UK Steam Rail Day Trips 2024 - First Edition by LucidSynergy Ltd

The Railway Touring Company UK Steam Rail Day Trips 2024

Bob Green

Welcome Dear Customer, Welcome to our UK Daytrips brochure 2024 First Edition. We are delighted to bring you our new UK Daytrips brochure for 2024 which you will see continues to offer many of our old favorites. Our steam hauled daytrips include the Waverley’s, Dorset Coast Expresses, The Royal Duchy’s, West Somerset Steam Expresses, and our Cumbrian Mountain Expresses. Giving many opportunities to visit Cornwall, travel by steam over the Northern Fells and so much more. 2024 sees the inclusion of some interesting additions to our programme; The Whitby Flyer from London and The Pembroke Coast Express from Bristol. On board our daytrips you can travel in premier dining and enjoy the luxury of being silver served at your seat; first class with morning and afternoon refreshments served or in the standard class where you can bring a picnic hamper along or grab a cup of tea from the buffet car. However you decide to travel with us you will be able to sit back and relax, take in the views and embrace the atmosphere on board. Our on board stewarding team will welcome you at the start of your journey and be available throughout your journey with us. If you need more information or have questions relating to any of our Daytrips, my team and I are here to help so please give us a call. From all of us here in King’s Lynn, as always, we thank you for your support and custom and are looking forward to welcoming you on board. Kelly Osborne Managing Director The Railway Touring Company.

EST. 1997

Front cover image: Caroline Graham

UK Steam Rail Day Trips 2024 First Edition Day Trips The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Swanage Belle

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

The North Wales Coast Express

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express

The Waverley

The White Rose

The End of Southern Steam

The Cheshireman

The White Rose

The Stratford Flyer

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Edinburgh Flyer

The North Wales Coast Express

The Whitby Flyer

The West Somerset Steam Express

The Worcester Steam Express

The Dorset Coast Express

The Royal Duchy

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Kentish Belle

The Pembroke Coast Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Mancunian

The Cotswold Venturer

The Cumbrian Coast Express

The Stratford Flyer

The Tynesider

The Coast to Coast Express

The Bath & Bristol Steam Express

The Atlantic Coast Express

Terms and Conditions UK Day Trip Information

Booking Form 36

UK Day Trip Booking Form

Visit our website, railwaytouring.net for online booking or to download printable booking forms.

THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, THE OLD STABLES, ESTUARY ROAD, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 2HL Phone: 01553 661 500 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net

Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 27th January, 17th February and 16th March 2024 This trip provides a wonderful opportunity to get out and about during the winter 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 then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via Shap to Carlisle and back via the Settle and Carlisle line. We leave London Euston at around 06:55 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Milton Keynes, Watford Junction, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive will be working hard when we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around two hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. We leave Carlisle and join the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1,169 feet above sea level. We pass over tall viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water. Our journey continues through Hellifield 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

06:55 07:15 07:45 07:10 08:10 08:35 09:35 10:20 12:40

22:20 21:55 21:25 21:35 20:55 20:35 19:30 18:00 14:20

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

** Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train to join our train.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 10th February 2024 Start the year off with a winter scenic day out from the north-west to the Cumbria Fells. Travelling outwards over the West Coast Main Line via Shap to Carlisle, time will be available to explore this historic border city. In the afternoon, we head southwards again, but via the highly scenic Settle & Carlisle line. This will be even more special if there is snow about to enhance the breathtaking scenery of the Pennines. Our train leaves Manchester Victoria steam hauled at around 07:30 and calls at 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 to Carnforth, where our locomotive will take on water. From Carnforth our steam locomotive will be working hard when we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around two hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. 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, 1,169 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Manchester Victoria Bolton Preston Carlisle

07:30 08:00 09:30 11:45

19:20 19:00 18:05 14:25

Our journey continues from Hellifield to Clitheroe and Preston where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. We leave Preston diesel hauled stopping at Bolton and Manchester Victoria to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 5

Bob Green

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express Saturday 10th February 2024 Join us on this train that will leave London Paddington early on Saturday morning for the scenic journey, with a nostalgic steam hauled train, to the attractive cities of Bath and Gloucester. You can chose to alight at Bath or carry on to Gloucester.

We depart from London Paddington steam hauled by a Black 5 steam locomotive, and make our way out of the Capital along the Great Western Railway main line. We pick up at Slough and then make our way to Reading where we pick up further passengers. Taking the Berks & Hants line after Reading, we follow the valley of the river Kennet through to Newbury, our final pick up station, where we will pass the Racecourse. At Hungerford, we leave the Kennet behind and follow the Kennet & Avon canal through the Savernake Forest. The gradient steepens for the long climb to Savernake Summit before we enter the attractive Vale of Pewsey and head for Westbury. Approaching Westbury, we pass the famous White Horse carved in the chalk of the hillside. We shall soon catch sight of the Georgian city of Bath as we approach the well-kept Bath Spa station, which is conveniently close to the city centre. The afternoon is free to explore the city, which is noted for its splendid Georgian buildings, attractive riverside setting and its fine Abbey. Also, take time to explore the Roman Baths and its warm waters in the Pump House buildings. Bath has many shops around its central location to tempt shoppers, along with restaurants catering for all tastes. Meanwhile our train continues to Gloucester via Bristol Parkway and the scenic run close to the Severn estuary, another fascinating destination for those who wish to explore this fine city instead. The 11th century cathedral, noted for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, is located in the centre of the city. It historic maritime connections are centred around the Gloucester Docks, with the National Waterways Museum celebrating the city’s industrial past with canal boats and waterway life. The city is also a fine destination for shopping and eating out. Our steam locomotive will be serviced at Gloucester before we return to Bath and London Paddington steam hauled. We stop to pick up those passengers who opted to visit the city of Bath. We return by the route of our outward journey, stopping at the same stations for passengers to alight. Our arrival back in London’s Paddington station will signal the conclusion of a varied and interesting day out.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington Slough Reading Newbury Bath Gloucester

07:10 07:45 08:10 09:45 11:00 13:00

22:40 22:10 21:35 20:10 18:05 16:00

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The White Rose Saturday 24th February 2024 Join us for an exhilarating main line steam run from London’s King’s Cross to the historic city of York. York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. Our train will be hauled from London to York and as far as Peterborough on the return journey by a Black 5 steam locomotive. We leave London King’s Cross in the morning behind Bahamas and follow the East Coast Main Line route of famous express trains like the Flying Scotsman. We storm up the gradient through Gasworks Tunnel and Finsbury Park, and 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 through Doncaster and continue northwards to our early afternoon arrival in 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 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 train leaves York late afternoon, and we will retrace our outward steps along the East Coast Main Line steam hauled. We say goodbye to our steam locomotive at Peterborough and continue diesel hauled, stopping to set down passengers at the same stations as on the northbound journey, arriving at King’s Cross in the evening.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Kings Cross Stevenage Huntingdon Peterborough York

07:20 08:20 09:10 10:00 13:05

21:35 20:55 20:15 19:05 16:10

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 7

Bob Green

The Cheshireman Saturday 2nd March 2024 This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to travel by a special charter train to the historic city of Chester. The train will be steam-hauled throughout from London Euston to Chester by a Black 5 steam locomotive. We will follow the route of the famous express such as the Royal Scot along the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Crewe and then onwards to Chester. We can expect some spirited running down the WCML to Crewe. ‘The Cheshireman’ will leave London Euston at around 06:50 steam hauled by Bahamas. 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 Watford Junction and at the 1960s ‘new town’ of Milton Keynes. 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 three hours to explore the Roman city of Chester, one of the most visited places in the UK. Chester lies on the river Dee, close to the border with Wales, and is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. The city contains a number of medieval buildings and is famous for its 14th Century ‘Rows’, the first floor level galleried walkways connecting shops and cafes. Other places of interest include the Castle, the Cathedral, and the picturesque racecourse, which is located between the city walls and the river Dee. Our special train, hauled on the return journey by our steam locomotive, leaves Chester late afternoon for the return journey to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

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

06:50 07:15 08:00 08:20 09:10 09:45 12:00

20:25 19:55 19:10 18:45 18:05 17:15 15:00

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Stratford Flyer Saturday 9th March 2024 Join us on this special day out, steam hauled from Manchester to Stratford upon Avon, by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. Our train will travel via Stockport, Macclesfield, Stoke and Stafford as we make our way towards the internationally popular destination of Stratford-upon-Avon, visited from far and wide by many to see its Shakespeare attractions. Our special train starts at the cosmopolitan northern city of Manchester, and we will be steam hauled through the suburbs to Stockport, where we will pause briefly to pick up passengers. We now head through Macclesfield, where we stop for further passengers, and Stoke, before we continue southwards towards Stafford. At Stafford we will leave the Trent Valley line and take the Birmingham route via Wolverhampton. We will run through the industrial heartlands of the Midlands and make our way towards Birmingham New Street, our second major city of the day. We will thread our way through the suburbs of Birmingham and make our way steadily to join the former Great Western Railway’s route from Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon. The Warwickshire countryside will provide a pleasant outlook from your carriage window as we approach our destination for today at Stratford upon Avon. There will be ample time in the town to take in all the famous sights, including the birthplace of William Shakespeare and his New Palace home, possibly the most famous writer in the English language. Explore the other sites, including the Memorial Theatre, the Bancroft Gardens and the river Avon and Stratford Canal. The town offers many interesting shops and is well provided for with pubs and restaurants. All in all, a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon. During our stay in Stratford, our steam locomotive will be turned and serviced for the journey back to Manchester. We will retrace our earlier route back through Birmingham, Stafford and Macclesfield before arriving back in Manchester in the evening, ending what promises to be an interesting and varied day out to Shakespeare country.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Manchester Victoria Stockport Macclesfield Stratford-upon-Avon

07:30 08:45 09:00 12:50

21:40 21:45 20:00 16:15

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 9

Bob Green

The Edinburgh Flyer Saturday 23rd March 2024 Join us on board this special steam hauled train using a locomotive from the Carnforth pool, running at speed both ways from York to Edinburgh and return. There will be time in Edinburgh to visit the sights of the Scottish capital or enjoy some shopping before we return south.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York Durham Newcastle Edinburgh

07:25 09:00 09:25 13:40

22:30 20:50 20:25 16:50

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 our locomotive 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.

There are three classes available:

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 A1 and 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 shimmering 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. Our steam locomotive 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.

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

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 many attractions, located near Princes Street Gardens, whilst our steam locomotive 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.

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

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

We will return south with our steam locomotive and follow our outward route. Highlight of the journey 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.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Whitby Flyer Wednesday 27th March 2024 This unusual tour by steam train visits the popular east coast seaside town of Whitby. We make our way from London to York, where our steam locomotives for the day are attached. We shall travel through Yorkshire, Teeside and the North Yorkshire Moors to reach Whitby. Our featured steam locomotives for the day will be taken from the Carnforth pool. There will be time at our destination to visit the attractions that Whitby has to offer. Leaving London King’s Cross in the morning, we make our way northwards along the East Coast Main Line, picking up at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough. Our blue Class 86 electric locomotive will be running at speed to whisk us to York. We commence our steam haulage later that morning from York, a historic city and home of the National Railway Museum. Heading northwards, we speed along the East Coast Main Line through Thirsk and Northallerton, where we take the line to Teeside via Eaglescliffe. We now follow part of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway of 1825, engineered by George Stephenson, towards Thornaby and Middlesbrough. The railway was the first public railway in the world to have permanent steam locomotives hauling trains. The famous Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge dating from 1911 is a prominent landmark of the area. At Guisborough Junction, we leave the line to Redcar and Saltburn and head for Battersby on the edge of the Cleveland Hills. Here we will have to reverse direction of travel as the line no longer continues southwards from Battersby. We will now follow the attractive Esk Valley line through the northern section of the North Yorkshire Moors. This is very much a rural line that serves isolated communities and farming is the main activity these days, with walking a popular pastime from the stations along the route. We pass through Castleton Moor and Danby before we reach Glaisdale, where there is a passing loop on the single line. After Egton, we cross the Esk a number of times and reach Grosmont. Here the steam operated North Yorkshire Moors Railway has a station that sees steam trains regularly operating over the 24 miles from Whitby and Pickering. We continue along the Esk Valley through Sleights and Ruswarp and run along side the river Esk as we pass beneath the impressive Larpool Viaduct, which formerly carried the Scarborough to Whitby railway over the valley. Boat yards and a view of the ancient abbey herald our arrival at Whitby. There will be time here to explore the many attractions the town has to offer, including the working harbour, quaint shops and restaurants, the 13th century abbey and St Mary’s church reached by the 199 steps, the Dracula museum and there is even a kipper smokery where you can buy the produce! After time in Whitby, we shall retrace our earlier route back to Battersby, Middlesbrough, Northallerton, Thirsk, arriving in York in the early evening after an interesting and varied day on rural branch lines of the north-east. Our blue electric locomotive will be waiting to take us back to London, calling to set down at our earlier pick up stations.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Kings Cross Stevenage Huntingdon Peterborough York* Whitby

06:00 06:30 06:55 07:20 10:00 14:15

23:25 22:50 22:15 21:40 19:20 16:30

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

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£319

£229

£982

First

£219

£159

£675

Standard

£125

£95

£393 11

Bob Green

The Worcester Steam Express Saturday 6th April 2024 Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running with varied landscapes enroute to Worcester. The Worcester Steam Express will be steam hauled from Norwich to Worcester by Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas 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 Bahamas, and cross the Trowse swing bridge over the River Wensum. We then stop to pick up more passengers at Thetford. 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 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 Camp Hill line to Bromsgrove. Here, we leave the main line to Bristol and run via Droitwich to Worcester, where there will be time to visit the city centre. There will be time 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.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Norwich Thetford March Peterborough Worcester

06:55 07:35 08:55 09:25 13:15

23:00 22:20 21:10 20:40 16:30

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.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£299

£215

£921

First

£199

£145

£616

Standard

£129

£99

£407

D. Hunt

The Royal Duchy Sunday 5th May 2024 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.45596 Bahamas at around 08:50 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, steam 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 and Heritage Centre. Our locomotive will turn and service at St Blazey’s before we embark on our return journey. We leave Par steam hauled by Bahamas at around 17:00 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 enroute.

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

08:50 09:10 10:00 11:30 12:40 14:00

22:15 21:50 21:10 20:00 18:50 17:00

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and three course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£319

£244

£1004

First

£219

£174

£699

Standard

£144

£119

£466 13

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 11th May, 22nd June, 3rd August & 5th October 2024 This trip provides a wonderful opportunity to get out and about 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 then enjoy a circular steam tour outwards via Shap to Carlisle and back via the Settle and Carlisle line. We leave London Euston at around 06:50 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final stop to pick up passengers. We continue through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive will be working hard when we climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, gaining speed for the ascent to Shap. This well-known section of the WCML has a gradient of 1 in 75 and, in the former days of steam locomotives, banking engines from Tebay were often used to assist trains. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around two hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. We leave Carlisle and join the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1,169 feet above sea level. We pass over tall viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again for our locomotive to take on water. Our journey continues through Hellifield 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

06:50 07:05 07:30 07:10 08:00 08:15 09:15 10:15 12:45

22:20 21:55 21:25 21:20 20:50 20:35 19:30 18:00 14:25

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. * Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Pembroke Coast Express Sunday 19th May 2024 This is a rare opportunity to travel by steam train over the scenic branch line from Whitland through Tenby to Pembroke Dock. The “Pembroke Coast Express” recalls the 1950s days of named steam trains on the former Western Region of British Railways. The train ran from London Paddington through South Wales to the Pembroke Coast. We recreate this train hauled by Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas. The Pembroke Coast Express, hauled by Bahamas leaves Bristol Temple Meads soon after 08:00. It heads for West Wales and stops at Newport and Cardiff to pick up further passengers. We pass through Bridgend and stop at Port Talbot for the steam locomotive to take on water. At Briton Ferry, we take the Swansea District Line to Llangennech. From Llanelli we run by the sea wall for most of the way to Carmarthen. Our train will be diesel-hauled when we leave Carmarthen for Whitland, where we join the scenic branch line to Pembroke Dock. We pass through Kilgetty and Saundersfoot before stopping at Tenby to set down passengers who may wish to spend time at this attractive seaside resort. There will be just over an hour to visit the walled town, which is famous for its sandy beaches and its nearby offshore monastic Caldey Island. Our train continues through Penally, with fine views over the Bristol Channel, to Pembroke Dock. We leave Pembroke Dock hauled by our steam locomotive and return to Tenby to pick up passengers who left the train there. We continue to Whitland where we join the main line from Fishguard Harbour. We avoid the terminus station at Carmarthen by taking the south curve. We pass through Kidwelly and Llanelli before tackling the steep ascent of Cockett Bank, a 1 in 50 gradient. Our train avoids the terminus station at Swansea High Street and passes through Neath to join the main line at Briton Ferry. There should be some fast running en route to Cardiff, our first set down stop. We stop at Newport to set down further passengers before continuing through the Severn Tunnel and onwards to Bristol, our journey’s end.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads Newport Cardiff Carmarthen (Arrive) Carmarthen (Depart) Tenby Pembroke Dock

08:15 09:30 10:00 12:20 13:50 14:40 15:00

21:50 20:20 19:55 ------------15:50 15:10

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£309

£235

£970

First

£209

£165

£666

Standard

£129

£105

£416 15

Bob Green

The Mancunian Saturday 25th May 2024 The Mancunian is a special train running from Manchester and Chester to Holyhead. It provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from Manchester and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line. This train is to celebrate and commemorate the life of Steve Peach, a long serving and much loved member of the Bahamas Loco Society. Our train leaves Manchester Piccadilly in the morning, hauled by Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas, and then makes its way through Heaton Chapel to our next pick up station at Stockport. We then continue via Altrincham and Northwich to Chester. On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the river Dee into Wales. We steam alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction where we pause to set down passengers wishing to spend time at the nearby popular seaside resort of Llandudno, just a short journey down the branch line by service train. From Llandudno Junction we continue westwards along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the Conwy estuary on Robert Stephenson’s Tubular railway bridge, with Edward 1’s castle overlooking the town and bridge. The railway line runs very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey. Our train crosses the Menai Strait on the Britannia Bridge and enters the Isle of Anglesey. We now run across the Island through Valley to enter the sea port of Holyhead, where there will be time to visit the town or marina whilst our steam locomotive is turned and serviced for the return journey. Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled late afternoon, and stops at Llandudno Junction to pick up passengers who opted to disembark there. It continues via Chester and Stockport to Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Manchester Piccadilly Stockport Llandudno Junction Holyhead

10:30 11:00 13:25 15:05

21:45 21:15 18:45 17:40

Funds will be raised on the day to support the very important work of Maggies charity, the chosen charity of Steve Peach’s family. Maggie’s offers free emotional and practical support to people with cancer, their families and friends. They help people take back control when cancer turns life upside down, with professional support for anything from treatment side effects to money worries.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Coast Express Saturday 1st June and 21st September 2024 Our journey will combine the scenic grandeur of the Cumbrian 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 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 06:45 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton 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 long climb up to Grayrigg. We then travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, before the notoriously steep ascent to Shap. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be time available in Carlisle to explore this ancient city with its cathedral and castle, plus an assortment of shops and cafes. We leave Carlisle steam hauled and our return 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 might catch a glimpse of 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. After Ulverston, we cross Leven Viaduct and curve along the edge of the bay through to Grange-over-Sands. There are more views across Morecambe Bay as we cross the lengthy Kent Viaduct at Arnside and approach Carnforth. Here, we shall say farewell to our gallant steam locomotive and our blue Class 86 electric locomotive will take over for a fast run to London Euston. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

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

06:45 07:05 07:30 07:10 08:00 08:20 09:20 10:15 11:40

22:10 21:40 21:10 21:40 20:45 20:25 19:15 18:25 13:15

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. * Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train.

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 17

Bob Green

The Tynesider Saturday 8th June 2024 Join us for an interesting trip from London’s King’s Cross to travel steam hauled on the Blyth and Tyne line to Morpeth. Passengers have the option of spending time in Newcastle-upon-Tyne or staying on the train to travel over the Blyth & Tyne Railway to Morpeth, a freight route that is planned to reopen to passengers in August 2024. Our train will be steam hauled for the sections from York to Morpeth and then back to York. We leave London King’s Cross in the morning behind vintage electric locomotive Les Ros and follow the East Coast Main Line route, calling at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough to pick up more passengers. At York we change motive power to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. We continue steam-hauled northwards from York across the Plain of York where we can expect some fast running, especially through Thirsk and Northallerton. We pass through Darlington and Durham, the latter being famous for its Norman Cathedral, en route to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Here passengers may choose to alight and spend time visiting the city. It is famous for a series of dramatic bridges over the river Tyne and its quayside along the banks of the river. Other well known attractions include the Tyne & Wear Metro, Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Cathedral, Castle, Grainger Market, and the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, the Metro Centre, located nearby in Gateshead. Our train continues, steam hauled, travelling north from Newcastle Central to Benton Junction. Here we leave the ECML and take the Blyth and Tyne Railway route which was chiefly constructed to link collieries in the area to the river Tyne. This is currently a ‘freight only’ railway line, due to reopen to passenger traffic in late 2024, which parallels the Tyne & Wear Metro route to Northumberland Park and then runs northwards through Newsham to Bedlington. At Bedlington North Junction we branch left and head for Morpeth where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. We return to Newcastle-upon-Tyne via the ECML. stop at Newcastle Central station, to pick up those passengers who chose to visit the city, before setting off across the river Tyne on the King Edward VII Bridge. We return south, steam hauled, up the ECML to York. Here the vintage electric locomotive takes over the train for the remainder of the journey back to London. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Kings Cross Stevenage Huntingdon Peterborough York Newcastle Morpeth

07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:30 12:15 13:30

22:30 22:00 21:30 21:00 19:25 17:15 16:50

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Bath & Bristol Steam Express Saturday 15th June 2024 The Bath & Bristol Steam Express offers the opportunity for passengers from the South Coast to visit either Bath or Bristol. There will be ample time to sample the sights of Bath such as the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally famous Roman Baths, or choose to stay on board and spend the afternoon visiting Bristol. Join us as we travel steam hauled by a vintage locomotive through some superb countryside. We leave from Swanage at around 07:00 and travel via Wareham to Poole hauled by Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas. From Poole our steam locomotive will be working hard, as our train climbs Parkstone Bank. We stop to pick up further passengers at Bournemouth and Southampton. We follow the main line towards London as far as Eastleigh where we take the single-track line to Romsey. Here we join the Southampton to Salisbury direct line and then travel up the valley of the river Test. 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. 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 for its quality retail independents and favourite high street stores, as well as the many attractions available to visit within the city centre. 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; and an historic harbour-side, the location of the M Shed, an exciting new innovative museum. The city is a shopper’s haven with all the major retail outlets in the Broadmead and Cabot Circus shopping centres. Our steam locomotive is turned and serviced at Bristol prior to departing with our train at around 17:30 for the return journey. We stop to pick up those passengers who stayed in Bath for the day. We return by the route of our outward journey, stopping at the same stations for passengers to alight.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Swanage Wareham Poole Bournemouth Southampton Salisbury Bath Bristol

07:00 07:15 07:30 07:45 08:15 09:30 11:00 11:30

22:30 22:15 22:00 21:50 21:00 19:05 18:00 17:35

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£305

£215

£933

First

£205

£145

£633

Standard

£120

£90

£375 19

Bob Green

The Swanage Belle Wednesday 26th June and 11th September 2024 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 Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas. We leave London Victoria station at around 08:45, hauled by our steam locomotive, and cross the river Thames at Battersea and at Barnes. We pass through Feltham and stop at Staines to pick up more passengers and then re-cross the river Thames. We join the South Western Main Line at Byfleet Junction and stop at Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. Our final stop to pick up passengers is at Basingstoke. We leave the West of England Main Line at Worting Junction and head through Winchester and Southampton to Bournemouth. We pass through Poole, where there are spectacular views of Poole Harbour, and continue to Wareham. We leave the Weymouth Line at Worgret Junction and take the re-opened link to Norden and the Swanage Railway. There are magnificent views of Corfe Castle as we head towards Swanage along this attractive Heritage Railway. There will be around three hours for passengers to explore the pleasant seaside resort of Swanage, with its sandy beach and Victorian pier. Durlston Castle is in Durlston Country Park & Nature Reserve from where there are stupendous views along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park contains Anvil Point Lighthouse, the 40-ton stone Great Globe, fascinating artefacts from London, and an amazing diversity of wildlife. The Park is one mile from the town and can be reached by bus from the railway station or by walking via public footpaths. Our train leaves Swanage for the return journey at around 16:40 and is diesel hauled to Southampton where steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas 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 around 22:20.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Staines Woking Basingstoke Swanage

08:45 09:35 10:10 10:40 13:45

22:20 21:20 20:45 19:50 16:40

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Saturday 6th July 2024 The North Wales Coast Express provides an opportunity for passengers from London and the Midlands to travel steam hauled over the very scenic North Wales Coast line. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line to Crewe, hauled by a blue class 86 electric locomotive. We then enjoy a steam tour to Holyhead and return hauled by a locomotive from the Carnforth Pool. We leave London Euston at around 06:00 with electric traction, and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe. At Crewe we change motive power to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. We now head steam hauled to Chester. On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the river Dee into Wales. We steam alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction on of our destination for the day. Passengers have the option of getting off here and travelling by service train into Llandudno, whilst our train continues to Holyhead, our final destination, for servicing. Our train leaves Holyhead steam hauled late afternoon and stops at Llandudno Junction to take on water and collect passengers who opted to spend the day there. We then continue via Chester to Crewe. We depart 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.

London Euston Watford Junction Milton Keynes Northampton* Rugby Nuneaton Crewe Llandudno Junction Holyhead

06:05 06:20 07:10 07:30 08:00 08:15 10:00 12:30 13:35

22:00 21:40 21:00 20:45 20:25 20:10 18:40 17:15 16:05

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. * Passengers from Northampton will travel to and from Rugby by service train.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 21

Bob Green

The Waverley Sundays 7th July, 4th, 18th August and 8th September 2024 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. 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 09:50 and heads for Church Fenton where we take the direct route to Leeds. We stop to pick up more passengers at Leeds, 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 (1,169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, to Lazenby where our locomotive takes on water. We continue to Carlisle and passengers will have about two 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 16:30 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. We continue to stops at Skipton, Keighley, Leeds, and York, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return York Leeds Keighley Skipton* Carlisle

09:50 10:35 11:25 11:40 14:10

21:30 20:35 20:05 19:45 16:30

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The End of Southern Steam Tuesday 9th July 2024 This day trip by steam train provides a unique opportunity to visit the Yeovil Railway Centre and the popular seaside resort of Weymouth for the afternoon. This special train to mark the anniversary of the end of Southern steam will be hauled by steam locomotive No.35028 Clan Line from London Victoria to Yeovil. We continue to Weymouth diesel hauled before our steam locomotive hauls us back to London via Bournemouth. Our train leaves London Victoria station at around 08:45 behind our splendid steam locomotive, No.35028 Clan Line. We travel out of London through the suburbs and then stop for further passengers at Woking and Basingstoke. At Worting Junction we take the West of England Main Line to Andover and Salisbury. At Wilton Junction the line becomes single track. We cross the edge of Salisbury Plain and pass through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Tisbury and Gillingham in Dorset. We cross Gillingham Viaduct and pass through Buckhorn Weston Tunnel before Templecombe, where once the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway passed beneath our line. Travelling westwards through north west Dorset we pass through Sherborne, one of the most beautiful towns in England, before continuing with the train to Yeovil Junction where the steam locomotive will be serviced at Yeovil Railway Centre. Our train leaves Yeovil Junction, hauled by a diesel locomotive, and runs southwards through Maiden Newton towards Dorchester and the large seaside resort of Weymouth. There will be a break here to visit the town, with its many attractions and restaurants, before we return to London Victoria steam hauled. Our return route will be via Bournemouth, Southampton and Eastleigh back to Basingstoke and Woking to set down passengers, followed by journey’s end at London Victoria.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Woking Basingstoke Weymouth

08:45 10:05 10:50 15:25

21:45 21:05 20:25 17:10

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£305

£215

£933

First

£205

£145

£628

Standard

£130

£95

£403 23

Bob Green

The White Rose Saturday 13th July 2024 Join us for an exillerating main line steam run from London’s King’s Cross to the historic city of York. York is world famous for its variety of visitor attractions and home to the National Railway Museum. Our train will be hauled from London to York and as far as Peterborough on the return journey by Jubilee class steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas. We leave London King’s Cross in the morning behind Bahamas and follow the East Coast Main Line route of famous express trains like the Flying Scotsman. We storm up the gradient through Gasworks Tunnel and Finsbury Park, and 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 through Doncaster and continue northwards to our mid-day stop in 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 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 train leaves York late afternoon, and we will retrace our outward steps along the East Coast Main Line steam hauled by Bahamas. We say goodbye to our steam locomotive at Peterborough and continue diesel hauled, stopping to set down passengers at the same stations as on the northbound journey, arriving at King’s Cross in the evening.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Kings Cross Stevenage Huntingdon Peterborough York

07:20 08:20 09:10 10:00 13:05

21:35 20:55 20:15 19:05 16:10

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 13th July 2024 This is a wonderful opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Lancashire to travel by steam train over two of England’s most scenic railway routes. Our train travels north to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line over Shap and returns by the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway line. We have a magnificent steam locomotive to haul these trains, which recall the glorious days of steam train travel. It promises to provide a memorable day out. Our train will be diesel hauled from Crewe to Liverpool via Runcorn, where we stop to pick up further passengers. We leave Liverpool Lime Street, diesel hauled at around 09:10 and stop to pick up passengers at Broad Green and St. Helens Central. We join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) before stopping for more passengers at Wigan. Our final stop for passengers is Preston. From Preston we continue up the WCML and pass through Lancaster and along the edge of Morecambe Bay before we arrive at Carnforth where we change motive power to our steam locomotive for the day, 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 cafes. We leave Carlisle and join the Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of the most well known and best loved stretches of railway line in Britain. We soon begin climbing, and then at Appleby, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. The climbing continues through scenic Kirkby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill, 1,169 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. Our train returns to Liverpool, diesel hauled, stopping to set down passengers at Wigan, St. Helens Central, Broad Green and Liverpool Lime Street where we arrive around 20:15. Our train continues on to Runcorn and Crewe diesel hauled.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Crewe Runcorn Liverpool Lime Street Broad Green St Helens Central Wigan North Western Preston Carlisle

07:50 08:20 09:10 09:20 09:35 09:50 10:15 12:40

21:10 20:40 20:15 20:00 19:30 18:55 18:05 14:25

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 25

Bob Green

The North Wales Coast Express Sunday 14th July 2024 The North Wales Coast Express is a special steam hauled summer train that runs from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead. It provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line. Passengers have a choice of three destinations: the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead. Our train leaves Liverpool Lime Street Sunday morning, hauled by a magnificent steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool, and then makes its way through Edge Hill cutting to Broad Green, where we will make a stop to pick up. Next we pick up at Warrington Bank Quay. Running via Frodsham, we reach Chester, where we pick up further passengers. On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the River Dee into Wales. We steam alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction where passengers for Llandudno can take the service train to spend time at this popular seaside resort. From Llandudno Junction, we continue westwards along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the Conwy estuary on Robert Stephenson’s Tubular railway bridge, with Edward 1’s castle overlooking the town and bridge. The railway line runs very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey. We stop at Bangor station to set down those passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city, with its cathedral and restored pier. Our train crosses the Menai Strait on the Britannia Bridge and enters the Isle of Anglesey. We now run across the Island through Valley to enter the sea port of Holyhead, where there will be time to visit the town or marina whilst our steam locomotive is turned and serviced for the return journey. Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled late afternoon, and stops at Bangor and then Llandudno Junction, to pick up passengers who opted for a visit to Llandudno. It continues via Chester and Warrington Bank Quay to Liverpool Lime Street, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 10:04 Broad Green 10:36 Warrington Bank Quay 11:06 Chester 12:40 Llandudno Junction 13:44 13:44 Llandudno* Bangor 14:42

21:50 22:17 22:34 20:31 19:34 18:55 18:47

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The West Somerset Steam Express Saturdays 20th July, 10th August and 14th September 2024 This series of trains from London Paddington to Minehead features haulage by two steam locomotives in one day. One steam locomotive will haul our train from London Paddington to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard. The Heritage Railway will then provide a steam locomotive to haul our train to Minehead and back. This provides a truly fascinating day out travelling through beautiful scenery to the Bristol Channel coast. We leave London Paddington at around 07:00, steam hauled by Jubillee class steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas and stop at Slough and Reading to pick up more passengers. At Reading we join the Berks and Hants line which runs through picturesque rural countryside. We pass the celebrated Newbury Racecourse before making our final stop for passengers at Newbury station. We continue westwards, travelling beside the tranquil Kennet & Avon Canal, and climbing steadily to Savernake Summit. We pass through the Vale of Pewsey, with views of one of the famous Wiltshire White Horses as we approach Westbury and continue through undulating agricultural countryside to Taunton.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Paddington Slough Reading Newbury Minehead

07:00 07:30 07:55 08:45 13:25

21:20 20:45 20:05 19:10 14:50

Soon after leaving Taunton, we arrive at Norton Fitzwarren, where we transfer to the West Somerset Railway (WSR), the longest Heritage Railway in the country. We continue to Bishops Lydeard, where a WSR steam locomotive will take over our train for the remainder of the journey to Minehead. The WSR runs along the edge of the Quantock Hills between Bishops Lydeard and Watchet where it meets the coast. The line then turns inland to Washford and returns to the coast at Blue Anchor, passing near to Dunster with its magnificent castle, and terminating at Minehead.

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

On arrival at Minehead, there will be more than two hours to explore this delightful Bristol Channel seaside resort, where the railway station is close to the beach. A WSR steam locomotive will haul our train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, where our main line steam locomotive will take over for the return journey to London Paddington. The train will stop at Newbury, Reading and Slough to set down passengers.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 27

Bob Green

The Dorset Coast Express Wednesdays 24th, 31st July and Thursday 15th August 2024 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 Jubilee class steam locomotive No.45596 Bahamas, and travels westwards, crossing the river Thames at Barnes Bridge, through Kew and Feltham. We stop at Staines and Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we pause for our steam locomotive to take on water before continuing to our final pick up point at Basingstoke. We leave the South Western Main Line at Worting Junction and take the Bournemouth Line, heading south through Winchester and Southampton. We stop at Bournemouth to set down those passengers wishing to visit this coastal resort, a spa town famous for its parks and pine trees. After leaving Bournemouth, there are spectacular views of Poole Harbour. We continue to Wareham and Dorchester travelling through classic Dorset countryside and delightful scenery. We arrive at Weymouth around 13:45 and have almost three hours there to discover much of what this seaside town has to offer. The railway station is close to the beach and shops. We return from Weymouth diesel hauled at around 16:40 as far as Southampton with our steam locomotive banking on the rear, from here the 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 09:35 10:05 10:55 12:50 13:45

22:15 21:20 20:45 19:50 17:45 16:40

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Royal Duchy Sundays 28th July, 18th August and 1st September 2024 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 a locomotive from the Carnforth Pool at around 08:50 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, steam 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 and Heritage Centre. Our locomotive will turn and service at St Blazey’s before we embark on our return journey. We leave Par steam hauled by our locomotive at around 17:00 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 enroute.

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

08:50 09:10 10:00 11:30 12:40 14:00

22:15 21:50 21:10 20:00 18:50 17:00

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£319

£244

£1004

First

£219

£174

£699

Standard

£144

£119

£466 29

Bob Green

The Kentish Belle Wednesday 7th August and 4th September 2024 This day trip by steam train provides an interesting day out to the historic city of Canterbury and the popular north Kent coast resorts. We follow a rambling route across Kent to Canterbury West, where you can opt to visit this famous cathedral city. The Kentish Belle then continues to Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Margate, Herne Bay and terminates at Faversham. You have the option to detrain at any of these attractive destinations. The Kentish Belle will leave London Victoria station steam hauled by 45596 Bahamas in the morning and thread its way across the south London suburban lines through Bromley South, where we will join the Maidstone East line. Cutting across central Kent, we will reach Ashford where we take the line to Canterbury West. Canterbury is a world famous cathedral city. It was a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. Ancient walls, originally built by the Romans, encircle its medieval centre with cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. Canterbury Cathedral, founded 597 A.D., is the headquarters of the Church of England. We continue across Thanet to the coastal resort of Ramsgate, a popular seaside resort. Alternatively, stay aboard and alight a Broadstairs, with its magnificent horse shoe shaped bay which is the main attraction. Margate is a busy seaside resort that has all the trappings to provide entertainment in all weathers, and a wide beach with a sweeping promenade. You have the option to continue to our destination at Faversham, a town famous for its maritime history. It is the oldest market town in the county and recorded in the Domesday Book, and is located on a winding creek. By 1900, and after 400 years of manufacturing gunpowder for famous battles such as Trafalgar and Waterloo, Faversham had grown to be the centre of the nation’s explosives industry. With an amazing array of independent shops, regular markets, walking and a reputation for fine foods, Faversham is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a short break. We retrace our earlier route back to Canterbury, picking up at each set down station, before continuing back to Ashford. We join the main line to Tonbridge this time, where you will see the orchards and characteristic Oast house of Kent. We return to London Victoria by way of Severnoaks and Bromley South to conclude a variable-option day in the delightful Kent countryside.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Bromley South Canterbury West Ramsgate Broadstairs Margate Herne Bay Faversham

08:45 09:20 11:50 12:20 12:30 12:35 12:50 13:10

20:55 19:55 17:55 17:30 17:20 17:15 17:00 16:45

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Cumbrian Mountain Express Saturday 24th August 2024 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 07:00 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. After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. There will be around three hours in Carlisle, providing time to explore this ancient ‘Border’ city with its castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, and shopping centre. Our 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, 1,169 feet above sea level. We pass over high viaducts, including the famous one at Ribblehead, and through numerous tunnels. There are magnificent views across the Fells and to the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until we stop again at Hellifield for our locomotive to take on water. Our journey continues from Hellifield through Clitheroe and Blackburn to Preston. We join the WCML and shortly afterwards, take the Manchester line, stopping at Bolton and Manchester Victoria to set down passengers. We continue our journey to Crewe stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

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

07:00 07:30 07:55 09:00 09:30 10:15 12:45

21:35 20:55 20:40 20:00 19:30 18:45 14:25

There are three classes available: Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. (Not available from Preston) First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. * Passengers for Preston travel by service train from Blackburn on the return journey.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358 31

Colin Weaver

The Cotswold Venturer Saturday 24th August 2024 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 Staines and then from Reading via the Great Western Main Line to Didcot and Swindon. We then run via the Golden Valley line through Kemble and Stroud, which will include the steep climb up to Sapperton tunnel. Our steam train leaves London Victoria at around 07:45 hauled by steam locomotive No.35028 Clan Line and head through the west London suburbs via Hounslow towards Staines, where we pause to pick up passengers. We make our way via Ascot to Reading and via the Great Western Main Line towards Didcot to pick up more passengers. We follow the GWR main line through the Vale of White House to Swindon where we branch off to take the Golden Valley route towards Cheltenham. After Kemble, the line starts to climb steeply towards the summit at Sapperton Tunnel. The pleasant Golden Valley scenery, with its steep sided leafy valley walls, runs down the gradient through to Stroud. At Standish Junction we join the Midland Railway’s Bristol to Birmingham line and head for Cheltenham Spa. Here, we will call to set down passengers who may wish to visit this attractive Regency spa town, noted for its Pump Rooms, many museums and the nearby famous racecourse. The Cotswold Venturer continues northwards through to Worcester Shrub Hill station, were we will spend the afternoon here whilst Clan Line is turned and serviced. There will be plenty of time to explore this fine city. The river Severn runs through the city and is overlooked by the 12th century Worcester Cathedral. The site of the final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II was here. It is also the home of Royal Worcester Porcelain, and has long associations with the composer Sir Edward Elgar. Our steam train leaves Worcester Shrub Hill in the late afternoon and returns by the same route to Cheltenham Spa where we will pause to pick up passengers who chose to leave their earlier. We head southwards away from Cheltenham, by-pass Gloucester, and then join the Golden Valley route at Standish Junction. We pass through Stroud and climb up through the picturesque Stroud Valley to Sapperton Tunnel where the gradients increase dramatically to 1 in 74 at Chalford. We continue through Kemble and on to Swindon where we join the ex-Great Western Main Line. We call at Didcot, Reading and Staines to set down passengers, before arriving in London Victoria.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Victoria Staines Reading Didcot Cheltenham Spa Worcester Shrub Hill

07:45 08:40 10:00 10:20 12:40 13:15

21:35 20:45 19:26 19:00 17:05 16:30

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£305

£215

£933

First

£205

£145

£628

Standard

£130

£95

£403

Bob Green

The Stratford Flyer Saturday 7th September 2024 The Stratford Flyer will give passengers from East Anglia a wonderful opportunity to travel from Norfolk to the internationally recognised destination of Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The added bonus of the trip will be steam haulage by Jubilee class locomotive No.45596 Bahamas.

Our journey commences at Norwich early in the morning as we make our way westwards, steam hauled by Bahamas, picking up at Thetford, March and Peterborough. We then head across country via Stamford and through Oakham, the county town of Rutland, located in the Vale of Catmose. After Melton Mowbray, we head for Leicester and Nuneaton, where we cross the West Coast main line and take the link line to Coleshill. Heading towards Birmingham, we pass the extensive construction works of HS2 for several miles before we reach Landor Street Junction, where we avoid Birmingham by following the steeply graded Camp Hill line to Bordesley Junction. Joining the Great Western’s main line out of Birmingham Snow Hill, we pass through Tyseley where the Birmingham Railway Museum is located. Leaving the main line to Paddington at Tyseley, we join the scenic North Warwick line, sometimes referred to as the Shakespeare line, and head through Henley in Arden towards Stratford upon Avon. The North Warwick line has a very Great Western feel about its well preserved stations and infrastructure. Descending the 1 in 75 Wilmcote bank, we now reach the present terminus of the line at Stratford upon Avon. Time will be available here for you to make the short walk to the town centre with its many attractions, including the Shakespeare Birthplace museum, the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, the river Avon with its boat trips and many other historic buildings. There is also a wide range of restaurants and pubs, along with many interesting and varied market town shops. Our return journey will retrace our outward route back to Norwich. Bahamas will steam haul us as far as Leicester on the return, with a diesel locomotive hauling us back to Norwich to end our full day out on the Stratford Flyer.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Norwich Thetford March Peterborough Stratford-upon-Avon

07:00 07:55 09:05 09:30 13:20

22:40 21:55 21:15 20:50 16:30

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£299

£215

£921

First

£199

£145

£616

Standard

£129

£99

£407 33

Bob Green

The Coast to Coast Express Saturday 21st September 2024 The “Coast to Coast Express” is a day trip by special train travelling from Liverpool to Scarborough and back, thus linking the Irish Sea with the North Sea. The journey includes some spectacular scenery crossing the Pennines and the option of visiting either York or Scarborough. The train will be hauled by a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. At around 06:20 our train will leave Liverpool Lime Street, hauled by a powerful steam locomotive. We travel via Edge Hill and Rainhill. Heading eastwards, we run via Chat Moss to Manchester Victoria, where we stop to pick up further passengers. From Manchester we now run via Guide Bridge and Woodley, where we will pause to take on water. Running via New Mills, we now head for Chinley and join the former Midland Railway’s ‘Hope Valley’ line to Sheffield, our final pick up station. 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. On leaving Sheffield we head northwards through Meadowhall, adjacent to the famous Meadowhall Shopping Centre, and onwards, avoiding Rotherham, towards Swinton. We make our way northwards through Church Fenton and follow the East Coast Main Line towards York. Passengers may leave the train at York or continue to Scarborough. York is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year, with a huge variety of interesting places to see. It has some of the best preserved historical buildings in Europe, the city walls, Minster, Shambles, Jorvik Centre and the superb National Railway Museum. Open-topped buses leave from York Railway Station for tours around the city. For those passengers who choose to travel to Scarborough, we leave York and take the Scarborough line, immediately crossing the River Ouse, with views of the Minster. We should have a fast run through the Vale of York before slowing for the curves that follow the River Derwent past Kirkham Abbey. We pass through Malton and Seamer before arriving in Scarborough.

Approximate Timings Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street Manchester Victoria Sheffield Wakefield Kirkgate York Scarborough

06:20 07:20 09:50 ------11:50 13:10

21:40 20:55 ------18:50 16:50 15:50

Scarborough is a Victorian spa town and the largest holiday resort on the Yorkshire coast. It has been named as the most enterprising town in Britain and provides all the facilities you would expect at an established seaside resort. It has two beautiful bays, the North Bay and South Bay, providing safe sandy beaches, and a busy harbour with an active fish quay. Our train leaves Scarborough, steam hauled, at around 15:50 and stops at York to pick up those passengers who chose to visit the city. We change motive power at Milford Loop and return to Liverpool, diesel hauled, via Wakefield Kirkgate, from where passengers from Sheffield will return by service train, and then onward as our outward journey to set down passengers. 34

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£295

£205

£898

First

£195

£135

£593

Standard

£115

£85

£358

Bob Green

The Atlantic Coast Express Saturday 28th September 2024 Join us on this classic rail journey, following part the route of the old Atlantic Coast Express (ACE) that ran from London to the seaside resorts of Devon and Cornwall in South West England. We will leave London Waterloo steam hauled in the morning and make our way to Exeter where there will be a break to visit the historic city centre. Our return route will be via Bristol, Bath and Salisbury back to London Waterloo. Departing from London Waterloo, we will thread our way steam hauled through the west London suburbs towards Woking and Basingstoke, where there will be stops to pick up passengers. We continue to follow the London & South Western Railway’s main line to Salisbury and Exeter, following the route of the old ACE expresses. After the Salisbury water stop, we will follow the main line through to Templecombe, which will give Clan Line an opportunity to get up to its maximum permitted speed. We will pass the Yeovil Junction steam centre as we continue westwards and take on the challenging 1 in 80 climb up Crewkerne Bank. After Axminster, there is further adverse climbing as we encounter the testing eight miles of mainly 1 in 80 up to Honiton Summit. Descending gradients then lead to Exeter, where we will have an afternoon break to visit this historic city, with its Cathedral at the very centre of the city. If possible, we will arrange a stop on the outward journey at Exeter Central to enable passengers to disembark there if they prefer, all passengers will need to make their way down the hill to Exeter St David’s for the departure of our train in the afternoon. With Clan Line serviced ready for our return journey, we will now follow the Great Western Railway’s Exeter to Bristol route, which includes the long climb up Wellington Bank towards Taunton. A fast run across the Somerset Levels then brings us to Bristol. We pass through Bath and Westbury before reaching Salisbury once again. The ACE will now retrace our earlier steps back to London Waterloo, setting down as outwards, and thus ending a varied and interesting day out over classic railway routes with a Southern Region Express steam locomotive.

Approximate Timings Outward Return London Waterloo Woking Basingstoke Salisbury Exeter St Davids

07:15 07:50 08:55 10:10 13:30

22:30 21:45 21:00 19:55 16:30

Ex Southern Region ‘Merchant Navy’ Class locomotive No.35028 Clan Line will haul this special train, recreating some of the excitement of the days of the ACE.

Fares

Adult

Junior

Family

Premier

£305

£215

£933

First

£205

£145

£628

Standard

£130

£95

£403 35

UK Day Trip Information Travelling by Steam Train Our UK Day Trips 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, 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 silver served dining experience providing you with a full meals service at your table, whilst you relax in spacious comfortable seating. The coaches used are British Rail Heritage First Open coaches.* The Premier Dining service usually includes a traditional full English breakfast soon after you board the train, and a four course meal on the return journey. Onboard chefs prepare fresh food for all of the meals. We are able to offer vegetarian options but cannot meet other dietary requests. A fully licensed bar service is always available, we kindly ask passengers to not consume their own alcoholic drinks. A corkage fee of £10 per person will apply for alcohol not purchased on board. The dress code is smart casual, as we like our passengers to be relaxed and travel in comfort. Tables are available for four or two in Premier Dining Class. Our tables for two are the ideal choice for an unusual and memorable celebration, for a special occasion like a wedding anniversary or birthday. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £30.00† per person, subject to availability. Premier Dining Class is available up to and including any pick up station before 10:30. *Coaches used will be British Rail Heritage coaches, on some occasions a Pullman coach may be used. †Prices shown as per individual day trip page. First Class First Class seats accommodation on our trains is provided in British Rail Heritage First Open coaches* and offers tables for four or for two in spacious comfortable seating. Tables for two, where both passengers have window seats, can be guaranteed for an additional charge of £30.00† per person, subject to availability. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by scone with butter and jam. A fully licensed bar service is always available, we kindly ask passengers to not consume their own alcoholic drinks. A corkage fee of £10 per person will apply for alcohol not purchased on board. *Coaches used will be British Rail Heritage coaches, on some occasions a Pullman coach may be used. Standard Class Standard Class seats are accommodated in a mid 1960’s tourist standard open coach. These are usually arranged in groups of four around a table. In some cases you may be seated in second corridor coach which is a compartment coach seating six passengers per compartment without a table. All seats are reserved. Passengers in First and Standard classes regularly bring hampers and picnics. All the catering on board our trains is provided by a third party supplier. 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, The Old Stables, Estuary Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HL. Passengers can also book by telephone during office hours on 01553 661 500. Office hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00. We accept most major credit and debit cards. There are no charges for paying with a credit card. When posting a booking form please enclose the full payment by cheque 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. 36

Gift vouchers We are pleased to offer gift vouchers which can be used against any future trip with us. Please visit our online shop or contact the office to purchase these. Junior tickets Junior children includes ages 15 and under (children 3yrs and under may travel on your lap but if they do require a seat then a junior ticket price applies). Family tickets 2 adults and 2 Juniors (aged 15 and under). Standard conditions of booking and travel Every effort will be made to ensure that the locomotive, rolling stock, route and timings which are hired in from third parties, will run as advertised. However, the organisers reserve the right to alter these details at any time and shall not incur any liability to any person who has bought, or contracted to buy a ticket or tickets, as a result of any such changes. There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train. Please note whilst every effort will be made to ensure the use of the advertised steam locomotive the organisers reserve the right to substitute a different steam locomotive on occasions should it be required, for operational reasons, which would have to be accepted, no refunds will be offered for changes to advertised locomotives. All reasonable efforts, within the control of the organisers, will be made to ensure that on the day of the trip, the train runs as planned. However, we cannot accept any responsibility for delays, mishaps, alterations or curtailment of the tour from situations outside of our control. Please note all timings shown in the brochure are approximate and subject to change. All planned routes are subject to gauging clearance, on occasion we might be required to revise the route. In extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves, we may be restricted or forced to substitute steam haulage for diesel due to the high risks involved, in addition we may be permitted to operate with diesel assistance to reduce the risk of line side fires. 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. Due to timing restraints at joining stations all mobility issues which require the use of walking aids or impact a passenger’s ability to board or disembark with ease must be confirmed and discussed prior to travel. We are limited to only being able to provide a vegetarian dietary alternative, all other dietary requests are not available. We recommend that during the winter months you travel wearing suitable layered clothing as the carriages on occasion can be cold. Although they are heated, unforeseen complications along with the nature of travelling by steam in vintage carriages can result in cooler conditions for passengers than modern trains. All images shown on the website and within our brochure are for illustration purposes only and do not signify the exact routing of the train. N.B. – All timings shown are approximate and subject to change unless otherwise shown.

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*

£30 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 opposite and on our website. Signed:...............................................................................................................................Date:....................................................................

Visit our website for online booking – railwaytouring.net THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, THE OLD STABLES, ESTUARY ROAD, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 2HL Phone: 01553 661 500 • Fax: 01553 661 800 • E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk • Website: www.railwaytouring.net 37

Meet the Team

Hollie Kimber

Operations Manager

Rachel Jackson

Allison Sanders

Operations Manager

Kelly Osborne

Managing Director

Julia Barrett

Annabelle Benjamin

Office Assistant

Operations Assistant

Jade Mott

Operations Assistant

Our friendly team are available to answer any questions and to help you make a booking – please feel free to contact us on 01553 661 500 Monday to Friday 9am–5pm or by email to enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk

Online Shopping Visit our online shop to purchase themed Railway Touring Company merchandise. Currently Bookmarks, Greeting Cards and Postcards. We will be adding to our range as new products become available. www.railwaytouring.net/shop/

Online Brochures

Please visit our website www.railwaytouring.co.uk to view and download our latest UK Day Trips, UK and Worldwide Holiday Brochures for 2024.

EST. 1997

The Railway Touring Company The Old Stables, Estuary Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HL Phone: 01553 661 500 E-mail: enquiries@railwaytouring.co.uk – Web: www.railwaytouring.net Design and Artwork - LucidSynergy Ltd - www.lucidsynergy.com