Latest News

01/07/08 - "The Jolly Fisherman" 12th July 2008 - Cancelled

With reference to the above, due to Network Rails' inability to path the train suitably, it is with regret that we are forced to cancel this charter train. Pathing problems exist with our picking up points at Warrington Central and Manchester Piccadilly on the outward journey and also between Boston and Skegness. This means our outward route would have been via Earlestown and Manchester Victoria, presenting just 2 hours in Skegness, not our requested 4 hour break. On the return journey the route was as requested, however this is not acceptable in light of the outward journey. 

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this late notice cancellation may cause you and we hope you appreciate that this is beyond our control.

All Customers booked on the tour have been advised by telephone/email/post this evening.

Please note that despite rumours currently circulating from certain groups, this tour was NOT cancelled due to lack of bookings. We are proud to claim that we will never cancel a tour due to insufficient bookings.

We hope this reassures our future customers.

24/06/08 - "The Paignton Pudden & The Riviera Rat"

Once again, we take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making these tours the success that they were. Special thanks go to Direct Rail Services & West Coast Railway Company for providing the traction and rolling stock and for their support and assistance on the day for the Paignton Pudden tour. Thanks also go to the P&DSR for all their help with the Riviera Rat. Let's not forget The Gravy Train Catering Company for keeping us all fed and watered. Our final thanks have to go to all the passengers booked with us, your continuing support is appreciated. 

19/06/08 - The Fellsman Chopper 02/08/08 Update

 Due to the additional engineering works involved in the West Coast Route Modernisation Plan, we have been advised by Network Rail and our TOC that it is very unlikely we will be able to be pathed in the West Midlands and over “Shap” due to engineering blockades. As a result we are left with no alternative but postpone this tour to a later date. All those booked on the tour have been advised by post. We are sorry for the disappointment that the cancellation obviously causes but it is beyond our control.

21/04/08 - "The Wey-farer"

Once again, we take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making this tour the success that it was. Special thanks go to Direct Rail Services & West Coast Railway Company for providing the traction and rolling stock and for their support and assistance on the day and not forgetting The Gravy Train Catering Company for keeping us all fed and watered. Our final thanks have to go to all the passengers booked with us, your continuing support is appreciated. 

17/04/08 - "The Wey-farer 19/04/08"

We have been advised by our TOC that due to "operational issues" this weekends DRS class 20 tour will be hauled by two class 20's and WILL have electric train heat.

29/03/08 - "The Wey-farer 19/04/08"

We have received confirmation that this tour can be hauled by 3xDRS Class 20's (subject to the usual availability provisos). However, our decision to run with 3 locomotives depends on the weather, if a cold snap ensues heat may be essential - Weymouth is a limited load station, so cannot have 3x20's and an ETH providing device.
For your information, we still have seats available in both classes on this tour.
 

09/03/08 - "The Cumbrian Coast Explorer"

We take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making this tour the success that it was. Special thanks go to Direct Rail Services & West Coast Railway Company for providing the traction and rolling stock and for their support and assistance on the day. Thanks also go to all the passengers booked with us, your continuing support is appreciated.  

Finally, thanks to everyone who bought tickets for our on-board charity raffle and congratulations to those who won a prize. We raised £700, which goes to the Severn Valley Flood Appeal. Kind thanks go to, Mark Elderkin, Past-Time Rail, Compass Tours, Traction Magazine, Rail Express, Railways Illustrated, the West Somerset Railway & the Severn Valley Railway, who all generously donated prizes.

04/03/08 - "The Cumbrian Coast Explorer"

Information for customers who are considering to "pay on the day". Due to restricted clearance between Carlisle & Maryport, the vestibules cannot be occupied by passengers between these points. Therefore, "pay on the day" tickets will only be sold with a seat. Please note that there only a handful of standard class fares left. There is still availability in First class. If you wish to make a provisional booking please contact us.

24/02/08 - "The Deltic Pioneer"

We take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making this tour the success that it was. Our thanks go to West Coast Railway Company, Network Rail, Beaver Sports & the most importantly the 500+ people that booked with us.

05/02/08 - "The Royal Duchy" Tour cancelled

We have been advised by the DTG, owners of D1015 "Western Champion", that the locomotive has been booked in for maintenance during the months of June & July and therefore will no longer be available for our tour. Sadly, our request for an alternative date to run our tour has been declined by the DTG as there are no spaces in the locomotives current 2008 calendar for us to use.

Please accept our apologies for the disappointment and we hope that you appreciate that this is beyond our control and every effort on our part has been made to run a below "market prices" tour with this locomotive. The two coaches of passengers already booked on this tour, your payments are being returned this week.

30/01/08 - DRS class 20 tour  - "The Wey-farer"

We are pleased to announce a further tour using DRS traction. The tour date is Saturday 19th April 2008 and will run from Crewe to Weymouth. Please see our future tours page for more information.

Our thanks go to DRS for their support and assistance in providing traction for this tour.

18/01/08 - The Royal Duchy

We are pleased to announce a fantastic opportunity to travel to Penzance on Saturday 5th July 2008 behind a Western Region stalwart - D1015 "Western Champion".

Please see our Future Tours page for details.

11/01/08 - The Deltic Pioneer & The Cumbrian Coast Explorer - Confirmed Timings

We have updated our Future Tours page with the confirmed timings for these tours.

Please note that the Cumbrian Coast Explorer will no longer call at Manchester Piccadilly but will call at Manchester Victoria instead. The outward journey will be via Shap Summit and the return via the Cumbrian Coast.

07/01/08 - The Cumbrian Coast Explorer - Revised date

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are forced to revise our Cumbrian Coast Explorer tour. The new tour date is Saturday 8th March 2008 and it will now be starting at Birmingham International but will no longer call at Tame Bridge Parkway, full details are available on our Future Tours page. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.

30/12/07 - Electric Scot Farewell Tour cancellation

Firstly, please accept our sincerest apologies for the cancellation of the tour. We are not fully aware of all the facts surrounding the reason for the cancellation but our Train Operating Company has launched a full investigation into yesterdays events  and will advise us accordingly of its findings. Naturally, We will advise you of these in due course.

Secondly, we will be contacting all the customers booked on the tour within the next 72 hours to discuss ticket refunds.

Finally, once again, please accept our apologies for the obvious disappointment and inconvenience that has been caused. No-one is more disappointed and frustrated than ourselves.

08/12/07 - Confirmed timings for The Electric Scot Farewell

Our Future Tours page has now been updated with confirmed timings for this tour.

07/12/07 - The Electric Scot Farewell

Please note that standard class accommodation is now fully booked and we have a limited number of First Class and First Dining seats available.

02/12/07 - Royal Scots Grey Tour announced

This tour is now available for booking. The "Deltic Pioneer" will depart from Liverpool Lime Street with a destination of Edinburgh via Leeds and York. Please see our Future Tours for full details of this trip.

09/11/07 -  DRS 37 Tour announced

We are pleased to announce that our second tour is available for booking. The Cumbrian Coast Explorer is on Saturday 1st March 2008 from Birmingham New Street to Carlisle with 2 x DRS Class 37 locomotives. Please see our Future Tours page for details.

05/11/07 -  February's Deltic Tour

Unfortunately due to operational reasons we are unable to progress with our planned tour with Royal Scots Grey from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh on Saturday 2nd February 2008.

We will make an announcement in the coming weeks regarding the use of Royal Scots Grey on a future tour.

12/10/07 - The Electric Scot Farewell

We are pleased to announce our trip from Birmingham International to Glasgow Central on Saturday 29th December 2007  as our farewell to the Class 87's. Please see our Future Tours page for more information.

Also we have a PROVISIONAL date for your diary,

Saturday 2nd February 2008 - an excursion with Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh

We will have final confirmation of this tour and others in the coming weeks. So, please watch this space!

30/08/07 - The Deltic Pioneer Tour - CANCELLED

Due to the ongoing mechanical issues with 55022 - "Royal Scots Grey", the locomotive owners have decided to cancel their tour commitment with us, therefore, it is with deep regret that we have no alternative but to cancel our Deltic Pioneer Tour. We sincerely apologise for this cancellation and we will be in touch with all those who had booked with us in the next few days. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.