The Railway Touring Company – UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2020/21 by LucidSynergy Ltd

The Railway Touring Company UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2020 2nd Edition

Bob Green

Welcome Welcome to the second edition of our 2020 UK Day Trips and 2021 UK Tours brochure. During the recent difficult time due to the pandemic, our team here have been working hard to finalise the autumn and Christmas programme and we are pleased to present this to you now. If it’s a UK Day Trip as always we are offering the choice of three classes of travel so you can join us in standard class and sample the delights from the buffet car or trolley service or try our upgraded for 2020 first class package where you will now be served a breakfast roll with your morning cup of tea or coffee and of course our popular premier dining class where you can sit back and relax whilst enjoying the on board catering prepared and served by the friendly catering team. Whether it’s a day out to the coast or a journey over the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct or a Christmas shopping visit do it in style and travel by steam with us. Short breaks in the UK are something we are proud to offer. With over 20 years experience and knowledge, come along with us and enjoy all that our beautiful homeland has to offer. Our holidays are escorted by an experienced tour manager from start to finish meaning you really can relax and enjoy your time away. Take a look at our UK holiday section for holidays available to book now for 2021 and for more information – remember that the team here in King’s Lynn are always ready to take your calls. We hope that you enjoy looking through our brochure and can’t wait to see you on board soon.

Kelly Osborne Managing Director. The Railway Touring Company.

24 EST. 1997

Front cover image: Bob Green

UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2020/21 Day Trips The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Christmas Cheshireman

The Waverley

The Christmas Cheshireman

The Cotswold Venturer

Gloucester Christmas Market & Cardiff

The Waverley

The Christmas Sussex Belle

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The York Yuletide Express

The Royal Duchy

The Worcester Christmas Fayre

The York Yuletide Express

The Cheshireman

The Lindum Fayre

The Swanage Belle

The Bath & Bristol Christmas Market

The Weymouth Seaside Express

The Pennine Blackpool Express

The Birmingham and Shrewsbury Christmas Express

The Cumbrian Coast Express

The Edinburgh Christmas Market

The Easterling

The Christmas White Rose

The Yorkshireman

The Christmas White Rose

The Tin Bath

The Dorset Coast Express

Tours The Great Britain XIV

32 – 35

Arran and Kintyre

42 – 43

The Shetlander

36 – 37

Heart of Scotland

44 – 45

The Cock O’the North

38 – 39

The Far North and Orkney

46 – 47

The Summer Highlander

40 – 41

English Lake District

48 – 49

50 – 51

Locomotives

The Engine Shed Carnforth Pool Locomotives

Terms and Conditions

Booking and Reservation Forms

UK Day Trip Information

UK Day Trip Booking Form

UK Tours Information

UK Tour Reservation Form

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 Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 8th August and 10th October 2020 The Cumbrian Mountain Express provides a wonderful opportunity to get out and about during the summer and autumn months, with the added bonus of steam haulage over the Northern Fells, including the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth, hauled by a 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 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, taken from the Carnforth pool. 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 cafés. 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 many 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 and Clitheroe to Preston where we say 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston Watford Junction* Milton Keynes Northampton** Rugby Nuneaton Crewe Preston Carlisle

07:00 22:05 06:40 21:50 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 08:25 20:38 08:45 20:20 09:45 19:15 10:30 18:00 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.

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner served at your seat. (N/A Preston) First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Waverley Sunday 16th August and 6th September 2020 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, 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 a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool, 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 at Hellifield 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 numerous 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York Leeds Shipley Keighley Skipton Appleby Carlisle

09:30 21:20 10:20 20:30 10:45 20:15 10:55 20:05 11:10 19:50 13:35 17:20 14:20 16:15

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 5

Bob Green

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 22nd August 2020 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 Stroud and Kemble and also return the same way, which will include the steep climb up to Sapperton tunnel. Our steam hauled train leaves London Paddington at around 07:40 hauled by Princess Coronation Class 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 the Vale of White Horse to Swindon, where we take the Golden Valley line through Kemble and up the climb to Sapperton Tunnel. We bypass Gloucester and head northwards through Cheltenham to Abbotswood Junction, were we leave the main line to Birmingham and head for Worcester Shrub Hill. There will be more than three hours to explore the fine city of Worcester. 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 hauled train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill in the late afternoon and returns to London via the Golden Valley line. We follow the former Great Western Railway route from Standish Junction and climb steadily through Stroud before the gradients increase dramatically to 1 in 74 at Chalford. We continue to climb through the Golden Valley at a gradient of 1 in 60 prior to entering Sapperton tunnel at the summit of the climb.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington Slough Reading Didcot Worcester

07:40 20:10 08:10 19:35 08:35 19:05 09:00 18:35 11:50 16:30

usually at a table for four.

On easier gradients, we descend through Kemble and onwards through Wiltshire to the former railway town of Swindon. We will now retrace our earlier route through the Vale of White Horse back to Didcot and Reading. Our final part of the journey calls at Reading and Slough before arriving back in London Paddington in the evening.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Waverley Sunday 23rd August 2020 This steam hauled train provides an opportunity for passengers from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway, 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 that 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 our journey back to York, stopping at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Leeds, and York, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York Leeds Shipley Keighley Skipton Appleby Carlisle

09:30 21:20 10:20 20:30 10:45 20:15 10:55 20:05 11:10 19:50 13:35 17:20 14:20 16:15

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£310

£205

£928

First

£210

£135

£623

Standard

£144

£110

£453 7

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 29th August 2020 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, which is hauled by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool, leaves Crewe at around 06:00 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Crewe Wilmslow Stockport Manchester Victoria Bolton Preston* Blackburn Carlisle

06:05 22:20 06:35 21:50 06:50 21:25 08:00 20:15 08:10 19:50 08:30 ------------- 19:15 12:55 16:00

*Passengers for Preston travel by service train from Blackburn on the return journey.

There are three classes available:

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.

Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner served at your seat. (N/A Preston)

Our return 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.

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

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.

Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Sunday 30th August 2020 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 steam hauled by locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland at around 08:45 and stops to pick up further passengers at Yatton and 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, diesel hauled, 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 steam hauled by Duchess of Sutherland 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 at Exeter, Taunton and Yatton en route.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads Yatton Taunton Exeter St. David’s Plymouth Par

08:45 22:45 09:05 22:25 09:40 21:15 11:30 20:15 12:45 19:00 14:00 17:45

usually at a table for four.

If the St. Blazey turntable is re-opened we will revert to steam haulage throughout on both these trips.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£185

£816

First

£169

£122

£521

Standard

£119

£86

£367 9

Bob Green

The Dorset Coast Express Thursday 3rd September 2020 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 steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland 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 hauled by U Class steam locomotive No.31806 at around 16:35 as far as Southampton* with our main steam locomotive banking on the rear, from here the main steam locomotive will take over for the remainder of the return journey. We continue through Andover to Basingstoke, where we stop to set down passengers and for our steam locomotive to take on water. We then continue to 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 Staines Woking Basingstoke Bournemouth Weymouth

08:45 22:00 09:35 21:15 10:05 20:40 10:55 19:50 12:50 17:45 13:45 16:40

usually at a table for four.

* In the event of a high fire risk the section from Weymouth to Southampton on the return leg would be diesel hauled.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Cheshireman Saturday 5th September 2020 Join us on this 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. Our steam hauled train will be pulled by 46233 Duchess of Sutherland from Norwich to Chester and as far at Peterborough on the return. 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, in 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 Wymondham Attleborough Thetford Brandon March Peterborough Leicester Chester

07:00 23:20 07:20 23:10 07:30 23:00 07:45 22:35 07:55 22:25 09:00 21:30 09:20 21:10 10:20 20:05 14:30 17:20

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£181

£809

First

£169

£110

£503

Standard

£119

£84

£364 11

Bob Green

The Swanage Belle Thursday 10th September 2020 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 Princess Coronation Class 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 locomotive to take on water. Our final stop to pick up passengers is 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. Magnificent views of Corfe Castle can be seen as we head towards Swanage along this attractive 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 and 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. Our train leaves Swanage for the return journey at around 16:55 and is diesel hauled to Southampton where 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Staines Woking Basingstoke Swanage

08:45 23:10 09:35 22:20 10:10 21:35 10:40 20:50 14:15 16:55

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Weymouth Seaside Express Sunday 13th September 2020 A trip down memory lane awaits those who join this special train, which recreates the days of seaside excursions run by British Railways in the 1950s. The train will be hauled by a steam locomotive that will evoke the past and complete this nostalgic experience. Our destination is the attractive seaside town of Weymouth – a traditional English seaside resort that has managed to preserve much of its charm. This is a lovely outing for a summer day. Our special train leaves Bristol Temple Meads at around 08:20, hauled by our steam locomotive 46233 Duchess of Sutherland and heads eastwards. We stop to pick up passengers at Keynsham and Bath. We then take the route up the picturesque Avon Valley, travelling southwards to Trowbridge and Westbury, where we make stops to pick up more passengers. We head westwards from Westbury, pausing briefly at Frome, before continuing along the West of England main line to Bruton. At Castle Cary, we leave the main line and head south on the single track Weymouth Branch. We stop at Yeovil Pen Mill for our steam locomotive to take on water, and then there follows a long steep climb through the Dorset Hills up to the summit at Evershot Tunnel. Our steam locomotive will be working flat out on this exhilarating climb. It is mainly downhill from Evershot Summit through Maiden Newton, and the picturesque town of Dorchester, to Weymouth. There will be around five hours in Weymouth to explore this much-loved south coast seaside resort. It is located on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has a beautifully wide sandy beach near to the railway station. Other attractions include the Old Harbour, Brewers Quay, shopping village and Nothe Fort, where there are spectacular views over both Weymouth and Portland harbours. Open top buses operate to the Isle of Portland, where there is a castle and lighthouse, and there are boat trips from Weymouth Harbour around Portland Harbour. We leave Weymouth for our return journey at around 16:30 and head north up the steep Bincombe Bank (1 in 50) to Dorchester. Later we climb up to Evershot Summit from the south side before the descent to Yeovil Pen Mill. We stop at Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath and Keynsham to set down passengers. Finally we arrive at Bristol Temple Meads where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads Keynsham Bath Trowbridge Westbury Weymouth

08:20 20:15 08:30 20:05 08:45 19:50 09:10 19:15 09:25 18:50 11:25 16:30

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£185

£816

First

£169

£122

£521

Standard

£119

£86

£367 13

Derek Phillips

The Pennine Blackpool Express Saturday 19th September 2020 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 Preston, where we take the branch to Blackpool North. Our return journey will be steam hauled to Preston and then via the Ribble Valley through Clitheroe to Hellifield and onwards to Carnforth. Our electric locomotive will then return the train back to London. 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. At Preston, our steam locomotive allocated from the Carnforth Pool will be attached at the rear of the train and will be hauled by our class 86 electric to Blackpool North. The recently electrified line serves local trains and also allows 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. Around three hours should 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. Returning to Preston, now steam hauled, we will detach the class 86 electric locomotive, which will then go to Carnforth to await our return later in the day. Steam haulage will now continue via Bamber Bridge and the long climb of Hoghton Bank to Blackburn. We will join the Hellifield line at Daisyfield Junction and tackle the steep climb up to Whilpshire Tunnel. A long descent follows towards the impressive 48-arch viaduct over the river Calder at Whalley. After Clitheroe, we continue to follow the scenic Ribble Valley towards Hellifield where there will be a water stop. The last section of our journey to Carnforth will include the steep climb at 1 in 100 from Settle Junction up Giggleswick Bank. We follow the Bentham Line via Wennington and reach Carnforth where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. The class 86 electric locomotive will be waiting to take our train back to Preston and calling stations to London Euston.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston Watford Junction* Milton Keynes Northampton** Rugby Nuneaton Crewe Preston Blackpool

07:10 22:05 06:40 21:50 08:00 21:15 07:40 21:30 08:25 20:38 08:45 20:20 09:45 19:15 10:30 18:20 11:10 14:05

*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 and four course dinner served at your seat. (N/A Crewe or Preston) First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Coast Express Saturday 26th September 2020 Our journey will combine the scenic grandeur of the Cumbria Fells with the exposed Cumbrian coastline that skirts the western edge of the Lake District. 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 hauled 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 07:00 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 a varied assortment of shops and cafés. We leave Carlisle steam hauled by a locomotive from the Carnforth pool 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 plant dominates the landscape. At Ravenglass, we meet up with the narrow gauge 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 avoid Barrow in Furness by taking the ‘Park’ cut off line 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 back to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston Watford Junction* Milton Keynes Northampton** Rugby Nuneaton Crewe Preston Carlisle

07:10 23:15 06:40 22:40 08:00 22:00 07:40 21:30 08:25 21:00 08:45 20:35 09:45 19:35 10:30 18:30 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.

usually at a table for four.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 15

Bob Green

The Easterling Saturday 3rd October 2020 Join us on a journey by steam train to rural Norfolk and Suffolk, a scenic area of undulating farmland, market towns, picturesque villages and waterways. The Easterling recalls the days of an express train that ran from London to Yarmouth and Lowestoft, taking Londoners to the Norfolk Broads and the famous East Anglian seaside resorts. The train will be hauled by A1 Class Pacific 60163 Tornado. Our steam train will depart from London King’s Cross station at around 08:00 and immediately begins climbing through tunnels and cuttings as it makes its way up the East Coast Main Line (ECML). There are stops at Potters Bar and Stevenage for more passengers to join the train. At Hitchin, we leave the ECML and head for Cambridge, our final stop for passengers. We continue north to Ely and then take the Breckland Line through Thetford to Norwich. The Breckland area is of considerable interest for its unusual flora and fauna, and is characterised by gorse-covered sandy heath land and Scots Pine trees. We arrive at Norwich around mid-day and our steam locomotive ‘runs round’ our train as we change direction of travel here. We continue our steam hauled journey taking one of the ‘Wherry Lines’ from Norwich to Lowestoft. The Norfolk Wherry is a type of boat that was widely used in the area. Lowestoft is the most easterly town in the UK and terminus for the East Suffolk Line (ESL). Our train stops here for well over an hour giving passengers time to explore the town and harbour, once a bustling fishing port. Our return journey is along the 49 mile-long scenic ESL through Beccles, Saxmundham and Woodbridge, famous for having the only working Tide Mill in the UK, dating from 1793. Westerfield Junction is where the branch line from Felixstowe joins the ESL; the branch is heavily used by freight trains to and from Felixstowe Docks. Approaching Ipswich, we take the newly built ‘Bacon Factory Chord’ to join the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) going northwards from London Liverpool Street to Norwich.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London King’s Cross Potters Bar Stevenage Cambridge Norwich Lowestoft

08:00 21:00 08:20 20:40 08:45 20:20 09:30 19:30 11:30 12:15 13:00 14:45

usually at a table for four.

We continue northwards to Stowmarket and leave the GEML at Haughley Junction. We pass through Bury St. Edmunds station, with its distinctive pair of towers. At Snailwell Junction we take the line for Newmarket and Cambridge, where we stop to set down passengers. We make further stops to set down passengers at Stevenage and Potters Bar before journeys end at London King’s Cross.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Derek Phillips

The Yorkshireman Saturday 17th October 2020 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 on this trip will be steam hauled between London and York by steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our train leaves London Ealing Broadway at around 06:30 hauled by Duchess of Sutherland and travels around West London through Acton Wells and onwards to 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. After Chesterfield we take the ‘old road’ via barrow Hill 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 St. Albans Luton Bedford Kettering Melton Mowbray York

06:30 22:45 08:01 21:50 08:17 21:39 08:48 21:10 09:47 20:37 10:47 19:50 13:51 17:15

usually at a table for four.

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

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 17

Bob Green

The Tin Bath Sunday 25th October 2020 In honour of this immortal moment in one of the great TV comedies we have named this tour The Tin Bath, after the antics of Compo, Clegg and Foggy rolling down a Yorkshire hillside in a tin bath for the long-running TV series ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’ 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 steam hauled by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth Pool. 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, before arrival at Sheffield, where there is a brief stop. 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 the 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 Wigan North Western Manchester Victoria Sheffield

09:00 21:30 09:30 20:45 10:20 18:30 12:40 13:30

usually at a table for four.

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 head through the Calder Valley through Hebden Bridge for Hall Royd Junction near Todmorden. Here 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. We pass through Darwen on the 1 in 71 climb up to Sough Tunnel, drop down to Bolton, and head back to Manchester Victoria. Following a reversal at Manchester Victoria, we now return to Preston via our earlier calling points.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Christmas Cheshireman Saturday 14th November 2020 Join us on this interesting trip by vintage steam train to the historic city of Chester, an unusual destination from Bristol. We travel via the Severn Tunnel, the South Wales Main Line, the scenic Welsh Marches route, and the Shrewsbury to Chester line. There will be over three hours to explore Chester. Our train will be steam hauled throughout by A1 class steam locomotive No.60163 Tornado.. We leave Bristol Temple Meads at around 07:00 hauled by 60163 Tornado. Our steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb to Filton Abbey Wood, where we stop to pick up more passengers. We then head westwards along the South Wales Main Line, passing through the Severn Tunnel into Wales, and continuing to the outskirts of Newport. Here we turn northwards, crossing the river Usk, and join the Welsh Marches route. We stop at Cwmbran and Abergavenny for more passengers to join the train before we begin the challenging climb of the Llanvihangel bank. Our steam locomotive will be in full cry all the way to the summit! We pass many sites where there were once railway stations along this route and the longest section without a station today is between Abergavenny and Hereford, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. There is some truly beautiful scenery as we travel through Herefordshire and into Shropshire, passing towns such as Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms and Church Stretton. We continue to Shrewsbury, where the ‘listed’ Severn Bridge Junction Signal Box is the largest remaining mechanical signal box in the world. We take the Chester Line from Shrewsbury and stop at Chirk for our steam locomotive to take on water. We pass through Ruabon and Wrexham before arriving at our destination, the beautiful Roman City of Chester. There will be over three hours to explore the walled city that contains a number of medieval buildings and is famous for its 14th Century ‘Rows’, the first floor level galleried walkways connecting shops and cafes. Other places of interest include the Castle, the Cathedral, and the picturesque racecourse, located between the city walls and the river Dee.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads Filton Abbey Wood Cwmbran Abergavenny Chester

07:00 22:35 07:15 22:25 09:55 20:00 10:15 19:40 13:15 17:00

usually at a table for four.

Whilst we have been exploring the city, our steam locomotive will have been serviced and turned at Chester ready for the return journey. Our train leaves Chester at around 17:00 returning by the same route and stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 19

Alan Weaver

The Christmas Cheshireman Saturday 21st November 2020 This tour offers an opportunity to travel by a special charter train to the historic city of Chester and visit the Christmas market there. The train will be steamhauled throughout from London Euston to Chester by an A1 class Pacific No.60163 Tornado. We will follow the route of the famous expresses such as the Royal Scot along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Crewe and then onwards to Chester. We return to London from Chester steam hauled throughout with Tornado. ‘The Cheshireman’ will leave London Euston at around 07:00 steam hauled behind Tornado. Initially on departure we shall hear our locomotive working hard on the climb up Camden Bank. We continue through Watford Tunnel into rural Hertfordshire. We stop to pick up further passengers at the 1960s ‘new town’ of Milton Keynes, where passengers from Watford Junction will join by service train. At Hanslope Junction, we leave the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and take the Northampton loop line where we stop again for passengers. We continue northwards and pass the Daventry Railfreight Terminal (DIRFT) before rejoining the WCML at Rugby, a further pick up stop, and the birthplace of rugby football and the jet engine. We then follow the Trent Valley Line to Nuneaton, our final stop to pick up passengers. We pass through Lichfield, notable for its three-spired medieval cathedral, and soon after Rugeley is Shugborough Tunnel. This has ornamental grand entrances, the result of conditions required by the Earl of Lichfield for building the line across his estate. We continue northwards through Stafford to the famous railway junction town of Crewe where we take the North Wales Coast Line to Chester. There will be around four hours to explore the Roman city of Chester, one of the most visited places in the UK. Chester lies on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, and is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. The city contains a number of medieval buildings and is famous for its 14th Century ‘Rows’, the first floor level galleried walkways connecting shops and cafes. Other places of interest include the Castle, the Cathedral, and the picturesque racecourse, which is located between the city walls and the river Dee. Our special train, hauled on the return journey by our steam locomotive Tornado, leaves Chester late afternoon for the journey to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers, and this tour promises to be a memorable day out behind Tornado along the West Coast Main Line.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Euston Watford Junction* Milton Keynes Northampton Rugby Nuneaton Chester

07:00 21:30 06:40 21:00 08:05 20:00 08:40 19:30 09:25 18:45 10:10 18:15 12:10 16:10

*Passengers from Watford Junction will travel by service train to Milton Keynes on the outward journey.

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

Gloucester Christmas Market & Cardiff Tuesday 24th November 2020 Join us on this scenic rail tour by steam train through the Thames Valley, the beautiful Cotswold Hills and along the river Severn, hauled by A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado. Our destinations will be the cathedral city of Gloucester, and Cardiff, the vibrant Capital of Wales. We should experience some fast running along the exGWR main line and some challenging climbs through the Cotswolds. Choose which destination to alight at to sample the Christmas Markets. Our steam hauled train leaves London Victoria in the morning and we make our way via Clapham Junction to Staines, our first call for more passengers. We take the Reading line and make further calls at Ascot and Reading. Following the Thames Valley, we head for Didcot, our final pick up station. Our journey continues through the Vale of White Horse to Swindon, where we take the Golden Valley line through Kemble and Tornado then tackles the steep climb to Sapperton Tunnel. On arrival at Gloucester, passengers have the choice of alighting here to visit the city with its centrepiece the 14th century cathedral. There is also the extensive Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market to explore, alongside the many shops and attractions that the city has to offer. Our steam hauled train will call at Gloucester on the return to pick up passengers who choose to spend the afternoon here. Our journey will continue from Gloucester towards Cardiff along the banks of the river Severn through Lydney and Chepstow as we head for Wales via Newport. The Cardiff Christmas Market is located in the heart of the city along the pedestrianised streets of the main shopping area. Enjoy the atmosphere of the market with its craft staffs, food and drink outlets and fairy lights to add to the festive feel. We will return from Cardiff steam hauled by Tornado, and will pick up at Gloucester before returning via the Golden Valley route once again to Didcot, Reading, Ascot, Staines and terminating in London Victoria, ending what promises to be a varied and enjoyable day out.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria 07:45 22:35 Staines 08:35 22:00 Ascot 08:55 21:40 Reading 09:45 20:55 Didcot Parkway 10:10 20:30 Gloucester 12:10 18:40 Cardiff 14:10 16:55 There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 21

Bob Green

The Christmas Sussex Belle Thursday 26th November 2020 Join us on a special train to celebrate the Festive Season in style. Our train travels from London Victoria to the Sussex coast, crossing the North and South Downs and passing through the beautiful countryside of the Weald. It will be steam hauled by either former LMS Black 5 No.45305 or 45212. This is a wonderful way to enjoy a leisurely lunch whilst appreciating the scenic views from your carriage window. Our day out begins when our train leaves London Victoria station at around 10:30, hauled by steam locomotive No.45305 or 45212. We journey south along the main line towards Brighton passing through East Croydon, Redhill, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges and Haywards Heath. The route crosses the Weald, an ancient area of woodland scattered with farms and villages. We leave the Brighton line at Keymer Junction, just after Wivesfield, and head southeastwards through Cooksbridge to Lewes. Here we join the East Coastway Line that runs from Brighton to Eastbourne, Hastings and Ashford. We pass through the South Downs, an area characterised by rolling chalk downland and recognised as one of the most important chalk landscapes in England. We head to Eastbourne where our steam locomotive will be serviced and there will be time to visit this popular South Coast seaside town. The seafront consists almost entirely of Victorian hotels, which along with its pier and bandstand, give it a timeless appeal. The town is situated immediately east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and an area of outstanding natural beauty. This sheltered position contributes to Eastbourne’s title of the sunniest place in Great Britain. We leave Eastbourne, diesel-hauled and head along the Sussex Coast through Normans Bay, Cooden Beach, and Bexhill to Hastings. Hastings can claim fame through its connection with the Norman Conquest of England, and also because it became one of the medieval Cinque Ports. The town is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of television since the pioneer of television, John Logie Baird, lived there. Our train reverses direction of travel at Hastings and leaves with the steam locomotive in charge. We continue our journey heading north through Crowhurst and Battle, and then passing through Mountfield Tunnel. Robertsbridge station was formerly a junction station with the Colonel Stephens’ famous old Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. We pass through Royal Tunbridge Wells, a spa town situated on the northern edge of the High Weald. At Sevenoaks, we take the line through Bat and Ball station, which was named after a local inn that no longer exists. We join the line from Ashford at Otford, and the Chatham Main Line at Swanley. Our tour ends when we arrive back at London Victoria at around 17:20.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Eastbourne Hastings

10:30 17:20 13:00 14:30 15:00 15:10

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes Buck’s Fizz, morning tea or coffee and Danish pastries and a four course lunch served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll, a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£229

£149

£682

First

£149

£96

£442

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Derek Phillips

The York Yuletide Express Saturday 28th November 2020 Join us for a main line steam run from London’s Ealing Broadway to York and an opportunity to experience the Festive Season’s activities. We travel north via the Midland Main Line, and our train will be hauled between London and York by A1 class Pacific No.60163 Tornado, and from York to London on the return by LMS Princess Coronation Class steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. Our train leaves London Ealing Broadway at around 06:10 hauled by “Tornado” and travels around West London to Dudding Hill Junction, where 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’ via Barrow Hill 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. Our train leaves York at around 17:15 and returns to Ealing Broadway hauled by 46233 Duchess of Sutherland. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. Santa and his Elves will be handing out presents to all the children during the journey so please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Ealing B’way St. Albans Luton Bedford Kettering Melton Mowbray York

06:10 22:45 07:45 22:00 08:05 21:35 08:35 21:10 09:50 20:30 10:45 19:50 13:55 17:15

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 operation of the Christmas Market at York is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful it will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332 23

Bob Green

The Worcester Christmas Fayre Thursday 3rd December 2020 Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscapes, and the special atmosphere of Worcester at Christmas time? The Worcester Christmas Fayre will be steam hauled from Norwich to Worcester by LMS Princess Coronation Class locomotive No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland and from Worcester as far as Peterborough on the return. Our day out begins early in the morning when we leave Norwich Station, hauled by 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, and cross the Trowse swing bridge over the river Wensum. We stop to pick up more passengers at Wymondham, a beautifully kept rural Norfolk station, Attleborough, Thetford and Brandon. Approaching Ely we take the avoiding line that curves very sharply round onto the Peterborough line. We stop at March for further passengers, before continuing to Peterborough, our final pick up point. We now follow the scenic 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. 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. Crossing the West Coast main line, we now head towards Birmingham, although we will bypass the city by means of the Grand Junction line from Stetchford Junction to Perry Barr. We will follow the Handsworth Loop line through to Soho East Junction, where we will join the Stour Valley line briefly to Galton Junction. Here we join the ‘Jewellery Line’ and head through the heart of the Black Country for Stourbridge Junction and Kidderminster, where there are glimpses of the Severn Valley Railway. We soon pass through the spa town of Droitwich as we approach Worcester, where there will be time to visit the Christmas Fayre in the city centre. With over 200 stalls, the Fayre will have a Victorian theme, with traders in period costume. Apart from the locally made produce and craft, there will be the traditional food markets where you can sample home made cooking, along with the many bars and food stalls. Street entertainment will also feature throughout the day, which will complement the historic nature of the city of Worcester, with the Cathedral as its centrepoint. After servicing and turning our steam locomotive, we will make our way back to our earlier calling points to set down passengers. We will be diesel hauled from Peterborough on the return leg back to Norwich.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Norwich Wymondham Attleborough Thetford Brandon March Peterborough Worcester

06:55 23:55 07:15 23:40 07:30 23:30 07:50 23:10 08:00 23:00 08:50 22:10 09:35 21:45 14:30 17:10

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 operation of the Christmas Fayre at Worcester is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful it will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£269

£181

£809

First

£169

£110

£503

Standard

£119

£84

£364

Bob Green

The York Yuletide Express Saturday 5th December 2020 This exciting seasonal trip by steam train offers an opportunity for passengers from the Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Sheffield areas to visit the popular city of York at Christmas time. The route cuts across the rugged Pennine terrain of the scenic Hope Valley line to York, and will be steam hauled throughout by a lovingly restored steam locomotive. Our train leaves Liverpool Lime Street, hauled by our allocated steam locomotive from the Carnforth based pool. We follow the route of the historic 1830 Liverpool and Manchester Railway across Chat Moss to Manchester Victoria, where we pause to pick up passengers. Leaving Manchester, we climb the formidable 1 in 47 gradient of Miles Platting Bank and make our way towards Denton, where we will pause to water our steam locomotive. We next stop will be at Stockport to pick up passengers before heading towards Chinley and the Hope Valley line to Sheffield. We join the former Midland Railway line across the Peak District and pass through Cowburn Tunnel into the beautiful Vale of Edale. After Hathersage, we pass through the 3½-mile long Totley Tunnel and arrive at Sheffield, our final pick up station for passengers. We then travel northwards through Swinton and Moorthorpe to York, our destination for the afternoon. There will be plenty of time for passengers to enjoy the city and all it has to offer. York has some major tourist attractions including the National Railway Museum, the largest museum of its type in Britain; the Castle; the Shambles; the splendid Gothic York Minster, one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe; and the city walls. There are a number of other interesting museums, quaint alleyways, and a good variety of shops. Our late afternoon departure from York will be steam hauled back to Liverpool Lime Street. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board. Please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street Manchester Victoria Stockport Sheffield York

07:30 22:15 09:00 21:15 09:45 20:20 11:00 19:10 13:10 17:10

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 25

Derek Phillips

The Lindum Fayre Saturday 5th December 2020 The Lincoln Christmas Market, otherwise known as the Lindum Fayre, is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. To visit the Fayre is a truly unforgettable experience and we shall take you there in style, in the comfort of a special train hauled by LMS Princess Coronation class steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland. What a day you will have! With Christmas only a few weeks away this really is a very special trip, and not to be missed. Our day out begins when we steam out of London King’s Cross station at around 09:00 and head north down the East Coast Main Line (ECML). We stop at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough to pick up more passengers. Leaving Peterborough and its famous cathedral behind, we take the former Great Northern Railway (GNR) line towards Grimsby at Werrington Junction and head across the fertile flatlands to Spalding. Here we join the Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint Railway line to Sleaford. We continue through a part of rural Lincolnshire famous for its potato farms. Approaching Lincoln, we notice that its spectacular Cathedral dominates the city. The Lindum Fayre is spread across the enthralling Cathedral quarter of Lincoln, within the courtyard of the 12th century castle and along the medieval cobbled streets of the city. There are around 280 stalls selling everything from crafts and books to locally produced cheeses, meats and festive foods – delicious delicacies to tempt you. The traders dress in period costume, there is traditional fairground entertainment, a fantastic festive atmosphere, and all that is needed for those special Christmas gifts. It is easy to see why the Lindum Fayre is so special, and popular. All too soon it will be time to return to the station for our train back to London. We shall be steam hauled by Duchess of Sutherland and return from Lincoln by way of Newark and the East Coast Main Line. After a stiff climb up through Grantham to Stoke Tunnel we descend Stoke Bank, where ‘Mallard’ achieved 126 miles per hour that still stands as the world speed record for steam. We stop to set down passengers at the same stations as on the outward journey and arrive in King’s Cross Station at around 21:30. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board. Please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London’s King’s Cross Potters Bar Stevenage Peterborough Lincoln

09:00 21:30 09:30 21:00 10:00 20:50 11:20 19:00 12:45 17:45

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 operation of the Christmas Market at Lincoln is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful it will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Bob Green

The Bath & Bristol Christmas Market Tuesday 8th December 2020 What better way to begin the Christmas season than with a trip by steam train on the Bath & Bristol Christmas Market? There will be ample time to sample Bath’s award winning Christmas Market, set in the beautiful area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally famous Roman Baths, or to visit Bristol for the ‘best Christmas shopping in the South West’. Join us as we travel by vintage steam train through some superb countryside en route. We leave London Victoria early in the morning, hauled by steam locomotive No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland. Running via Clapham Junction, we call at Staines and Woking, before our final pick up is made at Basingstoke. From Basingstoke, we can expect a fast run along the former London & South Western Railway’s route via Andover to the cathedral city of Salisbury. We stop at Salisbury, for the loco to take on water, and then continue along the South West main line to Wilton. Here we turn northwards and cross the edge of Salisbury Plain en route to Warminster. We descend steeply to Westbury, with its famous hillside white horse, and then follow the scenic Avon Valley through Bradford on Avon. We shall soon catch sight of the Georgian city of Bath as we approach the well-kept Bath Spa station, which is close to the city centre. The afternoon is free to explore the city, which has gained a reputation not only for its famous Christmas Market but also for its quality independents and favourite high street stores. The essentially ‘British’ Christmas Market is centrally located and has over 170 traditional wooden chalets offering everything you will need for the perfect Christmas celebration. Meanwhile our train continues to Bristol, another fascinating destination for those who wish to explore this fine city instead. It has several world class attractions including Britain’s most acclaimed historic ship, the S.S. Great Britain; Brunel’s iconic Clifton suspension bridge; the world’s fifth oldest zoo; and an historic harbour-side, the location of the M Shed, an exciting new innovative museum. The city is a Christmas shopper’s haven with all the major retail outlets in the Broadmead and Cabot Circus shopping centres. Our steam locomotive will be serviced at Bristol before we return to Bath and London Victoria steam hauled. We stop to pick up those parcel-laden passengers who opted to visit the Christmas Market in Bath! We return by the route of our outward journey, stopping at the same stations for passengers to alight.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Staines Woking Basingstoke Bath Bristol

08:45 21:35 09:35 20:45 10:05 20:10 10:55 19:20 12:55 16:55 13:15 16:35

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 operation of the Christmas Market at Bath is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful it will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 27

Bob Green

The Birmingham and Shrewsbury Christmas Express Saturday 12th December 2020 Join us on this scenic rail tour by seasonal steam train through the Thames Valley and the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire countryside to the Christmas markets at Birmingham or Shrewsbury. We follow the former Great Western Railway main line through Reading, Oxford and Leamington Spa where there should be the opportunity to experience some fast running. Choose to alight at either Birmingham or Shrewsbury to visit the markets. Our steam train leaves London Paddington early in morning behind 6233 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 onwards through pleasant countryside towards Banbury. After Leamington Spa, we will climb the steep 1 in 105 gradient of Hatton Bank before we thread our way through the suburbs and reach Birmingham New Street, where you will have the option of alighting here to visit the extensive Christmas Market. The central shopping area of the city has many chalets selling a vast variety of seasonal goods, crafts, foods and drink. Our train will call at Birmingham in the evening to pick you up for the return journey to London. Continuing our steam hauled journey away from Birmingham, we follow the Stour Valley line through to Wolverhampton, where we will take the line to Shrewsbury. In no time at all, we will pass through Cosford, home to the extensive RAF museum, followed by Telford and Wellington. On arrival at Shrewsbury, you will have ample time to explore this historic town with its many listed buildings, castle, riveside walks and numerous shops. The Christmas Market will be a wonderful sight to explore its seasonal offerings of fresh food, drink and arts and crafts, all centred conveniently around the Square. We will return steam hauled from Shrewsbury by way of our outward route, picking up those passengers who chose to alight at Birmingham earlier in the day. We will call to set down at our pick up points before arriving back in London Paddington after a busy day of sightseeing and an interesting and relaxing train journey. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board. Please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington Slough Reading Didcot Birmingham New St. Shrewsbury

07:10 21:55 07:45 21:30 08:10 21:05 08:40 20:45 11:30 18:00 13:15 16:30

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 operation of the Christmas Market at Birmingham and Shrewsbury is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful they will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303

Alan Weaver

The Edinburgh Christmas Market Saturday 12th December 2020 Join us on this special steam hauled train using an A1 class Pacific No.60163 Tornado which will run at speed both ways from York to Edinburgh and return. There will be time in Edinbugh to visit the sights, including the extensive Christmas Market located in Princes Street Gardens for that last bit of Christmas shopping, 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 travel down the East Coast main line through to Northallerton, where 60163 Tornado 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 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. Tornado 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. 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 and its Christmas market, located in Princes Street Gardens, whilst Tornado 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 visit, including the Palace of Holyrood, the Castle on the Royal Mile, Galleries and Museums and Princes Street Gardens.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York Durham Newcastle Edinburgh

06:30 23:00 07:55 21:20 08:20 20:50 12:30 17:30

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 operation of the Christmas Market at Edinburgh is outside of our control we understand that the organisers are hopeful it will take place, however it will be dependent on Government advice given at the time.

We will return south with Tornado 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 York. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board. Please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£259

£175

£781

First

£159

£102

£471

Standard

£99

£70

£303 29

Bob Green

The Christmas White Rose Thursday 17th December 2020 Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train, combining two great steam locomotives, exciting main line running, varied landscape and the special atmosphere of York at Christmas time? We shall be steam hauled from Cambridge to York by LMS Princess Coronation Class steam locomotive No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland and on the return by A1 class Pacific No.60163 Tornado. Our day out begins at around 07:40 when we leave Cambridge station and head northwards, stopping at Ely, March and Peterborough to pick up more passengers. Leaving Peterborough and its famous cathedral behind, we take the former Great Northern Railway line towards Grimsby at Werrington Junction and head across the fertile flatlands to Spalding, famous for its flower production. Here we join the Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint Railway line to Sleaford, where we will use the avoiding line. We continue through a part of rural Lincolnshire, famous for its potato farms, and reach Lincoln. Approaching Lincoln we notice that its spectacular Cathedral, that can be seen for miles around the area, dominates the city. After Lincoln, we head for Gainsborough and cross the Trent en route to Doncaster, where we meet up with the ECML once again. The Great Northern Railway opened its railway workshops in Doncaster in 1853 and Sir Nigel Gresley, who designed the A4 class Pacific steam locomotives, was the Chief Mechanical Engineer to the LNER between 1923-41. From Doncaster, it will be a fast run northwards along the ECML to York, our destination for the 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. The York Christmas market will be in full swing adding to the seasonal atmosphere of this historic city. Our steam locomotive for the return journey back to Peterborough will be A1 class Pacific No. 60163 Tornado. Our train leaves York at around 16:30 for the return journey via Doncaster and the direct ECML route to Peterborough. We stop to set down passengers at Peterborough, March and Ely before arriving in Cambridge at around 21:05.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Cambridge Ely March Peterborough York

07:41 21:05 08:04 20:45 08:55 20:20 09:10 20:00 12:30 16:30

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332

Bob Green

The Christmas White Rose Saturday 19th December 2020 Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train, combining exciting main line running hauled by two different steam locomotives, varied landscape and the special atmosphere of York? Our train will be hauled from London to York by A1 class Pacific No.60163 Tornado and from York to London by LMS Princess Coronation class steam locomotive No.6233 Duchess of Sutherland. We leave London King’s Cross at around 07:05 behind Tornado and follow the route of famous old trains like the Flying Scotsman. We storm up the gradient through Gasworks Tunnel and Finsbury Park and head northwards, calling at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough to pick up more passengers. Our steam locomotive then tackles the 15-mile climb up the famous Stoke Bank. Here on 3rd July 1938, Mallard, an A4 class Pacific, achieved a world record speed of 126 mph when travelling in the opposite direction. Once over the summit we should have a good, fast run down the 20 mile descent to the Trent Valley and on through Grantham, Newark and Retford. We steam onwards through Doncaster before arriving into York. There will be plenty of time for passengers to enjoy the city and all it has to offer. York has some major tourist attractions including the National Railway Museum, the largest museum of its type in Britain; the Castle; the Shambles; the splendid Gothic York Minster, one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe; and the city walls. There are a number of other interesting museums, quaint alleyways, and a good variety of shops. The York Christmas Market will also be in full swing with its vast number of stalls offering local yuletide crafts, along with seasonal food and drink. Our train leaves York at around 16:30, this time hauled by Duchess of Sutherland, along the East Coast Main Line where we should achieve our maximum speed. It stops to set down passengers at the same stations as on the northbound journey, arriving at King’s Cross at around 21:25. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board. Please let us know your child’s age when booking.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London King’s Cross Stevenage Huntingdon Peterborough York

07:05 21:25 08:00 20:25 08:30 19:40 09:30 18:50 12:30 16:30

usually at a table for four.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£264

£180

£798

First

£164

£107

£489

Standard

£109

£76

£332 31

Bob Green

Alan Weaver

The Great Britain XIV Friday 16th April to Saturday 24th April 2021 Our Great Britain tour this year is packed with steam highlights, transporting you in style through the magnificent landscapes of England, Scotland and Wales. • Delight in a whirlwind first day travelling from London’s Kings Cross on the East Coast Main Line, through York, Newcastle and along the North Sea coast to Edinburgh. • Experience the spectacular Forth Bridge crossing and Highland Main Line to Inverness via Perth, Pitlochry and over the Drumochter Summit, before heading south to Stirling, where we spend two nights. • Enjoy the spectacular scenery and a night in the Lake District, before the North Wales coastal line takes you past Chester into Wales. After a comfortable stop in Cardiff you move through Somerset and Devon over some steep gradients to experience the famous sea wall run at Dawlish. • Penzance is your next stop for a two-night stay in Cornwall before your epic holiday ends steam-hauled as always via Taunton and Westbury to join the ‘Berks & Hants’ line to Reading, travelling through the Vale of Pewsey to Newbury and back to London. Friday 16th April

Steam hauled London to Edinburgh via York

Your nine-day steam-hauled holiday tour starts from London’s King’s Cross station, heading northwards on the busy East Coast Main Line (ECML) through the North London suburbs. Hauled by A1 Class Pacific steam locomotive No.60163 Tornado, speed picks up as you pass through Hertfordshire and into the open countryside. The towns of Welwyn and Stevenage flash by as you head towards the cathedral city of Peterborough. You continue along the ECML and pass through Little Bytham, where LNER A4 Pacific ‘Mallard’ achieved the world speed record for steam traction descending Stoke Bank in 1938. Grantham, Newark and Retford fly by as you near Doncaster, the ancestral home of such famous 32

locomotives as ‘Flying Scotsman’ and ‘Mallard’. Travelling through scenic South Yorkshire your train then steams to York, famous for its historic Minster cathedral, one of the largest in Northern Europe. Here your locomotive will be changed to Royal Scot Class steam locomotive No.46115 Scots Guardsman for the journey northwards to Newcastle and Edinburgh. Leaving York, you continue on the ECML through Thirsk, Northallerton and Durham to Newcastle, crossing the Tyne on the lofty King Edward Bridge. You then follow the former North Eastern Railway route through Morpeth and past coastal Alnmouth, where you start to get glimpses of the North Sea. Speeding past Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle, your train crosses the famous Royal Border Bridge over the Tweed before reaching Berwick. Just after Berwick you cross the Scottish border

and follow the spectacular coastline through Dunbar. Journey’s end today is at Edinburgh Waverley for overnight accommodation in a centrally-located hotel. Saturday 17th April

Travel further north over the Forth Bridge to Inverness

The scene is set today for a spectacular railway journey over the Forth Bridge and Highland Main Line to Inverness. Steam hauled by Princess Coronation Class locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland we depart Edinburgh Waverley in the morning and head towards the Firth of Forth, crossing the famous Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the coastal route through Kirkcaldy you’ll have outstanding views across the Forth estuary. After Ladybank you follow the single-line

through the Howe of Fife towards the ‘Fair City’ of Perth, located on the river Tay. You then travel northwards towards the site of Stanley Junction, and join the former Highland Railway’s route to Inverness. Working hard against the gradient, the line follows the river Tay and the A9 through to Dunkeld. You pass through Strathtay and reach the charming Victorian Highland town of Pitlochry. Still climbing, you negotiate the narrow, wooded Pass of Killecrankie en route to Blair Atholl and its splendid castle. A severe 20-mile climb then follows through barren terrain to Drumochter Summit, 1484 feet above sea level. Descending gradients then take you past Dalwhinnie distillery to Aviemore, a popular modern skiing centre and the gateway to Speyside. Leaving Aviemore, there’s more climbing ahead as your steam locomotive tackles the 10-mile climb to Slochd Summit, 1315 feet above sea level. A long descent to Inverness follows, with tight curves and viaducts all the way. You’ll spend the night in Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. Sunday 18th April

Return over the highland line to Stirling

After your brief stay in Inverness, you retrace the previous day’s route over the Highland line back through Aviemore as far as Perth, again hauled by 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, before heading for Stirling via the Strathearn Valley, including a long climb to Gleneagles, famous for its golf course. Now running through Strathallan to Dunblane, the train steams onwards to Stirling, with its historic castle overlooking the surrounding area. We will spend two nights in the historic city of Stirling, noted for its wellpreserved castle and cultural connections to William Wallace. Monday 19th April

Optional excursion to Oban and the magical west coast of Scotland

Today is free to explore the many sights of Stirling, or even venture a little further beyond to the Trossachs or perhaps visit the impressive Falkirk Wheel. There is also the option of an excursion steam-hauled behind two steam locomotives over the highly scenic West Highland Line (WHL) to the coastal resort town of Oban. Your optional excursion hauled by two Black 5 steam locomotives heads southwards through Bannockburn, scene of the famous 1314 battle between Robert the Bruce and the English. The train threads its way through Lenzie towards the northern side of Glasgow before you travel along the north bank of the

river Clyde, famous for its extensive shipbuilding industry. With spectacular views across the Clyde to Port Glasgow and Greenock, you then head inland at Helensburgh and join the WHL, where the gradients become ferocious as you climb above the town and follow Gare Loch closely for several miles. More climbing ensues as you ascend high above Loch Long to Glen Douglas summit, with panoramic views of the loch and the mountains. After Arrochar, there’s a first glimpse of Loch Lomond, which the line follows for a few miles along a hillside ledge. You then pass the Falls of Falloch on the climb from Ardlui before arriving at the junction station of Crianlarich. Here, the Fort William line continues ahead as you take the Oban line. More severe gradients follow as you pass vast valleys, numerous lochs and mountains all the way to Oban. The line leads from Glen Lochy to Dalmally, where Loch Awe is shadowed for several miles, passing the Falls of Cruachan and through the Pass of Brander. More lochs appear after Taynault, with Loch Etive leading to Connel, where the old Ballachulish branch railway bridge crosses the Falls of Lora. A last climb to Glencruitten Crossing brings you to the outskirts of Oban, where you break to explore this gateway to the Isle of Mull. Attractions in Oban include the Distillery, and for the more energetic, a climb to McCaigs Tower rewards with panoramic views across the bay towards Mull. You then return to Stirling by way of Crianlarich and the north Clyde line. Tuesday 20th April

South into England to Grange over Sands via the Cumbrian Coast

Your journey southwards continues today across the upper and lower Clyde Valley, with the scenery changing from Borders greenery and rolling hills to coastal views across the Irish Sea. Your steam locomotive, 46115 Scots Guardsman, begins the journey south from Stirling, running via Cumbernauld to Law Junction, where we meet up with the West Coast Main Line. After Carstairs, you then face a steady climb along the Clyde Valley as far as Beattock Summit. The long descent of Beattock Bank will give your fireman a rest as the train picks up speed through Annandale towards Lockerbie. Crossing the border at Gretna, you’ll enjoy a break at Carlisle while we change locomotives before continuing via the Cumbrian Coast line to Grange-over-Sands hauled by Jubillee Class locomotive No.45690 Leander. The Irish Sea is in view as you pass through Maryport, where on a clear day you can see across to Galloway and even the Isle of Man. Continued overleaf.

Tour Summary Premier Class £3495 Oban option £289 Single supplement £395 First Class £2695 Oban option £199 Single supplement £350 Premier Class price includes: • Eight nights accommodation and breakfast (when not served on the train) in 3 and 4-star hotels • 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners silver served at your seat • At seat drinks service • Allocated seat in a British Railway MK 1 first class open carriage • Coach transfers, where necessary, to hotels • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Escorted throughout First Class price includes: • Eight nights accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels • Morning and afternoon tea service • A daily light meal served at your seat • At seat drinks service • Allocated seat in a British Railway MK 1 first class open carriage • Coach transfers, where necessary, to hotels • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Escorted throughout Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £185 per person (subject to availability). The Oban excursion tour is optional and priced per person. All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. All routes and locomotive selections are subject to change, changes will be advised in advance. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner April 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 4

UK TOUR – 9 Days

John Shuttleworth

Bob Green

Industrial Workington and Whitehaven still show the scars of the heavy industry once extensive along this section of line. There are also tantalising views of the Lake District as you head south through Ravenglass, frequently cutting inland and around sharp bends on the approach to Barrow-in-Furness. The line then crosses the Leven Estuary on a lengthy viaduct beyond Ulverston, with views of Morecambe Bay indicating journey’s end at Grange-over-Sands. It is now a coach transfer to your hotel and an overnight stay in Bowness-on-Windermere. Wednesday 21st April West Coast Main Line and the Welsh Marches

After a night in the heart of the Lake District, you transfer by coach to Grange-over-Sands to re-join your train for the journey to Cardiff, steam hauled by Merchant Navy Class steam locomotive No.35018 British India Line. Skirting Morecambe Bay, the line passes through Carnforth and heads south through Lancaster to Preston. Following the West Coast Main Line, you reach Warrington, where your steam locomotive takes the Chester line through Frodsham, where it stops for water. After Chester, you follow the North Wales coastal line past the Chester ‘Roodee’ Racecourse and branch off at Saltney Junction to enter Wales. Reaching Rossett, there’s a long climb up a 1-in-82 gradient to Gresford Bank and the border town of Wrexham. Pleasant countryside follows through Chirk and Gobowen as the line follows the border, before moving into Shropshire and progressing 34

southwards towards Shrewsbury on the river Severn. Now following the Welsh Marches route, your train climbs hard towards Church Stretton, overlooked by the Long Mynd. Pretty Stokesay Castle flashes by after Craven Arms as you continue southwards through Ludlow and Leominster, arriving at historic Hereford in mid-afternoon. Your steam locomotive will be watered here while you stretch your legs. Continuing your journey along the ‘North and West’ line, you cross the England/Wales border a number of times. The long climb from Pontrilas to Llanvihangel Summit will be the highlight of the day before passing through Abergavenny and on to more climbing up to the summits at Nantyderry and Pontypool Road. It’s then downhill all the way to Caerleon and over the river Usk to Newport. Your final destination for the evening is the vibrant Welsh capital, Cardiff, just a short distance away. Thursday 22nd April Steam to Cornwall via the Somerset Levels and Dawlish

Today, you leave Wales and make your way via the Severn Tunnel back to England and to the City of Bristol, from where you run across the Somerset Levels, passing through Bridgwater before a water stop is taken at Taunton. Your steam locomotive Princess Royal Class No.6201 Princess Elizabeth, is now faced with a steep climb through the Blackdown Hills to Whiteball tunnel, before entering Devon. You proceed to Exeter, with its impressive cathedral, and follow the Exe Estuary through

Bob Green

to Dawlish Warren, to reach the tidal waters of the English Channel. Here your train runs along the famous Dawlish sea-wall right through to Teignmouth, where you head inland and follow the Teign Estuary to Newton Abbot. Climbing starts once again up the formidable Dainton Bank, graded at 1-in-36 in places. Speed will be built up through Totnes for the next major obstacle, the long climb to Rattery on the edge of Dartmoor. Passing through classic Devonshire countryside you have distant views over the sea before descending to the naval city of Plymouth and a water stop. Leaving Plymouth, the route now heads west and approaches the famous Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar, built by Brunel and opened in 1859. Crossing the river into Cornwall you follow the twists and turns of the main line to Penzance, through wooded valleys and over numerous viaducts. Truro Cathedral greets you as you pass through this ancient Cornish county town. On the way derelict chimneys still stand to remind one of the vital tin mining industry once prevalent in the area. Finally, with views across to St Michael’s Mount, you reach Penzance, the end of the line from London Paddington, 305 miles from London, where you’ll stay for two nights. Friday 23rd April Free Day in Penzance

Today is a free day for you to explore the Penzance area and its many attractions and nearby towns.

Saturday 24th April Dawlish and the South Devon Banks to London

The final day of your holiday sees you retracing steps steam hauled by 6201 Princess Elizabeth back to Plymouth and Exeter via the Dawlish sea wall and the South Devon Banks, before continuing via Taunton and Westbury to join the ‘Berks & Hants’ line to Reading. The line runs through pleasant countryside, including the Vale of Pewsey, with its many connections to Neolithic habitation. There’s a gradual climb

to contend with at Savernake to test your locomotive, but otherwise it’s a fairly easy run through the rolling valleys and alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal with the pumping station at Crofton visible from the line. After Newbury, home of the famous racecourse, you pick up speed to Reading, where the train stops to set down passengers. Continuing via Ascot towards London, you arrive at London Waterloo in the evening, concluding your magnificent and unique nine-day steam hauled journey through England, Scotland and Wales.

Bob Green

First Class price includes: • Eight nights accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels • Morning and afternoon tea service • A daily light meal served at your seat • At seat drinks service • Allocated seat in a British Railway MK 1 first class open carriage • Coach transfers, where necessary, to hotels • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Escorted throughout

Bob Green

Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £185 per person (subject to availability). The Oban excursion tour is optional and priced per person. All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. All routes and locomotive selections are subject to change, changes will be advised in advance. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner April 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 4

Bob Green

UK TOUR – 9 Days

The Shetlander Friday 7th May to Friday 14th May 2021 Friday 17th September to Friday 24th September 2021 Discover the timeless beauty of the remote Shetland Islands on this ever-popular tour to the most northern outpost of the UK. • Following a high-speed trip north to Aberdeen, you cross to Shetland for a 4-day exploration of its rugged shorelines, windswept rolling hills and rich cultural heritage. • Visit the island’s outstanding natural and historical attractions and discover its stunning rock formations, unspoiled beaches and ancient archaeological sites. • Enjoy the local arts and crafts, breath-taking landscapes and local wildlife, with highlights including trips to ancient Scalloway Castle, St Ninian’s Isle and Isbister, the most northerly point on Shetland accessible by coach. • On your return to the Scottish mainland you’ll 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. • With added extras including a trip to Dundee to visit Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery and a steam trip on the Caledonian Railway at Brechin, this highlight-packed Scottish holiday is not to be missed! Friday

London to Aberdeen

Your adventure begins in the plush First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a midmorning 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) Sunday

Tour of the Central Shetland Mainland; Scallaway 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 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)

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)

Monday

On your last day on Shetland you explore the westernmost part of the mainland. On your 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)

South Shetland Mainland

Shetland’s largest island has a size of 967 km2 (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 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 Mainland accessible by coach. On the return journey you’ll visit Hillswick, where you

Wednesday

Western Mainland

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) Friday

Return to London

Tour Summary Tour price £1725 Single supplement £325 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 our 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 All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 2

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

September 2021

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)

UK TOUR – 8 Days

Bob Green

The Cock O’the North Thursday 27th May to Wednesday 2nd June 2021 Thursday 26th August to Wednesday 1st September 2021 Discover the outstanding natural beauty of Scotland’s northern outposts on our ever-popular ‘Cock O’ the North’ rail and road tour. • E xplore this rugged terrain by extensive train, road coach and ferry transport, starting with a First-Class journey on the ‘Highland Chieftain’ from London to Inverness. • Steam on ‘The Jacobite’ from Mallaig to Fort William, taking in the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct on one of the greatest railway journeys in the world. • Enjoy two heritage rail trips in one day, on the Strathspey Railway in the shadow of the Cairngorms, and on the Keith & Dufftown ‘Whisky Line’, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. • Discover the Kyle of Lochalsh on a trip along the most scenic line in Britain, followed by a fascinating two-day stay on the Isle of Skye, including a guided tour highlighting its vibrant culture and spectacular attractions. • With overnight stays at comfortable hotels, outstanding cuisine, and point-to-point road coach transport for your luggage included, this is a Scottish holiday tour not to be missed! Thursday

Friday

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 The Best Western Hotel and Spa for two nights. Dinner will be served this evening in the hotel restaurant. (L D)

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,

‘Highland Chieftain’ to Inverness

Strathspey Railway; Keith & Dufftown Railway

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

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. 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 1,062 feet, 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) 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 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 3,000 feet. Returning to Portree there’ll be ample time to look around and enjoy a picnic lunch. 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 once again check in to The Best Western Hotel and Spa for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D) Tuesday

Leisurely Morning, Loch Cruise and Inverness

After a leisurely breakfast you embark on a Canal & Loch cruise with an inclusive visit to the Urquhart Castle. After a short transfer from the hotel, your journey starts at Dochgarroch Lock, sailing through the famous man-made part of the Caledonian Canal onto the world-famous waters of Loch Ness. Once ashore you have the opportunity to explore the ruin of the historic Urquhart Castle. After your visit, you’ll have ample time to explore the town of Inverness with an opportunity to enjoy some retail therapy. In the evening you will regroup for a Farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Tour Summary Tour price £1695 Single supplement £345 Price includes: • First Class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining • 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast at The Best Western Hotel and Spa in Inverness • 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast at a good quality 3-star hotel in Portree • 4 lunches • Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys • First Class rail travel on ‘The Jacobite’ from Mallaig to Fort William • Standard Class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train) • All visits, train travel, transfers and tours as detailed in the itinerary • Reserved seats • The services of a tour manager

Wednesday

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 FirstClass 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)

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner May 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 2

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

August 2021

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

Bob Green

* Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

UK TOUR – 7 Days

Bob Green

The Summer Highlander Monday 7th June to Saturday 12th June 2021 Monday 13th September to Saturday 18th September 2021 Explore the splendour of Scotland’s culture and landscape on this unique summer tour to the scenic Scottish Highlands. • Tour highlights include a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world, and rail journeys from both the Kyle of Lochalsh and on the ‘Far North’ to Inverness. • Discover the inherent romance of the picturesque Isle of Skye on a ferry and road trip and explore the famous northern outpost of 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, including a whisky distillery. • Visits to both the Strathspey and the Keith & Dufftown ‘Whisky Line’ heritage railways are included, the latter being the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. • With a wide variety of cultural and culinary delights also on offer, you’ll experience first-hand the glorious appeal of this rugged land when you book for this outstanding holiday travel tour.

Monday 7th June

‘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 8th June

‘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 9th June

Dunrobin Castle

After breakfast you depart by road coach for Dunrobin Castle. Travelling north, you cross 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, before lunch. Afterwards there’ll be more time to explore the castle gardens and museum before you return by road coach to your hotel in Inverness. (B L) Thursday 10th June 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 11th June

The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways

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 FirstClass 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)

Tour Summary Tour price £1530 Single supplement £295 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 All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 6

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

September 2021

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.

UK TOUR – 6 Days

Arran and Kintyre Saturday 12th June to Friday 18th June 2021 Explore the diverse delights of Western Scotland on this unique holiday to the picturesque Isle of Arran and the scenic peninsula of Kintyre. • Discover the striking landscapes of Arran, ranging from sandy beaches and rolling fields to an interior capped by the towering Goatfell peak. Arran truly is ‘Scotland in Miniature’! • Enjoy three days based in Brodick at the refined Douglas Hotel, and visit Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park with a later excursion to Lochranza distillery, and the chance to watch and photograph some stunning wildlife. • Other Arran highlights include the double cascade at Glenashdale Falls, the ancient stones at Machrie Moor and the grand, converted villas along the 2-mile-long Whiting Bay. • Moving on to Kintyre for three nights you’ll visit remote Davaar Island, see the famous Mull of Kintyre and explore Campbeltown with its three whisky distilleries, all the while enjoying some of the finest scenery in all Scotland. • From exquisite cuisine to lusty off-the-beaten-path excursions along coast and fell, this quintessential Scottish holiday is definitely not to be missed. Saturday 12th June London to Brodick

Your holiday starts in the First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross Station where 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, Arran’s principal town. Here you check into the elegant Douglas Hotel, where you’ll be based for the next three nights. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (L D)

Sunday 13th June

Brodick Castle and Gardens; Goatfell and Lochranza Distillery

After a leisurely breakfast this morning you’ll have time 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 14th June

Nature and scenery of southern and central Arran

Today a relaxed tour of the south of Arran awaits, with stops at the sweeping 2-milelong 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 marvel at the views and countless natural highlights. Dinner will be served back at your hotel this evening. (B D)

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 look forward to a silver-served dinner at your Royal Hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 15th June

Western Arran and on to Kintyre

Thursday 17th June

Tour Summary Tour price £1795 Single supplement £275 Price includes: • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels

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)

Leisure in Campbeltown and Machrihanish Dunes

• 1 lunch

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)

• All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

Wednesday 16th June

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)

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.

Friday 18th June

Return to London

• 6 dinners

• 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 All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner June 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 6

UK TOUR – 7 Days

Heart of Scotland Wednesday 7th July to Tuesday 13th July 2021 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. • With stays in historic Inverness, the city of Stirling, then Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, you’ll explore all the unique cultural and natural attractions grouped around the Trossachs, the Cairngorms, and Bute. • Steam highlights include a cruise on Loch Katrine aboard steam launch ‘Sir Walter Scott’, and a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway heritage line in the shadow of the Cairngorms. • Visit Culloden near Inverness and explore the scene where the Battle of Culloden took place in 1746, in the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. • Enjoy a cruise on Loch Lomond, sailing past the lands of some of the ancient Scottish Clans, followed by lunch and a ferry transfer to the Isle of Bute. • You’ll also discover the diverse wildlife in and around both of Scotland’s National Parks, showcasing the variety of flora and fauna in the rugged Scottish landscape. • From unspoilt beaches to inspiring coastlines, with convenient point-to-point transfers on ScotRail service trains and by private coach included, this is a unique holiday opportunity for seasoned traveller and newcomer alike. Wednesday 7th July

Thursday 8th July

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 Inverness, where you will spend the next two nights at the Best Western Hotel & Spa. A welcome dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (L D)

Today you have a free morning to sightsee in Inverness, the northernmost city of Scotland and famous for its Victorian-era marketplaces, cathedrals, and museums. A visit here should also include a walk over the Ness Bridge and a stroll along the banks of the river, which offers beautiful views of this bustling city. You’ll be able to have lunch before you have a trip to Culloden in the early afternoon. The last ever pitched battle to be fought on British soil took place here on 16th April 1746 on Drummossie Moor, overlooking Inverness. You’ll enjoy a private tour around the battlefield and a visit to the feature packed Museum. On the way back to Inverness,

London to Inverness on the ‘Highland Chieftain’

Sightseeing in Inverness; Tour of the Battlefield at Culloden

you’ll also visit Clava Clairns, an ancient burial site dating back over 4000 years. Once again, dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D) Friday 9th July

Strathspey Steam Railway

This morning you travel from Inverness to 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. Afterwards your road coach transfers you to Stirling, where you check in to the Stirling Highland Hotel, where dinner will be served. (B D) Saturday 10th 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 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) Sunday 11th July Loch Lomond

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you transfer by road coach to Loch Lomond. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Loch Lomond taking in the breathtaking beauty of the loch and the surrounding scenery whilst enjoying refreshments on board the boat. Afterwards you travel to a lakeside venue to enjoy lunch. You’ll spend the afternoon sightseeing by coach before travelling over to the Isle of Bute on the Calmac ferry from Wemyss Bay. On arrival in Rothesay you check in to your conveniently located hotel where you will spend the next two nights. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening. (B L D)

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. In the afternoon, you visit the impressive Victorian Gothic Revival estate at Mount Stuart and the scenic beaches and coves at Kilchattan Bay. The spirit of nineteenthcentury 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 out, dinner will again be served at your hotel in Rothesay. (B D) Tuesday 13th July

Tour Summary Tour price £1455 Single supplement £195 Price includes: • First Class rail travel from London King’s Cross to Inverness 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

Ferry crossing to Wemyss Bay, train to Glasgow Central, return to London

• All road coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary

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)

• All seat reservations and transfers • The services of a tour manager All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 4

Monday 12th July

Mount Stuart and the scenery of Bute

Today you discover the outstanding natural and cultural highlights on the Isle of Bute, 33 miles from Glasgow and the most accessible of the westerly isles from the Scottish Central Belt, including the famed sea colony at Scalspie. The reddish sand of Scalpsie Bay is set against the 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 UK TOUR – 7 Days

The Far North and Orkney Thursday 8th July to Friday 16th July 2021 Thursday 12th August to Friday 20th August 2021 The rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Islands take centre-stage on this popular tour to one of the most extraordinary places in Northern Europe. • E xplore both of Northeast Scotland’s steam traction heritage railways, the Royal Deeside Railway west of Aberdeen and the Caledonian Railway at Brechin. • Experience a midsummer ‘White Night’ when the sun never entirely sets, on a sea ferry trip to the enchanting island of Orkney. • Explore Orkney’s pristine beaches, stunning coastline and mystical rock formations during your 3-day visit, including a distillery visit and a trip to the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ World Heritage Site. • Journey back to the mainland over the most northerly railway in the UK, taking in lunch at John O’Groats before travelling on the spectacular Far North Line via Thurso to Inverness. • Cap your memorable holiday with a trip on the nostalgic heritage Strathspey Steam Railway and a visit to the formidable artillery fortification at Fort George. Thursday

Your adventure begins in the 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 train, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as you travel north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, crossing the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges. You arrive in Aberdeen late afternoon and check into your city centre hotel. The rest of the evening is spent at leisure. (L)

traction heritage railways during the next two days, starting with the Royal Deeside Railway. 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. Afterwards, lunch is taken at the Milton Crathes Brasserie followed by a visit to Crathes Castle, replete with turreted towers and walled gardens. There’ll be plenty of time to explore this stylish estate before your road coach takes you back to Aberdeen. (B L)

Friday

Saturday

You’ll visit both of Northeast Scotland’s steam

After breakfast your coach transfers you to

London to Aberdeen

Steam at the Royal Deeside Railway and Crathes Castle

Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Orkney

Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train takes you on the eight-mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Light snacks and refreshments are provided, afterwards there’s time to visit Brechin’s historic Cathedral and Round Tower. You then return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for a six-hour evening crossing to Kirkwall. The ferry sails within sight of the north-eastern coast of Scotland before entering the open North Sea. Dinner is served on board. You reach Kirkwall at 11pm, as the sun is setting, an experience common to the far north during summer solstice. You disembark and transfer to your centrally located hotel. (B L D)

Sunday

At leisure in Kirkwall and a visit to the Highland Park Distillery

You are free to relax and explore the quaint town of Kirkwall at your own pace. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its vibrant artisan scene, 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 the Highland Park whisky distillery, where world-famous Scotch has been produced since 1798. Dinner is served at your hotel. (B D) Monday

Exploration of Neolithic Orkney

You embark this morning on an exciting exploration of mainland Orkney by 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. You’ll visit the delightful fishing port of Stromness, where you can explore and purchase lunch. In the afternoon, following your visit to Skara Brae, you’ll see the breathtaking sea cliffs at Yesnaby before returning 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 visit the iconic Italian chapel, one of the most loved cultural attractions on Orkney. In South Ronaldsay you venture south to the 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. You end 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, 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. Your coach takes you from Kirkwall to Stromness for the 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 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 over moorland, passing through isolated mountain landscapes, before hugging the coast again and running within sight of seals basking on the rocky shores. Numerous firths are navigated before the train eventually reaches Inverness, hub of the Scottish Highlands. You’ll spend two nights at the Best Western Hotel and Spa in the heart of the city, with ample time to explore in the evening. (B) Thursday

Tour Summary Tour price £1595 Single supplement £295 Price includes: • 8 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels • 5 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

Strathspey Steam Railway and Fort George

• The services of a tour manager

Today you travel by 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 provides wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join the 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. You return back to the hotel, where lunch will be served, before enjoying an afternoon visit to Fort George. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Afterwards, you enjoy a Farewell meal at the hotel. (B L D)

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2021 Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun 4

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

August 2021

Friday

Return to London on the Highland Chieftain

After an early breakfast 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) UK TOUR – 9 Days

Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway

English Lake District Thursday 15th July to Tuesday 20th July 2021 Thursday 16th September to Tuesday 21st September 2021 Discover the delights of English Lake District by vintage motor vessel, steam train and steam yacht on this feature-packed holiday tour to Cumbria. • Based at an elegant waterfront hotel in the resort town of Bowness-on-Windermere, you’ll enjoy cruises on vintage vessels on Lake Windermere and Ullswater. • Steam train highlights include a trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and an exclusive exploration of the legendary 15-inch narrow gauge railway ‘La’al Ratty’. • Enjoy a lake-themed cruise on Coniston Water aboard the restored Victorian steam yacht ‘Gondola’, followed by lunch at the 400-year-old ‘Sun’ pub in Coniston. • Other holiday highlights include visits to the Victorian neo-gothic Wray Castle and the Haverthwaite engine shed. • Outstanding scenery, excellent cuisine and the convenience of short point-to-point travel distances by private road coach all add to your enjoyment on this relaxed, highlight-packed holiday in England’s idyllic Lakeland. Thursday

First Class rail travel to Windermere

Your holiday begins in the First-Class lounge at London Euston Station before boarding a midmorning/ early afternoon 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. 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 will be the Laura Ashley, Belsfield Hotel. You then have some leisure time to explore Bowness before dinner at your hotel in the evening. (D) 48

Friday

Lake Windermere cruise; Steam train on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

After breakfast you board the stylish vintage motor vessel ‘Swan’ for a forty-minute 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, with locally sourced produce and homemade speciality dishes. In the afternoon you return by steam train to Lakeside and from there by connecting ship to Bowness. You’ll dine at your hotel this evening. (B D) Saturday

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 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 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

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 Grasmere, where there will be a coffee stop. Continue by coach from Grasmere to Keswick, travelling via Dunmail Raise and Thirlmere. On arrival at Keswick, you enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before your road coach takes you on to Pooley Bridge. Here, you have an afternoon cruise on one of the celebrated Ullswater ‘Steamers’ on the second largest lake in the Lake District. Ullswater is one of the most beautiful English lakes, comparable 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 Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. You rejoin the road coach for

the return journey via scenic country roads to Bowness and dinner at your hotel in the evening. (B L D) Monday

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 of the rivers Esk, Mite and Irt. The famous 15inch 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 (11.3 km) 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 fellow guests at your hotel this evening – a fitting climax to a fabulous tour. (B D) Tuesday

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 FirstClass comfort of a Virgin Trains Pendolino. (B)

Tour Summary Tour price £1395 Single supplement £165 Ground only £1285 (Windermere – Windermere with own travel to/from Windermere) 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. All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

UK TOUR – 6 Days

LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No.45690 Leander Carnforth Locomotive Pool The London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Jubilee Class was designed for passenger work. 191 engines were built between 1934 and 1936. They were designed by William Stanier as a development of Henry Fowler’s Patriot class. Locomotive 45690 was built at Crewe in March 1936. After being withdrawn in 1964, Leander was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Rescued by Brian Oliver in May 1972, she was restored by the Leander Locomotive Society at the Dinting Railway Centre, Glossop. After later purchase by and running on the Severn Valley Railway, she was again sold into private ownership and is now owned by the Beet family, and currently based at Carnforth.

LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No.45699 Galatea Carnforth Locomotive Pool Locomotive 45699 was built at Crewe in April 1936 and named Galatea after HMS Galatea, which in turn was named after the Galatea of Greek mythology. After nationalisation in 1948, she was renumbered 45699 by British Railways. After being withdrawn in 1964, Galatea was rescued from Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales, originally to provide a spare boiler for sister loco Leander, both being rescued from Barry scrapyard by the late Brian Oliver. The locomotive has been completely rebuilt by the West Coast Railway Company in Carnforth, where it is currently based, and is currently outshopped in British Railways maroon livery.

Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 No.35018 British India Line Carnforth Locomotive Pool 35018 British India Line was one of the first batch of twenty Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class steam locomotives to be built by the Southern Railway in 1945. Completed at Eastleigh Works in May 1945, British India Line was first allocated to Nine Elms shed, where it was to remain for most of its career, under both the Southern Railway and British Railways. 35018 was withdrawn from service in August 1964 and then eventually in 2012 it was moved to the former 10A steam shed at Carnforth, Lancashire where since then it has undergone a thorough restoration to working order and modern mainline standards by the West Coast Railway Company. The locomotive is currently out-shopped in BR Brunswick Green with the late BR crest.

LMS Princess Royal Class 4-6-2 No.6201 Princess Elizabeth Carnforth Locomotive Pool LMS Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive No.6201 was built in 1933 by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway Company at Crewe Works, the second of its class. The Class was designed by William Stanier and thirteen examples were built at Crewe between 1933 and 1935. Princess Elizabeth was withdrawn in December 1962. The locomotive was purchased for preservation in July 1963 by the Princess Elizabeth Preservation Society. The first public run for Princess Elizabeth took place on 24 April 1975 with a train from Hereford to Shrewsbury. Princess Elizabeth is now back in action and is now enjoying a renewed period of main line running. Locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society Ltd are now the custodians of Princess Elizabeth.

Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0 No.48151 Carnforth Locomotive Pool The LMS Class 8F 2-8-0 locomotive was designed for hauling heavy freight trains. A total of 852 were built between 1935 and 1946 as a freight version of William Stanier’s successful Black Five, and the class saw service overseas during the Second World War. Locomotive 48151 was built in 1942 by the LMS at their Crewe Works. She was renumbered as 48151 by British railways after the 1948 nationalisation of Britain’s railways. She later underwent a heavy restoration which was completed in 1988, when she was certified for mainline use and is today based at Carnforth and operated by the West Coast Railway Company.

The Engine Shed 50

LMS Royal Scot Class No.46115 Scots Guardsman Carnforth Locomotive Pool The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Royal Scot Class is a class of 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive. 46115 was built in 1927 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow. It was named Scots Guardsman in 1928 after the Scots Guards. 46115 was rebuilt in 1947 with a new tapered type 2A boiler, and was painted LMS 1946 black livery. It was renumbered 46115 by British Railways after nationalisation in 1948 and was withdrawn in 1965. 46115 was purchased by West Coast Railway Company and, come 2008 had been restored to main-line running standard. The loco then hauled its first railtour on Saturday 16th August 2008 from Hellifield to Carlisle and return. It is now a regular performer on main line steam tours.

LNER A4 Pacific Class 4-6-2 No.60009 Union of South Africa Sir Nigel Gresley introduced the famous LNER Class A4 locomotives in 1935 to pull a new train called the Silver Jubilee, between London Kings Cross and Newcastle, in celebration of King George V’s 25th year of reign. 60009 Union of South Africa (or 4488 in LNER days) was built in Doncaster works in 1937. It was withdrawn by BR from Aberdeen Ferryhill shed in 1966 and was bought by Fife farmer John Cameron. No.9 holds a few records, the last steam loco to be overhauled at Doncaster, the highest mileage of the class, fastest non-stop run from Edinburgh to London, longest non-stop run from Edinburgh to London during 1948 due to flooding and, bizarrely, the only steam locomotive to have crossed both the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge.

46233 Duchess of Sutherland LMS Princess Coronation Class 4-6-2 Pacific 46233 Duchess of Sutherland was built by the LMS at Crewe, during July and August 1938. No.46233 moved to Carlisle Upperby in 1958 and later was also allocated to Crewe North shed, and then finally to Liverpool Edge Hill shed in September 1960. Duchess of Sutherland notched up over 1,650,000 miles by the time of her eventual withdrawal on 8th February, 1964, the second highest figure achieved by a member of the class. Unlike the majority of other members of her class that were cut up as scrap, Duchess of Sutherland was acquired by Butlins Holiday Camps to their camp at Heads of Ayr, in Scotland. There she remained on static display until 1971 when No.46233 was moved to Bressingham Steam Museum where she was used on the one third of a mile line at Bressingham. No.46233 remained on display at the museum until 1996 when she was acquired by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust.

LNER Class A3 4-6-2 Pacific No.60103 Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, was built by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works in 1923. Its fame grew in 1928 when it hauled a non-stop service from London to Edinburgh. In 1934 it earned a place in the record books as the first steam locomotive to achieve an authenticated 100mph run on 30th November 1934. The Flying Scotsman was retired from regular service by British Railways with its last scheduled run taking place on 14 January 1963, after covering 2,076,000 miles. Following huge public support, the latest restoration was completed by Riley & Son, locomotive engineers, in early 2016 when ‘Scotsman’ triumphantly returned to the main line. Today, Flying Scotsman continues to enthral crowds across the country and, when not operating, can be seen at home in the National Railway Museum.

A1 Class Pacific 4-6-2 No.60163 Tornado The A1s were designed by Arthur H. Peppercorn, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). The original 49 Peppercorn Class A1s were ordered by the LNER and built at Doncaster and Darlington for British Railways (BR) in 1948/9, after the nationalisation of the railways. Unfortunately, the rapid onset of dieselisation in the 1960s meant that all 49 were scrapped, after an average life of only 15 years. With no A1s preserved, the desire to build a new one was born. Tornado was built in Darlington and made its first public moves in steam in August 2008, eighteen years since the project was started. Following Tornado’s successful main line test runs in 2008, the locomotive operated her first tours exclusively for the covenanters who paid for the locomotive. Tornado, in its LNER Apple-Green livery, is currently undertaking a busy period of main line tours throughout the country.

The Engine Shed 51

UK Day Trip Information Travelling by Steam Train Our Day Trips and Tours almost exclusively make use of specially chartered trains hauled by steam locomotives. The trains offer a choice of types of seating to suit your particular requirements. Each passenger is allocated their own reserved seat ensuring that travel on these special trains is a relaxing experience providing the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of modern day life. All of the seats on our trains line up with the carriage windows, unlike many modern trains, and thus provide the maximum viewing area to add to the enjoyment of your journey. In addition to our UK Day Trips and Tours, the Railway Touring Company has a programme of tours using steam hauled charter trains in many other countries of the world. These tours can be for a few days duration or last for up to two weeks, with overnight accommodation provided in good quality hotels. Please visit our website www.railwaytouring.net for further details and to request an overseas brochure; or contact us by telephone if you prefer. Premier Dining Class Premier Dining Class on our trains is a luxury experience providing a full meals service at tables with spacious comfortable seating. This service usually includes a traditional full English breakfast soon after you board the train, and a four course meal on the return journey. A light lunch may also be included on some trips. Onboard chefs prepare fresh food for all of the meals and it is professionally 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 up to and including any pick up station before 10:30. *prices shown as per individual tour page. 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 includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a Danish pastry and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by scone with butter and jam. 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 downloading a booking form which can be printed and sent by post to:- The Railway Touring Company, 14A Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JN. A completed booking form can also be sent to us by fax on 01553 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. There are no charges for paying with a credit card. When posting a booking form please enclose the full payment by cheque or postal order made payable to The Railway Touring Company, and, quoting your name, address, telephone number, choice of train, the number of seats you require, class and joining station. We regret that seats cannot be reserved unless full payment is received. Organisers arranging group travel for ten or more persons on a UK Day Trip are invited to contact the office, details above, regarding discounts where a single booking is to be made. Acknowledgements and Tickets Bookings made by telephone will be verbally acknowledged at the time of booking and a written confirmation sent within 7 days. Tickets and travel information will usually be despatched at least 5 days before the date of travel. However, this information and the tickets cannot be sent until the departure times are confirmed by the train operator which may be at shorter notice. Please pay particular attention to the departure and arrival times sent with your tickets as these may vary from the approximate timings given in this brochure. Gift Vouchers We are pleased to offer gift vouchers which can be used against any future trip with us. Please contact the office to purchase these. Junior Tickets Junior children includes ages 15 and under (children 3yrs and under may travel on your lap but if they do require a seat then a junior ticket price applies). Family Tickets 2 adults and 2 Juniors (aged 15 and under). Covid-19 In order to minimise the risks to our passengers and on-board crew/stewards there will potentially be some changes made to the seating arrangements on board, i.e. we may need to seat all bookings solely with members of their own party. Any passenger who is feeling unwell immediately prior to travelling with ourselves is requested NOT to travel. We request that all passengers wear face masks while on board our trains and whilst hand sanitiser will be available we recommend that passengers also bring their own supply with them to use regularly whilst on board. As has always been the case regular hand washing/sanitising is advised throughout the journey. For Premier dining passengers there may be some changes required to the food service on board and we may be running a plated service rather than silver served at your seat for the time being, to reduce risks to passengers and catering staff. It is therefore very important that any vegetarians travelling inform us beforehand so that they can be accommodated. No other dietary requests will be possible at present. Standard Conditions of Booking and Travel Every effort will be made to ensure that the locomotive, rolling stock, route and timings which are hired in from third parties, will run as advertised. However, the organisers reserve the right to alter these details at any time and shall not incur any liability to any person who has bought, or contracted to buy a ticket or tickets, as a result of any such changes. There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train. Please note whilst every effort will be made to ensure the use of the advertised steam locomotive the organisers reserve the right to substitute a different steam locomotive on occasions should it be required, for operational reasons, which would have to be accepted, no refunds will be offered for changes to advertised locomotives. All reasonable efforts, within the control of the organisers, will be made to ensure that on the day of the trip, the train runs as planned. However, we cannot accept any responsibility for delays, mishaps, alterations or curtailment of the tour from situations outside of our control. Please note all timings shown in the brochure are approximate and subject to change. In adverse conditions the train operating company, West Coast Railways, may feel the need to run with a diesel locomotive attached to the rear as a precaution. The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that the tour runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible. In the event of a failure of the scheduled steam locomotive prior to departure of the trip, every best effort will be made to find a suitable steam locomotive as a replacement. However, if this is not possible and if there is insufficient time available to cancel or postpone the trip, then a diesel may be used as substitute. In such circumstances, outside of our control, acceptance of these terms signifies your acceptance of such a change and no refund will be due. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for the options under the control of third parties and are only responsible for returning passengers to their joining stations. Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions. No refund or substitutions are available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers, which can happen on occasions. We will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer or pay any compensation to you. Due to the age and construction of our trains it is not possible to board whilst seated in a wheelchair, however we will be pleased to convey passengers of limited mobility whenever possible, provided they can step onto the train from the platform and move to their reserved seats with the help of an able-bodied carer, the wheelchair then being folded by you and stored at the end of the carriage. We are unable to convey mobility scooters or non-folding wheelchairs due to the age and design of the trains used. We are limited to only being able to provide a vegetarian dietary alternative, all other diet request are not available. We recommend that during the winter months you travel wearing suitable layered clothing as the carriages on occasion can be cold. Although they are heated, unforeseen complications along with the nature of travelling by steam in vintage carriages can result in cooler conditions for passengers than modern trains. N.B. – All timings shown are approximate and subject to change unless otherwise shown.

UK Tours Information 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 3 or 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. Single supplements. We are pleased to advise that we do not financially benefit from single supplement charges. Supplement charges only apply due to hoteliers charging higher rates for rooms that are solely occupied. All of our prices listed are per person based on two persons sharing. Therefore, any room that is solely occupied does incur a charge, whether it be a single or double room. If a double room is preferred please state your preference at the time of booking in order for us to obtain a quote, double rooms for single use may be slightly more expensive than the single supplement stated. All other elements of our tours are priced on a per person rate, so no extra fees are applied for solo travellers. 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 after returning back to the UK. 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. Pre-tour 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 wellbeing 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. Please refer to our website for information regarding our Privacy Policy ensuring you fully understand it. Your acceptance of our Privacy Policy is deemed to occur upon your first use of Our Site. 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.

24 EST. 1997

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 page 76 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 54

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 12 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 ■ (Please tick) Card Number................................................................................................................... Expires............................................................................................................................ Start Date....................................................................................................................... Please sign and date to confirm that you have read and accepted the terms and conditions as stated on page 77 and on our website. Signed:...............................................................................................................................Date:.................................................................... Please send the relevant form to: The Railway Touring Company, 14A Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JN

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

The Railway Touring Company – UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours 2020/21

Articles inside

Welcome