Starting at Salisbury, our festively decorated special train picks-up at principal stations via Bath Spa to Cheltenham Spa. From there we head northwards via Worcestershire and the West Midlands into Staffordshire. The requested route will take us through Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries and on along the western flanks of the Pennines, by way of Congleton and Macclesfield to Stockport. A twisting route through conurbation will lead to our destination at MANCHESTER VICTORIA (arrive 1230/ depart 1600*), right by the city centre. *Estimated timings

As well as some three hundred individual Christmas stalls, there will be festive displays in the streets, shops and markets. And, of course, Manchester has so much to offer the visitor at all times of year.

To add interest to the day, our liveried train is booked to be hauled from Gloucester and by 1960’s Swindon built veteran 2700 HP Western Class 52 diesel D1015 ‘Western Champion’, courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group. This powerful locomotive will be making a class debut on some of the northern parts of the route as they spent most of their working lives south and west of the Paddington to Birmingham line. A West Coast Railways diesel will haul the train from Salisbury to Gloucester and back.

SCENIC ADD-ON RAIL TOUR

As an alternative to the afternoon in Manchester we offer this add-on tour of Lancashire, heading firstly towards Preston, but just before getting there turning east towards Blackburn and on into the Pennine hill country through Accrington to Burnley. From there we climb to the wilds of Copy Pit Summit, then down into the head of the Calder Valley. Another climb then, through Todmorden to Summit Tunnel and down through Rochdale and back to Manchester Victoria, where those who have spent the afternoon there will rejoin us.

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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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