By: Jack Boskett|Published on: 59, Nov 27, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|
Confirmed Timings announced for – The North Eastern Christmas Markets on Saturday 3rd December 2022.
We can also confirm that BR Class 40 N0. 40145 will take charge of the train from Burton-on-Trent sidings onwards.
august, 2025
Event Type :
All
All
Day Tours
Enthusiasts
Rugby
Weekenders
Event Location:
All
All
WEST MIDLANDS
SATURDAY 2 AUGUST 2025 CELEBRATE 200 YEARS OF THE MODERN RAILWAY
With convenient pick-ups from the south of England and Severnside, we travel north direct to Derby, a city rich in railway history, and making it the ideal location for the Greatest Gathering.
Those not attending this remarkable event are welcome to stay on the train to Duffield for connection to the Ecclesbourne Railway, or travel further with us to Chesterfield where there will be a guided coach tour of the Peak District.
Alternatively, stay on board through to Barrow Hill Railway Centre for a couple of hours exploring the stunning collection within one of the UK’s last remaining roundhouses.
Later in the day, our return journey will travel via Leicester from Derby back to Cheltenham to add to the days interest.
Option A: Derby – Railway 200 The Greatest Gathering (1110 – 1705 confirmed timing)*
Supplementary Fare – £30 Adult / £15 Junior
With general sale sold out, we have secured a limited number of tickets to attend this significant event celebrating the significance of Britains railway history at Derby’s Alstom site!
Alight at Derby for the Railway 200 event, where passengers will have the chance to explore the exhibitions, displays and activities celebrating 200 years on the modern railway.
If you already have tickets, why not use our train to save hassle in getting to the event?
Option B: Derby Break (1110 – 1705 confirmed timing)*
Option C: Ecclesbourne Railway (1200 – 1650 confirmed timing)*
Supplementary Fare – £15.50
Alight at Duffield and transfer to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway platform for a round trip along the edge of the Peak District to Worksworth. Here you can explore the Town, Museum or experience the 1 in 27 grade up to Ravenstor!
Option D: Peak District Coach Tour (1220 – 1630 confirmed timing)*
Supplementary Fare: £20 Adult / £15 Junior
Alight at Chesterfield to enjoy a guided scenic coach tour of the Peak District with a short break in Bakewell, the biggest town in the Peak District National Park.
Option E: Barrow Hill Railway Centre (1235 – 1545 confirmed timing)*
Supplementary Fare – Adult £12 / Junior £8
While our train is being serviced, passengers are welcome to explore this unique and popular railway museum and it locomotives, rolling stock and memorabilia.
*Timings are now confirmed as below. Due to the volume of trains on the network (owing to this special Rail 200 event) we will retrace our outward route, rather than return via Leicester.
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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 | £315 | £295 | £1220 | Book Now |
| First Class | £199 | £179 | £756 | Book Now |
| Standard Class | £135 | £95 | £520 | Book Now |
Table for Two seats are available at a supplement of £50 per person in First Class and Premier Dining.
Motive power is expected to be Class 33s courtesy of West Coast Railway Company.
Main Photos: Jack Boskett
*Please note that off train options are only available with travel on our excursion. Any bookings with off train options only will be cancelled and refunded.
SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2025 ENJOY A CIRCULAR RAIL TRIP SCOUTING
The Heart of Wales line is a rambling railway that time forgets, a single track that sets course from the once disputed borderland and Marches of Herefordshire and Shropshire, right across the hills and valleys of rural central Wales.
With everyone on board we glide along the South Wales Mainline, through Newport, Cardiff and industrial Port Talbot, as our excursion heads for the Swansea District Line. From here we bear north-east and join the 90 mile Heart of Wales line, meandering diagonally across the rural heartland of Wales. The line follows the Loughor River to Pantyffynnon then into the Towy Valley between the market towns of Llandeilo and Llandovery. A climb up the Afon Bran valley leads to Cynghordy viaduct and on to Sugar Loaf summit, before descent to Llanwrtyd Wells, famous for its annual Bog Snorkelling World Championships!
From Victorian Llandrindod Wells we follow the rolling hill country to reach the tunnel marking the summit at Llangynllo, then down the Heyop Valley to cross the castellated Knucklas viaduct. From here we drop down to Knighton, where the station straddles both Wales and England!
We then pass through sheep country and to Craven Arms, from where we make for Shrewsbury, our destination. Here there will be around 90 minutes to enjoy the splendour of this county market town, set in the loop of the river Severn, with the station near to the centre.
Under way again the route leads south along the picturesque Welsh Marches, with rolling hills providing the backdrop as we skirt the Welsh Border. Before too long we cross the River Usk at Newport and rejoin the South Wales mainline towards England, returning passengers to their joining stations to end this wonderful day out.
A pair of English Electric Class 37 locomotives, courtesy of West Coast Railway Company, are expected to haul this train throughout.
**Please note this excursion will now pick up/ set down at Longbridge, instead of Barnt Green, due to pathing constraints. The confirmed timings above have resulted in a longer day for us. This is due to our original direct route to the north of Swansea being closed because of additional rail engineering work unfortunately not known about when this excursion was announced. We are nor routed through Neath, Swansea and Gowerton to Llanelli, with new views of the Gower Peninsula and the Lougher Estuary. We apologise for this late change.
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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!
————————–
CONFIRMED TIMINGS**
| Fares | Adult | Junior | Party x4 | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Dining | £299 | £279 | £1156 | Book Now |
| First Class | £199 | £179 | £756 | Book Now |
| Standard Class | £135 | £95 | £500 | Book Now |
Table for Two seats are available at a supplement of £50 per person in First Class and Premier Dining.
*Premier Dining is not available from Severn Tunnel Junction.
Main Photo: Mark Gouldsbury