearooms. You then continue along the spectacular eastern shoreline of Mull, making stops at scenic locations for bird watching, photography and to admire the beaches. You then arrive at Tobermory, and check in to the grand Western Isles Hotel where you’ll spend the next 3 nights. (B L D) Tuesday 7th May Ben More and Iona In the morning you’ll be treated to another scenic drive to discover more about Mull. Enjoy a panoramic stop at the foot of majestic Ben More, the island’s highest point with an elevation of 966 metres. At Fionnphort, at the very western tip of Mull, you take the CalMac ferry for the short crossing over to the legendary island of Iona. It’s sacred ancient Abbey is one of the earliest centres of Christianity in the UK. You’ll have plenty of time to see the site and explore its beautiful natural setting. In the late afternoon you return by ferry and coach to your hotel, stopping

at another scenic vantage point along the way for more bird-watching and nature photography. (B L D) Wednesday 8th May Tobermory and Northwestern Mull Today your tour is dedicated to exploring the north-western corner of Mull, with its windswept, lush green landscape and stunning coastal scenery. Lunch will be taken in Tobermory today. Tobermory was built as a fishing port in the late 18th century and is now the main town on Mull, notable for its brightly painted buildings, busy harbour and scenic backdrop of woodland-fringed hills. (B L) Thursday 9th May West Highland Main Line to Glasgow Today a true railway highlight awaits, as you first take the ferry from Craignure to Oban and board a ScotRail service train for the journey over the amazing West Highland Main Line. See Loch Awe and Loch Lomond from the comfort of your carriage, before arriving at Glasgow Queen Street station in the late afternoon. You then have an evening leisure time in this vibrant metropolis, discovering the attractive pedestrianised city centre, framed by impressive historic buildings and visit the bustling shops and restaurants. Take a stroll down the “Style Mile” or Argyll Street, or discover the Art Nouveau or Art Deco architecture of Central Glasgow. Your overnight accommodation will be at a conveniently located city centre hotel. (B)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1995

Single supplement

£295

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • First Class rail travel to Stirling and return from London • 9 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3-star hotels • 7 dinners and 7 lunches • All visits, train travel, transfers and tours, as detailed in the itinerary • Reserved seats • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2019 Mon

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Friday 10th May At leisure in Glasgow and return to London After breakfast, you spend a few more hours exploring Glasgow, before boarding an early afternoon Virgin Pendolino at the resplendent Glasgow Central station. You’ll be accommodated in First Class comfort as the train whisks you back to London Euston at high speed through the Scottish Lowlands and the English Lake District. (B)

Argyll, Mull and Iona

UK TOUR

The Shetlander Friday 10th May to Friday 17th May 2019 Friday 20th September to Friday 27th September 2019 Discover the timeless beauty of the remote Shetland Islands on this ever-popular tour to the northernmost outpost of the UK. Your adventure starts with a high-speed trip north to Aberdeen and a crossing to Shetland, heralding four days exploration of its rugged shorelines, windswept rolling hills and rich cultural heritage. You’ll visit the best natural and historical attractions and discover stunning rock formations, unspoiled beaches and ancient archaeological sites. There are local arts and crafts to enjoy, breath-taking landscapes and local wildlife to photograph, while tour highlights include trips to ancient Scalloway Castle, St Ninian’s Isle and Isbister, the most northerly point on Shetland accessible by coach. And when you do return to the Scottish mainland you cap this fascinating holiday with a relaxing stay at St Andrews, one of Scotland’s most historic and elegant cities, steeped in golfing lore and crammed with beautiful architecture. Friday London to Aberdeen Your adventure begins in the plush First Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a mid-morning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line aboard the HST 125 trainset, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as the train travels north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You cross the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges and arrive in Aberdeen in late afternoon, checking into your conveniently located city centre hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure in the ‘Granite City’, exploring this hub of Northeast Scotland. (L) Saturday Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Shetland After breakfast, a road coach transfers you from your hotel to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train then takes you on the eight-mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Freshly prepared sandwiches and refreshments

will be provided at the railway buffet. After lunch you return to Aberdeen and visit the ‘Fitties’, a charming old fishing village nestling on the north side of the harbour. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for an overnight crossing to Lerwick. The ferry sails within sight of the north-eastern coast of Scotland before passing through the open North Sea. After dinner you retire to your private cabin for the night. (B L D)

way back to visit Scalloway Castle and museum. In early afternoon you have a scenic drive to Lerwick to visit the Iron Age tower ruins of the Broch of Clickimin on its outskirts. To round off a feature-packed day, you’ll visit the impressive Fort Charlotte, built between 1652-1653 during the First Anglo-Dutch War to keep the Dutch fleet at bay. In the late afternoon, you check in to your hotel and later dine there with your fellow travellers. (B D)

Sunday Tour of the Central Shetland Mainland; Scalloway Castle and Museum After an all-night sail you reach Lerwick on the Shetland mainland and have breakfast on the ship before disembarking. Your tour of the Central Mainland of Shetland starts with a brief coach tour of Lerwick before heading west to Tingwall, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit to ‘Carol’s Ponies’, a local crofter who breeds Shetland ponies. Moving on, you head to the island of West Burra to view the beautiful sandy beach of Banna Minn, after which you make your

Monday South Shetland Mainland Shetland’s largest island has a size of 373 square miles, making it the third largest Scottish and fifth largest British island. Today you’ll explore the scenic highlights of its southern mainland. You first head for the unspoilt beaches at St Ninian’s Isle, connected to the mainland by the longest ‘tombolo’ in the UK. Look out for the seal colony on the beach as you go past. At the Croft Museum at Dunrossness you’ll experience what life was like in a 19th century croft. Continuing south to Sumburgh Head, the coach

The Shetlander

stops for you to photograph the sea birds, including puffins, nesting on the steep cliffs. You may never get so close to puffins again! In the afternoon you visit the wonderfully preserved prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof, before heading back to Lerwick. En route you’ll stop off at the Hoswick Visitor Centre in Sandwick and take in the views of the uninhabited island of Mousa, which has one of the best preserved brochs (round tower) in Shetland. In the late afternoon you return by road coach to Lerwick and dine at your hotel. (B D) Tuesday Northern Mainland Today is dedicated to the discovery of the natural wonders of Shetland’s northern mainland. Heading north through the wild landscape, you make your way to Hellister and visit the amazing Shetland Jewellery centre, where traditional Celtic rings and pendants are crafted. You now head up to North Roe passing glorious scenery and, if conditions are amenable, you press on to Isbister, the most northerly point on the mainland accessible by coach. On the return journey you’ll visit Hillswick, where you can see the hooch kettles that were used to treat nets and sails, and then the stunning, rugged cliffs at Esha Ness. You then pay a quick visit to Tangwick Haa Museum, which preserves the history of Northmavine peninsula. There’ll be no shortage of photographic opportunities today to capture the amazing wildlife and scenery. After a very full day you return to your hotel for an evening meal. (B D)

journey west, you first stop at Mavis Grind for a photo stop. This is a narrow isthmus separating the North Sea from the Atlantic, just 108 ft wide at its narrowest point. Continuing on you’ll visit the visitor centre at Jamieson’s Spinning Mill at Sandness, a fantastic retail outlet for Shetland knitwear. Still further on you see the coastline at its best with views across to the island of Papa Stour. Returning to Lerwick you stop off at the scenic fishing villages of Walls and Voe, before rounding off your visit to these wonderful Isles with a visit to the awesome Shetland Museum. You’ll sail back to Aberdeen on a late afternoon departure by ferry enjoying a unique opportunity to watch Fair Isle slip by on the port side as you enjoy your evening meal. (B D) Thursday Aberdeen to St Andrews After your overnight crossing you arrive in Aberdeen. Following breakfast on board the ferry, your coach takes you south to Dundee for a visit to Captain Scott’s ship HMS Discovery. You will then be driven to St Andrews to drop your cases off at your hotel before enjoying free time to explore this wonderful university town. (B D)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1695

Single supplement

£210

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • First Class rail travel from London to Aberdeen and return from Leuchars with at-seat dining • 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3-star hotels • 2 nights bed and breakfast in a private cabin during your ferry crossings • 6 dinners and 3 lunches • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager

Friday Return to London Your Scottish adventure concludes with a return to London, travelling First Class on an East Coast Main Line HST. You board the train at Leuchars and again travel over the Forth Bridge via Edinburgh and Newcastle southwards. Lunch will be served on the train in First Class as you travel. (B L)

Wednesday Western Mainland On your last day on Shetland you explore the westernmost part of the mainland. On your

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2019 Mon

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September 2019

The Shetlander

UK TOUR

Arran and Kintyre Saturday 25th May to Friday 31st May 2019 Explore the diverse delights of Western Scotland on this holiday to the picturesque Isle of Arran and the scenic peninsula of Kintyre. With striking landscapes contrasting sandy beaches and rolling fields with an interior capped by the majestic Goatfell peak, Arran is truly ‘Scotland in Miniature’. You’ll stay three days here in Brodick at the refined Douglas Hotel, with highlights including a visit to Lochranza distillery and Brodick Castle with the chance to watch and photograph the stunning local wildlife. Moving on to Kintyre for three nights at the regal Royal Hotel in Campbeltown, here you’ll visit remote Davaar Island, explore Campbeltown itself with its three whisky distilleries and thriving harbour, and bask in the discovery of some of the finest scenery in all Scotland, with its rugged coastlines, idyllic beaches and fertile glens. This quintessential Scottish celebration has something for everyone, from exquisite cuisine to lusty off-the-beaten-path excursions along coast and fell. Definitely not to be missed! Saturday 25th May London to Brodick Your holiday starts with a greeting from your tour manager in the First Class lounge at London King’s Cross Station before you board a Virgin Trains service to Edinburgh. You then travel in spacious comfort up the East Coast Main Line (ECML), with an easy interchange at Edinburgh Waverley onto a ScotRail service to Glasgow Central and onto Ardrossan Harbour. There you change onto the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry for the one hour crossing to Brodick, the Isle of Arran’s principal town. Here you check into the elegant Douglas Hotel, where you’ll be based for the next 3 nights. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (L D) Sunday 26th May Brodick Castle and Gardens; Goatfell and Lochranza Distillery After a leisurely breakfast this morning you’ll be able to look around bustling Brodick before a scheduled late morning visit to Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park. A quintessential

Victorian estate, this is the only island country park in the whole of Britain. The Castle houses an outstanding collection of period furniture, silverware, porcelain, paintings and sporting trophies. The estate features a range of habitats from the formal walled gardens to wild woodland walks, all against a backdrop of stunning views over Brodick Bay. You’ll see the wild Ayrshire coast on one side, with towering Goatfell peak on the other. After your visit you’ll have a coach trip along the east and north coasts of the island to the whisky distillery at Lochranza, for a guided tour and a ‘wee dram’. There’ll be several stops along the way for bird watching and photography at scenic vantage points, so you can begin to immerse yourself in the amazing landscapes of Arran. Dinner will be served back at your hotel this evening. (B D) Monday 27th May Nature and scenery of southern and central Arran Today a relaxed tour of the south of Arran awaits,

Arran and Kintyre

with stops at the sweeping 2 mile long Whiting Bay, the village of Kildonan, the turbulent Glenashdale Falls and the Standing Stones at Machrie Moor. Whiting Bay is the third largest of Arran’s settlements after Lamlash and Brodick, and retains much of the quiet gentility of an earlier era, although many grand villas have since been converted to hotels, guest houses and restaurants. The double cascade at Glenashdale Falls is a delight to view and the ancient stones at Machrie Moor are a fine example of a Neolithic centre of ritual and domestic activity, scattered across a lonely moorland. It’s a day for trail walking, bird watching, wildlife photography and marvelling at the views and countless natural highlights. Dinner will be served back at your hotel this evening. (B D) Tuesday 28th May Western Arran and on to Kintyre Today you travel through the heart of Arran by coach, with road stops at some striking vantage points, before taking the island’s main road for a

drive along Arran’s West coast. At Lochranza village you’ll enjoy the views of the ruined stone castle, originally built as a hall-house in the late 1200s or early 1300s, before boarding the CalMac ferry for a 30 minute crossing over to Claonaig on Kintyre. Your comfortable road coach then takes the scenic main road along the west coast of Kintyre south to Campbeltown, once again stopping at the most picturesque nature spots. You arrive later at the graceful Royal Hotel in Campbeltown, overlooking the delightful working harbour, replete with fishing boats and leisure craft. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (B D) Wednesday 29th May Davaar Island, Dunaverty Beach and Mull of Kintyre Today is dedicated to exploring the very southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, including rocky Davaar Island, located just east of Campbeltown and only accessible by a causeway road. You’ll also discover Dunaverty Beach and the famous Mull of Kintyre, made famous by Paul McCartney’s song of the same name. This is a beautiful area, combining rugged cliffs and coastline facing the North Atlantic, with secluded and often deserted, golden sandy beaches. It enjoys a special climate all of its own, as evidenced by the many palm trees growing out in the open, and often has better weather than much of the rest of Scotland. You return to Campbeltown in the late afternoon and can look forward to a silver-served dinner at your Royal Hotel. (B D)

Thursday 30th May Leisure in Campbeltown and Machrihanish Dunes After several active days, it’s time for a more relaxing morning at leisure in wonderful Campbeltown. Located on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills, Campbeltown has three whisky distilleries (out of a one-time 28) and was once the whisky capital of the world! In the afternoon your coach then takes you to the sandy Machrihanish Dunes on the western coast of Kintyre, just outside Campbeltown and home to a famous links golf course. Enjoy the undulating dunes and the wonderful coastline scenery. Dinner is back at your hotel tonight. (B D) Friday 31st May Return to London You’ll rise early today for the crossing on the direct CalMac ferry from Campbeltown to Ardrossan Harbour, which only runs on two days of the week. During the trip, you’ll again have excellent views of Arran as the ferry rounds the island to the south. From Ardrossan Harbour you continue on to Glasgow Central on a fast, electric service with ScotRail. From there it’s a trip on a Virgin Pendolino train in First Class comfort back to London. (B)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1795

Single supplement

£275

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels • 1 lunch • 6 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Brodick and from Glasgow to London • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2019 Mon

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Arran and Kintyre

UK TOUR

Bob Green

The Cock O’the North Thursday 30th May to Tuesday 4th June 2019 Thursday 29th August to Tuesday 3rd September 2019 Discover the outstanding natural beauty of the north of Scotland on our ever-popular ‘Cock O’ the North’ rail and road tour. You’ll explore this rugged area by extensive train, road coach and ferry transport, starting with a First Class journey on the ‘Highland Chieftain’ from London to Inverness. Two heritage rail trips follow, the first on the Strathspey Railway in the shadow of the Cairngorms, the second on the Keith & Dufftown ‘Whisky Line’, followed by a distillery visit. Take a trip to Kyle of Lochalsh on the most scenic line in Britain, thence to the fascinating Isle of Skye for a two-day stay, including a guided tour of the many sights there. A memorable trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train from Mallaig to Fort William is another tour highlight. Dubbed ‘one of the great railway journeys of the world’, it takes in the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct and sea views of the islands of Eigg and Rum. With stays at comfortable hotels and outstanding cuisine, point-to-point road coach transport for your luggage and the services of a tour manager included, this has to be one of the best Scottish holidays ever! Thursday ‘Highland Chieftain’ to Inverness From the comfort of the First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station you join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ for the scenic journey to Scotland. This train follows the route of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) via historic connections and through magnificent landscapes. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you speed on in First Class comfort. Stopping at York to take on passengers who have travelled by service train from Peterborough, you continue via Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth, and join the Highland Main Line to travel through the beautiful Scottish Highlands to Inverness. At Inverness you check in to your 3-star hotel for two nights. Dinner will be served this evening in the hotel restaurant. (L D)

Railway. This heritage railway line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen). The return trip affords outstanding views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join your road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, and have lunch in the ‘Buffer Stop’, a railway restaurant car. The return trip by vintage diesel rail car takes you on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. This so-called ‘Whisky Line’ passes through dense pine forests, by the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and along the winding valley of the River Isla. To end an eventful day, you visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to the hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

You then leave Inverness and travel by train to Kyle of Lochalsh, an idyllic location on the northwest coast of Scotland at the entrance to another sea inlet, Loch Alsh. This line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain and passes through forests, alongside lakes overshadowed by mountains, and along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet. A road coach then takes you over the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye and on to Portree. On the way there are spectacular views inland of mountains and seaward of the islands in the Sound of Raasay, which boasts the deepest water in the UK Continental Shelf at 324 metres, Portree is the island’s main town and is known for its picturesque harbour. Here you check in to The Royal Hotel, your base for the next two nights. (B D)

Friday Strathspey Railway; Keith & Dufftown Railway This morning you travel by road coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey

Saturday Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train After a traditional Scottish breakfast your luggage is collected from the hotel and transported by privately chartered road coach to your next hotel.

Sunday Tour of Skye You have the benefit of a tour guide today as you explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach. The island’s peninsulas radiate from a

The Cock O’the North

mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. The Black Cuillin mountain range is the only truly alpine environment in Britain and has twelve summits above 914 metres. Returning to Portree there’ll be ample time to look around and enjoy lunch at the hotel. Afterwards you’ll visit the north of the island, with highlights including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is rightly renowned for its vibrant culture, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, examples being the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter, and your coach will stop whenever possible for film and photo opportunities. After an exciting day you return to your hotel in Portree. (B L D) Monday Ferry to Mallaig; ‘The Jacobite’ Steam Train After breakfast, say farewell to Portree as you head south by road coach to Armadale to catch the ferry to Mallaig, a boat journey of around thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there’ll be time to explore the village and have lunch before joining ‘The Jacobite’ steam train to Fort William. This unforgettable 42 mile route has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. ‘The Jacobite’ takes you through some of Scotland’s most outstanding scenery, beginning with the sea views to the islands of Eigg and Rum. It crosses the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, built entirely of concrete, and offers a spectacular vista down Lochaber’s Loch Shiel. On arrival at Fort William you rejoin the road coach for the journey to Inverness. En route you pass through the many lochs of the Great Glen and travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. At Inverness you check in to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Tuesday The ‘Highland Chieftain’ back to London There’s an early breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Inverness Railway Station and join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ express for the return journey to London. Relax in your First Class seat as you travel once more through the scenic Highlands. You climb to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and follow the valley of the River Tay to Perth. You continue to Edinburgh to join the ECML onwards to 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 15:49 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:54 Inverness 20:04 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary Tour price

£1495

Single supplement

£195

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • 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 and 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)

Inverness Skye

Dufftown

Keith

Broomhill Boat of Garten

Kyle

• All visits, train travel, transfers and tours, as detailed in the itinerary • Reserved seats • The services of a tour manager

Mallaig

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

Ft. William Perth Stirling

May–June 2019 Edinburgh To the South

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The Cock O’the North

UK TOUR

Heart of Scotland Wednesday 10th July to Tuesday 16th July 2019 Scotland is a rugged country full of scenic and cultural surprises, as you’ll discover for yourself on this highlight packed holiday tour to its wild, spectacular heart. Based initially in the historic city of Stirling, then in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, you’ll explore the unique cultural and natural attractions grouped around the Trossachs, the Cairngorms, and the Isle of Bute itself. Steam highlights include a trip on Loch Katrine aboard steam launch ‘Sir Walter Scott’, steam train on the Strathspey Railway and a transfer to the Isle of Bute on the iconic sea-going paddle steamer ‘Waverley’. There’s also an ascent of CairnGorm on the UK’s highest funicular railway to savour, a visit to the neo-gothic Victorian mansion Mount Stuart on Bute and wildlife discoveries in and around both of Scotland’s National Parks. With point-to-point transfers on ScotRail service trains and by private road coach to add to the convenience, this is a holiday showcasing all the uniqueness of the inspiring Scottish landscape, from unspoilt beaches to ragged coastlines, lonely inland lochs to towering mountain ranges, definitely one not to be missed! Wednesday 10th July London to Stirling on the ‘Highland Chieftain’ From the comfort of the First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station you join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ passenger train for the journey north to Scotland, following the route of the scenic East Coast Main Line (ECML). A light lunch will be served at your seat as you travel First Class in relaxed, spacious comfort, as nearly the length of Britain rattles past. Your train stops at York, taking on those connecting by service train from Peterborough before continuing via Newcastle and Edinburgh to historic Stirling, where you book into the Golden Lion hotel for the next three nights. A welcome dinner is served at the hotel this evening. (L D)

the Centre of the Trossachs National Park. You’ll then enjoy a 2 hour lake cruise on the world-famous steamship ‘Sir Walter Scott’ to Stronachlachar from Trossachs Pier, taking in the inspiring landscape that influenced Sir Walter Scott, Coleridge and Wordsworth. On returning you’ll take a light lunch at the restaurant on the Pier. Afterwards you transfer by coach again to Stirling Castle for a guided tour of the grounds of one of the largest castles in Scotland, surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. After your tour there’ll be time to look around Stirling, taking in the historic Old Town and the picturesque Back Walk footpath that encircles it. Dinner will be taken at your hotel this evening. (B L D)

Thursday 11th July Steam Cruise on Loch Katrine and Stirling Castle This morning you transfer by coach from Stirling along scenic roads to nearby Loch Katrine, set in

Friday 12th July Strathspey Steam Railway and Cairngorm Mountain Railway This morning you travel on a ScotRail service train over the iconic Highland Main Line from Stirling to

Heart of Scotland

Aviemore before joining a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen). The return trip on the railway offers wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join the road coach to travel from Aviemore into the heart of the nearby Cairngorms National Park and stop for a short stroll along the banks of Loch Morlich. From here it’s just a short onward journey to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, a mile and a quarter long funicular and Britain’s highest mountain railway. In appearance and design it’s reminiscent of the famed Alpine funiculars in Switzerland. Enjoy the magnificent views of the snow-capped Scottish mountains as the line ascends CairnGorm. After an equally enjoyable descent on the mountain railway, your road coach returns you to Stirling, where dinner will be served at your hotel. (B L D)

Saturday 13th July Clyde Cruise and Isle of Bute aboard Paddle Steamer ‘Waverley’ After breakfast you transfer by road coach from Stirling to Glasgow. The coach drops you off at the steamboat pier and continues with your luggage by motor ferry to your next hotel at the Isle of Bute. You then enjoy an all-day cruise aboard the iconic, double-funnel steamer ‘Waverley’, the last ocean-going paddle steamer in the world. You go ‘doon the watter’ on a sail from Glasgow over the Clyde to Rothesay and Tighnabruaich. The steamer has multiple bars and galleys, and a restaurant where you can buy drinks and meals. You can watch the fully visible marine steam engine as it works, the largest of its kind still in operating condition. You can also go ashore at Tighnabruaich, a lovely coastal village dominated by grand villas built in Victorian times for wealthy merchants, for a one-hour visit before the steamer drops you off again at Rothesay, the principal town of Bute. You’ll stay at an elegant hotel here for the rest of the tour to enjoy the exotic island charm of the ‘Madeira of Scotland’. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B D) Sunday 14th July Mount Stuart and the scenery of South Bute Today you discover the outstanding natural and cultural highlights on the Isle of Bute south of Rothesay. Bute is only 33 miles from Glasgow and is the most accessible of the westerly isles from the Scottish Central Belt. Highlights include the impressive Victorian Gothic Revival estate at Mount Stuart and the scenic beaches and coves at Kilchattan Bay. The spirit of nineteenth-century invention is embodied in Mount Stuart, and this neo-gothic mansion was one of the most technologically advanced houses of its age. It was the first home in the world to have a heated swimming pool and be purpose-built with electric

lights and central heating. Kilchattan Bay is a settlement of Victorian houses and villas that lies on the south west shore of a largely east facing bay with a mile-wide mouth offering views to the isle of Great Cumbrae, three miles to the east. After your rewarding day, dinner will again be served at your hotel in Rothesay. (B D)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1395

Monday 15th July Ettrick Bay, the seal colony at Scalpsie and the scenery of North Bute Today you continue your exploration of Bute by privately chartered road coach, focusing on yet more of its scenic and cultural highlights, including the famed seal colony at Scalpsie. The reddish sand of Scalpsie Bay is set against the wonderful backdrop of the Isle of Arran, and there are two viewpoints from which you can see the area’s fascinating resident wildlife and take in the amazing landscapes. At Seal View you can watch the large colony of seals on their rocky perches, and enjoy panoramic views over to Arran, the sandy beaches at Ettrick Bay and the remote scenery of North Bute as far as Rhubodach. After another feature-packed day, dinner this evening is back at the hotel in Rothesay. (B D)

Single supplement

£145

Tuesday 16th July Ferry crossing to Wemyss Bay, train to Glasgow Central, return to London In the morning you’ll have some leisure time in Rothesay before taking the lunchtime CalMac ferry from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay. From Wemyss Bay you take the direct ScotRail service to Glasgow Central, changing onto a Virgin Trains Pendolino and continuing in First Class luxury over the entire length of the West Coast Main Line back to London Euston. For extra excitement his route passes through outstanding scenery at the mountain summits of Beattock and Shap. You arrive back in London in the evening. (B L)

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • First Class rail travel from London King’s Cross to Stirling by East Coast express train and from Glasgow Central to London Euston by Virgin Pendolino service • Standard Class rail on Scotrail services • 6 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast • 4 lunches and 6 dinners • All rail and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary • All road coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary • All seat reservations and transfers

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2019 Mon

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Heart of Scotland

UK TOUR

The Far North and Orkney Thursday 11th July to Friday 19th July 2019 Thursday 15th August to Friday 23rd August 2019 Explore the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Islands on this popular tour to one of the most extraordinary places in Northern Europe. After a trip on both of Northeast Scotland’s steam traction heritage railways, you’ll experience the midsummer ‘White Nights’, when the sun never entirely sets, on the sea ferry to the enchanting island of Orkney. For three days you’ll explore its pristine beaches, stunning coastline and mystical rock formations, including the famed Ring of Brodgar. There’s a distillery visit to savour and a trip to the ‘Churchill Barrier’ causeway roads, built for defensive purposes during World War II included. On returning to the Scottish mainland you’ll journey over the most northerly railway in the UK and cap your magical tour of northern Scotland with two nights in Inverness, and journeys on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway and the panoramic Cairngorm Mountain Railway in the heart of the Highlands. With fine cuisine, the services of a tour manager included, and comfortable accommodation guaranteed, book now to avoid missing out on this thrilling once-in-a-lifetime adventure holiday. Thursday London to Aberdeen Your adventure begins in the plush First Class lounge at London King’s Cross, for a mid-morning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line aboard the HST 125 trainset, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as the train travels north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You cross the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges and arrive in Aberdeen in late afternoon, checking into your conveniently located city centre hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure in the ‘Granite City’, exploring this hub of Northeast Scotland. (L) Friday Steam at the Royal Deeside Railway and Crathes Castle You’ll visit both of Northeast Scotland’s steam traction heritage railways during the next two days, starting with the Royal Deeside Railway west of Aberdeen. This delightful standard gauge

railway features a two-mile round trip through rural scenery and gentle rolling hills, running close to its namesake river. There’ll be photo opportunities en route and a ‘false arrival’ staged at the station for more. After your trip a private coach takes you a mile down the road to the fairy-tale Crathes Castle, replete with turreted towers and walled gardens. There’ll be plenty of time to explore this stylish estate before a late lunch is taken at the nearby Milton Crathes Brasserie. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen to again bask in the culture and history of this vibrant city. (B L) Saturday Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Orkney After breakfast a road coach transfers you to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train then takes you on the 8 mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Light snacks and refreshments are

The Far North and Orkney

provided at the railway and after lunch there’s time to visit Brechin’s historic Cathedral and Round Tower. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for a 6 hour overnight crossing to Kirkwall. The ferry sails within sight of the north-eastern coast of Scotland before passing through the open North Sea. You’ll dine on board the spacious ship this evening. You reach Kirkwall at 23:00, but at this time of the year the sun is only just starting to set, an experience common to the far north during summer solstice. You disembark and transfer a short distance to your centrally located hotel. (B L D) Sunday At leisure in Kirkwall and a visit to the Highland Park Distillery After breakfast you’re free today to relax and explore the quaint town of Kirkwall at your own pace. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its vibrant artisan scene and diverse galleries and craft

shops. Orkney’s capital boasts many historical buildings, such as the 12th century St. Magnus Cathedral, the most northern cathedral in the British Isles. In the afternoon you visit another popular attraction, the Highland Park whisky distillery, where world-famous Scotch has been produced since 1798. To cap an outstanding day, you’ll dine with fellow travellers at your hotel this evening. (B D) Monday Exploration of Neolithic Orkney You embark this morning on an exciting exploration of mainland Orkney by road coach. Among the highlights are the wonderful and fascinating landmarks that form the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ World Heritage Site to the west of Kirkwall. You’ll have plenty of time to discover the tremendous natural beauty and cultural legacy at Maes Howe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. At lunchtime you’ll visit the delightful fishing port of Stromness, where you can explore and buy lunch at a café or inn of your choice. In the late afternoon, following your visit to Skara Brae, you’ll see the breathtaking sea cliffs at Yesnaby before returning by road coach to Kirkwall. (B) Tuesday Orkney Beaches, Italian Chapel, Broch of Gurness and Brough of Birsay Today you’ll discover the pristine beaches of the southern, eastern and northern Orkney shores and the so-called ‘Churchill Barrier’ causeway roads, built for defensive purposes during World War II. En route you’ll pause at the iconic Italian chapel, one of the most loved cultural attractions on Orkney. In South Ronaldsay you venture as far south as the little fishing town of Burwick, with fine views across the Pentland Firth to John O’ Groats. After lunch back in Kirkwall it’s time to explore the outstanding archaeological site at Broch of Gurness, just across the water from the sparsely populated Orkney island of Rousay. Later you crown the day by experiencing the natural beauty of the Brough of Birsay, on the northern tip of mainland Orkney. At low tide you can even walk over to the uninhabited island of Birsay. After your exciting day out, you reconvene back at the hotel for dinner. (B D) Wednesday Ferry Crossing over the Pentland Firth, Train Journey to Inverness This morning you return to the Scottish mainland, when a road coach takes you from Kirkwall to Stromness for the morning ferry crossing over the famed Pentland Firth, past the Old Man of Hoy and St. John’s Head to Scrabster, near Thurso. From Scrabster you continue by road coach to the iconic village of John O’ Groats, the most north eastern village on the British mainland, where you can buy lunch. Afterwards you continue to Wick

and board a ScotRail service train on the stunning Far North Line for the spectacular railway journey via Thurso to Inverness. Initially the tracks cross isolated moorland, then pass through lonely and isolated mountain landscapes, before hugging the coast again and running within sight of seals basking on the rocky shores. Numerous firths are navigated the long way around before the train eventually reaches Inverness, hub of the Scottish Highlands. You’ll spend two nights here at a hotel near the station in the heart of the city. In the evening there will be ample time to explore. (B) Thursday Strathspey Steam Railway and Cairngorm Mountain Railway This morning you travel by road coach to nearby Aviemore before joining a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen). The return trip on the railway provides wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join the road coach to travel from Aviemore into the heart of the nearby Cairngorms National Park, where you stop for a short stroll along the banks of Loch Morlich. From here it’s just a short onward journey to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, a 1¼ mile long funicular and Britain’s highest mountain railway. In appearance and technical design, it’s reminiscent of the famed Alpine funiculars in Switzerland. Enjoy the magnificent views of the snow-capped Scottish mountains as the line ascends Cairngorm. After an equally enjoyable descent on the train your road coach returns you to Inverness, where you enjoy one last group meal at the hotel. (B D) Friday Return to London on the Highland Chieftain After an early breakfast at the hotel you transfer to Inverness Railway Station to join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ express train for your return journey. Relax in your comfortable First Class seats as you travel through the scenic Highlands. The train climbs to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and then follows the valley of the River Tay to Perth. You continue to Edinburgh where you join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1395

Single supplement

£270

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • 8 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels • 4 lunches and 4 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Aberdeen and from Inverness to London • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2019 Mon

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August 2019

The Far North and Orkney

UK TOUR

Georg Trueb

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells Friday 19th July to Thursday 25th July 2019 Experience the very best of British steam on this highlight-packed rail tour through the magnificent landscapes of Cumbria and North Wales. You’ll travel on main line steam over the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, with its twenty-one viaducts and fourteen tunnels, and along the picturesque North Wales Coast line to Bangor. Steam up the dramatic Conway Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog on ‘The Welsh Mountaineer’ and discover the breathless variety of ‘Great Little Trains’ on the railways of Snowdon Mountain, Ffestiniog, Fairbourne, Talyllyn, Welshpool and Llanfair, and the Vale of Rheidol. A definitive tour highlight is sure to be a trip over the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway, one of the rail wonders of the 21st century. With overnight stays in comfortable hotels, fine cuisine and efficient luggage transfers, this unique steam tour is the ideal way to explore these outstanding landscapes in relaxed comfort and style. It’s sure to be popular, and with limited spaces available we recommend you book early! Friday 19th July Exploring Liverpool Your tour begins at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Liverpool, located opposite Lime Street Station and your base for the next two nights. Arrive as early as possible and explore this fine city at your leisure. Dinner will be at your hotel this evening. (D) Saturday 20th July The Settle to Carlisle Railway Today you join the ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ steam train at Lime Street Station and your journey begins with an impressive departure hauled by one of the magnificent Pacific steam locomotives ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ or ‘Oliver Cromwell’. Breakfast will be served at your seat soon after. You head north to Preston and Carnforth and skirt the Lake District before entering the Lune Valley. Your fully extended steam locomotive ascends to the summit of Shap Fell before descending through Penrith North Lakes, pausing at Carlisle for a twohour break to explore this Border City. Leaving Carlisle you join the Settle and Carlisle Railway, climbing up through Langwathby and

Culgaith and pausing for water at the market town of Appleby. Through stunning scenery you climb the steep gradient to Ais Gill summit and traverse Dent Dale, from where the Peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent dominate the landscape. There are over twenty major viaducts and fourteen tunnels on the line culminating in the magnificent 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct. On the way back to Liverpool you enjoy a fourcourse dinner, silver-served at your seat, before returning to the Holiday Inn for the night. (B D) Sunday 21st July Steam along the North Wales Coast After breakfast you take your reserved First Class seat on the ‘North Wales Coast Express’ special steam train at Liverpool Lime Street Station and journey along the West Coast Main Line to Warrington. On leaving Chester you cross the River Dee and enter Wales, running along the Dee Estuary and then beside the Irish Sea as your train passes Prestatyn and Rhyl. This coastline is known for its stunning beaches and, at Colwyn Bay, fantastic views of the Great Orme headland.

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

You pass through several small seaside resorts on the Irish Sea coast before arriving at Bangor. Here you transfer by road coach to Penrhyn Castle for a short visit. This dramatic neo-Norman castle was built in the early 19th century for a wealthy Welsh family. Crammed with fascinating objects, its stable block contains an industrial railway, a doll collection, and model railway museums. Afterwards your coach takes you across Anglesey to Holyhead to rejoin your steam train for the return journey to Llandudno. You take the short walk to the Imperial Hotel there and check in for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Monday 22nd July Steam on the Snowdon Mountain and Welsh Highland Railways This morning you transfer to Llanberis Station for a steam hauled trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, with superb summit views, weather permitting. Back in Llanberis there is free time to explore this delightful Snowdonian town and have lunch. In the afternoon you take a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog,

through the magnificent Snowdonia National Park. This fantastic 25 mile journey, steam hauled by a two-foot narrow gauge Garratt locomotive, begins close to Caernarfon Castle. It takes you through spectacular mountain scenery, the village of Beddgelert, which owes its fame to the legendary tale of Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth, and the famous Aberglaslyn Pass. On arrival at Porthmadog you return by road coach to the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno for dinner. (B D) Tuesday 23rd July A steam spectacular to Blaneau Ffestiniog; the Ffestiniog Railway After breakfast you take a ride on the 3’6” gauge Great Orme Tramway, Britain’s only cable-hauled street tramway, from Llandudno Victoria Station to Great Orme Summit Station. Then you go on to Llandudno Junction Station to join ‘The Welsh Mountaineer’ steam train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. You’ll be hauled by a steam locomotive along this incredibly steep branch line, climbing uphill into Snowdonia through Betws-y-Coed and Pont-yPant to Blaeneau Ffestiniog. There’ll be a couple of hours to explore Blaeneau Ffestiniog and have lunch before you travel on the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog. There you transfer to Portmeirion, where the surreal TV spy drama ‘The Prisoner’ was filmed in the 1960s, for dinner and an overnight stay at The Hotel Portmeirion. (B D) Wednesday 24th July Steam on the Fairbourne and Talyllyn Railways After breakfast you transfer by road coach to Fairbourne for a return journey on the Fairbourne

Railway. This 12¼" gauge railway runs for 2 miles alongside the beach to the end of a peninsula at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary, one of the most spectacular locations along the Cambrian Coast. You continue by coach to nearby Tywyn where you travel on the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway (TR). The TR is notable for being the first preserved railway in the United Kingdom. This 2'3" gauge railway runs for 7 miles to Nant Gwernol. On return to Tywyn there’ll be time for lunch and a visit to the narrow-gauge railway museum there. You then transfer by coach from Tywyn to Aberystwyth for dinner and an overnight stay at the Marine Hotel. (B D) Thursday 25th July Vale of Rheidol and Welshpool and Llanfair Railways Today you travel steam-hauled on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, where unique waterfalls have attracted many thousands of visitors since the 18th century, including William Wordsworth, who wrote about the ‘Torrent at the Devil’s Bridge’. From Devil’s Bob Green Bridge you transfer by road coach to Welshpool and after lunch in the town you begin your journey on the picturesque 2'6" gauge Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. There’s an enjoyable steamhauled ride through the delightful Banwy Valley to Llanfair Caereinion to follow, before you return to Welshpool. From there you journey to Liverpool by road coach, for your homeward journey. (B)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1795

Single supplement

£195

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels • 5 breakfasts in hotels and 1 on the train • 6 dinners • All train and tramway travel as detailed in the itinerary • 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 2019 Mon

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Please note: Locomotives will be confirmed nearer the time of departure

Phil Jones

Georg Trueb

Andrew Thompson

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells

UK TOUR

Bob Green

The Summer Highlander Monday 22nd July to Saturday 27th July 2019 Experience the scenic splendour of the Scottish Highlands at their very best on this unique summer travel tour. There’s a wide variety of travel, culture, and cuisine on offer as you journey by train, road coach and ferry to culture-rich historic sites. Tour highlights include a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world; rail journeys from both Kyle of Lochalsh and the ‘Far North’ to Inverness; and visits to two Heritage Railways. Discover the summer romance of the Isle of Skye and explore iconic John O’ Groats. Immerse yourself in Scottish heritage at Dunrobin Castle and the Castle of Mey, and sample traditional Scottish culinary delights at diverse venues. Experience for yourself the glorious appeal of this rugged land and book now for this outstanding travel tour – definitely not to be missed!

Monday 22nd July ‘Highland Chieftain’ to Scotland From the comfort of the First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station, you join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ passenger train for the journey north to Scotland, following the route of the scenic East Coast Main Line (ECML) through increasingly spectacular landscapes. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you speed on in First Class comfort. Stopping at York to take on passengers who have travelled by service train from Peterborough, you continue along the ECML to Darlington and on to Newcastle and Edinburgh. At Perth you join the Highland Main Line and travel through the amazing Scottish Highlands. Leaving the train at Kingussie a road coach takes you to Fort William where you check in to your hotel, where dinner will be served in the restaurant this evening. (L D) Tuesday 23rd July ‘The Jacobite’; the Isle of Skye; by train to Inverness Today a major tour highlight awaits with a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world. The train runs from

Fort William to Mallaig through magnificent Scottish scenery. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs and the sea combine in an unending collage of outstanding views. En route you cross the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, built entirely of concrete and featured in a number of films and TV series. You’ll have an hour in Mallaig to explore this attractive fishing port and take lunch before boarding the ferry for Armadale on Skye. A road coach then transports you through Kyleakin and Broadford along the coast of this picturesque island. You cross the famous Skye Bridge and return to the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh. The late afternoon service train to Inverness then takes you along one of Europe’s most scenic railway lines. Running alongside Loch Carron, with superb views of lochs and mountains, you’ll pass through dense forests en route to Inverness. You then transfer to a comfortable hotel in Inverness, your base for the next four nights. (B) Wednesday 24th July Dunrobin Castle After breakfast you depart by road coach for Dunrobin Castle. Travelling north, you cross

The Summer Highlander

Kessock Bridge on to the Black Isle, travel alongside Cromarty Firth and over Dornoch Firth to the village of Golspie on the North Sea coast. A piper will greet you on arrival at Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland. This impressive castle stands on high terraces and affords wonderful views across its formal gardens to the North Sea beyond. There’ll be a guided tour of the castle and its grounds, including a falconry display, you will have plenty of time to explore the castle gardens and museum before heading to the Glospie Inn for lunch. After lunch you return by road coach to your hotel in Inverness. (B L) Thursday 25th July The Far North Today there’s a trip by road coach to the iconic village of John O’Groats. The route from Inverness follows the A9 trunk road, which hugs the North Sea coast for much of the way from Golspie to Wick, giving spectacular views. John O’Groats is the well-known starting point for charity events travelling the greatest length of Britain to Land’s End. It has a tiny harbour and, if the weather is good, there are views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands. You continue a few miles west

to the Castle of Mey, where a light lunch will be served. The castle was restored from a near ruin by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for use as a holiday home. Further on, at Thurso Railway Station, you join a ScotRail service train for Inverness. The railway takes a different route to the road, initially crossing isolated moorland, thus providing a fresh perspective on the region’s wonderful scenery. The railway line meets the North Sea coast at Helmsdale and follows the coastline, often running between the road and the sea. It’s not uncommon to see seals basking on the shore on this section of the route. On arrival at Inverness you return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Friday 26th July The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways This morning you travel by road coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage railway line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen). The return trip affords outstanding views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join your road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, and have lunch in the ‘Buffer Stop’, a railway restaurant car. The return trip by vintage diesel rail car takes you on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. This so-called ‘Whisky Line’ passes through dense pine forests, by the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and along the winding valley of the River Isla. To end an eventful day, you visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to the hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

Saturday 27th July The ‘Highland Chieftain’ to London There’s an early breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Inverness Railway Station and join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ express for the return journey to London. Relax in your First Class seat as you travel once more through the scenic Highlands. You climb to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and follow the valley of the River Tay to Perth and then to Edinburgh to join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London’s King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on your journey south. (B L) Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:48 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:57 Kingussie 19:15 ------Inverness ------- 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys. Bob Green

Tour Summary Tour price

£1395

Single supplement

£195

All prices shown are per person. 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) • 5 nights accommodation in hotels • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners • All visits, train and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2019 Mon

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Sun 7

The Summer Highlander

UK TOUR

Bob Green

The Western Isles Monday 29th July to Tuesday 6th August 2019 Monday 9th September to Tuesday 17th September 2019 Discover the scenic splendour of the mountains, glens and lochs of Northwest Scotland and the Western Isles on this unique Scottish travel tour. After a high-speed journey north and an overnight stay next to Loch Lomond, you’ll enjoy a lake cruise on the loch and an excursion on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world, before heading north to Fort William. There’s a sea ferry transfer and a coach tour of Skye to savour before you visit Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides for a two-night stay. You’ll also explore the North West Highlands with a ride to Durness on the far north coast, followed by a road trip east to Dunrobin Castle. Other tour highlights include a falconry display, a tour of Lewis, dolphin sightings and photo opportunities galore! With comfortable accommodation guaranteed, excellent cuisine and relaxed first class travel wherever possible, why not see for yourself the glorious appeal of this unique and rugged land as you visit areas other tours rarely go. It’s the ultimate Scottish travel tour – definitely one not to be missed. Monday ‘Highland Chieftain’ to Scotland From the comfort of the First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station you join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ for the scenic journey to Scotland, following the East Coast Main Line (ECML) through increasingly spectacular landscapes. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you speed on in sumptuous First Class style. Stopping at York to take on passengers who have travelled by service train from Peterborough, you continue your journey along the ECML via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Stirling. From there a coach takes you to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation, located in beautiful countryside on the banks of Loch Lomond with stunning views of both the Loch and Ben Lomond. (L D)

Tuesday Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond; north to Fort William After a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a stroll by the Loch, a road coach takes you the short distance to Tarbet. From here a private cruise on Loch Lomond is scheduled, with a light lunch taken on board. Afterwards you rejoin the coach for the return trip to Arrochar and Tarbet Station to catch a train north to Fort William. The route passes through spectacular scenery, crossing the remote Rannoch Moor. Fort William is located in a prime position on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis, which at 1343 metres is Britain’s highest mountain, as the backdrop. Your train arrives late afternoon when you check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

The Western Isles

Wednesday ‘The Jacobite’ and over the Sea to Skye A major tour highlight is a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train. This unforgettable 42 mile route has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. The train runs from Fort William to Mallaig through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs and the sea combine to provide an unending collage of outstanding views. En route you cross the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, built entirely of concrete and featured in a number of films and TV series. You’ll have around two hours in Mallaig to explore the village and fishing port and find lunch, before boarding the ferry for Armadale on the Isle of Skye. You then travel on the road coach, which has followed the tour with the luggage, to your hotel in Portree, the island’s main town and well known for its picturesque harbour. (B D)

Thursday Coach tour of Skye; Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides This morning you explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach. Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides and the island’s peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. The Black Cuillin mountain range is the only truly alpine environment in Britain and has twelve summits above 914 metres. Your coach pauses a few times for photo opportunities as it crosses Trotternish, the northern peninsula of Skye, to Uig. Here you join a ferry for the one and half hour crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Although not an island itself, Harris is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris. You travel through the exposed countryside to the island’s capital, Stornoway, and the hotel where you will stay and dine for the next two nights. (B D) Friday Guided tour of The Isle of Lewis Today a guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis awaits you. The Isle of Lewis is at the North west corner of the Hebrides and has a rich cultural heritage. From the neat Victorian homes lining the streets of Stornoway, to the stretching white sands of Bosta on Great Bernera in the east, where the clear Atlantic waters sound the evocative toll of the Time and Tide Bell, Lewis is an island of exciting contrasts and diverse experiences. Places of particular interest include the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse, Carloway Broch, Lewis Bridge and the Callinish Standing Stones, an impressive stone circle comparable to Stonehenge. Lunch will be taken during the tour and dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B L D) Saturday Free time in Stornaway; ferry to Ullapool; north to Lochinver This morning you’ll have some free time to explore Stornoway and a choice of visiting Lews Castle and grounds, the impressive war memorial, or the harbour area. Observance of the Christian Sabbath, Sunday, had long been a unique aspect of the island’s culture and until July 2009 there were no Sunday ferry services to or from Stornoway. You’ll then take a ferry across ‘The Minch’, maybe sighting dolphins en route, and return to the mainland at Ullapool. The road coach from Ullapool then goes north to Lochinver, a pleasant village with a beautiful harbour and a magnificent mountain backdrop. You’ll stay at the luxurious Inverlodge Hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the bay, for the next two nights. All rooms present amazing views and deer often appear on the lawns outside. (B D)

Sunday By road to the North West Scottish Highlands There’s a day trip by road coach today, to discover the remote and impressive landscape of the North West Highlands. You pass through magnificent mountain scenery with striking lochs and glens, and maybe catch a glimpse of some uncommon wildlife. You begin to notice the wild sea as you travel near to the coast at Scourie. Your destination is Durness on the far north coast of Scotland, an area of unspoilt beaches backed by cliffs. The surrounding coastline is some of Europe’s most isolated and spectacular, where sea birds, seals, porpoises and minke whales may be seen. You stop in the village and take time for lunch. In the afternoon you return by coach to the hotel at Lochinver. (B D) Monday Dunrobin Castle and Inverness Today you travel east by road coach along isolated mountain roads passing through Lairg and Golspie before arriving at Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, on the east coast. This impressive castle stands on high terraces with wonderful views across its formal gardens to the North Sea beyond. There’ll be a guided tour of the castle and its grounds to enjoy, including a falconry display, before lunch after which you transfer to Golspie Station to board a train to Inverness. You then transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D) Tuesday The ‘Highland Chieftain’ to London After an early breakfast at the hotel you transfer to the railway station to join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ for the return journey to London. You can relax again in First Class seats as you leave Inverness and pass through the wonderful Highlands 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 15:49 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:54 Stirling 17:19 ------Inverness ------- 07:55 *Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Tour Summary Tour price

£1995

Single supplement

£295

All prices shown are per person. 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 visits, train, boat and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed 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 July–August 2019 Mon

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September 2019

The Western Isles

UK TOUR

Bob Green

The West Country Explorer Saturday 17th August to Thursday 22nd August 2019 Sample the rural pleasures of the delightful West Country counties of Somerset, Devon & Cornwall on this all new tour, taking in the outstanding coastal and moorland scenery the region is renowned for. This fascinating adventure begins and ends on special steam trains and features visits to iconic locations such as St. Michael’s Mount and Lands’ End. There’s also a paddle steamer cruise on the River Dart and steam train trips on a variety of heritage railways to savour. Other tour highlights include travel by train over the legendary sea wall at Dawlish, and overnight stays in St. Ives, regularly voted the Best UK Seaside Town, and Torquay, on the famed ‘English Riviera’. You’re sure to enjoy the delights of the region, traditionally famous for its production of cider, clotted cream, and pasties, on this wonderful tour to the West Country. Definitely one not to be missed! Saturday 17th August London Paddington to Exeter Your adventure begins on a steam train from London Paddington Station, hauled by either 60009 Union of South Africa or No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland for the trip to the West Country. You will travel in the comfort of ‘Premier Dining’ where breakfast will be served at your seat soon after departure. The route runs fast to Reading before taking the Berks and Hants Line through the Vale of the White Horse to Westbury. Crossing the Somerset Levels you reach Taunton and at Norton Fitzwarren join the ‘Heritage’ West Somerset Railway. At Bishops Lydeard Station a ‘Manor’ class 4-6-0 steam locomotive will be attached to the front of your train. You then continue ‘doubleheaded’ on this scenic line to Minehead. Here a road coach transfers you to the Lynton and Barnstable Railway at Woody Bay in Devon. There you enjoy a steam train journey along this narrow gauge railway line. You continue by road coach to Exeter. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at a hotel in Exeter this evening. (B D)

Sunday 18th August Free time in Exeter Today is a free day to explore the sights of Exeter. The morning can be dedicated to visiting the cities historical sites, including one of the oldest and most beautiful Cathedrals in the country. Stay in Cathedral quarter or head to Princess Hay where you will find a selection of lunch options to suit any taste. The afternoon can be spent in one of many excellent museums, galleries, or beautiful city parks. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at your hotel in Exeter this evening. (B D)

walk across the causeway to the island from Marazion, otherwise the boat will take you to lunch on the island. After the visit you continue by coach to Lands’ End, the most westerly point of mainland England. It’s also the iconic location for charitable events to and from John O’Groats in northeast Scotland. Later you return to Penzance with time to look around the town, with its Regency and Georgian architecture, working harbour and terminus railway station. You transfer to St. Ives and book in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B D)

Monday 19th August St Michael’s Mount and Lands End This morning you travel by service train from Exeter to Penzance. En route you pass along the famous sea wall at Dawlish and cross the Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar to enter Cornwall at Saltash. Travelling through the glorious Cornish countryside you can still see the evidence of its illustrious mining heritage. At Penzance a road coach takes you to St. Michael’s Mount, a small tidal island in Mount’s Bay. Depending on the tide, you may be able to

Tuesday 20th August St Ives, the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, and South Devon Railway After a leisurely breakfast and time to have a look around St Ives, you travel by road coach to Bodmin Parkway Station for a steam-hauled return trip to Boscarne Junction on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. This includes a visit to the beautifully restored Bodmin General Station, the headquarters of the railway, where trains reverse direction of travel. In the afternoon you continue to the South Devon Railway for a return journey

The West Country Explorer

on the 7 mile track which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. Afterwards, the coach will transfer you to Torquay in Devon, again crossing the road bridge over the River Tamar at Saltash, with great views from a different vantage point of Brunel’s famous railway bridge. You check in to a hotel in Torquay for dinner and overnight stay. (B D) Wednesday 21st August Steam on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and a paddle steamer cruise After breakfast you join a steam train at Paignton Railway Station for a scenic journey along the English Riviera on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. This standard gauge heritage railway runs from Paignton to Kingswear, connecting with ferries crossing the River Dart to Dartmouth. There are expansive views over Torbay as the line climbs to Churston before it descends, passing Agatha Christie’s Estate at Greenway Halt, to the River Dart. It’s an aptly named Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You then take the ferry to Dartmouth and board the coal-fired paddle steamer ‘Kingswear Castle’ for a leisurely estuary cruise. On returning there’s time to explore the narrow lanes and stone stairways of Dartmouth

and discover its magical history. You return to Paignton by steam train and your hotel in Torquay. (B D) Thursday 22nd August A visit to Dawlish, the Seaton Tramway and return to London Waterloo This morning you travel by road coach to Dawlish for a few hours of free time. You can stroll on the expansive sands and along the famous sea wall right beside Brunel’s railway line. There will be time to watch and photograph the trains or simply enjoy the beaches and traditional refreshments. You continue by coach to Seaton, on the South Devon coast, to visit the Seaton Tramway. There’s a return trip on this narrow gauge electric tramway, which operates open top double-deck trams over part of the former railway branch line to Seaton. In the afternoon your road coach takes you to Weymouth. Here you board the ‘Dorset Coast Express’ steam train for the journey to London Waterloo. En route you travel in the comfort of ‘Premier Dining’ and have a fourcourse meal silver served at your seat, an appropriate finale to your glorious ‘West Country’ tour. (B D)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1275

Single supplement

£165

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • Rail travel from and to London by special steam trains • 5 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 6 dinners • All rail and road coach journeys as detailed in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner August 2019

Bob Green

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The West Country Explorer

UK TOUR

English Lake District Thursday 26th September to Tuesday 1st October 2019 Discover the delights of The Cumbrian Lake District by vintage motor vessel, steam train and steam yacht on this feature-packed holiday tour. Experience the rural serenity that makes the Lakes one of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations. Based at an elegant waterfront hotel in the resort town of Bowness-on-Windermere, you’ll enjoy cruises on vintage vessels on Lake Windermere, Coniston Water and Ullswater. Steam train highlights include a trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and an exclusive day ticket exploration of the legendary 15" narrow gauge railway ‘La’al Ratty’. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Victorian neo-gothic Wray Castle and the Haverthwaite engine shed. With outstanding scenery as a backdrop coupled with the convenience of short point-to-point travel distances on your private road coach, you’re sure to enjoy this relaxed holiday, packed with steam transport attractions in England’s idyllic ‘Lakeland’. Thursday 26th September First Class rail travel to Windermere Your adventure begins in the First Class lounge at London Euston Station, greeted by your tour manager before boarding the 10:30 Virgin Trains Pendolino service. You’ll travel in sumptuous comfort at a top speed of 125mph along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Oxenholme in the Lake District. Here you change trains and take a First TransPennine Express service for the journey to Windermere. Tour participants from other parts of the country will join here. From Windermere station you’ll have a short coach transfer to the delightful village of Bowness-on-Windermere, located on the banks of Lake Windermere. Your hotel for the duration of the tour is adjacent to the boat pier at the lakeside. You then have some leisure time to explore Bowness before a group dinner at your hotel in the evening. (D)

Friday 27th September Lake Windermere cruise; Steam train on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway After breakfast at your hotel you board the stylish vintage motor vessel ‘Swan’ for a fortyminute cruise through outstanding Cumbrian lake scenery to Lakeside at the southern end of Lake Windermere. This triple-deck ship was originally built by Vickers in 1938, and is now an iconic fixture on England’s largest lake. The lake pier is adjacent to Lakeside Railway Station and here you join a connecting steam train on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, a former branch line of the Furness Railway (FR), originally opened in 1869. You’ll travel the entire length of the line to Haverthwaite with plenty of time to visit the impressive engine shed there, with its collection of historic steam and diesel locomotives. Crossing the footbridge to the woodland viewing and picnic area you can buy souvenirs in the gift shop and sample the delights of the licensed Station Restaurant, replete with locally sourced produce and homemade speciality dishes. In the afternoon you return by steam train to Lakeside

English Lake District

and from there by connecting ship to Bowness. You’ll dine with fellow guests at your hotel this evening. (B D) Saturday 28th September Steam boat cruise on Coniston Water; Wray Castle Today you visit Coniston Water, the third largest lake in the Lake District, for a lake-themed cruise on the superbly restored Victorian steam yacht ‘Gondola’. Originally launched in 1859 to carry railway passengers, The Illustrated London News at the time described it as: ‘a perfected combination of the Venetian gondola and the English steam yacht… the most elegant little steam vessel yet designed’. The preserved steamer is now cared for and operated by the National Trust. Following the cruise, you’ll have lunch at ‘The Sun’ in Coniston, a 400-year-old pub with exposed beams, stone walls, flagstone floors and a local Brathay slate bar top. It’s situated beneath the Cumbrian Fells and has an elevated view over the village of Coniston. Later you transfer by road coach to Ambleside for the ferry to Wray Castle,

a Victorian neo-gothic building with grounds that include part of the shoreline of Lake Windermere. There will be a guided tour of the castle after which you can explore the adjacent gardens at your leisure. You return to your hotel in Bowness for dinner. (B L D) Sunday 29th September Scenic cruises on Lake Windermere and Ullswater This morning you explore the northern half of Lake Windermere on board a classic motor vessel sailing from Bowness to Ambleside at the northernmost extremity of the lake. MV ‘Tern’, is a steam powered yacht built in 1891 and converted to diesel in 1956. After the 30 minute voyage to Ambleside Pier you’ll join a private road coach for the onward journey to Glenridding on Ullswater. Here you stop for lunch at the Fairlight Guest House. After lunch you’ll enjoy an afternoon cruise on one of the celebrated Ullswater ‘Steamers’ over the entire extent of the second largest lake in the Lake District. Many regard Ullswater as the most beautiful of the English lakes; it has been compared to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland because of its mountainous backdrop. You’ll see the spectacular waterfall of Aira Force, midway along the lake on the western side and cruise the length of the lake from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge and back. You rejoin the road coach for the return journey via scenic country roads to Bowness and a group dinner at your hotel in the evening. (B L D)

of the rivers Esk, Mite and Irt. The famous 15" gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (La’al Ratty) has its terminus adjacent to the Cumbrian Coast railway line station. The line runs for 7 miles from Ravenglass to Dalegarth Station near Boot in the Eskdale Valley. You’ll be given a day rover ticket for use on the line, which operates an intensive timetable of steam and diesel trains, so you can explore at your own pace. Options include alighting at intermediate stations to film or photograph the passing trains, and it’s only a short walk from the terminus at Dalegarth to the village of Boot and its two pubs. The railway is popular for its open carriages providing superb sightlines of the surrounding scenery, but there are enclosed carriages depending on the weather. After your day on the railway you return to Windermere by road coach in the late afternoon. You dine with other guests at your hotel this evening – a fitting climax to a fabulous tour. (B D) Tuesday 1st October Homeward bound After breakfast at the hotel you transfer by road coach to Windermere Railway Station. Those passengers who joined the tour at Windermere will travel home independently, the remainder will join a train to Oxenholme Lake District for the return to London Euston again in the First Class comfort of a Virgin Trains Pendolino. (B)

Tour Summary Tour price

£1395

Single supplement

£165

Ground only

£1285

(Windemere – Windemere, with own travel to/from Windemere)

All prices shown are per person. Price includes: • First Class rail travel from London Euston to Oxenholme Lake District and return by Virgin Trains Pendolino • Standard Class rail travel from Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere (20 minutes)* • 5 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast • 2 lunches and 5 dinners • All rail and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary • A one day rover ticket for use on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway • All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager *The

First Transpennine Express trains running the short distance between Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere have insufficient First Class seats to accommodate our party.

Monday 30th September Steam train on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway A tour highlight awaits today as you travel by road coach to Ravenglass, a small coastal village with Roman connections located at the estuary

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September–October 2019

Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway

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Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway

English Lake District

UK TOUR

UK Day Trip T&Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 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. 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. Please note all timings shown in the brochure are approximate and subject to change. For operational reasons 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. Folding wheelchairs can be carried on all services. Motorised wheelchairs generally cannot be carried due to the small opening doors. We are limited to only being able to provide a vegetarian dietary alternative, all other dietary requests 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. Please note that Wi-Fi is not available on the carriages. Should you encounter any problems or issues on the day please ask to speak to the train manager. Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions.

UK Tours T&C’s The Attraction of Trains By their very nature, trains, especially steam hauled trains, attract enthusiasts. Our tours will always include a number of photographic opportunities in the form of false starts and run pasts where this is practical and possible. Where possible, we also arrange locomotive footplate rides, museum and depot visits. Many of our customers do not have the same exclusive interest in trains shown by some enthusiasts; therefore, we keep in mind the need to diversify our tour programmes. We do this by including visits to castles and historic houses, and to wildlife parks, using accommodation in resort style hotels, and providing free time for shopping and exploring. Nevertheless the main attraction and therefore the emphasis of our tours is travel by train, which includes the nostalgia, the companionship on board, and the passing scenery. We consider that those travelling on our tours will see more scenery and in greater comfort than by road coach or cruise liner. Schedules and Services We arrange and advertise tours in good faith. Many scheduled railway organisations – train operators and track operators – only work two months ahead and therefore cannot confirm final schedules to us until that ‘window’.Likewise we cannot confirm and advise final numbers for a tour until full balances have been received from tour customers. Tours may be subject to occasional rescheduling or re-routing. The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that each of our tours runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible. Fire Risk In many countries at times of exceptionally dry weather, coal fired steam locomotives may be banned from operating and diesel or electric traction may have to be substituted. Oil fired steam locomotives however are normally still allowed to operate. The Railway Touring Company cannot accept any responsibility for steam bans during times of high fire risk. Seat Reservations and Overnight Travel Arrangements On some trains seat reservations are by individual seats, on others by block booking or complete carriage. Since the railways concerned make the allocations, we have to accept and be flexible about the seating arrangements. Where overnight travel is necessary we will arrange either to stay in a convenient hotel en route, to use one of the newer ‘hotel trains’, or to book Standard Class twin berth sleeper car trains (First Class is often single berth). These decisions are made on the basis of the length of the journey, the range of scenery likely to be missed by overnight travel, and the accommodation options available. Porterage Some tours include porterage between stations and hotels; some include full luggage transfers between hotels, using either a supplementary road coach or scheduled ‘luggage in advance’ facilities. Porterage, where advertised, is included in the cost. However, there will be occasions when porters are not available or included and it will be each customer’s responsibility to handle their own luggage. Accommodation We aim to use 4-star designated hotels throughout our tours as this offers us the standards of hospitality, catering and service that we would wish for our customers. We also seek out establishments which are either conveniently located for the railways in order to minimize transfers, or which afford some unique character. Where we cannot meet either of these criteria we ensure the best and most comfortable accommodation is available. Food And Drink Meals will be taken on trains, boats, planes, in hotels and restaurants and even al fresco, picnic or packed! Mindful of the diversity of our customer’s tastes we try to adopt a ‘middle of the road’ approach when choosing menus. We must also accept the limitations of on-board catering and marvel at the success that chefs regularly achieve in the confines of train kitchens. Hotel and restaurant meals are usually a set menu, with options for special dietary needs. If customers have any special dietary requirements they must please ensure we know them at the time of booking. In this way we can make the necessary arrangements for customers with special requirements. Some of our tours include alcoholic and soft drinks and coffee, in which case this is clearly stated in tour information. Otherwise customers are responsible for their own refreshments. Passports, Visas and Health Issues Customers are responsible for holding the necessary and appropriate travel documentation for their journey. For tours outside the UK, customers must ensure that there is at least six months validity remaining on their passports. We assume our customers are British Citizens whose passport shows they have a right to reside in the UK. If a customer has a passport of another country or state, or one that indicates restrictions on return to their country of origin, then they must please contact us prior to booking and well in advance of intended use. We will advise customers of the requirements and processing arrangements for visas where they are required. We will offer any help we can in arranging customers’ visas. Health advice is dependent upon the destination, medical history and current health of each customer participating in a tour and we cannot assume any responsibility. Customers MUST seek advice from their GP or a travel medical centre. Pretour and Travel Documents We will send out information to tour customers for visa and general planning purposes when appropriate, usually at the ‘balance due’ time. If there is nothing significant to communicate then we will simply acknowledge that the customer’s balance of payment has been received. We prepare and send a booklet of information to tour customers for all tours. This includes a passenger list with first or ‘known as’ names, where advised, (to check on an old acquaintance, aide-memoir for names during the tour); the latest known

itinerary with as much detail as necessary (including meal times/locations); emergency and general contact details; and usually some general and specific information about features of the tour programme. This is intentionally a small part of the information available and tour customers are advised to research and obtain detailed reference material, maps, schedules etc. appropriate to their particular interests. Air travel tickets are usually sent to us for onward despatch less than two weeks before travel – please don’t panic! Rail tickets are often group travel documents held by the Tour Manager. In this case tour customers will be provided with joining instructions, which must please be observed since the party cannot progress until all members are present. Tickets, vouchers and coupons for onward travel during a tour, are usually held and distributed by the Tour Manager. Travel Insurance Many customers arrange their own travel insurance. The Railway Touring Company cannot assume any responsibility relating to travel insurance issues and customers should ensure that they are familiar with procedures should an incident occur. This is especially important with medical cover since we do not undertake to obtain medical attention, but to hand over the customer to an appropriate and suitable authority. Infirmity and Disability Tour managers are responsible for the general care and well-being of the whole group and are neither available, nor trained or insured for individual ‘personal’ care. Each tour, by way of the trains and terrain being visited, presents its own opportunities and restrictions. Customers should ascertain the suitability of the itinerary and facilities available relevant to their own needs. We are happy to discuss customers’ concerns with them before they commit to a booking. We will attempt to accommodate and resolve any needs or problems caused by undisclosed mobility/dietary/general health issues but cannot accept responsibilities beyond those stated above. We would especially draw the attention of customers to the tours that visit high-altitude locations and the resulting possibility of cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Confidentiality, Privacy and Mailing Lists Customers’ names and addresses have been obtained as a result of their response to advertisements, having been a previous customer or enquirer, or a referral from some other party. We do not share these details with anyone outside Warren Travel Ltd. trading as The Railway Touring Company or The Railway Touring Company Ltd. Customer’s personal details such as credit card numbers, travel arrangements, companions etc. will only be kept to be used within the requirements of tour operating. We are registered under the Data Protection Act. If one customer wishes to communicate with another customer, then please forward the stamped envelope/package to us. We will add the address and post on the mail. We will not divulge any addresses or telephone numbers. Financial Protection We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and hold ATOL Number T7149. This ensures that in the event of the failure of our Company, customers’ money will be protected. If customers are on holiday at the time of Company failure, arrangements will be made for them to complete their holiday and return home. The flights we provide are supplied by other ATOL holders and are protected by their bonds. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk. Payments for Flights The payments that customers make for their flights are held by us in our trust account, on behalf of the ATOL holder who is supplying the flight, until the date that we pass the money to that ATOL holder. The ATOL holder supplying the flight will issue an ATOL confirmation invoice to confirm their contract with the customer. We will forward this to the customer no later than the day after we have received it. The Travel Trust Association (TTA) The TTA is a trade association of travel agents and travel organisers, established to provide financial protection for the customer. The TTA lays down strict guidelines on how the customer’s funds should be handled, and each member must adhere to those guidelines. Every TTA member pays the customer’s funds into a designated trust account which is supervised by an independent trustee; a Banker, Chartered or certified Accountant or Solicitor. Why your travel arrangements are totally safe with the Travel Trust Association The Travel Trust Association (TTA) recognises that for many people a holiday is the one chance to really relax – so it is important that customers are able to feel completely confident about their travel arrangements from the moment they make their booking. By choosing an approved TTA Member, customers can be sure that their travel plans are totally secure. These arrangements exceed the statutory levels of consumer protection. Customer’s funds are secured in Trust by the Travel Trust Association Trustees. Travel Trust Association 2 Crown Square Woking GU21 01483 545 www.traveltrust.co.uk

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UK Day Trip Booking Form Day Trip:............................................................................................................................Date:................................................................... Joining Station:............................................................................................................................................................................................. Name:................................................................................................................................Phone No:.......................................................... Address:........................................................................................................................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................Postcode:............................................................ E-mail:..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Price Each

Number Required

Total Price

Premier Dining Adult

Premier Dining Junior

Premier Dining Family

First Class Adult

First Class Junior

First Class Family

Table for two supplement*

£25 per person

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 Please charge my Visa debit card/Maestro/Electron card for the full balance Card Number:............................................................................................................................. Security Number (CVC):.......................... 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:...................................................................

Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661 500 • Fax: 01553 661 800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

UK Tour Reservation Form Title...................... Forename...................................................................... Surname.................................................................... DOB*.................. Title...................... Forename...................................................................... Surname.................................................................... DOB*.................. *DOB = Date of Birth

Please ensure your names are as they appear in your passport. Address of first named........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... Phone.................................................................. Please reserve the (tour title)................................................................................................................................................................................. Indicate your requirements/preferences: Twin bedded room

Double bedded room

Single room(s)

(Please tick)

Where options are available for the tour (i.e. choice of travel) please clearly state your choice(s). ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Please also specify any dietary or health related requirements. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... The deposit is £350 per person outside Europe, £150 per person within Europe and £100 per person for UK tours. The balance/full fare is due 10 weeks before travel; dates will be advised on your confirmation. As stated in our Booking Agreement a Fidelity Policy will be added at the time of booking. I enclose a cheque (payable to THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY CLIENT ACCOUNT). Please charge my credit or debit card for: £..................................... deposit

full fare

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Card Number........................................................................................................................ Expires.................................................................................................................................. Start Date............................................................................................................................. Please accept my booking on the terms and conditions as stated in the RTC Worldwide Steam Rail Tours 2019 brochure and on our website. Please sign and date.............................................................................................................................................................................................. Please send this form to: THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, 14A TUESDAY MARKET PLACE, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661 500 • Fax: 01553 661 800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net 71

The Railway Touring Company 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JN Phone: 01553 661 500 – Fax: 01553 661 800 Web: www.railwaytouring.net – E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk Design and Artwork - LucidSynergy Ltd - www.lucidsynergy.com