Enthusiast Railtours

Despite the closure of many railway routes over the last hundred years, in these early days of the 21st century there are still many opportunities to venture 'off the beaten track', to visit byways and branches that have only a sparse passenger service, or none at all. Many branches today survive to serve the heavy industries of steel, coal and quarry products, whilst others give access to military bases and major ports. On these lines our tours normally keep to Network Rail metals, but, on occasions, we are able to continue onto privately owned infrastructure, with opportunities to see facets of life normally hidden from public view.

Given that these railtours often venture where passenger trains do not normally go, we usually think it appropriate to use locomotives that are more at home on these lines, sometimes featuring a selection of different freight engine classes in the course of a single tour.

Please note that the routing and motive power on these tours is subject to final confirmation and 'on the day' availability.

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The WESTERN SLATER

Saturday 19th September, 2009

D1015 'WESTERN CHAMPION' TO SCENIC
NORTH WALES WITH A CHOICE OF VISITING:

LLANDUDNO * BODNANT GARDENS * LLECHWEDD SLATE CAVERNS * THE FFESTINIOG RAILWAY & SNOWDONIA

Join us for a relaxed excursion to the mountains and beautiful scenery of North Wales aboard our special locomotive hauled train, traction throughout being provided by D1015 ‘Western Champion’, the doyen of this classic diesel locomotive design.

The rail route after Birmingham is via Crewe and Chester to Llandudno Junction, where we bid farewell to visitors visiting Llandudno. After reversing here, we traverse the attractive Conwy Valley branchline to its end at BLAENAU FFESTINIOG, the line twisting and climbing much of the way and a very good test for our locomotive ‘Western Champion’.

LLANDUDNO: From Llandudno Junction, use the regular service train (fare payable locally) to nearby lines end at this traditional Victorian seaside resort, famous for its Great Orme Tramway and cable cars.

Upon arrival in Blaenau Ffestiniog, ‘the Slate Capital of the World’, there is around three hours to explore at your own pace, perhaps including a visit to the LLECHWEDD SLATE CAVERNS (pay locally on the day). Alternatively, we can offer the following options:

FFESTINIOG RAILWAY TRIP & SNOWDONIA COACH TOUR: Steam train from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog, guided coach tour onto Betws-y-Coed for return railtour. Supplementary fare: £19 adult, £11 junior. BODNANT GARDENS: By road coach transfer from Llandudno Junction to these 80 acre internationally famous Gardens, set delightfully in the Conwy Valley. Supplementary fare: £11.50 adult, £8 junior (£5 reduction for National Trust members). The return rail journey retraces our morning route to conclude what we hope will be a most interesting day out with ‘Western Champion’ at the helm.	Joining points	Depart	Return
	Didcot Parkway	0600	2250
	Oxford	0615	2235
	Banbury	0645	2205
	Leamington Spa	0710	2140
	Coventry	0735	2115
	Birmingham International	0750	2100
	Tame Bridge Parkway	0810	2040
	Fares (all points)	Adult	Junior
	Standard Class	£69.50	£34.75
	First Class Plus	£109.00	£89.00
	Premier Dining	£179.00	£159.00
	Private 'Table for Two’ seats available in First Class Plus and Premier Dining at a supplement of £18 per person.

The WESTERN ROCKS

Saturday 31st October, 2009

TO THE PENNINES, PEAK DISTRICT and BUXTON,
with CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTION,
TAKING D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ INTO THE HILLS!

Offering a wide selection of joining points, our route after Chesterfield takes this tour into Yorkshire, for the first climb of the day over the Pennines, using the Huddersfield to Stalybridge ‘Diggle’ route. Onward travel west through Stockport will then see traversal of the Buxton ‘passenger’ line and another steep ascent, this time into the hills of the Peak District to BUXTON, where everyone will enjoy a break in excess of 2 hours in this distinctive Spa Town.

Leaving Buxton, we take the alternative ‘freight only’ route, by way of Great Rocks and Chinley onto the highly scenic Hope Valley line, taking this via Edale and Dore curve back to Chesterfield and a final main line run back across the Midlands to Severnside, completing what we hope will be a great days touring. Traction throughout will be provided by diesel hydraulic locomotive D1015 ‘Western Champion’, making the classes first visit to a lot of the lines that will be traversed by this excursion. CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTIONAL VISIT: Leave the train at Chesterfield for a road coach transfer, with a local guide, to this fine House and Estate, set in the heart of the Peak District. You will have around three hours for exploration before re-joining the road coach onto Buxton and the train home as described above. Supplementary fare: £19.50 adult or junior.	Joining points	Depart	Return
	Bristol Temple Meads	0700	2205
	Bristol Parkway	0715	2150
	Cheltenham Spa	0800	2105
	Barnt Green	0835	2030
	Birmingham New Street	0900	2005
	Burton-on-Trent *	0940	1905
	Derby *	0955	1850
	Chesterfield *	1030	1815
	* Premier Dining is not available from these stations.
	Fares (all points)	Adult	Junior
	Standard Class	£69.50	£34.75
	First Class Plus	£112.00	£92.00
	Premier Dining	£179.00	£159.00
	Private 'Table for Two’ seats available in First Class Plus and Premier Dining at a supplement of £18 per person.

Enthusiast Railtours

D1015 'WESTERN CHAMPION' TO SCENIC NORTH WALES WITH A CHOICE OF VISITING:

LLANDUDNO * BODNANT GARDENS * LLECHWEDD SLATE CAVERNS * THE FFESTINIOG RAILWAY & SNOWDONIA

TO THE PENNINES, PEAK DISTRICT and BUXTON, with CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTION, TAKING D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ INTO THE HILLS!

D1015 'WESTERN CHAMPION' TO SCENIC
NORTH WALES WITH A CHOICE OF VISITING:

TO THE PENNINES, PEAK DISTRICT and BUXTON,
with CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTION,
TAKING D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ INTO THE HILLS!