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Day Excursions

 

These trains offer you the chance to take a day trip to some of the most interesting places in Great Britain.  However, it is not just the destinations that are attractive, as in many cases the route takes us through some of the most outstanding scenery in the United Kingdom. Once at the destination, there is often more on offer, including tours by road coach and river cruises, to steam railways and historic castles, to breweries and museums, to the seaside and inland attractions ..... and much, much more !

All these excursions offer a choice of Standard and First Class / First Class Plus seating, whilst many also have the option of Pullman-style Premier Dining, with a full at-seat silver-service of meals through the day. All seats in each type of accommodation are at tables and offer a good view through the wide windows. A buffet service is available on all trains, and there is usually a real ale bar on board. Add friendly and helpful stewards, a souvenir booklet and information about your choice of destination and you have the ingredients for a day out that memories are made of.

Forget the crowded roads, with traffic jams, miles of cones and endless problems of parking, and join a Pathfinder excursion for a day out where all you have to do is relax and take in the great scenery that this country has to offer, all from the comfort of your comfortable carriage seat.

 

 

The WESTERN ROCKS

Saturday 20th March, 2010

 

TO THE PENNINES, PEAK DISTRICT and BUXTON,
with CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTION,

 
TAKING D1015 ‘WESTERN CHAMPION’ INTO THE HILLS!

Offering a wide selection of convenient joining points, our route after Chesterfield takes this tour into Yorkshire, bypassing Sheffield before heading for Wakefield and entry to the Calder Valley. However, we do not follow the river for long, soon climbing away to Huddersfield, then onto the long slog into the Pennines, with the Huddersfield Narrow Canal gaining height with us amongst the ever bleaker moorland tops. The canal is crossed before waterway and railway enter parallel tunnels, burrowing for over three miles under the Pennine ridge known as Standedge.

Descent through Greenfield leads to Stalybridge, where we take the route to Guide Bridge and onto the line with the most sparse passenger service in Britain ~ one train, one way only, once a week! A run through Stockport leads to Hazel Grove and the very steeply climbing ‘passenger’ route that winds it way through Furness Vale and Chapel-en-le-Frith to the 1140ft Bibbington Summit, before descent to BUXTON, where a break of just over 3 hours (1305 - 1615) will be taken in this distinctive Spa Town, nowadays the highest market town in England.

After our break and with everyone back on board, we leave Buxton, taking the alternative ‘freight only’ route, downhill at first through Ashwood Dale, following the River Wye through a narrow gorge before a sharp turn back to the north and a climb through Great Rocks to a 985ft summit at Peak Forest. Passage of Chapel-en-le-Frith tunnel leads to Chinley Junctions and another sharp turn, to the east again as we climb to Cowburn Tunnel. Downhill again, the River Noe leads down through Edale to Hope, which gives its name to this route. The Dore Curve then takes us 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 powerful diesel hydraulic locomotive D1015 ‘Western Champion’, making a first visit by a class member to many of the routes that will be traversed by this excursion.

 CHATSWORTH HOUSE OPTIONAL VISIT:  Alight from the train at Chesterfield for a road coach transfer, with an experienced 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 for a short tour through some of the most delightful scenery in the High Peak to Buxton. Here, there will be another shorter break in this town that the Romans prized for its natural spring water, before you will rejoin the train for the journey home as described above.
Supplementary fare: £19.50 adult or junior.

CONFIRMED TIMINGS

Joining points

Depart Return

Bristol Temple Meads

0550

2200

Bristol Parkway

0600

2145

Cheltenham Spa

0640

2040

Barnt Green

0725

2005

Birmingham New Street

0805

1935

Burton-on-Trent *

0840

1855

Derby *

0900

1835

Chesterfield *

0925

1755

* Premier Dining is not available from these stations.

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

Full

Full

First Class Plus

Full

Full

Premier Dining

Full

Full

 Private 'Table for Two’ seats in First Class Plus and Premier Dining are now all reserved.

 

THIS TRAIN IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ~ SORRY

 

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE

 

 

 

The DUCHY EXPLORER

Saturday 10th April, 2010

 

 

 A DAY TRIP TO PLYMOUTH AND CORNWALL, WITH GREAT OPTIONS ...
 TAMAR RIVER CRUISE or LISKEARD FOR THE LOOE BRANCHLINE
THE FABULOUS EDEN PROJECT or PARKANDILLACK RAIL BRANCH
BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY or LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN
 

This day out will take you right across Somerset and into Glorious Devon, down the Exe Estuary and along the Dawlish sea-wall, then through to PLYMOUTH, where you will have over five hours to explore if you alight here.

Alternatively, join us on a TAMAR RIVER CRUISE under the Royal Albert and Tamar bridges, view the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport and enjoy a break at Mount Edgecombe Park and Cremyll, overlooking the Tamar and Plymouth Sound.
Supplementary fare: £15 Adult, £10 Junior.

The train now crosses the Tamar on Brunel's iconic Royal Albert Bridge and winds its way through to Liskeard, where you can alight for a visit to this old stannary town, and/or take the delightful branch train trip down to LOOE - the return adult fare of around £3.50 is payable locally.

Your next choice is to alight at Bodmin Parkway for the BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY, for a leisurely journey over the whole line via Bodmin to Boscarne Junction, with time for a break in the historic market town of Bodmin.
Supplementary fare: £8 adult, £5 junior.

A run down the Fowey Valley to Lostwithiel is followed by a climb to Treverrin Tunnel and descent to Par.

Alight here for the fabulous EDEN PROJECT, joining the waiting road transport that will take you on the short transfer.
Supplementary fare: £14.50 Adult, £8.50 Junior.

Also alight at Par for road transfer to the LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN, which became overgrown when staff left for the Great War. When wind damage led to rediscovery there was a drive to restore the gardens to their former glory, an ongoing labour of love.
Supplementary fare: £15 Adult,£6 Junior.

Finally the train heads through St. Austell to Burngullow and onto the heavily graded ‘freight’ only branch line that leads through a 'moonscape' of china clay workings to PARKANDILLACK. The train will then return to PAR for a one to two hour break.

Joining points

Depart Return

Whitchurch

0610

2320

Shrewsbury

0635

2255

Church Stretton

0655

2235

Craven Arms

0710

2220

Ludlow

0720

2210

Leominster

0735

2155

Hereford

0755

2135

Abergavenny

0820

2110

Cwmbran 0840 2050
Severn Tunnel Junction 0900 2030
Bristol Temple Meads* 0930 2000

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

£59.50

£29.75

First Class Plus

£106.00

£86.00

Premier Dining

£169.00

£149.00

* We regret that Premier Dining is not available for passengers joining at Bristol Temple Meads.

 Private 'Table for Two’ seats available in First Class Plus and Premier Dining at a supplement of £20 per person.

 

WEST COUNTRY JOINERS  A limited number of Standard Class only seats are available for the Parkandillack branch option at £20 adult & £10 junior from Plymouth or £15 adult & £7.50 junior from Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway or Par.

•The train will be hauled throughout by a DBS Class 66 diesel locomotive,
with a second class member assisting us along the Parkandillack branch•

 

 

 

The YORKSHIRE DALESMAN

Saturday 17th April, 2010

 

 

 A SPRINGTIME OUTING TO YORKSHIRE WITH CLASS 70 TRACTION ...
 to SKIPTON and a Yorkshire Dales Experience
or KEIGHLEY for the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
or LEEDS
for Shopping and Exploration
 

From Swindon, this excursion offers joining points via Stroud, Cheltenham and the West Midlands to Crewe, from where we then head through Preston and Lancaster to Carnforth, the location for the film Brief Encounter. Here, we branch to the left before a sharp right hand curve back across the main line takes us onto the little known, but delightfully scenic rail route via Wennington and over the Pennines into the Aire Valley for a wide choice of destinations:

SKIPTON (5 hours): Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, a friendly town of cobbled streets, market and castle on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal A pretty place to stroll around and enjoy the sights.

YORKSHIRE DALES COACH TOUR: From Skipton, join a road coach and local guide for a circular tour of the Southern Yorkshire Dales, including a stop in the delightful village of Grassington.
Supplementary fare: Adults £9.50, Juniors £6.00.

KEIGHLEY for the KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY and BRONTE COUNTRY: Cross the bridge to the Oxenhope platforms and ride on a heritage steam train into Bronté country, to Haworth and Oxenhope, on one of the first ‘preserved’ standard gauge railways, with gas lighting and real fires in the station waiting rooms. You even have the option of alighting at Haworth station and walking up to the town, possibly to visit Bronté Parsonage.
Supplementary Fare Adult £8, Junior £4.00.

LEEDS (3½ hours) has attractions such as the Victoria Quarter, with rich marbles, gilded mosaics, wrought and cast iron, polished mahogany and the largest stained glass in England. 600 stalls sit under the elaborate ironwork of Kirkgate covered market, the biggest in Europe, and then there is the Corn Exchange, Leeds Plaza, Harvey Nichols, the Royal Armouries, Tetley's Brewery Wharf - or just a bite to eat and drink.

HARROGATE CIRCLE LINE: For just £5 adult or junior extra, remain on the train for a trip round the 'Harrogate Circle', via Church Fenton to York, then to Knaresborough and the superbly attractive Dales scenery through Harrogate, over the magnificent Crimple Viaduct, up to Bramhope Tunnel and back down to LEEDS for a shorter break of around an hour and a half.

Joining points

Depart Return

Swindon

0530

2330

Kemble

0545

2305

Stroud

0600

2245

Cheltenham Spa

0620

2225

Barnt Green

0700

2145

Birmingham New Street

0725

2120

Stafford

0820

2025

Crewe *

0920

1910

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

£65.00

£32.50

First Class Plus

£108.00

£88.00

Premier Dining

£179.00

£159.00

* = £5 per person discount for Crewe joiners.

 Private 'Table for Two’ seats available in First Class Plus and Premier Dining at a supplement of £18 per person.

 

HARROGATE CIRCLE OPTION - JOIN AT LEEDS (depart 1230, return 1440)  Currently fully booked ~ sorry.

FIRST PLANNED PASSENGER TRAIN TO FEATURE A BRAND NEW FREIGHTLINER CLASS 70 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FOR HAULAGE!!

 

It is expected that this excursion will be hauled by a DBS Class 66 diesel locomotive from Swindon to Crewe & return, where the highlight of the day, a brand new Freightliner Class 70 diesel locomotive, will be waiting to haul the train forward from Crewe to Leeds and return.
 

 

 

The SCENIC SETTLER

Saturday 22nd May, 2010

 

 

 ENJOY A SCENIC DAY OUT TO THE
 SPECTACULAR SETTLE & CARLISLE LINE

 

With long daylight hours of late Spring well underway, what better day out is there than by taking a rail trip along the full length of one of Britain's most spectacular railways, the famous SETTLE & CARLISLE LINE, with joining stations from Bristol through the West Midlands to Crewe.

After the last pick up point at Crewe, we head north across the Cheshire Plain and over the River Mersey into Lancashire and on past Wigan. A few miles on we turn right for Blackburn, and 'make for the hills'. After Wilpshire Tunnel we emerge into the Ribble Valley, on the downhill run to the 24 arch Whalley Viaduct. Pendle (Hill), infamous for 'witches', is the key feature as the line twists its way through the undulating terrain by way of Clitheroe to Hellifield.

At Settle Junction we join the Settle & Carlisle line, following the Ribble through Stainforth Gorge and into Upper Ribblesdale, with Penyghent (the Hill of Winds) to the east. We climb past Ribblehead to the great viaduct and its backdrop of Great Whernside, with Ingleborough dominating the view to the west. From Blea Moor Tunnel we emerge into Dentdale, where Dent Head and Arten Gill viaducts help to carry us across the 'Roof of England'. A curve through Dent, the highest station in England, is followed by a succession of viaducts and tunnels, through Garsdale and on to the summit at Ais Gill. Now downhill, we run along the flanks of Wild Boar Fell, with Mallerstang Edge towering across the infant River Eden. Descent leads through Kirkby Stephen to a crossing of the river, near Appleby-in-Westmorland. The browns of the moorland give way to the greens of the Eden Valley as we follow the river, before it drops away into Armathwaite Gorge.

Perhaps all too soon we will slow on the approach to the Border City of CARLISLE, where there should be a break of around two hours, time for a look around this historic city, with its cathedral, castle, excellent range of shops, cafés and pubs.

The return journey will be by way of Penrith, Shap Summit, Lancaster and Preston to Crewe, and our joining points, completing a grand day out.

ULLSWATER CRUISE: As a twist on a theme, we offer this alternative to completing the journey to Carlisle. Alight at Appleby and join the waiting road coach for the short transfer to Pooley Bridge at the head of Ullswater. Here, we join a boat for a sailing on this beautiful lake, set in the Northern Lake District, with the coach then taking you onto Penrith to rejoin our homeward bound train.
Supplement £16 adult, £10 junior.

This train is expected to be hauled by a DBS Class 66 diesel locomotive from Bristol to the West Midlands and return, with a classic Hanson Traction / Colas Rail Class 56 diesel locomotive providing motive power from the West Midlands to Carlisle and return.

Joining points

Depart Return

Bristol Temple Meads

0700

2310

Bristol Parkway

0715

2255

Cam & Dursley

0740

2230

Cheltenham Spa

0800

2210

Barnt Green

0840

2135

Birmingham New Street

0905

2050

Stafford

1015

2000

Crewe

1045

1930

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

£65.00

£32.50

First Class Plus

Full

Full

Premier Dining

£179.00

£159.00

 Private 'Table for Two’ seats in First Class Plus and Premier Dining are now all reserved.

 

 

 

The POWYS CHUGGER

Saturday 5th June, 2010

 

LOOPS & SPURS, PLUS MAIN AND SECONDARY

LINES AROUND THE WEST MIDLANDS AND MID WALES ~ HAULED BY A MIX OF LOCO'S!

PLUS OPTIONAL VISIT TO THE WELSHPOOL & LLANFAIR RAILWAY

Although we have previously run excursions starting from Newtown, this is certainly the first ever Pathfinder tour to have this pleasant mid-Wales town as a destination!

But to start at the beginning, a Class 59/2 will head the train from Bristol Temple Meads, with joining points via Oxford to Birmingham International, where a Class 92 electric loco will take over for the run to Crewe. On the Independent Lines, replacement power is a pair of yellow Class 97/3s, former Class 37s that have been modified for the Cambrian lines' new signalling. These popular machines will take the train via the Gresty Lane Curve to Shrewsbury and thence onto the undulating grades to WELSHPOOL (1415 - 1630), where you may choose to have an afternoon break. You should also alight here if you wish to join our optional visit to the:

WELSHPOOL & LLANFAIR RAILWAY: A road coach will transfer you across town to the Raven Square station of this narrow gauge railway, which has gradients as steep as 1 in 29 on the delightful run to Llanfair Caereinion. The road coach will return you to Welshpool for our homeward journey.
Supplementary fare: £13 Adult, £9 Junior.

If Welshpool does not 'float your boat', stay on the train for the journey up the valley of the Severn to NEWTOWN / DRE NEWYDD (1430 - 1600), an attractive market town that offers a good variety of places to eat and drink.

Returning eastward, we pick up passengers again at Welshpool, then avoid Shrewsbury on the Abbey Foregate Curve to reach the Telford and Wolverhampton line, at the latter taking the link to Portobello Junction and thence back to Bescot. Here we change power on the Up & Down Goods line, reversing then to reach Walsall and the Sutton Park line through to Water Orton, then via Nuneaton back to Coventry and the return run to Bristol Temple Meads.

ROUTE AND TRACTION DETAILS
 
DBS Class 59/2:
(Outward) Bristol to Birmingham International as per the pick up points / (Return) Bescot Up & Down Goods - Walsall - Ryecroft Jct. - Sutton Park - Water Orton - Whitacre Jct. - Nuneaton - Bedworth - Coventry and as per set down stations back to Bristol.

DBS Class 92: Birmingham International - Stechford - Aston - Bescot Up & Down Through Siding - Bushbury Jct. - Stafford - Basford Hall Jct. - Crewe Down Independent.

NR Class 97/3 x 2: Crewe Down Independent - Gresty Lane Curve - Nantwich - Whitchurch - Shrewsbury - Sutton Bridge Jct. - Welshpool - Newtown (run round & break) - Welshpool - Sutton Bridge Jct. - Abbey Foregate Curve - Telford Central - Codsall - Wolverhampton - Portobello Jct. - Bescot Up & Down Goods.

Joining points

Depart Return
Bristol Temple Meads 0700 2300
Bath Spa 0715 2245
Chippenham 0735 2225

Swindon

0755

2205

Oxford

0840

2120

Banbury

0910

2050

Leamington Spa

0940

2020

Coventry

1000

2000

Birmingham International
(outward only)

1040

----

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

£69.50

£34.75

First Class

£99.50

£79.50

 Private 'Table for Two’ seats available in First Class at a supplement of £20 per person.

 

 

 

The CORNISHMAN

Saturday 26th June, 2010

 

TO FURTHEST WEST CORNWALL WHEN THE DAYS ARE LONG ... AND IT'S MAZEY DAY IN PENZANCE, TOO!!

Cornwall is a favourite British leisure destination, not surprising in view of miles of superb coastline, delightful seaside towns and villages, sub-tropical vegetation, internationally renowned attractions and the festivals that are a feature of many Cornish towns during Spring and Summer.

This excursion offers you a chance to sit back and relax on a journey the two hundred mile length of the West Country, right across Somerset and Glorious Devon, then on to the far west of Cornwall. This route of contrasts takes you across the Somerset Levels, along the famous sea-wall through Dawlish to Teignmouth and round the south side of Dartmoor to Plymouth. Brunel's masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, carries us across the Tamar into Cornwall for the twisting switchback ride over a succession of viaducts, down the Fowey Valley to Lostwithiel, up and down to Par and up again to St. Austell, then down to TRURO, where you can have over four hours to explore the only city in Cornwall, famed particularly for its cathedral.

Alight at Truro for a FAL RIVER CRUISE, a delightful way to see the beauty of the Fal Estuary, with a short break in either Truro or Falmouth, depending on the tide times (this option is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties).
Supplementary fare: £12 Adult, £8 Junior to include transfers and river cruise.

Also alight at Truro for a visit to the amazing TREBAH GARDENS, midway between Falmouth and Helston. Although a house at Trebah was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), the gardens of today were started by Charles Fox in the 1830s, lost, found and lost again before rediscovery in the 1980's. As well as the unique gardens, this was where Donald Healey designed and built his sports cars, whilst the beach was once covered in concrete, as 7,500 Americans departed for the D-Day landings in 1944.
Supplementary fare: £13 Adult £9 Junior.

Leaving Truro behind, we make for the end of the line at PENZANCE on its Mazey Day, the culmination of the Golowan Festival, a colourful celebration for the Feast of St. John the Baptist and for Midsummer. You should have well over three hours to explore this historic town and its port and to enjoy the atmosphere of the festival.

Nearby Newlyn, Mousehole and Marazion / St. Michaels Mount are also all easily reached by local bus from outside of the station.

LANDS END COACH TOUR: If you prefer, join us on a coach tour to Lands End, the most westerly point of Cornwall, with its superb views out to sea, and with its visitor attractions.
Supplementary fare: £8 Adult, £4 Junior.

This train is expected to be hauled throughout by a Hanson Traction / Colas Rail Class 56 diesel locomotive, making a very rare visit for the class to the West Country.

Joining points

Depart Return
Tame Bridge Parkway 0540 2320
Birmingham New Street 0600 2305
Barnt Green 0625 2240

Cheltenham Spa

0655

2205

Cam & Dursley

0715

2145

Bristol Parkway

0740

2120

Bristol Temple Meads

0755

2105

 Fares (all points)

 Adult

Junior

Standard Class

£65.00

£32.50

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 £20 per person.