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july, 2024
Event Type :
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Event Location:
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Event Details
SATURDAY 27 JULY 2024
AS THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS BEGIN, JOIN US FOR A DAY OUT TO SKEGNESS,
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS SINCE A CLASS 40 VISITED
People first came to the small fishing village of Skegness to enjoy the sea air in the second half of the 18th century, but it was not until after the railway reached there in 1873 that it expanded to the town we know today.
With the Advent of general paid holidays in the 1930s excursion trains to Skegness became a feature, even into the 1980s with up to ten loco-hauled trains a day – perhaps brining as many as 5,000 visitors a day.
We have added an extra pickup from Manchester Victoria which will see us journey along the famous Miles Platting bank. Our Manchester set down in the evening will now be Manchester Piccadilly.
Skegness is now included in the top 5 UK resorts so, with a good three hours of exploration, enjoy the resort with Blue Flag golden beaches. The Pleasure Beach, pier, boating lake, gardens, Natureland and Aquarium await you visit and there are plenty of eateries and shops.
Motive power for most of the day will be a class 40 diesel, one of a type that made frequent appearances on those trains from the 1960s until a final run almost forty years ago (on 15th September 1984) when 40181 did the honours.
To start, a West Coast Railways Class 37 will take the train from Burton-on-Trent via Birmingham to Crewe, from where the Class Forty Preservation Society’s D345 (40145) will take charge for the rest of the day.
The proposed route from Crewe is: Warrington Bank Quay – Chat Moss – Manchester Victoria (PU 0950) – Stockport – Hope Valley – Sheffield – Worksop – Retford – Gainsborough Lea Road – Lincoln – Sleaford – Skegness, for a break of around three hours.
The return is via Boston – Sleaford – Nottingham – Beeston – Castle Donington – Burton-on-Trent (set-down) and as outward back to Crewe and on to Manchester Piccadilly (SD 2300). Please note that we will not be stopping at Sandwell & Dudley on the return journey.
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ON BOARD FEATURES INCLUDE:
– Reserved seats aligned with the carriage windows
– A printed excursion and journey guide for everyone
– A travelling licensed buffet with refreshments, including alcoholic and soft drinks
– The Premier Dining service includes The Great British Breakfast, Elevenses and four course Evening Dinner
– Cheerful, friendly and helpful Pathfinder Stewards!
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CONFIRMED TIMINGS
| Fares | Adult | Junior | Party x4 | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Dining | £299 | £279 | £1156 | Book Now |
| First Class | £195 | £175 | £740 | Book Now |
| Standard Class | £129 | £89 | £476 | Book Now |
Table for Two seats are available at a supplement of £45 per person in Premier Dining and First Class.
Customers will be able to relax in the luxury of classic 1970’s MK2 carriages throughout the journey.
Main Photo: Mark Few
ABOUT US
Pathfinder Tours prides itself as one of the nation’s leading names in UK rail travel by special train.
WHY CHOOSE PATHFINDER TOURS TO TRAVEL WITH?
Pathfinder Tours prides itself as one of the nation’s leading names in UK rail travel by special train. We organise up to 40 day excursions every year, as well as a number of weekend trips, travelling to many interesting destinations and events.
Some customers just love to travel in our comfortable carriages; others have a real passion for the locomotives, steam or diesel. Many travel with us time and time again – we’d love to welcome you on board too!
TRAVELLING WITH MOBILITY EQUIPMENT
We are happy to welcome aboard customers who have mobility equipment that requires storing on the train. As storage space is limited, the equipment must be foldable or demountable. We recommend lightweight equipment be brought to facilitate this. Please note that we do not carry any equipment for loan purposes on the trains – please bring along that which will make your day out manageable.
Often, we only have very limited stopping time at the stations – usually 2 to 3 minutes. Stewards are there to welcome all passengers onto the train and may not have the time to assist every individual who has equipment to manoeuvre. Travelling with a companion who can help you on and off the train would be beneficial.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
To operate our main line excursions Pathfinder Tours uses these professional train operating companies (TOC’s)…
DB Cargo (DB)
Direct Rail Services (DRS)
GB Railfreight (GBRf)
each of which is owned by a respected national or international parent company.
Bookings can be made with us in the knowledge that each excursion is run with your safety and welfare as the absolute priority.
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
Pathfinder Tours prides itself as one of the nation’s leading names in UK rail travel by special train. We organise up to 40 day excursions every year, as well as a number of weekend trips, travelling to many interesting destinations and events.
Some customers just love to travel in our comfortable carriages; others have a real passion for the locomotives, steam or diesel. Many travel with us time and time again – we’d love to welcome you on board too!
A Festive Excursion
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Steam Hauled Excursions
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