Jonathan's Gen
Railtours, Preserved Railway Events, Ferries and Service Trains Gen List
The Royal Duchy Sunday 31 May 2026 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 the iconic No. 34028 Eddystone 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 & 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 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. Available Classes Premier Dining Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a 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. Standard Class Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Fares Fares Adult Junior Family Premier £349 £265 £1096 First £249 £195 £791 Standard £149 £125 £486 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £50 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. catering icon link to catering page On Board Catering Destinations Route Map of southwest England and Wales, with locations labeled. Approximate timings shown Station Outward Return Bristol Temple Meads 08:50 22:10 Yatton 09:10 21:45 Taunton 10:00 21:10 Exeter St. Davids 11:30 19:55 Plymouth 12:40 18:30 Par 14:00 16:50
Stephen C Marshall Memorial Sunday 31 May 2026 37275 in operation. Departure from Paignton to Kingswear will be around 11:30. All friends, both railway and non-railway, are invited to attend to celebrate Stephen's life doing what he loved riding on a locomotive hauled train. It is hoped two trips will be made. Those that wish to visit Dartmouth may do so. Travel on the train is free. Travel on the ferry to Dartmouth and return is not included. There will be no catering on the train. Detailed timings will be provided nearer the date.
Pirate Weekend Saturday 30 May to Sunday 31 May 2026
Flying Scotsman in operation at GCRN 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31 May 2026 The Great Central Railway, Nottingham in partnership with Fox & Edwards Events is to host the legendary locomotive in May 2026 - with tickets already available. The visit comes as the centrepiece of the railway's relaunch following several years of non-operation earlier in the 2020s. The locomotive will pull trains along the line on May 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th and 31st. Visitors can choose between private compartments, open seating and - in another innovation for the railway - a beautifully restored Inspection Saloon once used by senior engineers and officials. This vehicle offers a new, premium experience. The locomotive is appearing thanks to its owners at the National Railway Museum, who operate sites at York and Shildon in County Durham.
The Railway Adventurer June 2, 2026 All day Discover the Story of the Preservation Pioneers? Enjoy your own Railway Adventure and travel behind one of our historic steam locomotives in one of our eclectic carriages, with this chance to spend the day exploring the beautiful Fathew Valley. With guides travelling with you on the train, learn about how we came to be the World's First Preserved Railway and those early days of the Preservation Pioneers. Included in the trip are photographic stops, a chance to see Ty Dwr water column, a guided tour of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and the opportunity to see Pendre Works - all topped off with a cream tea at Wharf Station. Your day begins at Tywyn Wharf from 10:30am! ADULT - £45 | CHILD - £21 | TRPS MEMEBERS - £35
Settle & Carlisle Fellsman Wednesday 3 June 2026 The train is steam hauled throughout from Chester by LNER Pacific 60532 'Blue Peter' (subject to availability) Departing from Crewe, Chester, Frodsham, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Blackburn, Clitheroe The popular 'Fellsman' runs again in summer 2026 for its 18th season offering a return steam hauled journey on the spectacular 'Settle to Carlisle Railway' as we travel through the Yorkshire Dales and climb high towards the roof of England. With great limestone peaks and deep valleys, the legendary 'Settle to Carlisle' line is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering including the magnificent 24 arch viaduct at Ribblehead. Time will be available for sightseeing in the historic border city of Carlisle. The Settle & Carlisle line is known for its magnificent scenery and steep gradient, so our engine will be working hard as we climb to the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct with stunning views of the three peaks. Passengers get a marvellous view down Dent Dale as the train emerges from Blea Moor tunnel and approaching Garsdale you will see sweeping views of Wensleydale - with our engine in full flight we climb at 1 in 100 towards the summit of the line at Ais Gill. Travelling on through the lush Eden Valley to the historic border city of Carlisle where we arrive about 13.10. You may choose to stroll between the castle and cathedral or perhaps visit the famous Tullie House Museum - all surrounded by great places to shop, eat, or be entertained so creating the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Returning from Carlisle about 15.45 we travel over the same spectacular route giving another opportunity to experience the beauty of the high Pennines and pretty Ribble Valley as our locomotive works hard up the steep and taxing climb of Wilpshire Bank being a fitting end to a perfect day. The train is steam hauled throughout from Chester by LNER Pacific 60532 'Blue Peter' (subject to availability) Mobility: This tour may not be suitable for guests requiring the use of a wheelchair or with serious mobility issues. EXPLORE LOCOMOTIVES Saphos Trains | Settle & Carlisle Fellsman - 3 June 2026 JOURNEY DESTINATIONS Saphos Trains | Travel on a Luxury Train to Carlisle Carlisle Once in the ancient city, which dates back to Roman times, there is much to see and do. Highlights include the magnificent castle founded in 1092 and nearby citadel built by Henry VIII, as well as the beautiful cathedral with its famous 14th Century stained glass window. For art lovers, there is no better place to begin exploring the city's fascinating past than the award winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. The classical Grade One Listed Jacobean building is full of exciting exhibits and interactive displays. APPROXIMATE TRAVEL TIMINGS* Boarding Stations The following pick-up and set-down stations are available on this journey STATION DEPARTS RETURNS Crewe 07.00 21.35 Chester 07.40 20.45 Frodsham 07.55 20.30 Warrington Bank Quay 08.05 20.15 Wigan North Western 08.20 20.00 Leyland 08.35 19.45 Blackburn 09.10 19.10 Clitheroe 09.35 18.40 Destinations The following destination stations are available on this journey STATION ARRIVES DEPARTS Carlisle 13.10 15.45 PLEASE NOTE * All timings shown above are approximate and may be subject to change.
Dorset Coast Statesman Thursday 4 June 2026 Departing from Peterborough, March, Ely, Cambridge, Royston, Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Potters Bar The celebrated 'Statesman' land cruise train travels direct from your local station to the south coast for a memorable journey through the beautiful New Forest with the opportunity to visit either Bournemouth, Poole, or Weymouth. We pass through maritime Southampton and across the beautiful New Forest to our first optional stop at Bournemouth where around four hours will be available to enjoy the elegant seaside resort with seven miles of golden sands, a vast variety of shops and beautiful award-winning gardens. Alternatively, alight at Poole where we offer a break of around three hours - with its bustling Quay and stunning natural harbour there are beautiful views across to the Isle of Purbeck. Perhaps take a boat trip to Brownsea Island, rich in wildlife and history or take a Jurassic coastal cruise. There are a multitude of eateries along the harbour where the local seafood is a speciality. The last destination of our train for a break of around two hours is the ancient seaside town of Weymouth and was a favourite haunt of King George III with historical buildings and Georgian seafront, a modern town centre complemented by quaint side streets, all of which is connected by over three miles of level promenade. The picturesque leisure harbour boasts fishing boats, yachts, and catamarans. Mobility: This tour may not be suitable for guests requiring the use of a wheelchair or with serious mobility issues. Statesman Rail | Dorset Coast Statesman - 4 June 2026 JOURNEY DESTINATIONS Statesman Rail | Travel on a Luxury Train to Bournemouth Bournemouth Nestled in a sheltered bay on the South Coast of England in the picturesque county of Dorset is the elegant seaside resort of Bournemouth. With seven miles of golden sands, a vast variety of shops, bars, public houses and restaurants and beautiful award-winning gardens to explore, may be even experience the famous cliff lifts to the beach. . The town centre and promenade are all with in a short walking distance of the railway station Statesman Rail | Travel on a Luxury Train to Poole Poole The bustling tourist resort of Poole is well known for being Europe's largest natural harbour, with blue flag beaches including the world famous 'Sandbanks Beach'. An intriguing and historic old town and its vibrant quayside areas. Statesman Rail | Travel on a Luxury Train to Weymouth Weymouth Sandwiched between it's award winning blue flag beaches and historic working harbour, the town centre of Weymouth has something to offer for everyone and with in easy walking distance of the railway station. Take a gentle stroll along the harbour front and take in the atmosphere or indulge in a wide variety of eateries or quaint local watering holes. A comprehensive selection of interesting shops provide for a little retail browsing as well. APPROXIMATE TRAVEL TIMINGS* Boarding Stations The following pick-up and set-down stations are available on this journey STATION DEPARTS RETURNS Peterborough 06.10 22.50 March 06.30 22.30 Ely 06.50 22.10 Cambridge 07.10 21.50 Royston 07.30 21.30 Letchworth Garden City 07.45 21.15 Stevenage 07.55 21.05 Welwyn Garden City 08.10 20.45 Potters Bar 08.25 20.30 Destinations The following destination stations are available on this journey STATION ARRIVES DEPARTS Bournemouth 12.50 16.35 Poole 13.00 16.20 Weymouth 13.40 15.35 PLEASE NOTE * All timings shown above are approximate and may be subject to change.
Summer Diesel Festival 2026 Thursday 4 June to Saturday 6 June 2026 Join us for our much-loved annual celebration of all things Diesel, our Summer Diesel Festival, which this year runs between Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th of June. If you love Diesels, this is the place to be! You can expect to experience a feast of Diesel action, which will include multiple visiting locomotives and our faithful home locomotives, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel. This year, the event is particularly special, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of the railway. At the event, we will have a selection of Diesel types that have had a connection with the WSR over the years. We will be operating an intensive timetable on all three days, allowing you to hop from train to train to travel behind all of your favourite locomotives and enjoy a truly thrashtastic day behind some of the best heritage Diesel traction available. Some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard and run to the very southern end of our line at Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of line that is very rarely used for passenger trains! On Sunday 7th of June, we will hold a Mixed Traction Day. This will be an extention to our Summer Diesel Festival, with a mixture of steam and Diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains. The Williton Depot Centre of the DEPG will be open over the event. Admission is by donation, which helps the Group to maintain and restore the fleet of vintage machines. Visiting Locomotives - Class 37 No. 37250 courtesy of Vince Minto and Wensleydale Railway - Class 47 No. 47714 courtesy of Wensleydale Railway Further visiting locomotives are in discussion and will be announced soon. Home Fleet - Class 14 No. D9526 - Class 33 'Crompton' Nos. D6566 & D6575 - Class 35 ' Hymek' No. D7017 - Shunters D2133, D3156(08401) and D4107 may make an apperance All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice.
The Slate Trail June 4, 2026 All day Experience the beauty of a World Heritage Site in our original Victorian-Era Carriages One of the two locomotives that could haul your train - 'Talyllyn', built in 1864 for the Talyllyn Railway and named after the nearby lake. Enjoy a Victorian day out and travel in style in our original Vintage Carriages, hauled by one of our original Victorian Locomotives, with this chance to spend the day exploring the beautiful Fathew Valley. With guides travelling with you on the train, learn about the rich history of the railway, the quarry it served and its part in the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in the trip are photographic stops, a chance to see Ty Dwr water column, a guided tour of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and the opportunity to see Pendre Works - all topped off with a cream tea at Wharf Station. Your day begins at Tywyn Wharf from 10:30am! ADULT - £45 | CHILD - £21 | TRPS MEMEBERS - £35
Milton Keynes Branch Meeting - The Brian Morrison Collection Thursday 4 June 2026 @ 19:30 - 22:00 Please note: The RCTS Privacy Policy applies to everyone participating in, or registering for, this event. Richard Tuplin, editor of Railway Herald, presents a collection of images taken by the late photographer Brian Morrison. Network Rail - The Quadrant: MK, Elder Gate Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 1EN United Kingdom
Flying Scotsman at the ELR 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 June 2026 The people's engine returns! We're thrilled to announce the visit of the magnificent LNER Class A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' to the East Lancashire Railway. This record-breaking engine is making a long anticipated return to our line, so don't miss out on this rare opportunity to see the People's Engine up close. First entering service in 1923, Flying Scotsman became a British icon, representing the very best of steam-era innovation. She was the first steam locomotive that was officially recorded at 100 miles per hour, and a century later she still attracts worldwide attention. Her journey has not always been easy - having narrowly escaped being scrapped during the Beeching cuts to multiple ownerships, global tours and painstaking restorations. Through it all, Scotsman has remained a beloved part of the country's heritage. The ELR has been privileged to play a key part in that story, being the site of Scotsman's historic restoration. Since then her visits have drawn record numbers. Ride behind Flying Scotsman 5,6,7,12,13,14 June 2026 Take a trip behind the legendary Flying Scotman along the entirety of the ELR line. The legendary locomotive will be hosting passenger rides, giving enthusiasts the unforgettable opportunity to travel behind this world-famous engine. Please note that this train can only be boarded at Bury Station, and the journey takes around an hour and a half and is non-stop with no opportunity to alight at any of our other stations.
Summer Diesel Festival 2026 Thursday 4 June to Saturday 6 June 2026 Join us for our much-loved annual celebration of all things Diesel, our Summer Diesel Festival, which this year runs between Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th of June. If you love Diesels, this is the place to be! You can expect to experience a feast of Diesel action, which will include multiple visiting locomotives and our faithful home locomotives, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel. This year, the event is particularly special, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of the railway. At the event, we will have a selection of Diesel types that have had a connection with the WSR over the years. We will be operating an intensive timetable on all three days, allowing you to hop from train to train to travel behind all of your favourite locomotives and enjoy a truly thrashtastic day behind some of the best heritage Diesel traction available. Some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard and run to the very southern end of our line at Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of line that is very rarely used for passenger trains! On Sunday 7th of June, we will hold a Mixed Traction Day. This will be an extention to our Summer Diesel Festival, with a mixture of steam and Diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains. The Williton Depot Centre of the DEPG will be open over the event. Admission is by donation, which helps the Group to maintain and restore the fleet of vintage machines. Visiting Locomotives - Class 37 No. 37250 courtesy of Vince Minto and Wensleydale Railway - Class 47 No. 47714 courtesy of Wensleydale Railway Further visiting locomotives are in discussion and will be announced soon. Home Fleet - Class 14 No. D9526 - Class 33 'Crompton' Nos. D6566 & D6575 - Class 35 ' Hymek' No. D7017 - Shunters D2133, D3156(08401) and D4107 may make an apperance All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice.
CAMRA Real Ale & Cider Festival 2026 Tenterden Town Station Friday 5th June 6.30pm - 10.30pm Saturday 6th June from 10.00am - 10.30pm (or until the beer runs out!) Free entry with a valid CAMRA or KESR membership A wide range of real ales, ciders and Perry will be available, (some beers are only available onboard the trains on Saturday) Sit back enjoy a drink as you travel through the Beautiful Wealden Countryside. Food will be available on Friday evening and throughout the day & into the evening on Saturday. An extra train service will depart Tenterden at 18.30 pm on Saturday so you can party for longer! Limited camping is available to book at Tenterden station Live music on Friday & Saturday!
Real Ale @ Snowdonia Parc Waunfawr Friday 5 June to Saturday 6 June 2026
The Growling Peak Friday 5 June 2026 Looking for an easy way to get to Carlisle for the big event the following day? Then join us for a relaxing and scenic railway experience on Friday 5th June as we travel in the comfort of our restored MK1 coaches from Linlithgow to Carlisle. Enjoy the charm of classic British Rail travel as we glide along the tracks behind recently overhauled and immaculate Class 37 locomotive 37025 'Inverness TMD' and a friend. This short journey is the perfect way to unwind, enjoy the scenery, and prepare for the weekend's main event - our tour to Oban on Saturday 6th June, which will be hauled by the iconic Class 45 locomotive 45118 'The Royal Artilleryman'. Our special train departs Linlithgow at a relaxed, sociable time, with an additional convenient pick-up at Edinburgh Waverley. From there, we take a trip around the Edinburgh Suburban Line, towards Slateford. At Slateford, we join the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and start the climb towards Carstairs. Here, the train takes a left turn, continuing directly to Carlisle for an afternoon arrival. This timing ensures our guests have plenty of free time to explore the historic Border City, whether strolling along the streets, visiting the pubs, or enjoying a leisurely cafestop and dinner. Travel in comfort aboard our restored MK1 coaches, enjoying classic rail travel with the charm and character of traditional British locomotives, making this journey as memorable as the destinations themselves. The train is operated by our Partners at Locomotive Services Limited. This train is Standard Class only with a basic buffet service available throughout and is a single fare only. Estimated Timings; Timings above are estimated timings and should only be taken as a guideline. Finalised timings will be released with tickets in advance of the Railtour.
Photographic Evening Friday 5th June 2026, 18:00 till late Our popular photographic evening returns for 2026, featuring a variety of locomotives, rolling stock and volunteers in period clothing. The evening will see a packed itinerary of staged scenes in the yard and the opportunity to visit lineside locations to capture several 'run pasts' of the railway's demonstration freight trains. ?? This is an outdoor event and will involve walking on ballast and uneven surfaces. All participants must wear sturdy shoes and other suitable outdoor clothing. Photographers of all experience welcome. ?? The Waggonway Tea Room will be open for refreshments. Event runs 6pm - 10pm. ??? Tickets are £10 and are strictly limited to 50 places. More information coming soon.
Steam Gala 5th June 2026 - 7th June 2026 A must-see for all fans of steam locomotives, our steam gala returns for 2026. This event will be a rare opportunity to see a former Wallsend workhorse in steam on Tyneside for the first time in over 50 years! ?? We are excited to announce that Peckett & Sons No. 1351 'Lion' will be visiting us for our Steam Gala on 5th-7th June. Built in 1914 for the Royal Arsenal's extensive internal railway system in Woolwich, 'Lion' is the sole surviving example of Peckett's 'E' class. In 1950, she was sold to the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company and worked on the quayside by the river Tyne until entering preservation at the Chasewater Railway in 1974. This will be the locomotive's first visit to another railway since returning from overhaul and we are grateful to Lion's owner and the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway for allowing us to return this true Wallsend workhorse to North Tyneside. ??? There will be an intensive timetable of passenger and demonstration freight trains running throughout the weekend including double headers and top and tailed trains. We'll also be joined by an impressive display of classic cars and local history stalls inside the museum.
Flying Scotsman at the ELR 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 June 2026 The people's engine returns! We're thrilled to announce the visit of the magnificent LNER Class A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' to the East Lancashire Railway. This record-breaking engine is making a long anticipated return to our line, so don't miss out on this rare opportunity to see the People's Engine up close. First entering service in 1923, Flying Scotsman became a British icon, representing the very best of steam-era innovation. She was the first steam locomotive that was officially recorded at 100 miles per hour, and a century later she still attracts worldwide attention. Her journey has not always been easy - having narrowly escaped being scrapped during the Beeching cuts to multiple ownerships, global tours and painstaking restorations. Through it all, Scotsman has remained a beloved part of the country's heritage. The ELR has been privileged to play a key part in that story, being the site of Scotsman's historic restoration. Since then her visits have drawn record numbers. Ride behind Flying Scotsman 5,6,7,12,13,14 June 2026 Take a trip behind the legendary Flying Scotman along the entirety of the ELR line. The legendary locomotive will be hosting passenger rides, giving enthusiasts the unforgettable opportunity to travel behind this world-famous engine. Please note that this train can only be boarded at Bury Station, and the journey takes around an hour and a half and is non-stop with no opportunity to alight at any of our other stations.
Lord of the Isles Saturday 6th June 2026 to Monday 8th June 2026 The Lord of the Isles - Saturday 6th June 2026 to Monday 8th June 2026 The Branch Line Society, in partnership with the Class 50 Alliance, The Fifty Fund and GB Railfreight, are pleased to offer you this opportunity to Hoover your way up to Scotland for an exploration of numerous lines not covered regularly by loco hauled trains, never mind trains hauled by Class 50s! The British Rail Class 50 was designed to haul express passenger trains at 100 mph, and were built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows between 1967 and 1968. They were regularly found hauling express passenger trains on the then non-electrified section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Scotland. The class gained the nickname "Hoovers" because of the noise made by the clean air plant at the No. 2 end, prior to refurbishment, which was likened to that of a vacuum cleaner, a name believed given to them by the staff at Paddington Station. Once the electrification from Crewe to Glasgow was completed the locomotives were moved to the Great Western Main Line (GWML) out of Paddington to allow the retirement of most of the remaining diesel-hydraulic locomotives then in use. As trains on the GWML steadily moved to High Speed Train operation from 1976, the Class 50s moved to hauling trains between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, and also trains from London Paddington to Hereford and Worcester via Oxford until the majority of those trains too were taken over by IC125 operation. The class was steadily retired from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s as their services moved to operation by second-generation DMUs. The Fifty Fund and the Class 50 Alliance are two interrelated organisations that work together to look after six class 50 locomotives. The Alliance owns and maintains the locomotives, and The Fifty Fund supports the work of the Alliance through fund raising and promoting the locomotives' and their operation. Following the hard work started by Dave Keogh and Jonathan "Gus" Dunster, the group were able to secure 50035 as their first loco in August 1991, and the new chapter in the story of Class 50 preservation had started. And so we come to 2026, and what a few days we have in store for you. We start early on Saturday morning at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) station in Kidderminster, where a resident SVR Class 50 will take us forward to the Reverse Point, before our double headed Class 50's will take us out onto the mainline as we start our journey to Polmont in Scotland... the long way! Our route takes us through Birmingham New Street to pick up passengers, then onwards through Stafford, Crewe and Wigan for more pick-ups, before we veer right at Lostock Hall Junction and head for the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway via Blackburn and Clitheroe. This most famous of lines, which crosses the remote, scenic regions of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, runs between Settle Junction, on the Leeds-Morecambe line, and Carlisle, near the English-Scottish borders. The historic line was constructed in the 1870s and has several notable tunnels and viaducts, and we are sure it will bring out the photographers to see us passing. After a further pick up and short break in Carlisle to take some precious photos of our locos, we head North via a number of rare loops before our arrival at Motherwell for our first set-down. Onwards via Mossend and Cumbernauld before we set down at Falkirk Grahamston and Polmont in the early evening to allow you to retire to your accommodation and/or the pub to reflect on an amazing day and look forward to what is to come on day 2! Sunday... Day 2... and what a day in store. With our Class 50's now in top and tail formation, our early start from Polmont takes us via Falkirk Grahamston for a pick-up, before onwards to Cowlairs East Jn/North Jn, before we head North via Dumbarton Central, Crianlarich and finally arriving in the breath-taking town of Oban. Oban is a resort town, and despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town can have a temporary population of over 24,000 people. The attractive bay forms a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull. With a break of around 3 hours, you will have time to explore this lovely town, have a meal and drinks with friends, or if you are feeling fit, head up to McCraig's Tower, the most prominent attraction in Oban. Once back on board, we head back South to Glasgow Central High Level, via Dalmuir, Westerton, Glasgow Central Low Level, and Rutherglen West Curve. A very quick break here for a leg stretch and more photos, before we return out of Glasgow and head for Wemyss Bay via Paisley Gilmour Street. Another short break, then its onwards back to our base with set downs at Falkirk Grahamston and Polmont again. And after all the excitement of the last 2 days, it's time to head back to Kidderminster... the interesting way! After a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, we leave Polmont and Falkirk Grahamston at a respectable time in top and tail formation, before heading for Carlisle via Larkfield Jn and Kilmarnock. A set down and 45 minute break at Carlisle, allows us to run our 2nd loco round to then double head Southbound to tackle the gradients over Shap before we set down at Wigan North Western, Crewe, Stafford and Birmingham New Street. Our final few miles takes us to Stourbridge Junction and Kidderminster for final set downs before we cover the heritage line connection onto the Severn Valley Railway and finish our epic few days away in Kidderminster SVR. As you would expect from a BLS tour, we expect to cover a number of rare and interesting bits of track over the 3 days... highlights will include: Lockerbie DPL, Beattock Summit DPL and Law DPL on day 1; Down Greenhill Branch Loop, Craigendoran WH Loop, Dumbarton Goods, Rutherglen West Curve and Dunrod Loop on Day 2, and finally Larkfield Curve, Kilmarnock Through Line, New Cumnock UGL, Thornhill UPL and Oxenholme UGL on day 3. On board we will have a buffet serving a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks, and we will be running our very successful on board charity raffle. All profits raised from this fixture will be for the Class 50 Alliance. All times and routing are indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket. Day One - Saturday: Kidderminster SVR (PU 07:00) - Kidderminster U&D (RM) - Kidderminster P1 (PU 07:30) - Stourbridge Junction (PU 07:40) - Galton Jn - Birmingham New Street (PU 08:10) - Aston - Tame Bridge Parkway - Bushbury Jn - Stafford (PU 09:15) - Crewe (PU 10:00) - Wigan North Western (PU 10:45) - Lostock Hall Junction - Blackburn - Clitheroe - Hellifield - Settle - Appleby - Carlisle (PU 14:00 / 30 min break) - Lockerbie DPL - Beattock Summit DPL - Carstairs - Law DPL - Wishaw - Motherwell (SD 16:00) - Mossend - Coatbridge Central - Cumbernauld - Falkirk Grahamston (SD 17:30) - Polmont (SD 18:00) Day Two - Sunday: Polmont (PU 07:00) - Falkirk Grahamston (PU 07:15) - Down Greenhill Branch Loop - Cowlairs East Jn - Cowlairs North Jn - Westerton (PU 09:17) - Dalmuir (PU 09:32) - Dumbarton Central P3 - Craigendoran WH Loop - Crianlarich - Oban (SD 13:16) Oban (PU 16:40) - Crianlarich - Craigendoran Jn - Dumbarton Goods - Dalmuir (SD 20:20) - Westerton (SD 20:31) - Exhibition Centre - Glasgow Central Low Level - Rutherglen West Curve - Glasgow Central High Level (20 min Break / RM) - Paisley Gilmour Street - Dunrod Loop - Wemyss Bay (20 min Break / RM) - Paisley Gilmour Street - Up Clydesdale - Larkfield Jn - Carmyle - Coatbridge Central - Cumbernauld - Falkirk Grahamston (SD 21:45) - Polmont (SD 22:00) Day Three - Monday: Polmont (PU 09:00) - Falkirk Grahamston (PU 09:15) - Cumbernauld - Coatbridge Central - Carmyle - Larkfield Jn - Barrhead P1 - Kilmarnock Through Line - New Cumnock UGL - Thornhill UPL - Carlisle (SD 12:00 / 45 min break) - Oxenholme UGL - Preston P7 - Wigan North Western (SD 14:00) - Crewe (SD 15:00) - Stafford (SD 15:45) - Tame Bridge Parkway - Birmingham New Street (SD 17:00) - Galton Jn - Stourbridge Junction (SD 17:45) - Kidderminster (SD 18:30) - Kidderminster SVR (SD 18:45) Passengers will be required to arrange their own overnight accommodation. You will be allocated a specific seat for the duration of the journey. Please state where you intend to join on Saturday and alight on Monday (this is for coach stewarding purposes and can be changed subsequently by notification). FARES: First Class, Non-Dining, at a guaranteed table for two £649.00 First Class, Non-Dining £549.00 Standard Class £349.00 All fares are per person. No part fares or pay on the day are available for this charter. There is no reduction for under 18s on this occasion. Please note that we are unable to accept bookings from under 18s unless accompanied by an adult. Children under five years of age may accompany fare-paying adult passengers free of charge. However, children under five years of age who are travelling free may only occupy a seat which is not required by a fare-paying passenger. Please do NOT email the organiser or the Bookings Officer to try and book or save spaces on our fixtures. Bookings CANNOT be made by email and must be booked online here using the 'Book online' button below. Any booking queries may be directed to the Bookings Officer, by email bookings.officer@branchline.uk Note that tickets are NOT transferable and smoking/vaping is not permitted on the train. The Society will not accept any liability arising from changes imposed by any third parties (either before or on the day) or any consequences of any late running that may occur. Please be cautious about connections and buying advance train tickets. Please note no refunds will be entertained on cancellations within ten days of the fixture. Tickets will be sent out approximately five days before the fixture - this will be an e-ticket. Standard Branch Line Society Terms and Conditions apply to all participants (these can be viewed from the online booking form).
The Coast to Coast Express Saturday 6 June 2026 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. The 'Coast to Coast Express' 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. 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 late afternoon and stop 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. Available Classes Premier Dining Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a 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. Standard Class Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Fares Fares Adult Junior Family Premier £335 £240 £1025 First £225 £160 £690 Standard £120 £90 £375 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £50 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.? catering icon link to catering page On Board Catering Destinations Route Map of England showing a blue route connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Scarborough. Approximate timings shown Station Outward Return Liverpool Lime Street 06:20 21:40 Manchester Victoria 07:20 20:55 Sheffield 09:50* ------- Wakefield Kirkgate ------- 18:50 York 11:50 16:50 Scarborough 13:10 15:50
Summer Diesel Festival 2026 Thursday 4 June to Saturday 6 June 2026 Join us for our much-loved annual celebration of all things Diesel, our Summer Diesel Festival, which this year runs between Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th of June. If you love Diesels, this is the place to be! You can expect to experience a feast of Diesel action, which will include multiple visiting locomotives and our faithful home locomotives, all working hard hauling a variety of services through the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel. This year, the event is particularly special, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of the railway. At the event, we will have a selection of Diesel types that have had a connection with the WSR over the years. We will be operating an intensive timetable on all three days, allowing you to hop from train to train to travel behind all of your favourite locomotives and enjoy a truly thrashtastic day behind some of the best heritage Diesel traction available. Some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard and run to the very southern end of our line at Norton Fitzwarren, utilising a stretch of line that is very rarely used for passenger trains! On Sunday 7th of June, we will hold a Mixed Traction Day. This will be an extention to our Summer Diesel Festival, with a mixture of steam and Diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains. The Williton Depot Centre of the DEPG will be open over the event. Admission is by donation, which helps the Group to maintain and restore the fleet of vintage machines. Visiting Locomotives - Class 37 No. 37250 courtesy of Vince Minto and Wensleydale Railway - Class 47 No. 47714 courtesy of Wensleydale Railway Further visiting locomotives are in discussion and will be announced soon. Home Fleet - Class 14 No. D9526 - Class 33 'Crompton' Nos. D6566 & D6575 - Class 35 ' Hymek' No. D7017 - Shunters D2133, D3156(08401) and D4107 may make an apperance All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice.
The Aberystwyth Coastal Voyager Saturday 6 June 2026 This unusual and contrasting day excursion will take us to the Cambrian Coast resort of Aberystwyth via the Midlands and Shropshire. An added attraction will be the change of motive power at Oxley and will see our Class 37 being augmented by a Class 97, former Class 37 locomotive now fitted with ERTMS to enable the train to run on the Cambrian Line west of Shrewsbury & a Class 37, for the run over the Cambrian Railway route to Aberystwyth. Apart from the traction appeal to enthusiasts, there is much to offer in this trip, with the spectacular mid Wales scenery to savour through wide valleys and steep passes all the way. Commencing at London Euston, we will be hauled by a blue Class 86 electric locomotive northwards down the West Coast Main Line. Initially we will tackle the climb out of Euston to Camden before making our way to Watford Junction where we will call to pick up passengers. We continue through the lengthy Tring Cutting through to Milton Keynes where we pause to pick up further passengers. After picking up at Rugby, we leave the Trent Valley route and take the Birmingham line, calling at Coventry and Birmingham International. We leave Birmingham International station and follow the Grand Junction route through Bescot and on to Wolverhampton, where we are scheduled to call to pick up passengers. We now make our way to Oxley for a locomotive change. We leave Oxley with our Class 97 & 37 locomotives for our run to Aberystwyth. We will reverse our direction of travel and make our way out of Oxley as far as Sutton Bridge Junction, where we leave the main line to Hereford and join the Cambrian line. From here we will head through rural Shropshire along the single track line and enter Wales before the border town of Welshpool appears. We follow the single line through Abermule to Newtown, where after the gradients start to become severe as we head for the summit of the climb at Talerddig Summit. The next fifteen miles are all down hill to the next sizeable station at the historic market town of Machynlleth, the former seat of Owain Glyndwr's Welsh Parliament in 1404. In a more modern context, it is the location of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) operations that is based here to control the Cambrian signalling. We follow the river Dovey through to the remote station of Dovey Junction, with its varied bird life, were we will take the Aberystwyth line. With the Dovey estuary nearby, we head southwards through Borth before cutting inland to pass through Llandre and Bow Street, where there are two steep climbs to negotiate before our arrival in Aberystwyth. The town hosts a university and is the largest town in Ceredigion. Located on Cardigan Bay, it is a well known seaside resort famous for its pier and long sweeping promenade. There is also an operational cliff railway which serves Constitutional Hill, plus the town is the terminus of the Vale of Rheidol steam operated narrow gauge railway. During your stay in Aberystwyth, there are many cafes and restaurants to choose from should you fancy a Welsh Tea! After our break in Aberystwyth, we will retrace our outward route via Machynlleth and Welshpool back to Shrewsbury with the class 97 & 37. Highlight of the return journey will be the fifteen miles of hard climbing from Machynlleth to Talerddig Summit, graded at 1 in 52 for the last five miles. From Oxley, we return to London Euston with our Class 86 via our earlier pick up stations to conclude our day out to the varied and scenic Cambrian Coast. **UPDATED 11/02/26** Available Classes Premier Dining Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a 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. Standard Class Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Fares Fares Adult Junior Family Premier £329 £230 £995 First £225 £160 £690 Standard £115 £85 £358 Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £50 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments. catering icon link to catering page On Board Catering Destinations Route route map Approximate timings shown Station Outward Return London Euston 07:00 23:14 Watford Junction 07:05 22:51 Milton Keynes 07:30 21:37 Rugby 07:58 21:00 Coventry 08:12 20:39 Birmingham International 08:27 20:20 Wolverhampton 09:08 19:48 Aberystwyth 14:30 16:00
CAMRA Real Ale & Cider Festival 2026 Tenterden Town Station Friday 5th June 6.30pm - 10.30pm Saturday 6th June from 10.00am - 10.30pm (or until the beer runs out!) Free entry with a valid CAMRA or KESR membership A wide range of real ales, ciders and Perry will be available, (some beers are only available onboard the trains on Saturday) Sit back enjoy a drink as you travel through the Beautiful Wealden Countryside. Food will be available on Friday evening and throughout the day & into the evening on Saturday. An extra train service will depart Tenterden at 18.30 pm on Saturday so you can party for longer! Limited camping is available to book at Tenterden station Live music on Friday & Saturday!
Railway Gala Day Saturday 6 June 2026 Featuring Steam Hauled Railway
Real Ale @ Snowdonia Parc Waunfawr Friday 5 June to Saturday 6 June 2026
Greater Anglia: Norwich Crown Point Open Day Saturday 6 June 2026 About the event or activity Organiser Greater Anglia Venue Norwich Crown Point Depot, Norfolk, NR1 1JR, United Kingdom Date 6 June 2026 Further information Open to the public, booking/ticket required Norwich Crown Point depot open day - admission by ticket only. More details to follow, tickets available for booking in March 2026.
Summer Spectacle of Steam Gala Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June 2026
North Eastern Railway Association Lecture Series Hopetown Darlington is pleased to welcome the North Eastern Railway Association (NER) with their programme of fascinating talks. These lectures focus on a range of railway topics, and include relevant artifacts and resources (if available) and a Q&A session. Saturday 6 June - 'A Ride to Richmond' by Les Cairnes An illustrated talk on the railway from Darlington to Richmond, showing the stations, signal cabins, crossings and buildings along the route, as well as adverts for the services over time. Les will also cover the branch railway up to Catterick Camp, which conveyed soldiers and military equipment. Saturday 5 September - 'Teesdale Tracks and Derailed Dukes' by Chris Lloyd Chris is well-known as Features Editor of the Northern Echo. He will describe the rise and fall of Teesdale's railways: how the dale's most powerful landowner went to dastardly lengths to prevent railways from arriving, yet when they came, they were the most extraordinary lines anywhere in the world over the wildest of terrain and the most stupendous of viaducts. These lectures will be recorded and avaiable to view in the NER members area.
The Oban Peak Saturday 6 June 2026 Step aboard our train for a truly unforgettable railway adventure and experience Scotland at its most breathtaking on Saturday 6th June (see below for departure points and estimated times). From the banks of the Clyde, to the deep waters of Loch Long and the breathtaking Glen Lochy, this journey showcases the dramatic Scottish landscape as it unfolds right outside your window. Every mile offers a new view, a fresh perspective and memories that will stay with you long after the journey ends. And once you arrive in the picturesque fishing port of Oban, you are free to wander round this charming, bustling west coast port famously known as the 'Seafood Capital of Scotland'. Oban is a 'Gateway to the Isles' with ferries leaving regularly from the terminal adjacent to the railway station, but it is also a destination that is also worth exploring. If a leg stretch is in order, then a walk up to McCaig's Tower is the perfect solution. Known as 'Oban's answer to the Colosseum', it is an iconic feature on the Oban townscape; and quite difficult to miss, thanks to its elevated position on Battery Hill - simply look up as you leave Oban station! There are peaceful gardens contained inside the circular wall structure and a platform outside for some glorious views across the town's rooftops, Oban Bay and across to the Island of Mull and the islands beyond. Fancy a local wee dram? Then why not book a 1hr tour of Oban Distillery. Established in 1794 and just a short walk from the station, Oban Distillery is one of the oldest and smallest whisky producers in Scotland; to this day, they operate with just two pot stills. During the tour you will learn about the distillery's traditional production methods and finish with a wee warming dram of the 'water of life' to toast the experience. Visit the Oban Distillery website for bookings and more information. A walk along the seafront will lead you to a bit of history if you explore the Dunollie museum, castle and grounds. It is the ancestral home of Clan MacDougall, a powerful and notable family who were involved in more than their fair share of drama over the centuries, from 'scuffles' with Robert The Bruce in the 1300s, to being exiled for their loyalty to the Jacobite cause after the failed 1715 rebellion. The lovely grounds on the shores of the bay feature the original restored medieval castle ruin, a museum in the 1745 Laird's house, tranquil trails through ancient woodland, a lovely cafeand a gift shop - not to mention the glorious views of Oban Bay. Join a 1-hour guided tour for the best local insight into the castle's history. The tour is included in your ticket price and can be booked in advance on the Dunollie Castle website. More history can be found at the War & Peace museum, especially because Oban has had such a varied history from the arrival of Mesolithic cave dwellers to the opening of Oban Distillery in 1794, to the town's role as an RAF base during World War II, and home to the Northern Lighthouse Board to this very day (the Lighthouse Authority for the whole of Scotland and Isle of Man). Stories from the past and present are captured in an amazing range of photographs and displays. Entry to the museum is free but donations are always welcome and appreciated. Visit the museum website here And if it is just a simple refreshment you are looking for, then Oban has a lively pub scene with plenty of charismatic venues to choose from including Fish and Chips at The Oban Inn, the beer garden at Markie Dans, a wee Ceilidh at The View or a quick one in The Corryvreckan before departure. Places to eat are found in abundance, from the legendary Seafood hut on the Railway Pier serving fresh seafood and cooked mussels on paper plates to the Coast restaurant with its high quality cuisine from land and sea, served in a relaxed setting with warm, unfussy service - reckoned to be one of the town's best restaurants. And don't forget George Street Fish & Chips if it's a takeaway you are after. If you want a break from seafood, then Piazza, a casual waterfront Italian restaurant is a safe bet for pizza and pasta. Whilst on board you can relax in beautifully restored British Rail MK1 carriages, where classic comfort and timeless charm create the perfect setting for a memorable journey. Leading the way is the magnificently restored British Rail Class 45 diesel locomotive, number 45118 'The Royal Artilleryman', making this train a landmark occasion for the class 45 as they have never been to Oban! And throughout our journey to and from Oban we will keep you suitably fed and watered, with a choice of at seat dining with a hearty breakfast on our way north and a three course evening dinner served on the return OR feel free to visit our well stocked buffet car with a large selection of hot and cold drinks, morning hot rolls and lots of snacks to keep the children happy. Whether you're drawn to spectacular scenery, historic railway heritage, or the simple joy of easy going, immersive travel, this special train offers a unique and inspiring way to explore Oban and the heart of Scotland. Join us for a truly unforgettable railtour as Class 45118 'The Royal Artilleryman' makes history, becoming the first of its class to venture onto the legendary West Highland Line en route to Oban. Our journey begins in the historic Border city of Carlisle, where we welcome our first passengers on board before heading north along the West Coast Main Line. Passing the depot and freight yard at Carlisle Kingmoor, we continue across the Scottish Border to Lockerbie, our second pick-up point. Railway enthusiasts will savour a standout moment of the day as our 2,500hp Sulzer-powered Class 45 takes on the famous climb to Beattock Summit, a thrilling highlight of the journey. After passing Carstairs we arrive at our next stop Carlick before we call at Motherwell, then pass through Scotland's biggest railway yard at Mossend. Our next pick-up is Robroyston, conveniently located just off the M80 with a large free car park, followed by Westerton, our final boarding point. We then head along the banks of the River Clyde and Helensburgh Upper marks the start of the world famous West Highland Line, voted the greatest rail journey in the world. From here, the scenery transforms dramatically as we travel alongside Gare Loch, home to Faslane Naval Base, before continuing past the striking waters of Loch Long. The line then skirts the stunning northwestern shores of Loch Lomond, where forested hills, shimmering water, and ever-changing light create postcard-perfect views. Climbing steadily through Glen Falloch, we reach Crianlarich, where we take the line to Oban as the line to Fort William heads north. Our route continues through the beautiful contours of Glen Lochy, Dalmally and along the side of Loch Awe, followed by the spectacular Pass of Brander, before passing through the quaint towns of Taynuilt and Connel Ferry, before descending into the beautiful fishing port of Oban. Oban - Free Time We arrive in Oban in time for lunch, with approximately three hours of free time to explore. The town centre and high street are just minutes from the station, offering the perfect opportunity for a relaxed meal, scenic walk, or browsing local shops. Return Journey We later rejoin the train for the return journey along the same breathtaking route. With changing light and new perspectives, the landscapes of the West Highland Line reveal fresh beauty on the way home, bringing this exceptional rail adventure to a memorable close. The train is operated by our Partners at Locomotive Services Limited. Fares; Estimated Timings; Timings above are estimated timings and should only be taken as a guideline. Finalised timings will be released with tickets in advance of the Railtour.
Steam Gala 5th June 2026 - 7th June 2026 A must-see for all fans of steam locomotives, our steam gala returns for 2026. This event will be a rare opportunity to see a former Wallsend workhorse in steam on Tyneside for the first time in over 50 years! ?? We are excited to announce that Peckett & Sons No. 1351 'Lion' will be visiting us for our Steam Gala on 5th-7th June. Built in 1914 for the Royal Arsenal's extensive internal railway system in Woolwich, 'Lion' is the sole surviving example of Peckett's 'E' class. In 1950, she was sold to the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company and worked on the quayside by the river Tyne until entering preservation at the Chasewater Railway in 1974. This will be the locomotive's first visit to another railway since returning from overhaul and we are grateful to Lion's owner and the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway for allowing us to return this true Wallsend workhorse to North Tyneside. ??? There will be an intensive timetable of passenger and demonstration freight trains running throughout the weekend including double headers and top and tailed trains. We'll also be joined by an impressive display of classic cars and local history stalls inside the museum.
Lord of the Isles Saturday 6th June 2026 to Monday 8th June 2026 The Lord of the Isles - Saturday 6th June 2026 to Monday 8th June 2026 The Branch Line Society, in partnership with the Class 50 Alliance, The Fifty Fund and GB Railfreight, are pleased to offer you this opportunity to Hoover your way up to Scotland for an exploration of numerous lines not covered regularly by loco hauled trains, never mind trains hauled by Class 50s! The British Rail Class 50 was designed to haul express passenger trains at 100 mph, and were built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows between 1967 and 1968. They were regularly found hauling express passenger trains on the then non-electrified section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Scotland. The class gained the nickname "Hoovers" because of the noise made by the clean air plant at the No. 2 end, prior to refurbishment, which was likened to that of a vacuum cleaner, a name believed given to them by the staff at Paddington Station. Once the electrification from Crewe to Glasgow was completed the locomotives were moved to the Great Western Main Line (GWML) out of Paddington to allow the retirement of most of the remaining diesel-hydraulic locomotives then in use. As trains on the GWML steadily moved to High Speed Train operation from 1976, the Class 50s moved to hauling trains between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, and also trains from London Paddington to Hereford and Worcester via Oxford until the majority of those trains too were taken over by IC125 operation. The class was steadily retired from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s as their services moved to operation by second-generation DMUs. The Fifty Fund and the Class 50 Alliance are two interrelated organisations that work together to look after six class 50 locomotives. The Alliance owns and maintains the locomotives, and The Fifty Fund supports the work of the Alliance through fund raising and promoting the locomotives' and their operation. Following the hard work started by Dave Keogh and Jonathan "Gus" Dunster, the group were able to secure 50035 as their first loco in August 1991, and the new chapter in the story of Class 50 preservation had started. And so we come to 2026, and what a few days we have in store for you. We start early on Saturday morning at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) station in Kidderminster, where a resident SVR Class 50 will take us forward to the Reverse Point, before our double headed Class 50's will take us out onto the mainline as we start our journey to Polmont in Scotland... the long way! Our route takes us through Birmingham New Street to pick up passengers, then onwards through Stafford, Crewe and Wigan for more pick-ups, before we veer right at Lostock Hall Junction and head for the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway via Blackburn and Clitheroe. This most famous of lines, which crosses the remote, scenic regions of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, runs between Settle Junction, on the Leeds-Morecambe line, and Carlisle, near the English-Scottish borders. The historic line was constructed in the 1870s and has several notable tunnels and viaducts, and we are sure it will bring out the photographers to see us passing. After a further pick up and short break in Carlisle to take some precious photos of our locos, we head North via a number of rare loops before our arrival at Motherwell for our first set-down. Onwards via Mossend and Cumbernauld before we set down at Falkirk Grahamston and Polmont in the early evening to allow you to retire to your accommodation and/or the pub to reflect on an amazing day and look forward to what is to come on day 2! Sunday... Day 2... and what a day in store. With our Class 50's now in top and tail formation, our early start from Polmont takes us via Falkirk Grahamston for a pick-up, before onwards to Cowlairs East Jn/North Jn, before we head North via Dumbarton Central, Crianlarich and finally arriving in the breath-taking town of Oban. Oban is a resort town, and despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town can have a temporary population of over 24,000 people. The attractive bay forms a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull. With a break of around 3 hours, you will have time to explore this lovely town, have a meal and drinks with friends, or if you are feeling fit, head up to McCraig's Tower, the most prominent attraction in Oban. Once back on board, we head back South to Glasgow Central High Level, via Dalmuir, Westerton, Glasgow Central Low Level, and Rutherglen West Curve. A very quick break here for a leg stretch and more photos, before we return out of Glasgow and head for Wemyss Bay via Paisley Gilmour Street. Another short break, then its onwards back to our base with set downs at Falkirk Grahamston and Polmont again. And after all the excitement of the last 2 days, it's time to head back to Kidderminster... the interesting way! After a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, we leave Polmont and Falkirk Grahamston at a respectable time in top and tail formation, before heading for Carlisle via Larkfield Jn and Kilmarnock. A set down and 45 minute break at Carlisle, allows us to run our 2nd loco round to then double head Southbound to tackle the gradients over Shap before we set down at Wigan North Western, Crewe, Stafford and Birmingham New Street. Our final few miles takes us to Stourbridge Junction and Kidderminster for final set downs before we cover the heritage line connection onto the Severn Valley Railway and finish our epic few days away in Kidderminster SVR. As you would expect from a BLS tour, we expect to cover a number of rare and interesting bits of track over the 3 days... highlights will include: Lockerbie DPL, Beattock Summit DPL and Law DPL on day 1; Down Greenhill Branch Loop, Craigendoran WH Loop, Dumbarton Goods, Rutherglen West Curve and Dunrod Loop on Day 2, and finally Larkfield Curve, Kilmarnock Through Line, New Cumnock UGL, Thornhill UPL and Oxenholme UGL on day 3. On board we will have a buffet serving a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks, and we will be running our very successful on board charity raffle. All profits raised from this fixture will be for the Class 50 Alliance. All times and routing are indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket. Day One - Saturday: Kidderminster SVR (PU 07:00) - Kidderminster U&D (RM) - Kidderminster P1 (PU 07:30) - Stourbridge Junction (PU 07:40) - Galton Jn - Birmingham New Street (PU 08:10) - Aston - Tame Bridge Parkway - Bushbury Jn - Stafford (PU 09:15) - Crewe (PU 10:00) - Wigan North Western (PU 10:45) - Lostock Hall Junction - Blackburn - Clitheroe - Hellifield - Settle - Appleby - Carlisle (PU 14:00 / 30 min break) - Lockerbie DPL - Beattock Summit DPL - Carstairs - Law DPL - Wishaw - Motherwell (SD 16:00) - Mossend - Coatbridge Central - Cumbernauld - Falkirk Grahamston (SD 17:30) - Polmont (SD 18:00) Day Two - Sunday: Polmont (PU 07:00) - Falkirk Grahamston (PU 07:15) - Down Greenhill Branch Loop - Cowlairs East Jn - Cowlairs North Jn - Westerton (PU 09:17) - Dalmuir (PU 09:32) - Dumbarton Central P3 - Craigendoran WH Loop - Crianlarich - Oban (SD 13:16) Oban (PU 16:40) - Crianlarich - Craigendoran Jn - Dumbarton Goods - Dalmuir (SD 20:20) - Westerton (SD 20:31) - Exhibition Centre - Glasgow Central Low Level - Rutherglen West Curve - Glasgow Central High Level (20 min Break / RM) - Paisley Gilmour Street - Dunrod Loop - Wemyss Bay (20 min Break / RM) - Paisley Gilmour Street - Up Clydesdale - Larkfield Jn - Carmyle - Coatbridge Central - Cumbernauld - Falkirk Grahamston (SD 21:45) - Polmont (SD 22:00) Day Three - Monday: Polmont (PU 09:00) - Falkirk Grahamston (PU 09:15) - Cumbernauld - Coatbridge Central - Carmyle - Larkfield Jn - Barrhead P1 - Kilmarnock Through Line - New Cumnock UGL - Thornhill UPL - Carlisle (SD 12:00 / 45 min break) - Oxenholme UGL - Preston P7 - Wigan North Western (SD 14:00) - Crewe (SD 15:00) - Stafford (SD 15:45) - Tame Bridge Parkway - Birmingham New Street (SD 17:00) - Galton Jn - Stourbridge Junction (SD 17:45) - Kidderminster (SD 18:30) - Kidderminster SVR (SD 18:45) Passengers will be required to arrange their own overnight accommodation. You will be allocated a specific seat for the duration of the journey. Please state where you intend to join on Saturday and alight on Monday (this is for coach stewarding purposes and can be changed subsequently by notification). FARES: First Class, Non-Dining, at a guaranteed table for two £649.00 First Class, Non-Dining £549.00 Standard Class £349.00 All fares are per person. No part fares or pay on the day are available for this charter. There is no reduction for under 18s on this occasion. Please note that we are unable to accept bookings from under 18s unless accompanied by an adult. Children under five years of age may accompany fare-paying adult passengers free of charge. However, children under five years of age who are travelling free may only occupy a seat which is not required by a fare-paying passenger. Please do NOT email the organiser or the Bookings Officer to try and book or save spaces on our fixtures. Bookings CANNOT be made by email and must be booked online here using the 'Book online' button below. Any booking queries may be directed to the Bookings Officer, by email bookings.officer@branchline.uk Note that tickets are NOT transferable and smoking/vaping is not permitted on the train. The Society will not accept any liability arising from changes imposed by any third parties (either before or on the day) or any consequences of any late running that may occur. Please be cautious about connections and buying advance train tickets. Please note no refunds will be entertained on cancellations within ten days of the fixture. Tickets will be sent out approximately five days before the fixture - this will be an e-ticket. Standard Branch Line Society Terms and Conditions apply to all participants (these can be viewed from the online booking form).
Flying Scotsman at the ELR 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 June 2026 The people's engine returns! We're thrilled to announce the visit of the magnificent LNER Class A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' to the East Lancashire Railway. This record-breaking engine is making a long anticipated return to our line, so don't miss out on this rare opportunity to see the People's Engine up close. First entering service in 1923, Flying Scotsman became a British icon, representing the very best of steam-era innovation. She was the first steam locomotive that was officially recorded at 100 miles per hour, and a century later she still attracts worldwide attention. Her journey has not always been easy - having narrowly escaped being scrapped during the Beeching cuts to multiple ownerships, global tours and painstaking restorations. Through it all, Scotsman has remained a beloved part of the country's heritage. The ELR has been privileged to play a key part in that story, being the site of Scotsman's historic restoration. Since then her visits have drawn record numbers. Ride behind Flying Scotsman 5,6,7,12,13,14 June 2026 Take a trip behind the legendary Flying Scotman along the entirety of the ELR line. The legendary locomotive will be hosting passenger rides, giving enthusiasts the unforgettable opportunity to travel behind this world-famous engine. Please note that this train can only be boarded at Bury Station, and the journey takes around an hour and a half and is non-stop with no opportunity to alight at any of our other stations.
Mixed Traction Day Sunday 7 June 2026 On Sunday 7th of June, we will hold a Mixed Traction Day. This will be an extention to our Summer Diesel Festival, with a mixture of steam and Diesel locomotives hauling passenger trains. The Williton Depot Centre of the DEPG will be open over the event. Admission is by donation, which helps the Group to maintain and restore the fleet of vintage machines. Visiting Locomotives - Class 37 No. 37250 courtesy of Vince Minto and Wensleydale Railway - Class 47 No. 47714 courtesy of the Wensleydale Railway Further visiting locomotives are in discussion and will be announced soon. Home Fleet - Shunters - Class 14 No. D9526 - Class 33 'Crompton' Nos. D6566 & D6575 - Class 35 ' Hymek' No. D7017 All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability and may be changed at short notice. We'll be updating this page with more information soon.
Steam & Music Sunday 7 June 2026
Summer Spectacle of Steam Gala Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June 2026