HRA Group Travel Guide 2012

The heriTage railway associaTion

group Travel guide

2012 Edition

Fort William to Mallaig

The Greatest Railway Journey In The World

Book Today 0844 850 3134www.westcoastrailways.co.uk

Line used in filming the Harry Potter movies.

Tickets may be available on the day on the platform

Morning service - Departs: 10:15 Returns: 16:00Monday 14th May to Friday 26th October (Monday to Friday) Saturday & Sunday from Saturday 23rd June to Sunday 26th August Afternoon service - Departs: 14:45 Returns: 20:24Monday 4th June to Friday 31st August (Monday to Friday)

The Jacobite has been voted Greatest Railway Journey in the world for the second year running. This is due mainly to the breathtaking scenery that is only enhanced by the majesty and nostalgia of steam travel. The 84 mile round trip will take you past Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch, shortest river and most westerly station. During the 42-mile journey to Mallaig you will first pass Ben Nevis and then climb into majestic mountains surrounding Glenfinnan, Finally, you will drop down to the sea’s edge and view the inner Hebridean islands, often shimmering like jewels on the horizon. From the comfort of your seat, witness the beauty of the semi-wilderness of Lochaber and beyond.There really is no better way to enjoy the beauty and history of the West Highlands.

Timetable/Prices

The Journey Fort William - Mallaig

Adult Day Return: £32 (std)Child Day Return: £18 (std)

Adult York-Scarborough Return: £31 (std)

17th July-6th September (Tues-Thurs)& Bank Holiday Monday 27th August

Steam Train to York or Scarborough

From: Normanton, Wakefield, Woodlesford, Castleford & York

Children Travel Free with a paying adult

Travel by steam in traditional carriages across Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside. You can choose to board the train at York & travel return to Scarborough; or extend the journey on a circular route starting at York travelling via Normanton, Wakefield, Woodlesford, Castleford then either alight at York or travel on to Scarborough, following the same route back with the option to leave the train at York.

Scarborough

The Route

York

Woodlesford

Normanton

Castleford

Wakefield Stations

14th May-26th October (Mon-Fri) (Sat & Sun) 23rd June-26th August

ContentsForeword FroM nicKy Morgan Mp ................................................................... 5

a welcoMe FroM The ediTor ................................................................................. 7

david Madden, The heriTage railway associaTion ...................................... 9

naTional code oF pracTice For visiTor aTTracTions ............................. 11

colour-coded Map oF regions ........................................................................... 12

regional Focus ...................................................................................................13 – 62

appendiX oF heriTage railways ....................................................................63 – 73

indeX oF adverTisers ............................................................................................... 74

photo creditsBala lake railway, Beamish – The living Museum of The north, Bluebell railway, Bodmin & wenford railway, Bo’ness & Kinneil railway, Bure valley railway, chinnor & princes risborough railway, churnet valley railway - dave gibson, colne valley railway, crich Tramway village, dartmouth steam railway & riverboat company, dean Forest railway, didcot railway centre, downpatrick & county down railway, east lancashire railway, exbury gardens & steam railway, Ffestiniog railway - Bob Bloodworth, Foxfield railway, gloucestershire warwickshire railway - Jack Boskett , great central railway - © steve Taylor, headhunters Barber shop & railway Museum, isle of Man steam railway - david lloyd Jones, isle of wight steam railway, Keighley & worth valley railway - John lewis, Keith & dufftown railway, Kent & east sussex railway - Bob Mazzer, Kirklees light railway, launceston steam railway, leighton Buzzard railway, llanberis lake railway, llangollen railway-david wilcock, Manx electric railway – david lloyd Jones, The Mid hants railway ‘watercress line’, national railway Museum, north norfolk railway – poppy line, north yorkshire Moors railway, pontypool & Blaenavon railway – alistair grieve, ravenglass & eskdale railway - ullswater ‘steamers’, ribble steam railway, romney, hythe & dymchurch railway, seaton Tramway, severn valley railway, snowdon Mountain railway, south devon railway, strathspey railway, swanage railway – andrew p.M. wright, ulster Folk & Transport Museum, wells & walsingham light railway – ian J williams, welshpool & llanfair light railway, west coast railways, west somerset railway.

Published by Blueprint Travel Media ltdPublisher - Matthew Price suite 1, sabrina House, sabrina Court, Longden Coleham, shrewsbury sY3 7BFtel: 01743 231135 Fax: 01743 243393 email: [email protected] Website: www.blueprintguide.co.uk

Design & Production by: Wildfire Creativetel: 01743 246882 email: [email protected] Website: www.wildfirecreative.co.uk

tHe HeRItAGe RAILWAY AssoCIAtIon GRoUP tRAVeL GUIDe 2012 is distributed free of charge to a controlled circulation including members of the Group travel organisers Association, the Coach tourism Council and UKinbound.

© Blueprint travel Media Ltd. the opinions expressed by all editorial contributors within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this guide is accurate at the time of going to press. the publisher cannot accept any liability for inaccuracies, omissions or amendments that arise after compilation. no part of this guide may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever. Any infringement of the copyright will be vigorously pursued.

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tHe HeRItAGe RAILWAY AssoCIAtIon GRoUP tRAVeL GUIDe4 tHe HeRItAGe RAILWAY AssoCIAtIon GRoUP tRAVeL GUIDe

A great day out - whatever the weather!

RIBBLE STEAM RAILWAY

TORNADO IS VISITING US FROM MAY 26th - 29th 2012. Special Fares apply!

Open Wednesdays throughout August

Chain Caul Road, Preston PR2 2PDTel: 01772 728800 www.ribblesteam.org.uk

The Ribble Steam Railway is basedon the docks in Preston. Visitorscan travel behind one of ourrestored steam engines in old-fashioned carriages, enjoying athree-mile return trip around thedock and along the riverbank,taking in views that can only beseen from the railway.

There’s much more than just atrain ride to enjoy - we have anextensive museum that houses avariety of industrial locomotives -some of which we invite you to get‘hands on’ with - and a series ofdisplays about the history ofPreston Docks, its railways and itsoperation.

When you’ve visited the museum,why not relax with a snack anddrink in our tea room and thenhave a look in our workshop,where you can see the work inprogress on the many projectsunder way?

The railway is open every weekendand Bank Holiday from May toOctober, and also at Easter and onSundays in April. In the winter, wehave Santa Special trains runningon weekends in December.

We also have a number of specialevents throughout the year - callour Talking Timetable for moreinformation.

Ribble Jan 2012 90x130_Ribble Jan 2011 90x130 21/02/2012 10:15 Page 1

Package includes...Package includes...Steam train ride & cream teaserved to you at your tableAlso...Also...Bristol harbourside boat trip

FREE Parking Group Discount

T:0117 932 5538

*

T:0117 932 5538www.avonvalleyrailway.orgwww.avonvalleyrailway.org

Call NOW!!!

&

*group size of 20+, terms and conditions apply

GROUP VISITS

On Track for Some Great 2012 Events

www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

Industrial Trains DaySunday 15th April Railway Gala Weekend Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th JulyAutumn Vintage Vehicle ShowSunday 14th OctoberAutumn Industrial Trains DaySunday 21st October

Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre, Amberley, Near Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LT.T: 01798 831370 E: [email protected]

AMBERLEYUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTRM E

D I S C OV E R L E A R N H AV E F U N

It is my pleasure to write this Foreword as the first Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail.

the heritage railway movement is a very British phenomenon, but one that has brought so many benefits to so many people across the country. this edition of the HeRItAGe RAILWAY AssoCIAtIon GRoUP tRAVeL GUIDe is an outstanding resource, providing all the information you need on heritage railways, including details of visitor attractions, special events and deals.

“The heritage railway movement is a very British phenomenon, but one that has brought so many benefits to so many people across the country.”

Having seen how the Great Central Railway in my constituency of Loughborough adds so much to our corner of Leicestershire and beyond, I set up the APPG on Heritage Rail with the support of the Heritage Railway Association. the purpose of the Group is to brief parliamentarians about heritage railways, the contribution they make to their local and regional economies and the opportunities for skills training they provide.

the Great Central Railway and other heritage railways like it across the country represent the Big society in action - driven forward by the passion and commitment of more than 18,000 volunteers. As a nation, we have a long and glorious railway history, and we should take enormous pride in the fact that our heritage railways attract over 6.8 million passengers every year.

“...we should take enormous pride in the fact that our heritage railways attract over 6.8 million passengers

every year.”our heritage railways offer not only a great day out for families, but are also major contributors to the tourism industry and the local economy, providing employment and volunteer opportunities as well as teaching invaluable skills, from electrical engineering to marketing and operations. they also provide a fantastic educational resource for local schools.

I sincerely hope that, using this Guide, you will have the chance to experience everything Britain’s heritage railways have to offer.

nicky Morgan Mp


FoReWoRD


Find out the potential for a fascinating day out twixt Severn & Wye -

our volunteers are waiting to welcome you!See our website www.dfr.co.uk for further detailsor telephone us on 01594 845840 (daily 11am-4pm).

Norchard Station, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4ET

A medieval forest, industrial heritage, real ale pubs and the Dean Forest Railway

all under one canopy..the ROYAL FOREST of DEAN!

DEANFORESTRAILWAY

The Friendly Forest Line

A great destination for groups with a train taking you to a largeMuseum site that includes the Railway Exhibition Hall, WestShed Experience, the Country Park, Victorian Railwayman’sChurch, Demonstration Signalbox, Road Transport Display,Stationary Power Collection, Golden Valley Light Railway,Miniature and Model Railways

• Special Events throughout the year.• Attractive packages available• Lunches, Afternoon Teas

Contact us for more information:MIDLAND RAILWAY – BUTTERLEY

Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ

Tel. 01773 747674Email: [email protected]

www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk

More than just a Railway


A WeLCoMe FRoM tHe eDItoR I am delighted to introduce myself as the new editor for this 2012 edition of the Heritage railway association group travel guide.

It is my mother’s fault! It was she who introduced me to steam trains when I was very young, often accompanying her on rail tours behind favourites such as the Flying Scotsman. she became involved with Ffestiniog Railway in the late sixties, working on the track and becoming one of the first lady firemen. I followed her to the Ffestiniog but always preferred the commercial side of the operation. this was to stand me in good stead much later in life.

I started work with the Ffestiniog Railway as Group travel secretary back in 1992, later rising to Group travel Manager as the business expanded, working closely with coach drivers and tour operators. now as Commercial Manager of Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, I still deal with groups and charter trains on a regular basis and I head the marketing team. the size of the organisation and the way we promote it with social media and modern technology may have changed but the requirements of our customers have not. Reserved seats, a shiny steam engine, lovely scenery and a nice cup of tea remains as important as ever. What groups want is one of the most important aspects of my job.

the Heritage Railways of Britain have become a much loved and significant player in the tourism sector of this country; their diversity and historic significance being the envy of the world. For those old enough to remember the glory days of the huge steam express locomotives or the small branch line trains that took them to school, the sights and smells evoke vivid memories of a time long gone. the huge diesel engines have their place too in the memories of the slightly more recent past. Many have watched in awe as a Deltic thundered past them on the east Coast main line and even the humble diesel multiple units have become a cherished part of railway history. It is living history, each railway with a different story to tell from the Victorian railway system on the Isle of Man to the great steam locomotives of the severn Valley or West somerset.

But for many people, it is not just the trains that attract them. It is the beautiful or fascinating scenery through which they pass or the wonderfully restored stations, lovingly maintained by scores of volunteers, or the elegance of a cream tea served on the move. then there are the museums such as Beamish in the north east or steam Museum in swindon which bring history to life with characters and stories of the past. there is something for everyone, nostalgia, engineering, social history – Heritage Railways have it all.

so take a trip with me along some of the heritage railways of Britain in search of those important requisites of a great group day out.

clare Britton


STEAM TRAINS FOR ALL AGES

Trains boldly cross open moorland, hills and woodland resulting in spectacular sights and sounds as the locomotives climb the steepest gradients.Trains clmib through Scenic North Staffordshire to terminate in the remote woodland halt of Dilhorne Park which offers one of the finest unspoilt views across the moorlands where very little modern life can be seen.

To find out more, visit our website, Facebook or Twitter where news, information, timetables and fares can be found...

FOXFIELD RAILWAY, CAVERSWALL ROAD,BLYTHE BRIDGE, STAFFORDSHIRE, ST11 9BG

www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk - 01782 396210 - [email protected]

Peak Rail plc, Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3NA Tel: 01629 580381 Fax: 01629 760645

Website: www.peakrail.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Free coach parking • Specially adapted carriage for wheelchairsCoach drivers provided for • Discounts for group travel

Afternoon and Cream Teas during summer months on the train.

Peak Rail

Welcome to this Group travel Guide which features heritage railways across Great Britain and Ireland. our heritage railways have been operating for over sixty years since a group of volunteers rescued the talyllyn Railway in 1950. this narrow gauge railway was used to carry slates from the mines in north Wales to tywyn where slate was transhipped into standard gauge trains with Welsh slate reaching all over the world.

Passengers were carried, including tourists fascinated by the line and its steam trains, thus allowing people to travel to and from very remote parts of Wales. today, the trains still run and although no longer carrying slate, they present a great tourist attraction with historical rides on the former slate mine railway. Within a short travelling distance six other narrow gauge lines can be visited

including the former slate carrying Ffestiniog Railway, recently extended to Caernarfon making it the longest heritage railway in the UK.

throughout the UK, 150 heritage railways in both standard and narrow gauges which were either branch lines or parts of main lines - considered at the time to be surplus to requirements - were closed many years ago and largely abandoned. the impetus for this remarkable transformation usually came from groups of volunteers who then dedicated many years of work to restoring the railway, locomotives and carriages to the current situation presenting a fascinating world of historical rail travel.

taking a trip on one of our heritage railways is a delight and an opportunity to see some stunning scenery in historic coaches often hauled by beautifully restored steam locomotives. Do not be too surprised to see what you may think are relatively modern diesel locomotives as many are over 50 years old having been retired into preservation after many millions of miles of hauling passenger and freight trains.

our heritage railways work hard to create nostalgia for the past with beautifully preserved railway stations often with museums telling the story of the role of their local railway and how it served its community. the locomotive crew, guards and station staff are seen in traditional uniforms and are always happy to answer your questions. nearly all our railways are run by volunteers from all walks of life.

Visitors will find much more than a train journey. Historic restaurant cars provide meals at your seat (advance booking essential) with many providing opportunities to see behind the scenes. on certain days you can even experience for yourself the dream of actually driving a steam or powerful diesel locomotive under instruction.

special events feature widely on our railways, many with visiting locomotives and special galas featuring the bygone days of the 1940s and other periods. some railways feature Days Out With Thomas the Tank Engine to the delight of younger children. Many films and television programmes feature heritage railways whilst the Keighley & Worth Valley Line in West Yorkshire will forever be known for the filming there of The Railway Children. If you have been watching Michael Portillo’s Great British Trains series, some seventeen very different heritage railways have been featured.

our heritage railways are a great day out whatever your age and our experience shows that many visitors return again and again, often finding new experiences and railway journeys throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom & Ireland.

david Madden Business development

heritage railway association www.heritagerailways.com



STEAMMuseum of the Great Western Railway

“Always a return trip”

D55984

Keeping the Golden Age of Steam Alive!

www.bucksrailcentre.org or tel 01296 655720Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BY

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a working steam museum where you can step back in time as you view the giants of the steam age displayed on our spacious 25 acre site. The Centre boasts excellent facilities including a gift shop, museum, disabled parking and cafe.

Experience the Golden Age of Steam here at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. We look forward to your visit!

Please call for all enquiries and bookings 015395 31594Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Co Ltd,

Haverthwaite Station, Nr Ulverston Cumbria LA12 8ALwww.lakesiderailway.co.uk [email protected]

How to find us:From the M6Junction 36, Follow A590 andBrown Train SignsFind us by SAT NAVLA12 8AL

Steaming into our 40th Season....Steam trains operating daily from 31st March until 4th November.

CoMBiNe uP To 3 ToP ATTrACTioNS iN 1 greAT dAy ouT!Discounted group rates for parties of over 15 people and combination packages available

including: Windermere Lake Cruises, Lakes Aquarium, The World Of Beatrix Potter, Lakeland Motor Museum and Brockhole Visitor Centre.

AT HAVerTHwAiTe:• Free Coach Parking• Excellent Station Restaurant serving; giant homemade scones, speciality meals, cakes and snacks.• Gift Shop; offering an array of gifts, books and souvenirs• Engine Shed; home to our collection of steam and diesel locomotives• Picnic Area; under cover and outside• Woodland Adventure Play Area; New for 2012

www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Enjoy a Heritage train ride through the beautifulWealden countryside between Tunbridge Wells,

High Rocks, Groombridge and now EridgeJoint tickets available with Groombridge Place & Enchanted Forest

Special deals and charter trains available for group bookingsSee our website or call 01892 537715 for details


OUR PROMISE TO YOU(National Code of Practice for Visitor Attractions)

The owner and management have undertaken:

1. To provide in promotional materials, an accurate description of the amenities, facilities and services of the Attraction.

2. To indicate on all such promotional materials any requirements for pre-booking, and any significant restrictions on entry.

3. To make available an Access Statement, describing the accessibility aspects of a visit to the Attraction, and to respect the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act by making suitable provision, where reasonable and practicable, for people with disabilities and/or those with special needs.

4. To describe accurately and display clearly :

a) Any charges for entry (including service charges and taxes where applicable), and any additional charges for individual attractions or special exhibitions.

b) Dates and hours of operation, both opening and closing.

5. To provide in promotional materials for visitor enquiries, a postal address, a telephone number (and where it exists, a website address) from which the detailed information specified in 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be obtained.

6. To provide signage and orientation information as appropriate to the Attraction, to assist visitors in understanding and enjoying the Attraction.

7. To consider the needs of visitors for whom English is not their first language and, as appropriate to the Attraction, to make arrangements that enable them to be adequately informed to enjoy their visit.

8. To manage the Attraction in such a way as to ensure visitor safety, comfort and service, by sustaining a high standard of maintenance, customer care, courtesy and cleanliness.

9. To ensure that all staff who meet visitors can provide information and guidance about the Attraction, and are readily distinguishable as staff, whether employees or volunteers.

10. To have regard to the need to manage and operate the Attraction in a sustainable way.

11. To provide, as appropriate to the nature, scale and location of the Attraction, coach, car, motor-cycle and bicycle parking, adequate toilets, and catering facilities. If any of these requirements cannot be made available on site, to provide information at appropriate points on where they can be found locally.

12. To hold a current public liability insurance policy or comparable Government indemnity, and to comply with all applicable planning, health, safety, fire and other statutory requirements and regulations.

13. To deal promptly and courteously with all enquiries, requests, reservations, correspondence and comments from visitors, and try to resolve any complaints on site at the time of the visit.

14. To provide a facility on site for comments to be recorded and to advise clearly the name and contact details (address, telephone and e-mail) of the person to whom comments by visitors should be addressed.

15. To display prominently this National Code of Practice.

16. In the event of any disruption to advertised train or tram services, each member will:

a) keep both passengers and prospective passengers as fully advised of the situation as circumstances permit,

b) help to arrange alternative transport and facilities whenever necessary and practicable.

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regional BreaKdown

south West

Isle of Man

south of england

Yorkshire & north east

south east

Wales

east of england

scotland

Midlands

Ireland

north West


souTh wesT The south west of england always evokes memories of steam specials taking holidaymakers on their annual summer vacation. even today’s main line trains are still named, for instance, ‘The cornish riviera’, keeping the memory alive. and off the main line, were the countless branch lines heading for the coastal resorts. Today, the south west has a wide variety of heritage railways. we start in cornwall and meander up through the west country.

Bodmin & wenford railway the Bodmin & Wenford Railway gives you the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time to a Cornish branch line of the 1950’s and is Cornwall’s only full size railway still operated by steam locomotives.

trains operate from Bodmin General – the line’s main station, where free coach and car parking is available, to both Bodmin Parkway station – where connections can be made directly with main line railway services – and Boscarne Junction, which is situated directly adjacent to the Camel trail recreational footpath and cycle way. the Camel trail then continues along the disused track bed all the way to the fishing village of Padstow. It is a leisurely 13 mile round trip through beautiful countryside taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age. there is a buffet at both Bodmin General and Bodmin Parkway stations, and most services have a buffet and bar on board the train. there is also a gift shop at Bodmin General.

“It is recommended that you start and finish your journey at Bodmin General as this has the

best and easiest access.”Passenger train services operate throughout the year, and run daily from late May to early october.

the railway warmly welcomes parties and groups of all ages and interests! Generous discounts are available on many trains for pre-booked groups of 10-24, with 20% discount for groups of 25 or more. seats are reserved for your group, and special catering can be offered if required. It is recommended that you start and finish your journey at Bodmin General as this has the best and easiest access. the best value ticket is for the whole line

round trip and this normally takes about two hours, but you can do a journey of 40 or 50 minutes if required. the shorter return journeys are from Bodmin General to either Boscarne Junction (40 minutes) or to Bodmin Parkway (50 minutes). Cornish cream tea can be served during the journey and there are other food options available. Guided tours of Bodmin General station including the locomotive shed and maintenance workshops can be arranged and are usually available free of charge. the office is always happy to discuss your individual requirements

the Bodmin & Wenford Railway looks forward to welcoming you – a great “attracktion” for groups of all sizes! (their words!)

What else is in the area?

Bodmin is on the A30 trunk road and roughly halfway between the north and south Cornwall coasts. Lanhydrock House (national trust) and Pencarrow House & Gardens are nearby as well as several attractions in Bodmin itself. Further afield, the eden Project is easily reached, as are historic Fowey and fashionable Padstow.

launceston steam railway A visit to this small family run railway is always a pleasure. Built on the track bed of the old north Cornwall line, the track is now narrow gauge and uses beautifully restored quarry Hunslet locomotives from the Penrhyn and Dinorwic slate quarries in north Wales. the railway runs through the tranquil Kensey valley to new Mills.

Launceston station has a gift shop selling a good selection of gifts and souvenirs of the railway. the railway buffet serves a wide choice of hot and cold snacks. the line is small and friendly – you don’t need to rush your lunch as long as the train crew are enjoying theirs, food is much more important! Please find time to visit the museum which is packed with vintage cars, old motorcycles, stationary steam engines and…well ‘stuff’!

13

Bodmin & wenford railway

launceston steam railway

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At the far end of the line there are pleasant riverside walks and a shaded picnic area, adjacent to new Mills Farm Park. the station area was once the site of an Augustinian Priory, some of which can still be seen by visitors.

“Launceston station has a gift shop selling a good selection of gifts and souvenirs of the

railway.”operating dates for 2012 are: Daily April 6th - 13th; Daily May 27th - June 1st; sundays/Mondays/tuesdays in June; Daily except saturdays July 1st - september 21st; daily 28th october - 2nd november.


Launceston is Cornwall’s only walled town and a delight to explore on foot, with attractions including the famous norman castle. A tour along the stunning tamar valley is a must and the tamar otter & Wildlife centre is also close by. Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and the north Cornwall coast are within easy reach.

south devon railway the award-winning south Devon Railway is a fantastic day out for groups. It is a beautiful branch line of the old Great Western Railway. GWR steam engines haul trains on a 14-mile round trip between Buckfastleigh and totnes along one of the most tranquil stretches of river in the south West. the line hugs the River Dart for almost all its length offering superb, tranquil views of outstanding Devon scenery; wildlife is in abundance.

But this is a railway that offers more than a steam train ride through glorious countryside; far more in fact.

At Buckfastleigh, where there is ample car and coach parking, you will find extensive gardens, a riverside picnic area, play area, shop and refreshment rooms, as well as a fascinating museum, a viewing platform to see the engineering workshops and, on some days, a miniature railway too.

take the train to sleepy staverton, which has barely changed since the line opened 140 years ago, and on to the southern terminus at totnes Littlehempston, a short walk from the town and the main line station. totnes Littlehempston station has been constructed using buildings and artefacts from all round

the former Great Western Railway – the station building from Dorset, the canopy from somerset, the signal box from the West Midlands and other buildings from Devon.

the south Devon Railway is a member of the consortia ‘3 Great Attractions, 1 Amazing Day’, which offers visitors some really varied full day out packages with joint tickets at bargain prices. Just across the line at the end of the station platform at totnes Littlehempston is the award winning totnes Rare Breeds Farm and its wonderful collection of friendly animals. At Buckfastleigh station, you will find Dartmoor otters & Buckfast Butterflies, where you can see new butterflies emerge in tropical surroundings and watch the otters swimming underwater in specially built glass enclosures.

“Take the train to sleepy Staverton, which has barely

changed since the line opened 140 years ago...”


Buckfast Abbey is nearby. Dartmoor and torbay are both close, plus there is easy access along the A38 trunk road to all the attractions of exeter and Plymouth.

dartmouth steam railway & river Boat company Dartmouth steam Railway trains travel seven miles along the most spectacular south Devon coast down into the Dart Valley, a designated area of outstanding beauty; with stations at Goodrington sands, Churston and the beautiful village of Kingswear which sits proudly opposite the pretty port of Dartmouth.

Dartmouth River Boats operate on the stunning River Dart offering daily scheduled services to the historic town of totnes and regular services to the picturesque villages of Dittisham and stoke Gabriel. Harbour cruises operate daily from Dartmouth.

this unique offering combines steam railway, river and sea adventures for days out in Devon. the Round Robin is an award-winning full day out - a steam train journey, ferry crossing, river cruise and bus ride.

“Dartmouth River Boats operate on the stunning River Dart offering daily scheduled

services...”there are many other trips available to you which will give your group a great experience. these include:-

‘sea train Adventure’ - Depart from torquay, Haldon Pier. sail to Dartmouth and return by steam train and bus.

‘salcombe Voyage’- sail along the coast from Dartmouth to the lovely port of salcombe on selected dates throughout the summer.

‘steam & Cruise’ - Paignton to Kingswear by steam train followed by a circular harbour cruise.

south devon railway


‘teignmouth Circular’- A truly spectacular cruise to torquay following the south Devon coastline. this trip is full of dramatic views including oddicombe Cliff Railway, Babbacombe Downs and thatcher’s Rock before turning into the wonderful english Riviera ‘Bay’. Alternatively, ‘teignmouth-Dartmouth Circular’ option - to Dartmouth by boat, return to Paignton by steam train, then bus return to teignmouth.

there is no coach parking at either Paignton or Dartmouth but it is possible to pick up and drop off at Dartmouth and there is public parking nearby. Advance notice is required for pick up at Paignton but again there is public parking close to the station. Coach parking is available at totnes. there is plenty more information and help for group organisers on the website.

there are several special events throughout the year on both the railway and the boats and both get involved in some of the major local events in the area such as the Dartmouth Royal Regatta and the torbay steam Fair. there are also dining specials, Murder Mystery evenings, summer Jazz and Dinner Cruises with guest speaker.


You are close to the major resort of torquay and also to Dartmoor, where there is a wide range of tours and attractions. Greenway House, the former home of novelist Agatha Christie, and now restored by the national trust, is near Dartmouth. of course the coastal towns of salcombe, Kingsbridge and others are close by.

seaton Tramway seaton tramway is one of the most popular destinations in east Devon, and its appeal is easy to appreciate - step back in time and experience the only way to travel. Its narrow gauge trams operate on a three mile line between seaton and the medieval town of Colyton. Your journey will take you through glorious countryside and two nature reserves, providing unrivalled views of the Axe Valley and the estuary with its birds, including Kingfisher, oystercatcher, egret, shelduck, Lapwing and Redshank. the journey is 30 minutes in each direction.

the fifteen-strong fleet mainly comprises purpose-built heritage open topped trams; although three vintage tramcars have been rebuilt as enclosed saloons and there are three hybrid design ‘open-toppers’ based on the Plymouth and Blackburn trams. each tram holds 35 people but trams can be added together for larger groups. Advanced

dartmouth steam railway & river Boat company

3 Great Attractions, 1 Amazing Day: Devon’s most surprising day out for groups. Take a steam train along one of the most beautiful river valleys in the west.

See otters from around the world and stunning tropical butterflies, stroke the owls, feed the red squirrels and meet the hedgehogs!

Visit each attraction separately or get great value joint tickets for all three! Brilliant deals for groups. Free parking at Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ.

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAYSOUTH DEVON RAILWAYBUCKFASTLEIGH • STAVERTON • TOTNES

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

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0843 357 1420 www.southdevonrailway.co.uk

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booking is strongly recommended but it is sometimes possible to travel at short notice. there is a special tram which can accommodate wheelchairs. It is an open tram so exposed to the weather and this must be booked in advance.

there are 2 hour long ‘Guided Bird Watching trips’ for groups of up to 20, accessing some of the remote areas of seaton marshes and Colyford Common along the glorious River Axe estuary. Corporate visits are also available.

“Colyton town centre is a ten-minute walk from the Tramway,

with winding streets, enticing shops and amiable pubs.”

At Colyton, the tramstop Restaurant has a fantastic choice of freshly home-cooked food using local produce to suit all tastes and ages, don’t miss out on their famous Devon cream teas! Group packages are available by prior arrangement. the gift shop is stocked with a variety of exciting gifts, confectionery, local produce, books and tramway souvenirs.

Colyton town centre is a ten-minute walk from the tramway, with winding streets, enticing shops and amiable pubs. notable sights include the 12th century st Andrews Church, with its unusual lantern tower. the tram terminus at seaton is close to the town centre and there is an esplanade stretching a mile between seaton Chine and Axmouth Harbour.


the historic harbour town of Lyme Regis is close by, as is the pretty town of sidmouth. the town of Axminster famous for its carpets is also a short drive away.

lynton & Barnstaple railway It is hard to believe that this famous little railway, built to carry holidaymakers to Lynton and Lynmouth and farmers to market at Barnstable, ran for less than 40 years before its closure back in 1935. Much loved, it is now running again for a short distance from Woody Bay station. A lot of excitement has been caused recently by the completion of ‘Lyd’ a replica of one of the original L&B locomotives, currently running on the Ffestiniog Railway in north Wales, resplendent in its southern Railway livery. I am sure ‘Lyd’ will be visiting Woody Bay soon.

Woody Bay station has an enchanting atmosphere. standing on the platform, you could easily imagine yourself back in the old days waiting for a train to take you to market or on a day outing. step aboard the train at england’s highest narrow gauge railway station for a nostalgic journey on the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. there is a reserved area for coaches with free parking. the toilets are easily accessible and there is level access to most of the site. Groups who book in advance get generous coach and tour operators’ discounts.

“Step aboard the train at England’s highest narrow gauge railway station for a nostalgic

journey on the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.”

the tea Rooms have proved very popular with tour operators looking for a mid morning or mid afternoon attraction. A 90 minute stop at Woody Bay station combines well with a visit to Lynton and Lynmouth, Ilfracombe or local national trust venues. Combination rail trip, tea and cakes and a short historical talk about the railway can be arranged.


the railway is on the edge of exmoor, and close to the major seaside resort of Ilfracombe. the market town of Barnstaple is worth a visit and of course there is also the town of Lynton.

lynton & lynmouth cliff railwayno group trip to the picturesque towns of Lynton and Lynmouth would be complete without a trip on the world famous funicular Cliff Railway.

As you glide up and down the 862 foot length of track, from Lynmouth nestling at the foot of the cliffs to Lynton perched 500 feet above, there are stunning views of the Devon coastline and beyond in an area nicknamed ‘england’s Little switzerland’.

this fascinating cliff lift uses only water and the weight of the passengers on board as its motive power. the car going down must weigh more than the one going up to make it work – it is most ingenious and is probably one of the most environmentally friendly tourist attractions in the country.

It is open from February 11th until early november from 10:00 each morning, closing times vary. there are nearby public car parks in both towns and plenty of shops and cafés too. the award winning ‘Cliff top Cafaurant’ is situated at the top of the railway with fantastic views across the Bristol Channel.

west somerset railwaythe West somerset Railway is Britain’s longest standard gauge heritage railway running 20 miles between Bishops Lydeard (near taunton, M5, Jn 25) and Minehead. there are 10 stations along the way serving a variety of destinations and offering things to do including walking in the Quantock Hills, the historic seaport of Watchet, the medieval village of Dunster with its Castle and of course the seaside town of Minehead. For groups staying in the greater exmoor area there is the opportunity to combine a steam train journey with a visit to taunton, county town of somerset. Journey time is 75-90 minutes in each direction, so

seaton Tramway


many groups travel one-way only. Minehead station is opposite the beach near the town centre. Here you get the chance to watch steam locomotives being turned on a turntable – a rare sight on a heritage railway and guaranteed to bring out the cameras.

Discounted fares are available for groups of 16 or more adults/seniors. special rates apply for youth groups and schools. A higher discount applies on Mondays and Fridays. the railway can also arrange group packages including train trips and visits to Dunster Castle or Hestercombe Gardens. For groups of up to 22 in number, another package combines the train journey with an old style “Mystery tour” around exmoor on a coach. A downloadable group pack is available on the website and familiarisation visits are available to group organisers.

there are many gala events throughout the year. Group travel with pre-booked seats is not available during galas, but there are discounts on Rover tickets if booked in advance so that the group can fully enjoy the event. there are also fish & chip trains, cream teas and cheese & cider specials. the website has good clear information about the many different events in 2012.

“For groups staying in the greater Exmoor area there is the opportunity to combine a steam

train journey with a visit to Taunton...”


In addition to the joint offers above, Cleeve Abbey (english Heritage), a working cider farm and medieval Dunster with its Castle (national trust) are along the route. A visit can be combined with a tour of exmoor, either using your own coach or, for smaller groups, taking advantage of the inclusive tour.

east somerset railway the east somerset Railway is a standard gauge line that was restored by railway and wildlife artist, David shepherd. It offers a five mile round trip from the station at Cranmore into the rolling Mendip countryside. the engine sheds are a five minute walk from the station and it is possible to alight here on the train’s

west somerset railway

20milesof heritagerailway through Somerset

Coastand Country

GroupTravel atdiscount rates • Wheelchair friendlyRoundTrip&DayRoverTicket • Bar/BuffetCars

Book online atwww.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

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20milesof heritagerailway through Somerset

Coastand Country

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GROUP DAYS OUT!


return journey to visit the sheds. there is a museum at Cranmore in the old waiting room telling about the history of the line and there is also a small restaurant and gift shop.

Please contact the railway or look at their website for steaming days.


the city of Wells has lovely architecture and there is Cheddar Gorge with its caves and tradition of cheese making or Wookey Hole only a short distance away. there are several local vineyards, and Glastonbury tor, supposed site of King Arthur’s Camelot, is also nearby.

avon valley railway the Avon Valley runs along a 3 mile section of the old Midland Railway line between Bristol and Bath. Bitton station is just off the A431. Built in the 1860’s, it has been lovingly restored by volunteers. there is a café, the Bitton Bistro, serving hot & cold food and a gift shop too. Free coach parking is available on the station forecourt.

the railway has been successfully running group visits for over a decade and since 2004 has been offering a group itinerary which encompasses a ride on the steam train, a cream tea and a River Avon boat trip in conjunction with their friends who own the Silver Salmon river cruiser. For the last few years the boat trip has been in Bath but, for 2012, the Silver Salmon will be based in Bristol, so the hour long trip will be around the Bristol Harbourside, although trips in Bath can still be organised if required. Also new for 2012 is the added option of an hour long Bristol City sightseeing tour instead of the free time allowed to explore Bristol.

“The railway has been successfully running group visits

for over a decade and since 2004 has been offering a group

itinerary…”As you would expect, they offer discounted rates for groups of 20 or more and there is a nice package for the train, boat and cream tea.


the beautiful Roman city of Bath with its historic attractions is just a few miles away and is a good place to spend some time; while in Bristol you have the iron ship ss Great Britain. It is only a short drive to Weston-super-Mare or a crossing of the severn Bridge takes you into south Wales. situated near the junction of the M4 and M5, there are many opportunities for tours and attractions.

dean Forest railway this charming little railway is well worth a visit with good views of the Forest of Dean. It runs from Lydney town station to Parkend. the free museum specialises in the Forest of Dean and severn & Wye joint railway artefacts and is situated at norchard, the railway’s headquarters. there is also a well stocked shop at norchard and the Plate Layers café is on the platform serving simple refreshments. there are drop off and pick up facilities at Lydney and Parkend but most coaches come to norchard where

there is parking, and do the round trip from there. the round trip takes around 1½ hours.

the Royal Forester dining car runs on occasions offering full meal service for up to 44 people and the first class officers’ saloon seats up to 22 people and offers plush seating and panoramic views.


the historic border town of Chepstow is on the Welsh border and on the Welsh side is Raglan Castle and Abergavenny. Closer to hand is tintern Abbey. Ross-on-Wye and the historic city of Gloucester are both worth a visit.

sTeaM – Museum of the great western railway steAM Museum at swindon tells the story of the men and women who built, operated, and travelled on the Great Western Railway; or ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’ as it is known! this railway network, built by the inspirational Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded in its time as one of the most advanced in the World.

the museum is housed in a beautifully restored Grade II listed building in the heart of the famous swindon railway works. swindon was at one time one of the greatest railway towns in the country. It was the headquarters of the Great Western Railway employing over 12,000 people, building and maintaining some of the most famous locomotives in the world, including the very last one built for British Railways, Evening Star.

“STEAM Museum at Swindon tells the story of the men and

women who built, operated, and travelled on the Great Western

Railway...”sadly, the town is no longer a railway hub and most of the huge works has been demolished, but the name Great Western is still synonymous with railway excellence and there are many families who still proudly proclaim themselves as GWR people. And it is into their world that you step as you enter the museum, passing through a series of reconstructions, carefully assembled using

dean Forest railway


Journey from Seaton,gateway town tothe World HeritageJurassic Coast throughtwo nature reservesalongside the Axeestuary to historicColyton.

Open daily: 31st Mar - 4th Nov,26th Dec - 1st Jan 2013

Open weekends: 3rd-25th Mar

Halloween Tram of Terror: 22nd - 31st Oct

Santa Specials: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd,24th Dec

Any size group welcome 20 ormore passengers travel on theirown tram. Group Travel incentivesfor Coach & Tour operators. Pleasecontact us for further details.

Seaton Tramway Jan 2012 90x130_Seaton Tramway Jan 2011 90x130 24/02/2

Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway,

Devon EX35 6EQ

T: 01598 [email protected]

www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk


original equipment and supported by videos and displays. the lifelike figures are cast from real swindon people, many of them railway workers from those same families. there is something to interest everyone as you pass through the offices, the carriage works, the station and other areas, and there is a section too on holidays to the West featuring some of those evocative railway posters of the past.

Groups are welcome here and there are discounted rates for parties of 15 or more with substantially discounted rates for groups of over 50. there is free coach parking with a designated drop off and pick up point outside the entrance. Introductory talks to help you to get more from your visit can be arranged at a cost of £10 per group but this is very worthwhile as it can help people to choose what they would most like to see if time is limited. this facility is only available if booked in advance.

steAM is a great place for schools with so much ‘hands on’ history, and their education department are proud to have been recently awarded the Campaign for Learning outside the Classroom award.

every other saturday there is a “Meet the Railway Workers” event when visitors can step back in time and meet the engine drivers, firemen and railway workers who worked at swindon Works. You can learn how the locomotives worked and what it was like to work there; and who better to tell you about it than someone who has actually done it! there is a strong volunteer team of former railway workers at steAM and they offer visitors a great link back to the past. there are numerous events throughout the year including the Great Western Lego show on 6th and 7th october 2012.

there are conference facilities to match every need from AGMs to Gala dinners with a large range of conference rooms and catering. the rooms have many Great Western features in keeping with the museum’s theme.


steAM is next door to the swindon Designer outlet, a huge undercover shopping centre offering discounts on designer and high street brands. It is also close to the national Monuments Record Centre, the public archive of english Heritage, and the Railway Village Museum. For something completely different and a handy meal stop, studley Grange Craft Village is just off Junction 16 of the M4.

Torbay expressthe torbay express was one of the most famous express steam trains of the post war years and you can capture the nostalgia when you indulge in a special trip from Bristol to Kingswear, bringing back the romantic days of steam and summer holidays.

Group bookings are available and there are various catering options. there is a choice of a break of journey at Paignton or the full trip to Dartmouth.

It operates on most summer sundays from June to september, using famous steam locomotives such as King Edward II and Tornado. For information on dates of operation, please refer to the website. this is not a heritage railway but runs on the main line.

souTh oF england working museums, branch lines and a unique garden railway are all part of heritage railway appeal in this diverse part of england, from the south coast and beyond to the home counties. we start just across the water.

isle of wight steam railway this enchanting little railway is a real jewel in the heritage railway movement. nearly all its trains date back at least 100 years to the edwardian or Victorian eras, with beautifully restored locomotives and carriages. In 2010 their hard work was acknowledged when they won ‘the UK’s Best Heritage Project’ in the national Lottery Awards. this living breathing museum stems from the enthusiasm of a small group determined to save a few relics from the Island’s once extensive railway network.

the main station and facilities are to be found at Havenstreet station where you should base your visit. there is ample coach parking here and it is easy to manoeuvre. the site is quite large making it an excellent venue for the special events which take place throughout the year. there is a shop, museum, and licensed café which has both an indoor area and a covered patio for sunnier days. Pre-arranged catering packages are available. Please allow time for a wander around the station, there is plenty to see. Visitors are allowed free access to the carriage & wagon workshop giving the chance to marvel at the craftsmanship used to lovingly restore the heritage vehicles. there is a woodland walk for those wishing to stretch their legs or you can just sit on one of the station benches and watch the world go by.

the journey is a leisurely 10 mile round trip taking around 50 minutes. the train visits smallbrook Junction which it shares with the Island Line electric train and provides an interchange for passengers. the engine runs round and the train heads back towards Havenstreet, through pretty woodland, farmland and open countryside. the island is surprisingly hilly and the gradients are quite steep so the little engines work hard on the way. After passing your coach at Havenstreet, the train steams on, through Briddlesford Copse which is delightful in all seasons with lineside

isle of wight steam railway


THIS MULTI AWARD-WINNING ATTRACTION WILL CHARM, ENGAGE AND CAPTIVATE YOU

HAVENSTREET STATION, HAVENSTREET, NR RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT PO33 4DS� 01983 882204 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

THIS MULTI AWARD-WINNING ATTRACTION

See our brochure or website for detailsBEST HERITAGE

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The railway is a country branch line providing heritage train rides for both families and enthusiasts alike. The line runs along the foot of the Chiltern Hills, parallel to the Icknield Way, passing through attractive Oxfordshire countryside.

Open: Every Sunday and Bank Holiday from March to October with many special events throughout the year. Tickets generally give unlimited travel on the day of purchase. All trains depart from Chinnor Station between

10.15am to 4.15pm. Evening events include Quiz evenings, and Murder Mystery Dining Trains. Santa and Mince Pie Specials run during weekends in December.

Sunday Cream Teas The railway also offers superb Cream Teas on many of the Sunday afternoon steam hauled trains. For cream tea bookings, coach parties, group bookings, film and television hire or general enquiries please ring:

07979 055366

20% Group Discount

(over 20 passengers)


flowers and wildlife, and on to its terminus at Wootton where the engine runs round again for the return journey.

Groups are made very welcome at the railway and there is a helpful section on their website. there are generous discounts for advanced bookings which are essential to guarantee reserved accommodation on the train of your choice. the railway runs on most days from April to october with selected winter opening. Again, a visit to the website gives clear information on dates of operation, timetables and special events.

the Isle of Wight steam Railway offers a nostalgic journey back in time to an era when everyone travelled by steam train and is a great way to see some of the island’s unspoilt countryside.


the Isle of Wight is a great destination for a day out, a short break or a longer holiday and there is plenty to do to fill your time. everywhere is in easy reach on the island, including osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, the needles Park, Isle of Wight Pearl and Ventnor Botanic Garden.

Mid hants railway the Mid Hants Railway is affectionately known as the Watercress Line and in 2012 it is proud to be celebrating its 35th anniversary! on the 30th April 1977, the first train departed Alresford under new management, the line having been brought back to life since the closure by BR in 1973. since then, they have carried 3.8m passengers and become a world famous tourist attraction in southern england. In 2012, they hope to reach the 4m passenger mark, which will be a fantastic achievement! today the railway runs for 10 miles between the market towns of Alresford and Alton.

In addition to the already enviable fleet of large steam locomotives, 2012 will also see return to steam southern Railways schools Class no.925 ‘Cheltenham’. It is one of only 3 remaining and is being lovingly restored by a team of engineers and volunteers at the railway and at eastleigh Works, just down the road, where the loco was first built in 1934. the schools class are magnificent engines, the most powerful of their type ever built, and will make a fantastic addition to the fleet. ‘Cheltenham’ is part of the national Collection based at nRM York.

other exciting news sees the Watercress Line gain another fantastic piece of industrial heritage with the famous Kings Cross footbridge, as featured in many films including Harry Potter, find a new home at Ropley station! the bridge will provide an excellent vantage point to watch the trains come and go as well as give improved access around the site where the loco shed is based. the bridge is

in the process of being restored and will be commissioned in mid 2012.

there is free coach parking at Alresford if booked in advance. Most groups start their journey here and it is particularly recommended if there are less able people in the group. the main gift shop is here and there is also a station buffet serving hot and cold snacks. At Alton, the railway shares its station with the main line that serves Woking and Waterloo. For mid week bookings, there is the option to add a ploughman’s platter, a hot lunch or cream tea to a return journey, all served on board. there is also the chance to book a tour of the Locomotive sheds at Ropley, guided by one of their knowledgeable volunteers.

“The Mid Hants Railway is affectionately known as the

Watercress Line and in 2012 it is proud to be celebrating its 35th

anniversary!”they have an exciting line up of special events for 2012 including new family events such as Postman Pat and Peppa Pig joining the already excellent Day out With thomas! the now legendary steam galas return with a brace of visiting guest engines to enthrall all, plus much, much more!


the Watercress Line has some attractive group deals with local attractions such as Milestones in Basingstoke, Basingstoke Canal, Jane Austen’s House, the Gilbert White Museum and Intech near Winchester. Winchester Cathedral and shopping, and all the attractions of southampton and Portsmouth, are nearby.

exbury gardens & steam railway exbury Gardens are a spectacular 200 acre site famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and shrubs. It offers a splendid show of colour throughout the season. In addition to over 20 miles of pathways to explore on foot, there are chauffeur-driven buggies or, of course, there is the railway. the garden opens for the year on 10th March and the railway, which takes the strain out of the long walk round, runs every day the garden is open. the railway celebrated its tenth anniversary last year with a visit by HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. the ride takes 20 minutes and what better day out than to combine steam engines and flowers!

exbury Gardens mark 2012 with a special ‘spring to Autumn’ offer for groups. All groups who visit the Gardens between 10th March and 10th June 2012 and purchase tickets for the steam Railway will be give a free return ticket to see the Gardens’ fabulous autumn colours.

“Exbury Gardens mark 2012 with a special ‘Spring to Autumn’

offer for groups.”new for 2012 in the Gardens will be Head Gardener John Anderson’s colourful tree Guide to exbury and weekly plant trails, together with new pathways to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Groups can take advantage of preferential rates by ordering Gardens and Railway tickets in advance. Group organisers

Mid hants railway


receive free admission to the Gardens and steam Railway, as do coach drivers. Mr eddy’s Restaurant offers a full range of refreshments from light snacks to hot meals, and an open-air tea garden is open seasonally. Visitors with mobility issues are especially welcome, with the railway and buggy tours opening up large parts of the Gardens and providing access for all. the Gardens were recently awarded the Hudson’s Heritage ‘Best Garden’ award for properties in the UK, where judges praised exbury’s continued investment in visitor facilities and development of the Gardens plant and tree collections.


Beaulieu, with its palace and motor museum, is just down the road, and exbury can be easily included in a tour of the new Forest. Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum on the banks of the Beaulieu River is close by and river trips are also available.

swanage railway the swanage Railway is situated on the Isle of Purbeck in the south east corner of Dorset. the Isle covers almost 100 square miles and although it is not strictly an island, it is almost surrounded by water and is a popular holiday destination. this railway offers a more intensive heritage steam and diesel timetable train service than virtually any other preserved railway. steam and diesel galas, family fun events, plus regular evening and lunchtime ‘Wessex Belle’ dining services complement themed events such as the highly popular ‘santa special’ trains during the run up to Christmas. there are stations at norden, Corfe Castle, Harmans Cross, Herston and swanage which provide

access to historic villages, country walks and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, whilst also providing a valuable transport service for the local community. swanage station is the railway’s headquarters and is a beautifully maintained reminder of when it was an important national railway terminus.

the southern Railway atmosphere combined with a trip to swanage with its award winning sandy beach is perfect for enthusiasts and families alike. Parking can be a problem in swanage but there is a large car park at norden. the railway offers unrivalled views of historic Corfe Castle and this makes the line unique. there is a station at Corfe which is handy for visiting the castle. take a trip behind a restored steam locomotive and enjoy the local history, nature and much more during your journey. During the summer the trains run late into the evening giving you plenty more time to enjoy swanage or Corfe Castle.

“There is a pick up and drop off point at Swanage so it is possible

to do both single and return journeys.”

It is recommended that coaches drop off passengers at norden where there is a purpose built park and ride facility and a coach drop off point with parking for pre booked groups. this saves trying to drop off in swanage town centre and gives travellers a nostalgic journey to the seaside evoking memories of yesteryear when everyone travelled by train to reach their summer holiday by the sea. Many of the trains have a buffet service and there are buffets within restored carriages at both norden and swanage stations. Both serve cream teas and light lunches and group catering is available by prior request. there is a pick up and drop off point at swanage so it is possible to do both single and return journeys.


other local attractions include national trust’s Corfe Castle and Corfe Castle Model Village. swanage is a traditional seaside resort with a blue flag rated beach only a short walk from the station. there are many attractions on the Isle of Purbeck including the tank Museum at Bovington Camp, and Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre.

exbury gardens & steam railway

swanage railway


london Transport Museum the London transport Museum is an interesting attraction in the heart of Covent Garden, telling the story of London transport which was the world’s first mass transit system. Lively galleries tell the story of London’s transport network and also about the people living and working in the capital, and how it has shaped their lives. there are vehicles, poster exhibitions and many other exhibits.

the main exhibition for 2012 is ‘Mind the Map’ – an inspiring art, design and cartography exhibition which is expected to be the largest of its kind. From diagrammatic, decorative and digital maps to the famous iconic London tube map, the exhibition will draw on the museum’s outstanding map collection to explore the theme of journeys. there are some newly commissioned works together with some historic documents, previously unseen.

the museum is open daily and there is a shop and café on site. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more for a one day ticket. there are numerous events and exhibitions throughout the year, details of which can be found on the website.

the Museum’s Depot in Acton includes rare road and rail vehicles, the famous poster and artwork stores, signs, ceramic tiles and ephemera. Access is available during special open weekends and there are guided tours on the last saturday and sunday of the month.


there are countless attractions in London from museums, river trips and theatres to shopping and sightseeing.

leighton Buzzard railway For a relaxing half-day outing, it is well worth a visit to the little railway with a big story to tell!

the Leighton Buzzard Railway, in deepest Bedfordshire, dates back to 1919, and is the only narrow-gauge line in england to have operated continuously for all that time. Built originally to carry sand from the local quarries, it is now run as a tourist attraction and working museum, by a team of dedicated volunteers.

“Groups are very welcome but must be pre-booked as capacity is

limited.”starting from Page’s Park station, on the south side of Leighton Buzzard, the railway runs around the edge of the town and out into the countryside, with great views across to Dunstable Downs and the Chiltern Hills. Going at a sedate pace, with sharp curves, steep inclines, level crossings and roadside running, you will re-live a long-lost era of rural transport. the round trip takes 70 minutes, and the visit time can be extended by a stop for refreshments at the station buffet.

Its 2-foot track gauge is very common throughout the world, so the museum collection includes working locomotives from India, Africa, the United states and europe, as well as the United Kingdom, and from backgrounds as diverse as battlefields and sugar-cane plantations. Most trains are hauled by steam engines with fascinating histories to discover.

Groups are very welcome but must be pre-booked as capacity is limited. there is free parking at Page’s Park station for coaches and a free ticket for driver/organiser. For very large groups it may be possible to charter a train of your own. Please check carefully for dates of operation. there are a series of events throughout the year, details of which can be found on their helpful and friendly website.


the Leighton Buzzard Railway is just a few minutes from the M1, A5 or A505, and close to both Whipsnade and Woburn, either of which can be combined with a visit to the railway for a great day out. Bletchley Park, the national Codes Centre, the historic site of secret British code breaking in WWII, is also a short drive away.

Buckinghamshire railway centre Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a working steam museum where you step back in time as you view the giants of the steam age of rail travel. there is everything from the humble shunting engine to express passenger locomotives. Carriages, wagons and other artefacts are also on view in this 25 acre site.

Many of the displays are under cover in the 150 year old ‘new’ visitor centre. this old station building was painstakingly moved brick by brick from the centre of oxford. Built in the style of the Great exhibition Building at Crystal Palace, it will fascinate anyone with an interest in architecture.

You can take a train ride behind one of the full sized locomotives or ride the miniature railway which runs around the site.

there is free coach parking and good accessibility. the centre has a spacious refreshment room and well stocked gift and book shop. Visitors are free to wander at leisure or you can request the help of a friendly experienced guide to show you around. the centre is open most days from late March until the end of october with limited winter opening. Check the website for standard open days, steaming days and other events.

leighton Buzzard railway


www.swanagerailway.co.uk01929 425800Photographs by Andrew P.M.Wright

• AspectacularjourneythroughtheIsleofPurbeck.

• Specialseventsthroughouttheyear.

• Runningeveryweekenduntiltheendoftheyear.

• DailyrunningfromApriluntilOctober.

• UsePark&PideatNordenforconvenience.

SteamThroughDorset

Heritage Railways Directory 2012.indd 1 21/02/2012 10:56:15



Waddesdon Manor and the national trust’s Claydon House are within a few miles, as are Bletchley Park for the Code Breakers and Milton Keynes which has good shopping.

chinnor & princes risborough railway this small and friendly railway on the oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border runs from Chinnor station for 3½ miles along the foot of the Chiltern Hills, parallel to the historic Icknield Way. It passes through attractive countryside, with outstanding views across the Vale of Whiteleaf where red kites can often be seen circling overhead. the current terminus is at thane Junction with the next stage of development an extension into Princes Risborough. there is no access to thane and so all journeys are a return from Chinnor.

“...the railway offers to the public magnificent cream teas on

many of its Sunday afternoon services.”

the railway is open for passenger services mostly at weekends from mid-March until the end of october and holds many special events including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween spooks express, Gala days and Murder Mystery dining trains. As well as these special events, the railway offers to the public magnificent cream teas on many of its sunday afternoon services. For groups and coach parties these, and many other forms of catering during the train journey, can by negotiation, be made available in their licensed buffet car, at any convenient time - a quick call to 07979 055366 will enable you to explore the possibilities.


the sights of oxford, Marlow, Henley-on-thames and the thames Valley along with the Chiltern Hills are within easy reach.

didcot railway centre the Great Western Railway spanned five generations and the collection of locomotives, carriages and wagons at Didcot Railway Centre encapsulates the Great Western Railway’s history. It is a great way to educate and entertain today’s generations of all ages with experiences their ancestors had when travelling by train - from the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign, through the edwardian zenith of empire, to the world conflicts and quest for speed in the first half of the 20th century, when the railways developed steam power to the ultimate to counter the developing competition from road and air transport.

Didcot Railway Centre brings all this to life with the working replica locomotive, ‘Fire Fly’, and its broad gauge train of 1840; the late Victorian four-wheeled and clerestory coaches; the edwardian steam rail-motor of 1908; the mighty Castle and King classes of the 1920’s and 1930’s; the diesel railcar and futuristic gas turbine locomotive of the 1940’s; plus a full supporting cast of freight, mixed traffic and shunting locomotives and the rolling stock they hauled.

It is housed in 23 acres alongside Didcot Parkway mainline station. At its heart is the historic engine shed which still has all the apparatus needed to maintain steam locomotives. the three running lines – one being of Brunel’s broad gauge which you will not see very often! – give a taste of travel in the 19th and early 20th centuries. the atmosphere is completed by stations, signal boxes and other original lineside features brought from locations around the GWR system. there is a museum and archive displaying the smaller artefacts and original colourful posters, a ‘science, Learning and Railways’ interactive display which is great for children, the original air raid shelter from 1940, plus a good shop and large refreshment room.

“...the collection of locomotives, carriages and wagons at Didcot

Railway Centre encapsulates the Great Western Railway’s

history.”there is a full calendar of events, including ‘Day out With thomas’, twice a year, ‘thomas and Father Christmas’, a big gala event, and ‘speed & steam’. the latter is a unique day out that starts with a ride from Didcot on a vintage bus, to the Williams Formula 1 Conference Centre and Museum at Grove, Wantage. this is the largest privately owned F1 museum in the world, and is rarely open to the public. the well presented museum features 40 F1 cars, and access is also given to the technology and trophy rooms.Guests then return to Didcot Railway Centre on the vintage bus, for a sumptuous lunch in the “super saloons”, followed by a full guided tour, and a footplate ride on a Great Western Railway steam locomotive.

Groups are welcome on almost any day of the year. Advanced booking is essential for days when the centre is not otherwise open and advisable at other times. It is recommended that you give a minimum of 2 hours for your visit. A guide can be arranged to escort your group for a small charge. evening visits with a buffet meal can be organised in the summer months. Parking is not easy at the centre but parking arrangements will be advised to you at the time of booking.


Didcot is about 14 miles from the centre of oxford, and close to historic Abingdon (for thames cruising) and the scenic Vale of the White Horse.

chinnor & princes risborough railway

didcot railway centre


souTh easT The south east of england is home to some of Britain’s best known heritage railways, both large and small.

Bluebell railway

the Bluebell Railway was Britain’s first standard gauge heritage railway and began running services in May 1960 from sheffield Park station, near Haywards Heath in West sussex, to just outside Horsted Keynes. the line was later extended to Kingscote and work is continuing on a further extension which will take the railway to a new station at east Grinstead. this is a major project which is hoped to open in the near future.

sheffield Park is the main station where most coach parties join. there is a restaurant and bar and also a museum, where many steam locomotives are on display or under restoration. the Bluebell has a huge range of locomotives from small such as Stepney, made famous in the Rev W.V. Awdry’s ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ books, to large Pacifics such as Battle of Britain class Sir Archibald Sinclair, which returned to service in 2009. there is coach parking available at the station.

the journey from sheffield Park is a pleasant run through woods and fields, and in spring you’ll see the bluebells that give the line its name. It passes through Horsted Keynes station and on to Kingscote. the return journey takes 90 minutes and groups are recommended to travel on the 11:00, 13:00 or 15:00 services as these have better facilities including toilets and a buffet car light refreshment service. there are several packages available including ‘Ploughman’s Plus’ on the 13:00 train which includes a ploughman’s lunch on board, or a ‘steam & Cream’ on the 15:00 train which includes a cream tea. there is also the chance to buy a joint ticket to include the national trust’s sheffield Park Gardens, approximately 1 mile away.

the Bluebell Railway is a popular location for film makers and has appeared in The Wind in the Willows, The Railway Children, Station Jim, The Ruby in the Smoke, Miss Potter, Poirot and many other period productions.

Bluebell railway

For more informationTel: 01825 720800 Fax: 01825 720804

[email protected]

www.bluebell-railway.com

• Group discounts available forgroups of 10+

• Additional discount for regularcustomers

• Run every weekend and dailyApril-October

• On-board catering available onsome trains (booking essential)

• Travel through unspoilt Sussexcountryside

• All services steam hauled

• Bookings essential for someservices. Please ring for moreinformation

Kent & East Sussex

RailwayTenterden · Northiam · Bodiam

01580 765155 • kesr.org.uk

10% discount on group fares for 20+On train offers include Fish & Chips or Ploughmans

Lunch, together with delightful Cream Teas.

Some notable 2012 events:1940s Weekend - 16 JuneCAMRA Beer Festival - 19 & 20 MayHop Pickers Weekend - 8 & 9 SeptScan and discover our Group Pages online.

England’s finest rural light railway welcomes groups



It is only a short distance to Brighton and the south coast but closer to hand are Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum to the north east of Lewes and the royal botanic garden of Wakehurst Place at Ardingly.

Kent & east sussex railway the Kent & east sussex is a fine example of a rural light railway. the line is a tribute to Colonel stephens, a man who created many “light railways” around the turn of the 19th/20th Centuries. the line gently wends its way through the Rother valley from tenterden, in Kent, to Bodiam, in east sussex, where its terminus station is set beside Bodiam Castle, crossing the border of two of southern england’s most rural counties with views of oast houses and even vineyards. once used to transport hops and hop pickers, the railway was known locally as the ‘Hoppers’ Line’. there is still a brewery locally and its beer is sold on the train.

“Groups have a variety of travel options and there is pre-bookable on train catering available too.”

tenterden town station has a restaurant and gift shop. there is also a museum which tells the story of Colonel stephens and his contribution to railway history. Light railways could be built without all the heavy engineering required of more conventional railways, allowing many rural communities to be connected by rail before widespread car ownership and use of buses and lorries brought an end to their short lives. this is a standard gauge line but he had influence over many railways, including the narrow gauge Ffestiniog, in north Wales.

Groups have a variety of travel options and there is pre-bookable on train catering available too. A downloadable Group Visits

leaflet is available from their website. single and return journeys are available, the round trip taking approximately 1¾ hours.


Bodiam Castle is a 10-minute walk from the railway’s western terminus. national trust property built in 1385. Joint itineraries are available with the castle and also for the Mill toy and Pedal Car Museum at northiam station and the nearby Biddenden Vineyards.

spa valley railway

this classic country branch line now runs for 5½ miles through the picturesque Kent and sussex Weald, the new section of line from Groombridge to eridge having been opened in 2011.

Although the railway has only just reached here, eridge station is anything but new. Lovingly restored by volunteers you feel as if you are in a time warp with many of the old features remaining. the toilets even demand old currency to get in! this is a joint station with southern Railway trains also calling here. there is a car park adjacent to the station.

the train passes through the stations of Groombridge and High Rocks before reaching the terminus at Royal tunbridge Wells. Here the railway uses a former engine shed, dating from the steam era, adjacent to the platform. this houses the shop and ticket office as well as the society’s growing collection of locomotives and carriages. A new concourse area allows visitors a chance to see work being done on the rolling stock. It is not possible to allow full access to the works but pre-arranged tours are available. Refreshments are available in static buffet car ‘emily’ which is at the front of the site.

“The Spa Valley operates fish and chips specials and real ale

trains, and groups can also hire complete trains with weddings a

speciality.”there are many special events during the year to suit all tastes. Group fares are available on request. Joint ticketing, events and publicity are organised with Groombridge Place Gardens, and the High Rocks Inn who paid for and built a new halt for the railway.

the spa Valley operates fish and chips specials and real ale trains, and groups can also hire complete trains with weddings a speciality. It is a friendly, progressive line which has been given a big lift by extending to eridge, as it is easier now to attract coach groups heading for eastbourne.


Groombridge Place Gardens were designed in the 17th Century and include the children’s attraction enchanted Forest. Joint tickets are available. A visit to Royal tunbridge Wells is a must. there is shopping in the historic Pantiles shopping area and it is also worth a trip to Chalybeate spring, where the Victorians came to ‘take the water’ thus giving the town its spa reputation.

Kent & east sussex railway


romney, hythe & dymchurch railway With 13½ miles of track stretching across Romney Marsh from the Cinque port town of Hythe to Dungeness, one of the largest expanses of shingle in the world and a national nature Reserve, the RH&DR, as it is known, is one of Kent’s best loved attractions. Although only classed as a miniature railway, the locomotives are modelled on main line express engines such as the Flying scotsman and there is a definite thrill to riding behind one of these one third full size locomotives as they steam across the marsh. this railway is small only in gauge!

Hythe station is only 10 minutes from the M20 so the railway is easy to access. there is free coach parking at some of the main stations.

Groups are well catered for here with a designated group co-ordinator happy to help with visit planning. there is a variety of alternative visits to suit all itineraries and budgets, from a 30 minute journey by steam train to a 1940’s themed full day guided tour. there are group rates for 20 or more with some

special low rates for schools and youth groups. two cafeterias seating up to 70 people each, offering our group travellers an array of hot & cold food & beverages. there are a number of special events throughout the year details of which can be found on their website.

“Groups are well catered for here with a designated group

co-ordinator happy to help with visit planning.”


there is an excellent toy & Model Railway Museum at new Romney station.

Romney Marsh is an attraction in its own right, including a nature reserve. the seaside towns of Rye or Folkestone make a good base for tours.

The lavender line the Lavender Line is part of the former Lewes to Uckfield Railway opened in 1858. It operates at weekends from the beautifully restored Isfield station in east sussex.

In the 1980s the railway passed into private hands and was sold to the current preservation society in the early 1990s. Isfield station now looks very much as it would have done in the 1920’s and 30’s. the track has been extensively overhauled and modified since the society took over and the line is approximately one mile long. the railway hopes to offer steam services on the first and last sunday of each month, plus bank holidays.

romney, hythe & dymchurch railway


easT oF england The east of england is a popular destination for groups, both for holidays and for days out, being conveniently close to london. east anglia suffered many line closures in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but this left miles of abandoned track bed just waiting to be redeveloped and the area now has a charming selection of heritage lines to include in your tour.

north norfolk railway north norfolk’s ’Poppy Line’ heritage railway offers one of the most spectacular steam trips in the UK, hugging the coast from the Victorian resort of sheringham to the village of Weybourne, and then climbing through the pines and gorse of norfolk heathland to a terminus on the outskirts of the Georgian market town of Holt. Aptly named, its route is lined in the summer by a sea of brightly coloured flowers which nod in the coastal breeze.

“North Norfolk’s ’Poppy Line’ heritage railway offers one of the most spectacular steam trips in

the UK...”the railway has three superb Victorian stations, full-size mainline locomotives and historic carriages, including a 1920’s wooden-bodied train that pioneered the articulated technology used in today’s eurostar and tGV trains. there is a gift shop at sheringham station and refreshments and souvenirs at all stations. steam trains run on most days from April 1st to october 31st, plus santa specials in December.

easily reached from Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and norwich, the Poppy Line offers free coach parking at Holt station by prior arrangement. Coach parking is also available in the public car park adjacent to sheringham station. Groups of 20 -200 can be accommodated, with free refreshments for the coach driver and free travel for the courier: group fares offer a 10% discount on ticket prices frozen since 2009 – superb value! Allow around two hours for the 10½ mile train trip and visit to the William

Marriott Railway Museum which is located in the goods shed at Holt station. the museum is named after the man who built the line and ran it for 40 years. there are other small exhibitions around the railway including one on the history of sheringham. Lunch or evening dining trains can be arranged for groups of 50 – 60. the reinstated level crossing at sheringham connects the Poppy Line with the national Rail network, and allows charter trains to be brought in. For educational groups, there is a children’s coach at Platform 3 in sheringham station.


the national trust properties of Felbrigg Hall (3 miles) and Blickling Hall (11 miles) are close by. the Muckleburgh Collection near sheringham has a collection of vehicles from World War II. As you are so close to the norfolk Broads, there are a selection of river cruises and also the compact but fascinating Museum of the Broads situated at stalham staithe just off the A149. there is a collection of boats but also information and artefacts and stories about the people that made Broadland come alive. Well worth a visit.

Bure valley railway the Bure Valley Railway is norfolk’s longest fifteen-inch gauge steam railway and operates between the old market town of Aylsham and the bustling Broads town of Wroxham, within easy reach of norwich and the coast. It was built on the track bed of part of the former Great eastern Railway and the nine mile line runs through the picturesque Bure Valley countryside, following the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pastures, stopping occasionally at small country villages. A foot and cycle path also runs alongside the track, giving the option of walking or cycling in one direction and catching the train back!

the purpose built headquarters of the line is situated in Aylsham. the buildings were erected in 1989 to a traditional railway design and house a large gift and model railway shop, the Whistlestop Café and a tourist information centre. the Whistlestop Café can seat up to 80 people and provides everything from a cup of tea to a full meal. A specially priced 2-course group menu is also available. the railway’s workshops are based at Aylsham too and are often open to the public. Coaches are welcome to use the station for a meal stop on their journey.

the entire railway is on a single level, providing easy access for wheelchair passengers. All trains have special wheelchair accessible coaches which allow wheelchair and able bodied passengers to travel together. All coaches are fully enclosed and upholstered, with heating during the winter months.

north norfolk railway

Bure valley railway

Wizards EveningModel Railway Exhibition

Vintage Vehicle andBus Rallies

Santa TrainsSteam Driving Experience

Main Events in 2012150th Anniversary of the opening

of this section of the CV &HRDays Out With ThomasJune and September

Dining ServicesSunday Lunches

Colne Valley Railway_Layout 1 23/02/2012 13:13 Page 1


LIVE STEAM – LIVING HISTORYSheringham Station NR26 8RA. Holt Station NR25 6AJ

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY

•Magnificent views of coast and country between Sheringhamand Holt

•Big mainline steam engines, 3 superb Victorian stations

•Easily reached from Norwich, Cromer and Gt Yarmouth

•Discounts for groups of 20 – 200

•Free travel for group organiser, free refreshments for driver

• Free parking at Holt station by arrangement

Visit www.nnrailway.co.uk or call 01263 820 800

North Norfolk’s Poppy Line steam railway

STEAMTRAINS

MOST DAYSAPRIL – OCT

YESTERDAY MEANS BUSINESS TODAY

East Anglia’s favourite Narrow Gauge Steam Railway

Open all year - Free Parking - Whistlestop Café - Souvenir Shop Disabled Access - Group Discounts

Trains Running from both Aylsham and Wroxham

Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6BW Tel 01263 733858

www.bvrw.co.uk

Why not take the Broadland Boat Train and combine a journey by steam with a cruise on the beautiful Norfolk Broads


Ample free parking with dedicated spaces for coaches is available at both Aylsham and Wroxham stations.

trains operate on a daily basis from the beginning of April to the end of october with special events throughout the year and seasonal packages available during november and December. the railway also offers a very popular boat train which gives the opportunity for a journey by steam followed by a cruise on the norfolk Broads

“The entire railway is on a single level, providing easy access for

wheelchair passengers.”What else is in the area?

national trust’s Blickling Hall is only 1 mile from Aylsham station but you are in the heart of the lovely norfolk Broads, so why not make the most of it! the Bure Valley’s Boat train offers a journey on the line plus a connection with Broads tours at Wroxham. A 15 minute stroll takes you to the river for a 1½ hour cruise along the River Bure passing Wroxham and salhouse Broads on your way.

Wroxham Barns is an excellent craft village with restaurant, children’s farm, old fashioned fairground sideshows and some great shopping. Coaches are welcome and it is just a short drive from Wroxham station.

wells & walsingham light railway this delightful little 10¼” gauge railway runs from the north norfolk coastal town of Wells-next-the-sea to the pilgrimage town of Walsingham. though diminutive in size, it is the longest steam railway of this gauge in the world.

Born out of one man’s passionate dream, hard work and sheer determination, aptly, the railway opened on Good Friday 1982 using ‘Pilgrim’, an 0-6-0 steam engine. other steam engines have followed including Garratt locomotives Norfolk Hero and new sister locomotive, Norfolk Heroine (named after edith Cavell) which entered service in April 2011 in time for the start of last season, funded by a grant from the norfolk Coast and Broads Local Action Group supported by the Rural Development Programme for england. these two engines now mean that a reliable steam hauled service runs throughout the season and two new additional covered carriages will be entering service this year giving better ‘all weather’ accommodation on the train. of

course, the best way of showing off this lovely pair of little locos is to run them together and special trains and evening charter trains may now be ‘double headed’.

the railway runs daily from 6th April to 31st october 2012 with a timetable service of up to five trains a day running at peak holiday times. Christine’s Buffet Bar next to the signal box at Wells station has an excellent selection of refreshments including locally caught crab and prawns served in salads and sandwiches.

Coach parties are welcome here by prior arrangement. the trains are only small so they need to know that you are coming!

“Though diminutive in size, it is the longest steam railway of this

gauge in the world.”What else is in the area?

Also in the area are the shrines in Walsingham, Walsingham Abbey Grounds and the shirehall Museum. the ‘Welcome to Walsingham’ website will give you more information. nearby is Holkham Hall which offers a museum, deer park, nature trail, gardens and much more.

Mid-norfolk railway the Mid norfolk Railway is different to many of the heritage lines in Britain in that it is home to a diverse and expanding collection of diesel locomotives. Boring? – not at all! these locos have loads of character and sound great, bringing back memories of the slightly more recent history of rail travel. In addition to the timetabled passenger services, the Mid norfolk also runs regular commercial freight trains as well as the occasional rail tour.

Dereham station is the headquarters of the railway. It boasts a shop, tea room and museum and has a large car park which is suitable for coaches. Wymondham Abbey station is about a mile from the line’s connection with the national rail network. the car park here is too small for coaches but it is possible to pick up passengers here. Groups can travel on any timetabled service and a representative of the railway will travel with your party in especially reserved carriages. Most groups do a return journey from Dereham which takes around 1½ hours. single journeys are possible but attract a lower discount. Pre-booked catering is available for groups.

“The railway offers four packages for groups in association with other

attractions.”the railway offers four packages for groups in association with other attractions. A trip on the line can be followed by a visit to Gooderstone Water Gardens, a cruise on the Rivers Wensum and Yare (from central norwich), a visit to Gressenhall Farm and Museum of norfolk Life or a visit to the Caithness Glass Visitor centre. All packages include lunches, and tea or light refreshments. More details of these packages can be found in the group section of the website.


In addition to the attractions mentioned above, Dereham is mid way between King’s Lynn and norwich and also within easy reach of the norfolk Boards and the coast. Inland, thetford Forest is also close by.

wells & walsingham light railway


nene valley railway the nene Valley is known as ‘Britain’s International steam Railway’ making it a unique attraction and a good excuse to visit. they are able to run european trains and their collection includes stock from France, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Germany and sweden. not only is this something different for tourists but it is a magnet for those film producers wanting to recreate a bit of europe without having to go too far - James Bond films Goldeneye and Octopussy are classic examples. But it is not all foreign traction, as there is also an extensive selection of British locomotives and carriages and home to the original ‘Thomas’ named by Reverend W.V. Awdry himself.

the railway runs from its headquarters at Wansford, beside the A1, 7½ miles to its station on the outskirts of Peterborough. the line goes in the opposite direction to Yarwell Junction but this station has no road access. Wansford station has good facilities including a car park, shop and the turntable Café. Groups are welcome to use the café as a lunch stop even if they are not using the train and there is a variety of packages available including a train journey and catering. the façade as you arrive is a new building but the ornate original station building can still be seen on platform 3 and there is a wooden period waiting room on platform 2 with a fascinating history. Although it looks quite at home here, it was moved from Barnwell in the 1970’s and was originally built to serve the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, including members of the Royal family when visiting Barnwell Manor. there is plenty to keep you at Wansford with a picnic area beside the River nene, a turntable which can turn even the larger locomotives and a model railway which is housed in an old carriage!

“The line is popular with all groups and caters well for

schools with worksheets and guided tours available.”

Peterborough nene Valley station is about 15 minutes from the centre of the city and is located next to Railworld. It is a simple station with parking available at the nearby Fair Meadow car park where charges apply.

the round trip from Wansford, including the section to Yarwell Junction takes around 90 minutes. the line runs along the nene Valley through water meadows, farm land and a country park with the river meandering along from side to side. trains run most weekends between February and october with more weekday trains in school holidays. the website has a clear calendar of operating days and timetable. there are a number of special events throughout the year including the hugely popular santa specials and the line is delighted to welcome the brand new and much publicised locomotive ‘Tornado’, which is visiting at easter.

the line is popular with all groups and caters well for schools with worksheets and guided tours available.


Railworld is next to Peterborough station. It is different to other museums in that it focusses on sustainable transport and rail of the future as well as environmental issues. sacrewell Farm and Country Centre is close by or for something completely different, Flag Fen Anglo saxon site, taking you back to the bronze and iron ages is located in Peterborough, which is famed for its cathedral. Cambridge and stamford are not too far away either so there is plenty to occupy your day.

Mid-suffolk light railway Museum the Mid-suffolk Light Railway is suffolk’s only heritage railway, running a short demonstration line on its site at Brockford station, Wetheringsett, near stowmarket. It is a pretty rural setting in a quiet country village. In 2012 it will celebrate 21 years since the formation of the society preserving the line, as well as 10 years of preserved steam operations. It is also 60 years since the line’s closure and 110 since it first opened.

the MsLR’s first ever steam gala, and therefore the only steam gala to have taken place in suffolk, will be held to celebrate these occasions, with at least one visiting engine arriving for the event to be held at the end of July.

“Groups are welcome but contacting the railway in advance

is advisable to ensure coach parking is available.”

After a successful first attempt, the MsLR is also hoping to put on a second open-air theatre production in summer 2012, in partnership with a local acting company. Details on both the steam gala and the production will be available on the MsLR’s website nearer the time.

one of the line’s unique selling points is that all of its passenger trains are formed of vintage 19th century wooden-bodied coaches.

on-site facilities include toilets, cafe, real ale bar and shop. As well as riding on the demonstration line visitors can take a tour of the railway’s workshop to view progress on a number of projects and restorations. there are exhibition rooms with a variety of photographs and artefacts. Lineside access for photographers is accommodated.

Groups are welcome but contacting the railway in advance is advisable to ensure coach parking is available.


Bressingham steam Museum and gardens are well worth a visit. the Mechanical Music Museum in Cotton and the Museum of east Anglian Life in stowmarket are also good local attractions.

east anglian railway Museum the east Anglian Railway Museum based just outside Colchester, is a working museum dedicated to preserving the history of railways in the east of england. It is based at Chappel station which is still part of the national Rail system on a local branch line.

the museum is a large open air site with a comprehensive collection of railway architecture including stations and signal boxes, locomotives, carriages, wagons and ephemera.

set in Constable Country adjacent to one of the largest railway viaducts in the east of england, the Victorian buildings tell the story of railways in the eastern counties from the 1840’s through to the 21st Century and display artefacts about local and regional railway history, and the development of both freight and passenger traffic.

Discounts are offered for group visits of 10 or more people. Catering packages and guided tours are available for groups but require advance notice.


there are numerous special events throughout the year including popular beer and cider festivals.


there are several attractions around Colchester including Colchester Zoo, Hollytrees Museum and Bourne Mill. You are in the heart of Constable Country here so a tour round is also a good idea.

colne valley railway near the essex/suffolk border at Castle Hedingham, close to the towns of Braintree and sudbury, you will find this pretty railway operating on a section of the old Colne Valley & Halstead Railway track bed.

It is manned entirely by volunteers who have moved and re-located station buildings including the station from the village of Castle Hedingham and signal boxes from Wrabness and Cressing. the Colne Valley Railway has just under a mile of operational track and a varied collection of steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and rolling stock including a travelling Post office. there is a large ‘00’ gauge model railway and both miniature and garden railways.

there is an excellent buffet car and shop. Disabled access is available to the trains and most parts of the site although the signal box, station building and buffet are not wheelchair accessible at the moment (please check for updates).

they also run Pullman Dining services which can be tailored to your needs and can be either static, steam or diesel hauled. Please contact the railway for details of what they can provide for you.

special events include a Vintage Vehicle Rally (April); the 150th Anniversary of the opening of this stretch of the CVHR (May); Model Railway exhibition (June) and a Bus & Commercial Vehicle Rally (July)

Groups welcome at any time on operational days with a few days prior notice. Groups are also welcome to attend special events when pre-booking is essential. It is possible to run trains on non-timetable days depending on availability of rolling stock. A minimum charge applies.


Medieval Hedingham Castle is just a few miles away, and Clare Castle stands in a charming village of the same name. Cambridge, Colchester and Bury st edmunds are all only a short drive away.

Midlands The Midlands has a host of heritage railways offering everything from a short trip to a full day out. Many run through countryside but are just a short hop from the major towns and cities in the area.

severn valley railway take a journey back in time on one of the most famous standard gauge heritage railways in the country. the one-hour and 10 minute steam train journey runs between Kidderminster, famous in the past for its carpet industry, and Bridgnorth, a medieval market town on the River severn with its old quayside, gardens and lovely Georgian architecture. the railway uses period carriages hauled by historic steam locomotives, with stops at the delightful ‘time-warp’ stations of Bewdley, Arley, Highley and Hampton Loade. the highlight of the trip must be crossing the River severn on the Victoria Bridge, a massive 200 foot single span bridge, high above the water. If some of the sights and stations seem familiar it is because the line is a popular filming location and many famous productions have been made here.

the engine House, Visitor & education Centre, opened in 2007, is set in the heart of the shropshire countryside beside Highley station. the engine House contains the severn Valley Railway’s reserve collection of steam locomotives and other displays connected with the railway and its important place in railway preservation. there are often temporary displays and special events here. there are corporate facilities and function rooms. Buffers Restaurant has great panoramic views of the valley and offers group catering packages. Guided visits are available for groups. Coaches can be accommodated here by prior arrangement only. A well-stocked gift shop is also available here.

the new Group travel information pack for 2012 for visits to the railway and the engine House is packed full of fantastic ideas for group days out. the popular combined visits are back for another year with Blists Hill at Ironbridge called ‘Victorian and steam’; ‘Choc and steam’ with Cadbury World being a must for all chocolate lovers; and there are combined visits to the Black Country Living Museum. All severn Valley Railway trains stop at Highley station, which is a five-minute walk from the engine House.

colne valley railway

severn valley railway


Crich Tramway ad_Layout 1 27/09/2010 18:05 Page 1

For full information contact the Group Travel Co-ordinator on 01299 403816email: [email protected] or write to Severn Valley Railway,

The Railway Station, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1BG

www.svr.co.uk

Why not make the Severn Valley Railway your great destination in 2012. Group travel for 15-300 people, with

generous discounts available. Enjoy a nostalgic 16 mile steam train journey along the beautiful Severn Valley stopping off

at The Engine House, our Visitor Centre at Highley.

2012 SVR Group_130x90_BestofBritainCatalogue 14/02/12

— SVR 02

130x90 cmyk

ACW Ninja Tallis

A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND A DAY


some of the special events which play an important part in the railways calendar are the 1940’s before the summer and the santa steam specials at Christmas. Both of these events are popular with groups who return year on year.

Pre-booked groups of 15 or more adults qualify for the group discount, and coach drivers accompanying groups receive a complimentary meal and travel voucher. the engine House has an outdoor picnic area and facilities for disabled visitors.

“The new Group Travel information pack for 2012 for

visits to the railway and the Engine House is packed full of

fantastic ideas for group days out.”


the excellent living museum of Blists Hill and the other museums at Ironbridge are close by, as is the West Midland safari Park which can be seen from the train. the Black Country Living Museum, and the city of Birmingham are just a short drive away.

gloucestershire warwickshire railway the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway runs for ten miles through the beautiful Cotswold countryside between its headquarters at toddington and the refurbished station directly beside Cheltenham Racecourse that was originally built specifically for racegoers. However, due to operating constraints following a landslip, throughout 2012 this volunteer run railway will be providing two distinctly different experiences.

From Cheltenham Racecourse there will be a regular steam service running through the glorious Cotswolds on a 14 mile round trip to Winchcombe via Gotherington. this journey takes in views of the Black Mountains of Wales, the shropshire Hills and closer to home, the Malvern Hills with a spectacular view of tewkesbury Abbey. As the journey progresses, the train passes by a number of lovely Cotswold villages and farms. For those with a knowledge of history, many of the fields alongside the track show examples of ridge and furrow cultivation. Whilst enjoying the scenery, many passengers also visit the licensed restaurant car where hot and cold snacks are available, as well as hot and cold drinks including their locally brewed ‘Rail Ale’. At Winchcombe

station there is a 1950’s style coffee shop with lots of artefacts from years gone by although prices have unfortunately risen a little since then! there is parking at Cheltenham but the platform is in a cutting so the platform is reached via a slope, however there is level access available on request. there is limited parking at Winchcombe though it is possible to pick up and drop off here.

the other stretch of line is from toddington – just 3 miles down the road from Winchcombe. Here the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is operating a 1950’s diesel rail car over a 9 mile round trip with views of Hailes Abbey, then over the stanway viaduct and on to Laverton. the views on this part of the line are equally exciting looking out over the Vale of evesham and the north Cotswolds. there is a large car park and tea room at toddington for those wishing to use this unusual service.

“The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway runs for ten miles through the beautiful

Cotswold countryside...”During the year there will be a number of special weekends and for more details of these and how to use the railway in 2012, please visit their website.


there are many attractions in the area including nearby sudeley Castle or the Model Village and Cotswold Motor Museum at the pretty village of Bourton on the Water. A little further afield is the Cotswold Wildlife Park at Burford.

great central railway

the Great Central Railway is going for gold in olympic year with brand new facilities and exciting new attractions. For family groups and enthusiasts the multi award winning Leicestershire line is an ideal day out - or can be easily combined with other great attractions in the area for a tailor made trip.

A brand new tea room (named after iconic GCR locomotive), Butler Henderson, at Quorn & Woodhouse station (plus plenty of parking) makes this the ideal station to start your visit. trains run all year round at weekends and daily during the high season. they have recently built a turntable here and, during gala events, engines are turned to the delight of visitors. Great Central Railway stations are worthy of exploring having been lovingly restored to represent different time periods. each one has a team who look after it and they should be justly proud of their hard work. they really are a credit to the railway.

“For family groups and enthusiasts the multi award

winning Leicestershire line is an ideal day out…”

once on board the train you will be transported through the best of the Leicestershire countryside between Loughborough and Leicester north, sweeping across the breathtaking swithland Reservoir over two viaducts en route. You are travelling in the footsteps of film stars. Both sir Anthony Hopkins and nicole Kidman have visited the GCR and, recently, the Top Gear team

gloucestershire warwickshire railway


turned cars and caravans into trains, then tried them out on the unique double track network. At weekends and busy times you can delight to trains whizzing past yours. this is the only place in the world where full size steam trains pass at speed - just as they did when steam ruled the rails.

For the extra special day out why not book your party onto one of the first class dining trains? this truly is the romance of rail travel! All sized parties are catered for and multi course meals are served on the move. Charter a GCR Pullman Bar Car, or indulge and have your own exclusive saloon. It is an experience your group will not forget and is great for more exclusive tours.

I have not even mentioned their locomotives yet! they have a wonderful selection of vintage machines. For groups, tours of the engine sheds can even be arranged. You are guaranteed a warm welcome at the Great Central Railway in 2012. they are the heritage railway ‘Really Going Forward!’

great central railway (nottingham) the Great Central Railway, nottingham, offers 10 miles of heritage railway running through south nottinghamshire and north-West Leicestershire with services operated by historic diesel and steam locomotives. While it is hoped to eventually connect through to Leicester, there is an awful lot of work to do to achieve this.

the railway is based at the nottingham transport Heritage Centre just outside the village of Ruddington in the south of nottinghamshire. In addition to the trains, the centre is home to classic buses, model railways and a miniature railway making it an interesting place to visit and certainly a bit different with lots going on and plenty to look at; and when you have finished, there is a café and souvenir shop too. the station is situated in the Rushcliffe Country Park and there is plenty of parking.

All services operate from Ruddington and serve Rushcliffe Halt at east Leake. Many services are extended through the currently disused east Leake station to Loughborough, and although there is no station at the Loughborough end of the route, the journey offers a very picturesque ride with spectacular views of the soar Valley.


the railway is just a few miles from nottingham, with its castle and historic links with Robin Hood. nottingham Castle stands

great central railway


on its hill overlooking the city and housing a vibrant museum & art gallery. Built on sandstone, there is a maze of caves under the castle, haunted, of course! And right beside it, built into the rock itself, is ‘Ye olde trip to Jerusalem’ , the oldest inn in Britain. It is worth a visit, even if you don’t go for a drink. A little further north is Wollaton Hall & Deer Park and several other stately homes.

Midland railway, Butterleythe Midland Railway, Butterley is dedicated to the history of the Midland Railway and its successors.

on arrival at Butterley station there is ample coach and car parking. Butterley station was erected in 1981 and is originally from Whitwell in north Derbyshire. Here you can visit the garden railway in Butterley Goods Yard and Alfreton Model Railway. there are also catering and shop facilities on the platform.

the train journey is via Riddings Junction to swanwick Junction museum complex, and passengers alight there to visit the many attractions. these include the Matthew Kirtley Museum, the Golden Valley narrow gauge railway, the Victorian tin tabernacle church, the West shed (home of impressive express locomotives Princess Margaret Rose & The Duchess of Sutherland), the stationary Power Museum, Midland Road transport Museum, Butterley Park miniature railway and swanwick Junction model railway. there are also catering and shop facilities here. Many of the buildings have been transported from other sites to swanwick Junction and re-erected by the volunteers, for example, the station building is originally from syston in Leicestershire, and the gatehouse from st Marys Goods Yard in Derby. Access to the large country park is from swanwick Junction.

“Packages for groups can be tailor made to suit your

requirements.”the return journey to Butterley station is via Hammersmith station where the steam or diesel locomotive can be watched as it runs round the train.

Packages for groups can be tailor made to suit your requirements. Guided tours are available by arrangement. Discounts are available for parties of 15 or more passengers. Catering packages can be provided with dining in Johnsons Buffet, on the train or as a picnic option. there are numerous special events throughout the year with details available on the website. For more information about how your group can enjoy their visit to the Midland Railway, Butterley, contact their helpful staff by phone or email to discuss your needs.


If you are looking for a railway day there are several other preserved lines including Crich tramway Village, ecclesbourne Valley Railway and Peak Rail. other local attractions include the Denby Pottery Visitor Centre, D. H. Lawrence Museum at eastwood, Kedleston Hall and Chatsworth House.

crich Tramway village situated in the heart of Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District national Park, Crich tramway Village has developed into one of Derbyshire’s most unique visitor attractions and winner of several awards for excellence.

Beautifully restored trams run to and fro down a cobbled street past the former Derby Assembly rooms before passing under the Bowes-Lyon Bridge. they then climb a mile and a half of track that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and Derwent Valley. Visitors can ride up and down on the trams as many times as they wish but there are plenty of other things to see in this ‘village’ with its eclectic mix of building façades rescued from all over the country.

“Crich Tramway Village has developed into one of

Derbyshire’s most unique visitor attractions and winner of several

awards for excellence.”By way of a change, you can experience the fascinating Woodland Walk & sculpture trail which winds its way back to the village, or remain on the tram and be dropped off outside the Red Lion Pub and tearooms before visiting the fascinating Workshop Viewing Gallery. or maybe wander around the period shops on the authentic village street. the Great exhibition Hall is home to an exciting ‘Century of trams’ exhibition tracing 100 years of tram history from the early horse drawn to the electric era of the 1960’s. there is plenty to do whatever the weather.

For the less able, there is a specially restored access tram as well as a ‘smooth’ way around the museum and ramps and lifts to make every part of the museum accessible for all.

Groups are catered for with pre-booked guided tours, special discounted admission, groups catering arrangements, free coach parking and free admission and a meal for the coach driver. there is a great section for groups on their website giving top tips for planning a visit.


Crich is on the edge of the Peak District, home of the famous Blue John Caverns and also some stunning and rugged scenery. the village of Matlock Bath is a designated conservation area and there is something for everyone in this beautiful old spa town but the jewel in its crown is the stunning cable car ride up to the Heights of Abraham. A little further away is Bakewell, home of the famous Bakewell Pudding. other railways nearby include the Midland Railway Centre and Peak Rail.

crich Tramway village


peak rail Peak Rail operates regular steam and diesel hauled passenger trains between Rowsley and Matlock, through the Derwent Valley.

Rowsley station is the northern terminus of the railway and its main base, set in 28 acres, on the site of the former locomotive depot. Facilities here include free parking, a large buffet, ticket office, exhibition area, station master’s office and gift shop. there is also a large picnic area and a narrow gauge railway. Rowsley is the best choice for groups with ample parking for over 200 vehicles.

Along the line, Darley Dale station, with its gothic style buildings, make it the most picturesque and photographed of all the stations. Restoration work continues here to bring this lovely station back to its former glory.

since mid 2011, the temporary terminus of Matlock Riverside is no longer used and trains run into Platform 2 of Matlock station. there is a pay and display council run car park next to the station.

“For people with disabilities Peak Rail has a specially adapted carriage which is fully accessible

for wheelchairs...”Groups can do a single or return journey which must be pre-booked. Discounted fares are available on all normal operating days but not always when there is a special event. For people with disabilities Peak Rail has a specially adapted carriage which is fully accessible for wheelchairs, and is available on all service trains.


of course no visit to Peak Rail would be complete without a visit to Matlock and Matlock Bath. A little further afield is Crich tramway and the Peak District national Park and attractions mentioned in the Crich section.

ecclesbourne valley railway With its headquarters in the fine old Peak District market town of Wirksworth, the ecclesbourne Valley line, at nine miles, is Derbyshire’s longest heritage railway. the line runs through some of the most pleasant scenery in the White Peak, from its joint station with the main line at Duffield to its northern terminus at Ravenstor, close to the High Peak trail and the national stone Centre. the line provides services mainly operated by heritage diesel railcars, with four trains a day on summer weekends and on tuesdays in the high summer. the timetable is designed to connect with east Midlands trains’ services to and from Derby and nottingham.

the line is very close to Carsington Water, with many coach tour visitors spending time at the lake before or after travelling on the Railway. Kedleston Hall and the Crich tramway Village are other conveniently close and popular destinations which many of the lines visitors share. the Railway can accommodate coaches in its large parking area at Wirksworth station and has facilities in its Pullman Buffet to provide afternoon teas or buffets for coach sized groups.


the Derwent Valley World Heritage site overlaps the area around Cromford and Wirksworth, and the Heights of Abraham, with their cable cars, caves and gardens are within a very short distance.

churnet valley railway the Churnet Valley Railway takes visitors on a journey back to the classic days of 1950’s railway travel on a rural line that passes through beautiful countryside known as staffordshire’s ‘Little switzerland’.

Picturesque stations at Kingsley & Froghall, Consall and Cheddleton offer lots of interest with a complete range of visitor facilities, and there is plenty more to see and enjoy along the way.

In addition to the 10½-mile return journey along the wooded valley – including the 531-yard Leekbrook tunnel – there is a taste of contrasting moorland scenery on a 16-mile round trip along the Cauldon Lowe branch, added to the CVR’s operating network following the branch line’s restoration by Moorland & City Railways in 2010. MCR’s continued revival of the track from Leek towards stoke-on-trent will see services extended a further four miles to endon during 2012.

“The Churnet Valley Railway takes visitors on a journey back

to the classic days of 1950’s railway travel…”

Kingsley & Froghall station – rebuilt in classic north staffordshire Railway style – is the start of many visitors’ journeys and its facilities include an award-winning Victorian-style tea room. In the picturesque hamlet of Consall deep in the valley, the wooden station building stands beside both the Caldon Canal and the River Churnet. At Cheddleton, the preserved Grade II Listed Victorian station – rescued from demolition by railway volunteers nearly 40 years ago – hosts a small museum and the locomotive sheds are here too. the car park at Kingsley & Froghall is ideal for coaches and it is recommended groups join here. there is a height restriction at Cheddleton station car park.

A full programme of special events during 2012 will include Day out with thomas in February and August, steam Gala in February, the ever-popular 1940’s Weekend in April, an expanded classic bus rally in June, three-day Rail Ale trail beer festival in July, Diesel Gala in september, plus family fun with Ghost train and santa & steam specials.

churnet valley railway


the Railway also offers a wide choice of dining trains, with lunch, dinner and supper served aboard the luxurious Moorlander Dining train; also a popular choice for private parties.


Close to the railway are a variety of sites and attractions to interest the visitor, ranging from Alton towers theme park and Blackbrook Zoological Park, to nature sites at Consall and Froghall, historic churches and industrial heritage sites, and impressive Peak District scenery just a few minutes away.

Foxfield railway the Foxfield Railway, in staffordshire (just one mile from the A50 between stoke and Uttoxeter), offers attractive group rates for all parties on most days throughout the year; from a 45 minute return trip behind a steam engine to one of their highly recommended ‘Cream tea’ trains they are happy to tailor your visit to suit your needs, visit the Group travel page on their website for more details of how they can help you.

the railway boldly crosses open moorland, hills and woodland as it climbs through the countryside to Dilhorne Park, a place so majestic the trappings of modern life are nowhere to be seen. the beauty of woodlands full of bluebells throughout the spring or the views over the staffordshire Moorlands during the summer are truly spectacular.

Foxfield has some great facilities on offer including the Café serving hot and cold food, Real Ale Bar and shop which are all located at the headquarters of Caverswall Road. the spacious car park can accommodate the biggest of coaches with full facilities being made available to drivers and tour guides during visits.


staffordshire has many attractions within easy reach of Foxfield. Blackbrook Zoo, Gladstone Pottery Museum and many other tourist hotspots offer great group packages so why not combine your railway visit with one of these great places.

shakespeare expressthis is a regular special steam-hauled train running over the national rail system, and is operated by Vintage trains linking Birmingham with the ever popular town of stratford-upon-Avon. trains operate on summer sundays with both morning and afternoon departures in each direction, and a journey time of one hour. Passengers can spend around 3½ hours in stratford by taking the morning train from Birmingham and returning in the afternoon. standard or Premier Class are offered, with Premier Class including cooked breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.

norTh wesTThe north west of england was an important area for the railways with many important railway workshops and depots situated here, especially to the south. Today’s heritage railways in the area range from standard gauge splendour in the industrial outskirts of Manchester to tiny locomotives steaming into the beautiful lake district.

east lancashire railway the east Lancashire Railway (east Lancs) takes you on a captivating 12-mile journey along the Irwell Valley with stunning views of the West Pennine Moors. step on board lovingly restored vintage carriages and watch the world go by. the industrial past is soon forgotten as rolling green hills, picturesque towns and charming villages trundle by. the railway has a large and varied selection of motive power and has some interesting special events including a wartime weekend on 2-4 June 2012.

“The industrial past is soon forgotten as rolling green hills,

picturesque towns and charming villages trundle by.”

there is a good range of itineraries for groups, be they special interest groups wanting to learn more of the heritage of the line and its buildings, or simply those wishing to sit back and enjoy the view with a nice cream tea. Free coach parking is available and there is an optional meet & greet service. Both at the station or on board, catering is available for groups and can be booked as part of the package. Group bookings attract a good discount and they are happy to help you with all your travel requirements. there is a welcome pack and pre and post visit planning is available.

the east Lancashire Railway works closely with the area’s other attractions and can offer information and incentives for browsing farmers’ markets at Ramsbottom, buying local produce at the famous Bury Market, visiting the UK’s last remaining temperance bar in Rawtenstall, meeting heroes of the past at the Fusilier Museum in Bury or spotting wildlife at Queen’s Park, a beautifully restored Victorian park in Heywood. the east Lancashire Railway is a perfect base to explore the many local sights and attractions.

Luxury dining & cream tea specials allow you to discover the world of luxury train travel and vintage glamour as you are welcomed aboard the Pullman style carriages for an unforgettable journey

Foxfield railway

east lancashire railway


STAR SAVINGS

Tel 017684 82229www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Tel 01229 71 71 71www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

WELCOME ONBOARD

Two award winning attractions – one price. For great tour itineraries and group menu options

– from Cream Teas to Winter Warmers.

ADD A LITTLEEXTRA...

PRICE FREEZE

2012

ONEHAPPY FAMILYTWO GREATDAYS OUT

IN THE

LAKEDISTRICT

A captivating 24-mile round trip through the Irwell Valley with

spectacular views of the West Pennine Moors

• Picturesque historic towns and villages en route

• Bury Transport Museum

• Luxury steam-hauled dining trains, themed diners and Cream Tea Specials

• Award-winning annual events including 1940s Wartime Weekend

• Guided Rail Ale Tours

• The Trackside – Best Bury pub in CAMRA’s 2012 Good Beer Guide

Every weekend throughout the year plus Wednesday to Sunday from April to September

Visit www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk or call 0161 764 7790.

EvEry stop is a start...

BIGdiscountsfor groups

Alston, CumbriaNarrow gauge trains in beautiful Pennine scenery

A ride on a vintage steam or diesel train in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Special offer for 2012 - your group tour or coach party any number up to 50 guests all for just £99.

Book in advance and pre-pay or pay on the day as a single transaction.

Free coach parking, cafe and gifts at Alston Station.

Timetable and informationwww.strps.org.uk email: [email protected]

01325 352435 - up to Easter 201201434 381696 - Easter onwards

81467_South tynedale advert.indd 1 18/11/2011 13:52


of great food and entertainment, attention to detail and stunning Lancashire countryside. Whether it’s an elegant evening dinner, a Lancastrian lunch, an informal luncheon, drama at one of the murder mystery nights or the new cream tea specials, there are great opportunities for groups wanting something a little bit special. And how about a guided rail ale tour? Just ask for details.


Housed in the original Castlecroft Goods Warehouse dating from 1848, the new Bury transport Museum invites visitors to an extensive collection of vintage road and rail vehicles, which have been fully restored to look resplendent in their original style and liveries. the Fred Dibnah Heritage centre at Bolton welcomes small groups and there is a wealth of attractions in the city of Manchester.

ribble steam railway

situated in Preston Docks, this railway has been open to the public since 2005 and has one of the largest collections of industrial locomotives in Britain housed in a new purpose-built museum and workshop buildings with full disabled access. the museum is great for groups and guided tours can be arranged on request. there are special packages for schools including activity and learning areas together with a diesel hauled rail trip.

Visitors can travel behind one of the restored steam engines, enjoying a three-mile return trip around the dock and along the river bank, taking in views that can only be seen from the railway. snacks and drinks are available in the tea room with views into the main museum building, and there is also a gift shop.

“The museum is great for groups and guided tours can be arranged

on request.”steam trains run on sundays in April, on Wednesdays in August and school half-terms and full weekends from May to september 2012. events include two steam Galas held in February and september. It is also Preston Guild year and there is a series of events planned as part of the city’s celebrations including visits by the oldest Working Locomotive in Britain, Furness Railway No.20, and the newest Locomotive in Britain, Tornado, as well as staging a special exhibition highlighting the importance of Preston in railway history, ‘Made In Preston’. there are also events for vintage cars, plus Halloween and santa specials


Preston has several good museums and is close to the seaside resorts of Blackpool and southport. the cities of Liverpool and

Manchester are easily accessible. there is also the Forest of Bowland to the north east of the M6 motorway.

ravenglass & eskdale railway originally built to carry iron ore to the coast in 1875, the Ravenglass & eskdale steam Railway is one of the oldest, longest narrow gauge railways in the world. Converted from 3’ to 15” gauge in the early 1900’s, the railway had a chequered history but has now been running as a preserved line for 50 years. It is fondly known locally as La’al Ratty and has become an important part of both the heritage and tourism of the area.

“...the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway is one of the oldest, longest narrow gauge

railways in the world.”the little trains take passengers across the hills, with a 1 in 55 gradient at times, from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the national Park. the journey itself was one of Wainwright favourites, crossing seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of england’s highest mountains, the scafell Range. there is a mixture of open top, open sided and cosy closed carriages for the journey which takes approximately 40 minutes in each direction. It is a fun journey with the beautifully cared for steam locomotives chuffing enthusiastically up the steep gradients and the views from the train are wonderful.

there are various tours to suit timings and budgets with specific rates for multiple tour bookings and combined travel and food itineraries at the two cafes, Fellbites at Dalegarth and the turntable at Ravenglass where you can pre-order a selection of home baked menu options with flexibility to eat before or after your journey. Dalegarth also has a visitor centre and gift shop. It is worth a visit to the group section on their website for more information on the packages offered. there is a very special rate for groups visiting the railway’s sister attraction, Ullswater ‘steamers’; this tour includes a one way cruise on Ullswater and a return steam trip on the Railway for just £11.50 and to make things even better, these tours do not have to be taken on the same day.


there are many attractions in the area and there are several packages including the railway and other local operators. Ravenglass is on the Cumbrian coast so, together with the hills of the Lake District national Park, there is plenty of opportunity for a scenic excursion.

ribble steam railway

ullswater ‘steamers’


lakeside & haverthwaite railway opened in 1973, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway is a small standard gauge branch line which runs through the pretty Leven Valley to the southern end of Lake Windermere. trains run daily from April to the end of october and the timetable is worked to connect with the Windermere Lakes Cruises at Lakeside station so that combined trips can be made using rail and boat to Bowness or Ambleside.

Haverthwaite station has a licensed restaurant serving a wide selection of food and the railway’s very own locally brewed ale! the newly opened gift shop has a large selection of gifts, souvenirs and books. It is also possible to visit the engine shed and walk around the line’s large collection of steam and diesel locomotives.

“...the timetable is worked to connect with the Windermere

Lakes Cruises at Lakeside Station...”

several package options are available to groups from a train only trip to a full day out using train and boat and also visiting one of the many local attractions. the railway runs many special events throughout the year which may affect group rates. More information about these packages and events is available on their website.


the Lakes Aquarium is next to Lakeside station from beside which the Windermere Lake Cruises also run. Also close by are the World of Beatrix Potter, Lakeland Motor Museum and Brockhole Visitor Centre. You are in the heart of the Lake District here and there are many places to visit in this stunning area.

south Tynedale railway take a leisurely ride on the south tynedale narrow Gauge Railway from Alston, england’s highest market town, along the majestic south tyne valley to Lintley in northumberland, through the beautiful Penine scenery. the round trip takes about an hour and a half through a designated Area of outstanding natural Beauty. there is nature all around you - catch sight of deer, look out for soaring birds of prey; you may even see a red squirrel.

At Alston station there is a cafe, free car and coach parking and a gift shop. Many of the trains are hauled by a vintage steam locomotive and some have a buffet car service too. the south tyne Walking trail lies alongside the railway opening up many lovely country rambles.

easter 2012 sees the opening of the extended railway to Lintley and, to mark the occasion, they have a very special offer for tour groups and coach operators. For an inclusive price of just £99 you can take up to fifty people for a single or return journey on the south tynedale Railway. Advance notice is preferable but not essential - you just have to arrange to pay the £99 as a single transaction before you arrive or at the ticket office. the normal individual return fare is £7.50 so it’s a real bargain!

Please check dates of operation carefully. there are several special events run throughout the year. the information is available on their website.


Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in england. It is 20 miles from the nearest town but the drive to it is spectacular. Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District are within easy reach.

yorKshire & norTh easTyork has always been an important railway town and continues to be prominent in the heritage railway movement with its showcase, The national railway Museum. with many lines now closed in this area, it is understandable that there are now a large number of heritage railways running on reopened sections of disused track in this beautiful part of Britain.

national railway Museum the award winning national Railway Museum (nRM) in York covers 300 years of railway history and its collections include over 100 locomotives, some 250 items of rolling stock and thousands of other objects - from posters and tickets to uniforms and silverware. nostalgia seekers will love the evocative station Hall where you can marvel at the collection of Royal trains. the opulence of Queen Victoria’s favourite carriage provides a remarkable insight into the world of royal travel. It is an ideal venue for a group visit as there is bound to be something to interest everyone in this huge and diverse collection. Highlights for 2012 include the return of one of the nation’s favourite locomotives, ‘The Flying Scotsman’, and Britain’s biggest rail celebration; ‘Railfest’.

Late spring will see the highly anticipated return of ‘Flying Scotsman’ to the Museum following the completion of its restoration project. the famous locomotive was purchased in 2004 with the help of a grant from the national Heritage Memorial Fund and generous donations from the public. since 2006, the nRM has been restoring the locomotive so that it can once again pull trains around the UK. the exact date of its return is yet to be confirmed, but announcements will be made on www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman soon.

Groups are encouraged to save the dates 2 - 10 June 2012 for the Museum’s ‘Railfest’ event which will see an enormous space the size of 11 football pitches filled with iconic locomotives and railway-related activities. Britain’s biggest rail celebration will bring together over 30 record-breaking locomotives from the smallest and largest to the newest and oldest, with visitors having the opportunity to get up even closer with access to the engine drivers’ cabs, rides behind operating engines and much

national railway Museum


more. ‘Railfest 2012’ will be a paid admission event with group rates and discounts available. For all the latest Railfest updates, visit www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012

Groups are encouraged to pre-book their visit to the nRM in order to secure a coach parking space and lots of special offer vouchers including 2 for 1 on the Road train, 10% off in the shop and a free lunch for the Coach Driver. this can be done by phone or email. For more information, please visit their website.

“Late spring will see the highly anticipated return of ‘Flying Scotsman’ to the Museum

following the completion of its restoration project.”


York’s numerous attractions are well-known, from the Minster, Castle Museum and Roman Walls to shopping in the shambles and river cruises.

north yorkshire Moors railway the perfect day out awaits you aboard the north Yorkshire Moors Railway, which claims to be the world’s most popular heritage steam railway, attracting around 350,000 visitors per year and many film and tv crews who make the most of its wonderful stations and location. Let yourself be transported back to an era when magnificent steam engines ruled the railways, on services running between Pickering and Whitby along the 24 mile line, through the heart of the north York Moors national Park.

start your journey at Pickering and discover the history of the Railway in the visitor centre. Head into the Moors and relive the magic of Harry Potter and Heartbeat as you pass through Goathland, their celebrity station; before continuing to Grosmont beside the popular rail trail path. Finally travel to Whitby and enjoy some seaside fun.

Visiting one of the traditional station tea rooms guarantees you some scrumptious Yorkshire fare. Pre-booked on-board morning coffee or afternoon tea is also available for groups. Behind the scenes tours of the engine shed are a popular option but at least 14 days’ notice is required. Group and school rates are available

alongside standard fares. Groups usually join trains at Pickering station, and the nYMR issues comprehensive information to groups including parking and bridge restrictions. Private train charter is available (weddings a speciality!), and seats can be booked on sunday lunch dining trains.


Whitby is an ideal place to visit, with its ancient abbey, fishing harbour and of course its ghoulish connections with Dracula, the famous book written by Bram stoker who was inspired by the area. then, to finish the day, those famous fish & chips. the famous mansion house of Castle Howard is close by and the towns of scarborough and Harrogate are within easy reach, as is the city of York.

Keighley & worth valley railway this lovely standard gauge heritage railway is all you would expect from a period north country branch line with little engines puffing gallantly up the steep gradients through the Worth Valley.

It is perhaps best known for its part in the famous 1970 film ‘The Railway Children’. Who hasn’t held their breath as Bobby rushes to stop the train waving with red petticoats to avert disaster or wept with her as she spots her beloved father – “Daddy! My Daddy!” of course, being such a beautifully maintained period 1950’s line, it is a popular location for film and tV programmes including ‘Sherlock Holmes’, ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ and many more.

It is a railway for all seasons with wild birds and flowers abundant in the summer and with atmospheric gas lamps lighting the stations, and coal fires in the waiting rooms in winter. the five-mile journey offers views of windswept moors, rushing streams and stone-built villages, and most of the stations along the route are little pieces of history in themselves.

“It is perhaps best known for its part in the famous 1970 film

‘The Railway Children’.”there are car parks at most stations but oxenhope is the best place for coaches with a large car park, shop and buffet. At Keighley, the station is shared with network Rail where the KWVR uses platform 4. this retains a lot of its original features and there are nice touches such as the old tobacco kiosk and ticket collectors hut. Coach parking here is less easy but it is possible to pick up

north yorkshire Moors railway

Keighley & worth valley railway



or drop off. Groups are welcome to do either a single or a return journey. on-board catering is available and there is also a real ale bar on some trains! Guided tours are available which include behind the scenes visits for enthusiasts.

At oxenhope you can visit a museum where the railway’s non-operational fleet is on display, including the Jubilee class locomotive Bahamas. Haworth has an extensive shop and viewing area for the locomotive shed, but the village’s famous steep cobbled street is a tough uphill walk from the station and best accessed by coach via one of its car parks.


the Brontë Parsonage Museum is situated in oxenhope. It is a tough climb from the station so it is best to take the coach into the village. For those interested in transport, there is the Keighley Bus Museum or the Ingrow Museum of Rail travel. Rugged windswept Brontë Country is all around you so how about a drive round it?

embsay & Bolton abbey steam railway the embsay & Bolton Abbey steam Railway runs 4 miles between the new award winning station at Bolton Abbey and embsay station built in 1888. the railway recreates a section of the former Midland Railway between embsay & Bolton Abbey and includes a picturesque halt, Holywell Halt ideal for summer picnics.

“The line operates almost every weekend throughout the year, building up to a daily service from mid July to the end of

August.”the line operates almost every weekend throughout the year, building up to a daily service from mid July to the end of August. the line hosts many events during the year, its most popular being ‘Day out With thomas the tank engine’ events at easter, spring and August Bank Holidays, when this famous tank engine visits along with fellow tank engine Percy and the Fat Controller. other events include a 1940s weekend in september. An ever-popular visitor is santa Claus, who rides the line between mid november and Christmas.

Most trains are hauled by one of the line’s collection of magnificently restored steam tank engines, although occasionally services may be operated by a heritage diesel locomotive. During the summer, in addition to the advertised steam service, vintage trains using Victorian and edwardian carriages operate at weekends. In summer the line has gift shops at both embsay and Bolton Abbey stations, the embsay station hosting a famous railway transport book shop. Both stations have tearooms and picnic areas and there is ample free parking for passengers.

Groups are welcome throughout the year by appointment. It may be possible to hire a special train service at a reasonable cost on days when no trains are advertised. Please contact the Business Manager for further details.


the ruins of Bolton Abbey, a famous beauty spot, are only 5 minutes away, and the Bolton Abbey estate has large coach parks. Many groups have an afternoon trip on the line after a visit to

the Abbey. nearby is the attractive market town of skipton, and joint visits can be arranged with skipton Castle or the operators of cruises on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Kirklees light railway

the pretty village of Clayton West is home to ‘Yorkshire’s Great Little steam trains’. the Kirklees Light Railway offers a seven-mile round-trip through beautiful countryside in the attractive south Pennine foothills from Clayton West station to shelley. the 15-inch narrow gauge railway was built on the track bed of a former British Railways branch line, and trains are hauled by four resident steam engines called Hawk, Badger, Owl and Fox.

there is a good size car park at Clayton West and the station has a large café and gift shop as well as a soft play area and a miniature train which will take you on an even smaller train ride – round the duck pond! this is a great family attraction and would suit any group of the young at heart.

trains run every weekend throughout the year, and daily during school holidays, with steam galas in spring and autumn. the railway is close to Junctions 38 and 39 of the M1.


Holmfirth, the village made famous by ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, and also the Peak District are a short drive away.

Middleton railway 2012 will see the 200th anniversary of steam power on the Middleton Railway and they are marking this great historical achievement with an all steam gala event in June.

the railway has become an Accredited Museum with a magnificent new engine House. You can now enjoy learning how the oldest working railway in the world has progressed over the years, through moving coal in 1812 when the first ever revenue earning steam locomotives were introduced, to the present day when you can travel in former miners’ coaches. As well as many interesting artefacts and displays, the engine House contains part of the Leeds Collection of locomotives, both steam and diesel, built in the city. there is an excellent education room making this an ideal attraction for student and school groups. Guided tours are also available.

trains run regularly from Moor Road station to Park Halt with the round trip taking approximately 25 minutes and use

Kirklees light railway


n Spring Steam Gala 4-7 & 11-13 May

n Swinging Sixties 9 & 10 June

n Vintage Vehicle Weekend 14 & 15 Julyn Autumn Steam Gala 28-30 September

Special Events

with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Fun days out in 2012

Visit www.nymr.co.uk, call 01751 472508, or follow us on Twitter @NYMR or Facebook @North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Kirklees Light Railway, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Nr Huddersfield HD8 9XJ

Contact us on; 01484 865727 [email protected]

Yorkshire’s great little steam trains3 12 miles of narrow gauge scenic railway set in the

South Pennine foothills.Café, Tea Room, Large Car Park, Picnic Area and souvenir shop.

4 resident steam locomotives and 1 diesel engine.


both steam and diesel power. Please check for dates that trains are running. trains carry only about 100 passengers, so group organisers should make enquiries beforehand.


there are many attractions in and around Leeds, including the Royal Armouries Museum & the Leeds City Museum. Harewood House is a little further north. For a slower form of transport, Leeds Hire Cruisers offer a trip on their lovely restaurant boat, the ‘Kirkstall Flyboat’ from the Granary Wharf in Leeds.

Beamish - The living Museum of the north Winner of north east england’s 2011 “Large tourist Attraction of the Year” award, Beamish is a place where you simply step back into a time when the telephone was less than mobile and television was just a twinkle in a scotsman’s eye, when your living room was your bathroom and your toilet was out in the cold. You experience a real sense of the past at Beamish, all brought vividly to life; and railways and working trams are very much part of its appeal.

there are around 300 acres of living history to explore. Meet people who lived and worked in the past. talk to the dentist, school teacher, miners, farmers, engine drivers and a pitman’s wife. see, touch, smell, hear and taste history, brought to life by costumed demonstrators, then relax in between with a ride on one of the splendid restored trams and replica buses.

“Winner of North East England’s 2011 Large Tourist Attraction of

the Year...”there are Georgian, Victorian and edwardian periods represented by the Georgian Pockerley old Hall and Pockerley Waggonway, Victorian Home Farm and edwardian town with its Rowley station feature, the edwardian Pit Village and Colliery with Drift Mine. new in 2011 and becoming a popular alternative to fast food is Davy’s Fried Fish & Chip Potato Restaurant in the Pit Village, offering beef-dripping cooked delights from the coal-fired range. served in newspaper of course!

there is a wide selection of trams and buses to ride on and several railway exhibits too.

It is ideal for group visits, either on day trips or inclusion in tour itineraries. Group rates apply for parties of 15 or more. there is

plenty of free coach parking on hard standing. the museum is open all year but closed on winter Mondays and Fridays.

there are regular events throughout the year including the Great north steam Fair 12th-15th April 2012 and in the autumn there is a celebration of all things agricultural, including all manner of steam vehicles! Christmas at Beamish is a very special time when the museum takes on a festive feel, with period decorations, traditional entertainments and a grotto.


All the historic attractions of Durham are within easy reach, as are newcastle’s shopping, theatre and nightlife. or for something different, how about ‘Diggerland Durham’! Ride on or even drive real construction vehicles from dumper trucks to JCBs.

Tanfield railwayWith an unparalleled history dating back to a horse-drawn waggonway from 1725, tanfield can proudly claim to be the world’s oldest railway.

offering picturesque scenery, Victorian carriages and lovingly restored locomotives, this is a great place to visit. History is all around you including the oldest working engine shed and there is industrial heritage everywhere.

on operating days groups can hire a carriage on a service train, or even a complete train before regular services start running. on non-operating days, a complete train can also be hired. the railway is ideal for groups requiring a short steam train ride. Andrews House station was voted the north east’s no.1 Picnic site in 2009, and a café and shop are also located here. It is located on the A6076 road at old Marley Hill, between stanley and sunniside, near Gateshead, only 15 minutes’ drive from the A1 (M).

“With an unparalleled history dating back to a horse-drawn

waggonway from 1725, Tanfield can proudly claim to be the

world’s oldest railway. “What else is in the area?

the city of newcastle is only a few miles away as is Gateshead with its amazing Millennium Bridge

Middleton railway Beamish - The living Museum of the north


weardale railway this railway was originally built by the stockton & Darlington railway back in 1847 for limestone freight trains but also carried passengers. In 1993, the line was finally mothballed between Bishop Auckland and eastgate-in-Weardale.

the railway in its current form reopened in May 2010 between Bishop Auckland and stanhope with the hopes of carrying both local and tourist traffic. However, they have found that interest in this line is primarily from the tourism and enthusiast market so it plans to redesign its services to cater better for this area of their business. they are currently planning services for 2012 so it is best to either call them or visit their website for more details. the heritage service, by steam or diesel trains, operates between stanhope and Wolsingham – a journey taking 25 minutes one-way or a 1½-hour round trip. Wolsingham has the largest parking area and there is a café and shop at stanhope.

“This new railway has great ambitions and I am sure they

will be very pleased to welcome groups...”

this new railway has great ambitions and I am sure they will be very pleased to welcome groups as they strive to find their niche in the market. It is a scenic ride through the wild dales scenery of the rural north east.


Durham and the Yorkshire Dales are close by, and also Barnard Castle.

wensleydale railway the Wensleydale Railway has quickly established itself as a popular heritage railway which serves the local community as well as offering a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales. It currently runs for 16 miles through ‘Herriot Country’ between Leeming Bar and Redmire (for Bolton Castle) in north Yorkshire.

Although the original Wensleydale Railway was 40 miles long, much of it was ripped up when passenger services ended leaving only the section from northallerton and Redmire which continued to carry freight until 1992. It is the aim of the railway association to bring back passenger services along the whole of the 22 miles for which it has the lease.

there is an excellent section on its website with suggested itineraries for groups of varied lengths from a 40 minute trip to a full day out.

BISHOP AUCKLAND - WOLSINGHAM - FROSTERLEY - STANHOPE

The Weardale Railway follows the path of the River Wear and passes through the spectacular scenery of Weardale. With historic connections to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, it was once a vital link to the industrial heart of Teesside. Steeped in a rich industrial heritage, the area is also renowned for magnificent and unspoilt views of the countryside. A fun day out for all the family, our uniformed staff wait to welcome you aboard authentic carriages hauled by our heritage locomotives. Relax with refreshments from the buffet and sit back and enjoy the experience.

Stanhope Station Whistlestop Buffet Lamp Room Gift Shop Tourist Information Point Toilets

Ample parking available at all stations

www.weardale-railway.com

Tel: 01388 526203 Weardale Railways C.I.C Stanhope Station Station Road Co. Durham DL13 2YS

Whilst every effort is made to maintain advertised services, Weardale Railways CIC reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice and accepts no liability for loss,

inconvenience or delay thereby caused.

wensleydale railway

• Go back in time to how train travel used to be from the1950s through to the 1980s

• 16 miles of railway through Herriot and Turner country- the stunning Yorkshire Dales

• Take in the best of the National Park, with a trip back intime on a vintage bus of the 1960s to Aysgarth Falls

• Experience the classic Yorkshire market towns of Bedaleand Leyburn with something to enchant everyone from thehungry to the curious

• Operating from 11th February to 31st December 2012

• Perfect for groups, schools and families - offering greatdiscounts for groups

WeNsLeYDALe RAiLWAY

1 Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton,North Yorkshire DL7 9AR

Tel: 01677 425805 / 08454 50 54 74 • Fax: 01677 427029E: [email protected] W: www.wensleydalerailway.com

Wensleydale ad_Layout 1 27/02/2012 12:48 Page 1


In all cases it is possible to arrange light refreshments on board by prior arrangement. Leeming Bar is close to the A1 and there is free coach parking at both Leeming Bar and Leyburn stations. For large groups it is possible to charter a whole carriage or even a whole train!

trains call at the lovely market towns of Bedale and Leyburn en route, making the Wensleydale Railway a great day out. trains are operated by diesel railcars offering wonderful views from all seats and also of the line ahead (or behind!) from seats in the end sections.


Railways and beer have always gone well together so why not visit the Black sheep Brewery at Masham or theakston’s Brewery in the same village. Both do brewery tours and you can find out why it is called the ‘Black sheep’! there are numerous other attractions in this pretty area of Yorkshire and the towns of Ripon and Harrogate are close by.

darlington railway Museum the newly refurbished museum, the Head of steam at Darlington is housed within the original north Road station built in 1842 and very evocative of the Victorian era. there are interactive displays and audio visual enabling visitors to venture back in time and see stephenson’s Locomotion Number One, built in 1825 for the opening of the stockton & Darlington, the world’s first steam worked public railway. explore the display of locally-built engines including ‘Derwent’, the earliest surviving Darlington-built locomotive.

Discover the Booking office where time has stood still for over 168 years, and journey through exhibition galleries to find out why Darlington was the birthplace of the railways. A range of smaller items including station and lineside signs, uniforms, furniture, tableware and paintings, complement the larger exhibits. the entrance hall and ticket office are restored in period style, enhanced by displays of items such as porters’ barrows, luggage, posters and advertising signs.

the museum is about much more than railways and as the grounds are teeming with birds, bees and bats, 2012 will see more activities within the grounds to attract wildlife. this is just one of the educational projects going on in this informative museum.

there is a pleasant café which, in the summer months, extends to al fresco seating on the platform outside. there is also a free car park.


Darlington is within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and the cathedral city of Durham.

scarborough spa expressA journey on national rail, run by West Coast, the scarborough spa express runs July to september, tuesday – thursday. travel by steam in traditional carriages across West and north Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside, en route to the picturesque seaside town of scarborough, with its white sandy beaches and attractions galore. Alternatively travel to York from many West Yorkshire stations and revel in this historic town. Great value and this year children travel free with a paying adult.

isle oF Man this small island in the Irish sea off the north-west coast of england, makes a very different and interesting holiday destination. there is plenty to see and do here as the island has developed a thriving tourism industry and it is just a short ferry ride away from either Liverpool or Heysham. Douglas, its capital, is the epitome of a splendid Victorian resort and much of the Victorian infrastructure remains across the island, including one of the largest functioning networks of steam and electric railways. there is legend and mystique here – Viking long boats, cats with no tales, tynwald Hill, symbol of the independence of the island and its parliament and the amazing ‘Lady Isabella’, the Laxey Wheel.

there is one website and booking line for all the railways making organisation simple. Generous group discounts are available. A good added extra to your itinerary could be offering explorer tickets on free days, a package which gives unlimited travel on all the railways, the horse drawn tram in Douglas and most of the buses. A heritage explorer is an extension of this giving access to all the Manx national Heritage sites - ideal for the coach driver’s day off. there is a Facebook page to keep up to date with news and special events. the website gives clear advice on accessibility and a good list of events is available.

there are a number of options for private hire of steam trains, electric trams and double deck buses. Cost for specific private hires will depend on requirements.

isle of Man steam railway Dating from 1874, the Isle of Man steam Railway is the Island’s oldest Victorian rail system. this lovely narrow gauge railway still runs with its original locomotives and carriages, through an ever changing landscape, to a choice of destinations in the south of the Island, such as the impressive Castle Rushen, the nautical Museum and the beautiful silverdale Glen. the journey takes an hour in each direction and there is designated coach parking, set down and pick up points, cafes and toilets at most of the principal stations. Groups are welcome and there is an attractive discount.

the railway holds special events all year round, some of which include the Manx transport Festival, teddy Bears Picnic, Christmas shopping express and the santa trains to santa’s Grotto and Christmas Market in Castletown.

douglas station, isle of Man


Manx electric railway opened in 1893, the Manx electric Railway has been in operation and carrying passengers ever since. In fact, Manx electric trams numbers 1 and 2 hold a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating electric cars. these beautifully maintained trams are a joy and a tribute to Victorian engineering.

starting at Derby Castle at the end of Douglas promenade, you can sit back and relax as the spectacular Manx countryside passes slowly by with stops at many key locations such as the Great Laxey Wheel, Groudle Glen miniature railway and the picturesque Ballaglass Glen. the journey from Douglas to Laxey takes 30 minutes or to Ramsey takes 75 minutes.

Group bookings are available and there is always an opportunity to hire a tram and almost any package can be tailored to fit in with your requirements. For special interest groups there is also the opportunity to drive one of the historic trams; an ultimate driving experience!

snaefell Mountain railway Dating from 1895, Laxey is the starting point for the snaefell Mountain Railway, a unique Victorian enterprise which winds its way up above 2,000 feet to the top of snaefell, the Island’s only Mountain. the round trip takes 90 minutes. the trams climb steadily up the mountain, and when you arrive at the summit there are spectacular views on a clear day; it is the only place in the British Isles where you can see the seven kingdoms, (Mann, scotland, england, Wales, Ireland, the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of the sea) just by turning around. the newly refurbished snaefell summit Hotel now includes underfloor heating, new windows throughout, a fully compliant kitchen and brand new roof. there is a selection of dining experiences which can be booked on days the trains operate by calling 01624 673623. events with a view are also held at the summit, such as the popular sunset Dinners, seven Kingdoms sunday Lunch, and Pie in the sky - featuring stargazing and supper with the Island’s Astronomical experts.

The isle of Man railway Museum First opened in 1975, a visit to the small railway museum is recommended for all visitors. Located next to Port erin Railway station, the museum houses a collection of locomotives, rolling stock, railwayana, posters, handbills and interpretive displays. Housed within the museum in the former goods shed is the souvenir shop, which stocks all manner of railway-related items.

walesThere are so many things synonymous with wales – castles, majestic and many still well kept; language and celtic culture, a reminder that you are in a different country; and of course, little railways. Many holidays over the years have been based around the famous ‘great little Trains of wales’ though these days there are other lines too worthy of inclusion into a tour of the principality.

For ease of navigation, we will start in the north. llandudno, Queen of the north wales resorts, is a popular group holiday destination with its victorian promenade full of hotels, and most of the railways can be easily reached as part of a day out.

great orme Tramway Britain’s only cable-hauled street tramway is a unique attraction. this Victorian tramway still fits perfectly into its setting with Victoria station nestling in the old Church Walks end of Llandudno. From here, it climbs up through the steep streets before emerging from the town and up onto the Great orme. the views are breathtaking as the town spreads out behind you and on a good day you can see right across towards Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

the tramway is suitable for groups of all ages. school groups are welcome here and special teachers’ packs are available. Due to the age and design of the trams there is limited accessibility, however, there is an access statement and you are welcome to phone for more details. At the half way station, an exhibition explains the history of the funicular tramway and how it works.

It is open from late March until the end of october and trams run regularly throughout the day.


the old walled town and castle of Conwy is just a few minutes’ drive, as is Bodnant Gardens. Betws y Coed is a 30 minute drive from the town.

snowdon Mountain railway the snowdon Mountain Railway markets itself as ‘A Majestic Mountain top Adventure’ and rightly so. since 1896, people of all ages and abilities have been able to claim to have reached the summit of snowdon thanks to Britain’s only rack and pinion railway. the views are simply amazing as the train rises above the village and climbs, leaving the trees behind and clinging to the mountainside.

“The Snowdon Mountain Railway markets itself as

‘A Majestic Mountain Top Adventure’ and rightly so.”

the unusual little locomotives were built specially for this line and the reason for their apparently crooked appearance soon becomes obvious as they begin the steep climb, the boiler becoming level to help them steam. A mixture of steam and diesel power is used to propel the carriages but the scenery is the same, no matter what motive power, and after all, that is what everyone has come to see! In 2009, a new award winning

Manx electric railway


visitor centre, Hafod eryri, opened at the summit for travellers and walkers alike. nestling against the mountain, its panoramic windows give visitors unimpaired views across snowdonia and to the Irish sea.

the railway is open from mid March to october with services running to the summit from May. At other times, and in poor weather, it runs to Clogwyn, a station ¾ of the way up. trains run frequently throughout the day commencing at 09:30. Groups are welcome but are encouraged to travel at off peak periods and booking is essential as each train has only limited capacity. At Llanberis station, there is a free audio presentation in the 72 seat cinema and an on board commentary to help visitors get the most from their visit to this most spectacular line. there is also a café and gift shop. It is possible to drop off outside the station with coach parking available nearby.


Llanberis is a major centre, and popular for outdoor activities. Padarn Park, beside Lake Padarn, is close to the station and welcomes coaches. there are several craft units, some attractive walks, the Welsh slate Museum and Llanberis Lake Railway, all within walking distance.

llanberis lake railway situated just a few minutes’ walk from the snowdon Mountain Railway station, beside Padarn Park, this little railway offers a very scenic trip along Lake Padarn. Although the railway has only just celebrated its 40th birthday, the track bed was used as far back as the 1820’s and the tiny steam engines, lovingly restored, are typical of the little workhorses that once toiled in the local quarries, hauling slate rather than passengers.

the round trip from Llanberis to Penllyn takes about an hour. Groups are made very welcome on this railway and their season has recently been extended to accommodate them. Although the carriages are quite small, the railway is proud of its specially adapted wheelchair carriages which have earned it a place in the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain. Advanced booking is recommended as the line is popular. there are several events during the year.

the main station is at Gilfach Ddu where there is a café and gift shop. the station is adjacent to the Welsh slate Museum and the old Quarry hospital is also worth a visit.


From Llanberis, it is only a short drive to the historic walled town of Caernarfon with its castle and just a little further, the Isle of Anglesey offers an attractive half day tour. no heritage lines but how about a visit to a little station with a big name, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! James Pringle has a site here which is a popular coach stop.

welsh highland railway the Welsh Highland is an exciting and ambitious project to rebuild a line, closed for over 80 years between Caernarfon and Porthmadog. the first three mile section opened in 1997 and has grown steadily over recent years but, last year, it finally reached its destination and in 2012, all peak time trains will run the full distance of 25 miles coast to coast from beside the famous castle, across the lower slopes of snowdon and down through the forest and the pretty village of Beddgelert before passing along the Aberglaslyn Pass and on to the busy harbour town of Porthmadog. Its destination is Harbour station, home of the Ffestiniog Railway.

“Advanced booking is essential as this award winning railway is now very busy and demand

is high.”Powerful Beyer Garratt locomotives, the largest at this gauge, haul modern heated carriages with an ‘at your seat’ refreshment trolley service. sit back with a glass of local beer and watch the scenery go by! Hot snacks are also available on most trains and pre-arranged catering is available for groups. Most groups do a single journey which takes around 2½ hours though shorter trips are available. Your coach can travel easily along the main A487 giving plenty of time for a driver rest break while the train meanders through the less accessible parts of snowdonia.

Advanced booking is essential as this award winning railway is now very busy and demand is high. the main season runs from late March until the end of october with some winter opening. Joint bookings can also be made for travel on the Ffestiniog Railway.


Caernarfon is a major historic centre and boasts a selection of places to stay and eat within its walls. the village of Beddgelert also has accommodation for groups and there is a small amount of parking in the national Park car park close to the station. the RsPB Glaslyn osprey Centre, beside Pont Croesor halt, just three miles from Porthmadog, has easy parking for coaches and welcomes groups by prior arrangement.

llanberis lake railway


LLANBERIS LAKE RAILWAY

Steam Trains in theHeart of Snowdonia

“Discover the timeless appeal of our narrow guage steam trains”

• Hour long journey• All trains steam operated*• Superb views of Snowdon• Large Free Coach Park• Easy Wheelchair access• (up to 5 wheelchair spaces per train)• Excellent Café Facility• Gift Shop• Frequent Departures• Free Places for Tour Leaders• Free Refreshment for coach drivers• Discounted rates for coach groups

01286 [email protected]

*Diesels used in emergency only

For Groups

The Great Little Trains of Wales


Porthmadog is the railway centre of the area, now boasting three different narrow gauge steam railways and a station on the Cambrian Coast national rail line. It is a busy little town made even more attractive to visitors following the opening late last year of the bypass, thus alleviating the queues into and through the town. the wide main street has a good selection of shops and places to eat and makes an idea lunch stop being a natural break on a circular tour of snowdonia. there is a large hotel in the centre. the harbour, now full of private yachts, was once a major port with small locally built schooners taking their precious cargo of slate all over the world.

Just a few miles away is the Italianate village of Portmeirion and just out along the Lleyn Peninsula is Criccieth which is a popular destination for coach holidays.

Ffestiniog railwaythe Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world being established by an Act of Parliament back in 1832 and has always been considered to be a pioneer for narrow gauge railways all over the world. originally built as a line worked by gravity to bring slate down from the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour at Porthmadog, steam engines have been running here for nearly 150 years and some of the early locomotives still run today.

Many of the locomotives and carriages have been built at the railway’s Boston Lodge workshops, the newest locomotive Lyd was completed in 2010 and can now be regularly seen on off peak trains. But it is the unique ‘push me-pull you’ double Fairlie locomotives with a chimney at each end for which the Ffestiniog is most famous.

Running from Harbour station in Porthmadog which it now shares with the Welsh Highland, it crosses the estuary on the 200 year old embankment, the Cob, before climbing up towards Blaenau Ffestiniog through the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog. once flooded by a hydroelectricity scheme, the line goes in a complete spiral to gain height to rise above the flooded valley floor before returning to the original track bed just outside the town.

though proud of its Victorian heritage, most trains contain modern heated carriages for a service that runs daily between late March and the beginning of november and also has a regular winter service. An ‘at your seat’ light refreshment service is provided in the modern carriages and pre-booked refreshments are available for groups. Most groups do a single journey as part of a circular tour of snowdonia. there is parking at Harbour

station for booked groups as well as spooner’s café/bar and a well stocked gift shop. Advanced booking is essential as this railway is a popular destination for groups.

note: there is a very welcome regeneration project for Blaenau Ffestiniog during 2012 which includes the town centre car parks. While it is hoped that the major work will be complete by the main season, it may be worth checking locally with the railway prior to arrival.

“The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world...”


the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog has a fascinating history and there are several interesting small shops and places to eat close to the centre car parks. Llechwedd slate Caverns on the edge of the town gives an insight in what it was like to be a miner and there are both underground and surface attractions. A downhill cycle course is scheduled to open here during 2012. About 30 minutes’ drive away and half way back to Llandudno is the hugely popular village of Betws y Coed.

welsh highland heritage railway A separate company from the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway offers a very different experience with a short train ride and an excellent museum focussing on the history of the town and its railways. the train takes you for a short trip before stopping at the engine sheds and interactive museum, where you can climb on board the engines and see how things work. there is also a miniature railway for the young at heart. It is very much a hands on experience and justly popular with groups and families. Gelert’s tea Room and a large gift shop are based at the main station.

Moving further east, there are two very different railways that can easily be combined for a varied steamy day out.

Bala lake railway Another of the Great Little trains, this narrow gauge line runs along a short section of the old Ruabon to Barmouth railway track bed. some of the original buildings have been retained, all adding to the charm of this little line. the 25 minute ride from Llanuwchllyn to Bala runs alongside Bala Lake, or Llyn tegid in Welsh. this lake is well known for its water sports as well as being the home of a rare and prehistoric fish, the Gwyniad which lurks in its depths. All the trains are steam hauled using one of the railways’ collection of small ‘Quarry Hunslets, the little locomotives that worked in the slate quarries of north Wales many years ago.

there is a café, gift shop and toilets at Llanuwchllyn station. the old Great Western signal box is often open to visitors giving a different view of station life. It is recommended that you stop here if you want to spend some extra time at the railway as there are no facilities at Bala station.


From Bala station it is just a short drive into the town and there is ample coach parking in the car park from which it is an

Ffestiniog railway


Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn,Gwynedd. LL36 9EY 01654 710472www.talyllyn.co.uk/112

Unspoilt SnowdoniaSteam Through

Take ahistoricsteam traintrip for ScenicWalks, Waterfalls,Free Museum, Playground, Licensed Cafe, Gift Shop & more!Free Coach Parking and Driver Hospitality too!

Groupdiscounts &

reserved seatsbook in advance,15+ people

• Refreshments • Picnic sitesRoom for coach turning

and parking at Llanuwchllyn

Bala lake RailwayThe Station, llanuwchllyn ll23 7DD

01678 540666

www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Bala Lake Railways_Layout 1 16/02/2012 10:25 Page 1


easy walk to the centre where there are several cafes and shops. travelling south is the traditional market town of Dolgellau whilst a ten mile drive east will take you to the A5. Rhug Farm shop close to the A5 junction has a farm shop and smart new café. Llangollen is also a 30 minute drive by coach.

llangollen railway the seven and a half miles of the Llangollen Railway sit on the track bed of the former Ruabon to Barmouth route closed by the infamous Doctor Beaching in the 1960’s. the line itself had a relatively quiet existence, with its principal claim to fame being the summer holiday trains taking the industrial workers of the north and Midlands to the coast, and especially the Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Pwllheli.

the restoration of the line has taken over 30 years but it now portrays the life of a typical country branch line of the 1950`s with pristine stations, restored viaducts and a tunnel. Visitors will love the feeling of nostalgia that the stations portray so well. the railway is currently extending the line an extra 2 ½ miles to the town of Corwen, it is hoped they will be there by the end of 2012.

“The railway offers great discounts on group bookings,

prices start from £5 for a single journey...”

the line passes through one of the most scenic and historically interesting valleys in Britain with the Berwyn Mountains towering above on either side as it follows the course of the River Dee. this river is classed as a site of special scientific Interest (sssI) for its entire length. It is a noted salmon fishery and has a wealth of wildlife living along its banks including the wary otter.

the railway offers great discounts on group bookings, prices start from £5 for a single journey, there is also the option to add on a Cream tea to enjoy while you pass along the picturesque valley. Many groups take the single journey while the coach travels along the A5 main road. It is an ideal way to break the journey into or out of Wales.

the line offers service trains for most of the year, along with “santa specials” and “Days out With thomas” events for the children, and “Murder Mystery” and Real Ale trains for the adults to enjoy. A train trip can be combined with boat trips on the Llangollen Canal from Llangollen Wharf.


Llangollen is a bustling little town throughout the year. In July, it is home to the International eisteddfod which is a huge cultural music festival attracting entertainment from all over the world. the town seems to retain its colourful feel all through the year and makes a good place to explore. Horse drawn boats run along the Llangollen Canal from the Wharf above the station. the Llangollen Canal, including Pontcysyllte aqueduct, received World Heritage status in 2009.

Mid Wales is a much quieter and less commercial area but the beauty of its scenery and the friendliness of its people should not be missed. there are few big resorts but many small and interesting market towns.

Talyllyn railway the friendly volunteer staff at the talyllyn Railway are famous for their welcome; they have been looking after guests on this, the world’s first preserved railway, for over 60 years. After the hustle and bustle of some of the other preserved lines, the gentle pace together with a feeling that time has stood still here, just adds to the charm. the scenery varies from open pastureland to historic oak woodland as the train steams up the valley. nant Gwernol station, which has no road access, clings above the edge of a steep ravine which cuts down to the valley below. Many of the trains are hauled by the original locomotives, all lovingly maintained, as are the carriages with their distinctive livery.

Wharf station at tywyn is also home to the narrow Gauge Railway Museum, where you can discover the history of narrow gauge railways across the UK. their collection includes artefacts of all sizes from tickets to locomotives. Guided tours are available on request. one famous early volunteer was the Rev. W.V. Awdry, author of those wonderful original Thomas the Tank Engine books. Many of the tales come from his experiences as a volunteer here, and you can see why. Fans of the books will find it comfortingly familiar. A replica of his study is situated in the museum. there is a lovely gift shop which stocks both Welsh and talyllyn souvenirs, and also the King’s café and bistro who offer a range of hot meals for groups. Please phone in advance to discuss your requirements. there is also a tea room at Abergynolwyn station.

Bala lake railway

llangollen railway


Groups are made very welcome here and may do a return journey or a single to Abergynolwyn with an extended single, taking in the top section to nant Gwernol also available. there is free coach parking at Wharf station and collection at Abergynolwyn.


the views from the coast roads in this area are stunning but not for hurrying. Corris Craft Centre and King Arthur’s Labyrinth are a short drive from Abergynolwyn station. Corris is also home to the Corris Railway. the Centre for Alternative technology is just a little further down the road towards Machynlleth.

welshpool & llanfair light railway easily accessible from the West Midlands and shropshire, the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is the original country line. Located just across the Mid-Wales border, it offers a delightful steam-hauled eight-mile journey through rolling scenery between the market town of Welshpool and the village of Llanfair Caereinion.

Along the way travellers are treated to a close-up view of the local wildlife, which might include deer on the Golfa, herons in the river and especially the buzzards, who love to take off from branches above the train and soar alongside.

Passengers travel either in replicas of the railway’s original edwardian carriages, or continental vehicles with end balconies from which one can watch the scenery go by, or the loco crew at work. that motive power could be one of the line’s two original locomotives, now 109 years old, or engines that previously worked on lines as far afield as Romania and the Caribbean.

the railway has always welcomed tour groups. Both terminus stations offer extensive parking for coaches, and a popular format is to join the train at Welshpool with travellers rejoining their coach at Llanfair after their 50-minute train ride. However time should also be allowed for a bite in the railway’s edwardian-style tearooms – especially a slice of the traditional cakes on offer!


the line is also close to other tourist attractions, notably the renowned national trust property of Powis Castle just outside Welshpool. the old station at Welshpool is a good shopping outlet and restaurant whilst others will enjoy the tranquility of Glansevern Hall Gardens.

south Wales is a mixture of cities, coastline and the famous valleys with their industrial heritage plain to see. there is culture, scenery and a large number of excellent attractions making it a popular holiday destination.

gwili railway the Gwili Railway is situated three miles from Carmarthen and is one of the area’s top attractions. It is a standard gauge preserved line and runs along a short section of the old Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line opening in 1978.

the main station is at Bronwydd Arms on the A484. Here is the railway’s museum, gift shop and signal box. the Gwili tea rooms, in the station yard, has a range of snacks and hot and cold drinks.

“The Gwili Railway is situated three miles from Carmarthen and is one of the area’s top

attractions.”From Bronwydd Arms, the train travels alongside the river Gwili through fields and woodland climbing up to reach its current destination of Danycoed Halt. Here the engine runs round and the train returns as far as Llwyfan Cerrig station where it pauses for a short while to enable passengers to take a quick trip on the miniature railway or to have a look at the travelling Post office situated at the site. the train then returns to Bronwydd Arms, the round trip taking approximately one hour.

there are many special activities and experiences here - sunday lunches, evening dining trains and days when afternoon cream teas are served on board. there are murder mystery and themed evenings and other special events. More information regarding dates of these events can be found on the website.


Carmarthen has a wide variety of attractions to suit every taste including the national Botanic Gardens, the national showcaves Centre, Dan yr ogof is also worth a visit. the railway is within easy reach of the resort of tenby and also the cities of swansea and Cardiff.

welshpool & llanfair light railway

welshpool & llanfair light railway


pontypool & Blaenavon railway the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway, sits in the Blaenavon World Heritage site in torfaen, south Wales and now offers a service direct from the world famous Big Pit Mining Museum, as well to Blaenavon itself. services run from easter through to october with santa specials at Christmas. In the low season services only operate to Big Pit but in the high season and events, services operate to Blaenavon, with a separate branch line service to Big Pit.

“With many of the World Heritage attractions nearby,

the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway makes an excellent base

to explore them all.”

the railway’s main station is at Furnace sidings, just north of Blaenavon, and offers a full range of passenger amenities with a large free car park and ample room for coaches. Group bookings attract a 10% discount. trains leave from Furnace sidings to Big Pit, Blaenavon High Level (only a short walk from the town) and the Whistle Inn. the complete round trip takes approximately 50 minutes. nearby by are the Garn Lakes, ideal for walking and relaxing whilst not far away is the Iron Works, made famous by the BBC Coal House series and new for 2012, the Rhymney Brewery which has a visitors’ centre and bar!

the railway holds a mixture of family and enthusiast events throughout the year and with stunning scenery, fearsome gradients and a very friendly staff, a good show is always guaranteed. Advanced booking is not necessary except for the santa services but is recommended for large parties to ensure the railway can make all the necessary arrangements. With many of the World Heritage attractions nearby, the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway makes an excellent base to explore them all.


An obvious accompaniment to a visit to this line is the Big Pit Mining Museum which is also part of the Blaenavon Heritage site. It is not far to Cardiff and newport to the south and just a short drive takes you from the stark historical landscape of the mining valleys to the beauty of the Brecon Beacons national Park.

scoTlandthere are only a small number of heritage railways in scotland but it is also home to one of the best known main line steam services in Britain - the Jacobite.

With the exception of the Jacobite, most of the railways are situated to the eastern side of the country.

Bo’ness & Kinneil railway this hidden gem is located in the historic town of Bo’ness only 40 minutes’ drive from Glasgow and edinburgh.

With free coach parking, excellent group rates, free entry and meal voucher for coach drivers, a visit to the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway is a must if you are in the area. Bo’ness is the station to join the railway. It has good facilities including a traditional ticket office, museum, cheerful coffee shop and a gift shop brimming with memorabilia and general souvenirs. Groups can also enjoy a cup of tea and a scone on the train. An on-train buffet is being introduced on most trains soon which will be a very welcome addition.

“The museum is the second largest railway museum in the UK.”

2012 sees a number of new and exciting reasons to visit this railway which is run by the scottish Railway Preservation society, who have recently been awarded the highly prestigious Heritage Railway Association’s Peter Manisty Award in recognition of its continuous developments in the presentation of scottish railway history.

the friendly staff are experienced and really happy to look after groups as they take a nostalgic journey on a steam or heritage diesel train along the scenic shore of the River Forth with views of the beautiful ochil Hills. It passes through woodland, past wild flowers and waterfalls. this is an area abundant with wildlife so keep a good look out! Visitors can also enjoy a wander around the station buildings and the meadow walks at Birkhill, then reach the end of the line at Manuel and watch the locomotive travel past the window from their comfortable seats as it changes ends to pull them back to Bo’ness.

Back at Bo’ness it is worth making time for a visit to the museum with two huge halls of locos, wagons, carriages and other artefacts dedicated to scotland’s railways. the museum is the

pontypool & Blaenavon railway

Bo’ness & Kinneil railway


second largest railway museum in the UK. You can have a go at operating a railway signal and points and sort some letters in the travelling Post office.

new for 2012 is ‘something for sunday’, a range of activities which complements the trains, from signal box tours to afternoon tea on the train, you can experience something new. Groups visiting this year can enjoy a whole new area exploring and seeing more of the great work of the scottish Railway Preservation society. the railway’s office is open on weekdays and will be happy to help you with group bookings and information.


With Glasgow, edinburgh and stirling nearby, you’re spoilt for choice with a plethora of attractions, events or simply soaking up the splendour of these cities. the fascinating Falkirk Wheel with its dramatic boat lift is close by and boat trips are available. the birthplace of Mary Queen of scots at Linlithgow Palace is also a short drive away.

strathspey railway the strathspey Railway operates along a ten mile stretch of the former Highland Line, running from Aviemore to Broomhill via the very pretty station at Boat of Garten. the 90 minute round trip takes you on a journey through moorland and woodland, passing great sweeps of the River spey and with the majestic Cairngorm Mountains providing a stunning backdrop to the scenery.

With the exception of February, trains are usually steam hauled and you might be lucky enough to travel behind Caledonian Railway locomotive number 828 which has recently been restored and proudly runs in its traditional deep blue livery. there is plenty of free parking for coaches at Aviemore station and this is the best place to start your journey. there is a drop off point at Boat of Garten station and both stations have shops and toilets.

“There is plenty of free parking for coaches at Aviemore station and this is the best place to start

your journey.”With its traditional rolling stock and pretty stations, the strathspey Railway is justly popular with film crews and has been used for filming “Monarch of the Glen”, with Broomhill doubling as Glenbogle station, “Dr Finlay’s Casebook” and the BBC’s “Street Doctor” series.

KEITH & DUFFTOWNRAILWAY

Experience Malt Whisky Country by Train Open Easter to the end of September Saturday & Sundays plus Fridays in Jun, Jul & Aug. Special events and Whisky Festival trains. 22 mile return journey takes 90 minutes. Enjoy wooded hills and valleys, lochs and castles and the

rolling countryside of Banff in our heritage DMU’s. Group bookings at special rates are welcome on all services. Charters trains are available throughout the year. The Buffer Stop Restaurant at Dufftown Station is open

between 10am and 4pm on operating days, freshly preparedrefreshments and light meals.

Special arrangements can be made for small parties or charters.

For further details visit our website atw w w . k e i t h - d u f f t o w n - r a i l w a y . c o . u kor call Rod Furr on 01340 821181(summer weekends)

01343 870429 (weekdays)

KEITH & DUFFTOWNRAILWAY

strathspey railway


group Travel guide

2012 Edition

CoverPRINT.indd 1 22/2/12 15:06:09


For information and advice or to order further copies of this guide please contact:

hra Travel Trade liaison,c/o 8, Ffordd Dyfrig,

Tywyn, gwynedd ll36 9ehTel: 0845 528 0335 Fax: 01654 712323

or email to [email protected]

Please visit our website at

www.heritagerailways.comThis will provide you with a link to our individual members.


the railway operates on selected days from February onwards with daily running from early June to the end of August. there are numerous special events throughout the year to suit all tastes and details are clearly posted on their website. there is also a chance to enjoy some food on the move as the train steams through this attractive part of the Highlands. In the summer there is an evening dining train on Wednesdays and Fridays and sunday lunches are available from March to october. tasty afternoon teas are also served on board and all are available for groups, though they must be pre-booked.


there are numerous attractions in the area including the Cairngorm Funicular Railway, but speyside with its special waters is, of course, famous for its whisky so a visit to a distillery is a must. Cragganmore, Glenfarclas and Cardhu are three within easy reach and there is even a spirit of speyside Whisky festival which takes place on 3rd – 7th May.

Keith & dufftown railway As mentioned above, speyside is one of the hidden tourist gems of the UK, a rarely visited area redolent with history and renowned for the friendly welcome given to visitors. It’s a land of mountain and glen, open moorland, deep forests, lochs and rolling farmlands; dotted with castles, cut by fast flowing rivers and hosting half the distilleries in scotland. Hidden away in the hills of the old scottish County of Banffshire and taking advantage of this enchanting landscape is the Keith & Dufftown Railway. A visit to the volunteer run “Whisky Line” enables you to enjoy the scenery and wildlife from comfortable Diesel Multiple Units that evoke the quiet nostalgia of the 1960’s branch line.

the line opens on Friday 6th April and runs mostly at weekends, the dates of operation and timetable are easily found on the website. the journey takes around 40 minutes in each direction. Group bookings and coach parties are welcome and charter trains are available on days when no public service is running. special arrangements and distillery visits are organised during the spring and Autumn Whisky Festivals

the “Buffer stop” restaurant at Dufftown station is made up from an old kitchen and restaurant car offering a quaint setting for a café. It provides morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas, all freshly prepared on the premises. the restaurant car is fully licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine or a dram with your lunch. Car and coach parking is available at all stations.

there are disabled facilities and wheelchair access to Dufftown and Keith town stations, wheelchair access to the “Buffer stop” restaurant and on most trains.

You can combine your train ride with a visit to one of the local distilleries or castles. enjoy a healthy walk through the beautiful countryside or visit one of the many other local tourist attractions in the speyside area.


there are more distilleries nearby including Glenfiddich and strathisla. numerous castles including Craigellachie and Drummuir are also a short drive away. Keith is a pleasant market town and regional centre whilst Dufftown is well known as the World’s Malt Whisky capital!

west coast railways -The Jacobite Voted by Wanderlust Magazine as the Greatest Railway Journey in the World for two years in succession, the Jacobite is the most regular steam excursion running on the national railway system and is run by West Coast Railways.

the 42-mile journey between Fort William and Mallaig in the scottish Highlands is arguably one of the most scenic lines in Britain, being part of the West Highland line and passing over the famous 21-arch concrete Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films. some of the carriages from the train were actually used in the films as West Coast provided both locomotive and carriages, making it a great trip for Hogwarts fans. starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben nevis, the train visits Britain’s most westerly station, Arisaig; passes close to the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and Britain’s shortest river, River Morar before finally arriving at europe’s deepest seawater loch, Loch nevis and the beautiful fishing village of Mallaig.

“Voted by Wanderlust Magazine as the Greatest Railway Journey

in the World for two years in succession...”

the round trip is 84 miles but one-way tickets may be booked for groups continuing to Armadale on skye by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry. this is an extremely popular service with most of the train only available for advanced reservations so booking well in advance is essential. the Jacobite is running from 14th May to 26th october 2012.

Keith & dufftown railway

west coast railways -The Jacobite


irelandThe irish rail network today is a pale shadow of what it was before the 1950s, when mass closures of unprofitable lines wiped out most cross-country routes. at one time it had over 500 miles of narrow gauge railways, all now closed – but the spirit of the past is kept alive at several narrow gauge and full-sized attractions on both sides of the border.

downpatrick & county down railway this is northern Ireland’s only full-sized heritage railway, the gauge in Ireland being 5 ft 3 in – a few inches wider than in Britain. Built on the track bed of part of the Belfast and County Down Railway, which ran to newcastle, the old line was closed and abandoned nearly 60 years ago but more than two miles of track have now been re-laid. services are based in the county town of Down.

Your visit starts in the authentic railway station foyer where you

will be met by a guide who introduces you to the line with stories and exhibits, bringing the golden age of steam in the area alive once more. there is a small shop at the station, and a buffet carriage parked at the platform for teas, coffees & buns. It is also possible to take a tour of the signal cabin and the workshops to get a behind the scenes view of what goes on when the trains are running.

“The area is full of ancient history with tales of Vikings and

fortified settlements.”the railway runs through the beautiful countryside of the Downpatrick Marshes with totally different aspects in each season of the year. there are great views of the cathedral. saint Patrick himself is rumoured to be buried beside it. the area is full of ancient history with tales of Vikings and fortified settlements. Your destination is Inch Abbey, the 12th century ruins of a Cistercian Abbey. the Abbey is home to a ‘living history monk’ on summer weekends who will tell you more of the history of this peaceful place in its wonderful setting. Inch means Island in Gaelic and the abbey was founded on an island in the tidal marsh of the River Quoile.

steam locomotives from the 1920s and 1930s, or diesels from the 1960s, convey their passengers in 50 to 100-year-old carriages. trains run at easter, May Day and in summer and there are also special events at other times. And for something completely different, it is possible for groups to hire a train to King Magnus’ Halt on an extra stretch of line that is currently being extended towards newcastle. the Viking King, Magnus Barefoot, was killed at this site back in 1103 and the history will be brought to life by a living history Viking Guide. It’s a great place for a bit of nostalgia and some tales from ancient history!


the Down County Museum, st Patrick Centre and Quoile Countryside Centre are all nearby.

headhunters Barber shop & railway Museum this amazing place was inspired through a family’s interest in local railway history, and now has one of the largest collections of Irish railway memorabilia on display. the journey starts at the reconstructed Railway Booking office where the ticket collector invites you to step on board and enjoy the nostalgia, social heritage and artefacts associated with the local railways. there is also a manager’s office and a signal box. even the traditional barber’s shop itself is full of exhibits so you can have your hair cut surrounded by railwayana!


enniskillen Castle Museums and the Waterbus to Devenish Island are in town, and nearby are Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre and national trust Properties at Castlecoole, Florencecourt and Crom.

giant’s causeway & Bushmills railway this narrow gauge railway runs for two miles along the track bed of the former Giant’s Causeway tram. some new locomotive and carriages have been designed to recreate the passenger experience of the original electric tram, providing a nostalgic journey linking Bushmills to northern Ireland’s most famous tourist attraction. this cute little line runs through some

downpatrick & county down railway

headhunters Barber shop & railway Museum


attractive scenery as it makes its way along the coastline. there is free parking at Bushmills and trains can be run for groups outside the normal operating timetable. It is best to contact the railway for details of what they can offer.


the Giant’s Causeway itself is close by and there is also the Bushmills Distillery (Ireland’s oldest, from 1608).

Fintown railway A narrow gauge railway, set amidst spectacular scenery overlooking Lough Finn offers three-mile round trips on a restored section of the County Donegal Railway alongside the clear waters of Loch Finn. one of the original railcars, now restored to its original style, is used. It has disabled facilities and a PA system and runs in conjunction with a tiny diesel locomotive.


the railway is within easy reach of Donegal town (where Donegal Railway Centre operates a museum) and the rugged west coast.

lartigue Monorail this short line and museum in Listowel, County Kerry is not a conventional railway, but a system built in the Victorian era when engineers were trying out all kinds of innovations to link rural communities at low cost. It was an object of much interest and amusement in its day and is still a curiosity.

now visitors can take a short journey on a full-scale diesel-powered replica of the original monorail, and visit the museum to watch a film of the original Lartigue and see models, displays and memorabilia of the Lartigue and main-line railways.


Listowel is a small market town in north Kerry in the south-west of Ireland. Also visit the Kerry Writers Museum, Listowel Castle and nearby attractions including the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

waterford & suir valley railway the Waterford & suir Valley is a community heritage project running a narrow gauge line along a few miles of the abandoned Waterford-Dungarvan line. there are panoramic views of the river, rolling farmland and mountains as you run along the banks of the River suir with views of Mount Congreve Gardens, and a recently discovered Viking settlement. A small diesel simplex locomotive pulls two partially open carriages travelling at 15km per hour and can accommodate up to 90 passengers, with a journey time of approximately 50 minutes. the railway is partnered with the Llanberis Lake Railway in north Wales.

Kilmeadan station has a large car park suitable for coaches. An old railway carriage serves as a ticket office and shop and there are light refreshments available. school groups are well catered for and all groups are welcome. Please refer to their website for more information and details of operational dates.


Waterford is, of course, famous worldwide for its crystal.

ulster Folk & Transport Museum set in 170 acres of rolling countryside, this outdoor museum tells the story of Ulster in the early 20th century.

the Irish Railway Collection is part of the transport Museum which is an indoor area on the site. It is effectively the national railway museum of Ireland, with exhibits from both sides of the border. there are also Road transport Galleries featuring horse drawn carriages, electric trams, shiny red double-decker buses, fire-engines, motorbikes, vintage cars and sports cars… even that troubled icon of the Irish motor industry, a De Lorean sports car. there are also exhibits devoted to aviation and shipbuilding, including the Titanic.


You are only a few miles from Belfast, with its excellent museums, shopping and nightlife.

ulster Folk & Transport Museum

ulster Folk & Transport Museum

appendiX oF heriTage railways

avon valley railwayBitton station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol Bs30 6HD Tel: 0117 932 5538 • Fax: 0117 932 5935 e: [email protected] W: www.avonvalleyrailway.org

Main periods of operation: steam trains operate sundays from easter to end of october, plus Bank Holidays, tuesdays to thursdays during school holidays and Wednesdays in June and July. Diesel services operate on some saturdays.

Coach parking facility: Available on station forecourt

Principal Group Rates: 50p discount per ticket

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Max: 60

Catering available for Groups: Cream teas, snacks, lunches (pre booking essential)

Conference Facilities available: (5 – 40 person capacity): Catering provided. Mobile & static facilities.

Bala lake railwaythe station, Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd LL23 7DD tel: 01678 540666 e: [email protected] W: www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Roger or Bobby Hine

Main periods of operation: easter to end september except some Mondays & Fridays

Coach parking facility: At Llanuwchllyn, roadside at Bala

Principal Group Rates: £4.40 single, £7 return


Catering available for Groups: Cold filled rolls, tea, coffee, cakes. Café seats 48 maximum.

Bluebell railwaysheffield Park station, east sussex tn22 3QL Tel: 01825 720800 • Fax: 01825 720804 e: [email protected] W: www.bluebell-railway.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Customer services

Main periods of operation: every weekend & daily May-october. some dates require advance booking.

Coach parking facility: At sheffield Park station

Principal Group Rates: £10.50 Adults or £5.25 Children; Groups 10+; If booking 3+ dates: £9.50 Adults £4.75 Children

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10 Max: none

Catering available for Groups: Licensed restaurant at sheffield Park station

Bodmin & wenford railwayBodmin General station, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1AQ Tel: 01208 73555 • Fax: 01208 77963 e: [email protected] W: www.bodminrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Richard Jones

Main periods of operation: selected dates January-May, daily 20 May-5 october 2012, selected dates october-December

Coach parking facility: FRee parking available for coaches at Bodmin General station

Principal Group Rates: Freedom of the Line (All Day Rover) ticket Groups of 25+: Adult - £9.20, Child - £4.00, senior Citizen - £8.40 Groups of 10-24: Adult - £10.35, Child - £4.50, senior Citizen - £9.45


Catering available for Groups: Lunches, Cream teas etc. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.

Bo’ness & Kinneil railwayUnion street, Bo’ness, West Lothian eH51 9AQ Tel: 01506 825855 • Fax: 01506 828766 e: [email protected] W: www.bkrailway.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Margaret Haynes

Main periods of operation: Weekends 31 March - 28 october, most days in July & August

Coach parking facility: Plenty of free parking for both cars and coaches

Principal Group Rates: Discount of 10% for groups of 12-39 paying passengers, 20% for groups of 40 or more (excludes some special event days)


Catering available for Groups: the station Coffee shop at Bo’ness offers a range of catering from teas, coffees & home baking to full meals.

Buckinghamshire railway centreQuainton Road station, Quainton, nr Aylesbury HP22 4BY Tel: 01296 655720 • Fax: 01296 658569 e: [email protected] W: www.bucksrailcentre.org

Contact name for Group Bookings: Group Booking organiser

Main periods of operation: easter to end october with steam trains on sundays, Bank Holiday Mondays and Weds in school hols. Full events programme listed on website

Coach parking facility: space for 10 coaches in main car park close to entrance

Principal Group Rates: 10% reduction for groups of 15 and 20% reduction for groups of 25 or more


Catering available for Groups: everything from just a coffee stop to full roast meal available by prior arrangement. Hot meals & snacks as part of daily operation.

Bure valley railwayAylsham station, norwich Road, Aylsham, norfolk nR11 6BW Tel: 01263 733858 • Fax: 01263 733814 e: [email protected] W: www.bvrw.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Judith Harvey

Main periods of operation: Daily 1 April – 4 november 2012

Coach parking facility: Dedicated free coach parking at both Aylsham & Wroxham stations

Principal Group Rates: single train: £7.50 Adults £4.50 Children (5-16), Return train: £11.00 Adults £6.00 Children (5-16), single train & Cruise: £14.00 Adults £10.00 Children (5-16), Return train & Cruise: £17.00 Adults £11.50 Children (5-16)


Catering available for Groups: 80-seater cafe at Aylsham station which is open daily and serves a wide range of hot & cold snacks, drinks & full meals. In addition, a special 2-course group lunch is available by prior arrangement.



appendiX oF heriTage railwayschinnor & princes risborough railwaystation Approach, station Road, Chinnor, oxon oX39 4eR tel: 07979 055366 e: [email protected] W: www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Don Williams

Main periods of operation: open some saturdays, every sunday and Bank Holiday from 18th March until 28th october (Halloween).

train times 10.00, 11.10, 12.20, 1.30, 3.00, and 4.30 Most Days (unless special events), and a special timetable on saturdays and sundays during December for santa and Mince Pie specials.

Coach parking facility: Yes - Maximum 2 coaches per train

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount 8-15 and 20% discount 16+


Catering available for Groups: on-board catering for 44 passengers in Restaurant coach, for greater numbers please call for possibilities.

churnet valley railwaynear Leek, staffordshire Moorlands, Kingsley & Froghall station st10 2HA Cheddleton station st13 7ee tel: 01538 750755 Fax: 01538 758496 e: [email protected] W: www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Admin office

Main periods of operation: Weekends April – end september. every Wed, July & August, plus all Bank Holiday Mondays

Coach parking facility: Cheddleton station & Froghall

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount when pre-booked


Catering available for Groups: By arrangement on trains & stations.

colne valley railwayYeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, essex Co9 3DZ tel: 01787 461174 Fax: 01787 462254 e: [email protected] W: www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk Contact name for Group Bookings: evan Bailey

Main periods of operation: April to october

Coach parking facility: Yes

Principal Group Rates: Contact railway for information

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 15

Catering available for Groups: Max 60 sidings Buffet (railway carriage hence max no.)

crich Tramway village - national Tramway MuseumCrich, Matlock, Derbyshire De4 5DP Tel: 01773 854321 • Fax: 01773 854320 e: [email protected] W: www.tramway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Laura Greaves


Coach parking facility: Free - close to entrance

Principal Group Rates: Adult - £9, senior - £8, Child - £5


Catering available for Groups: Booked in advance.

dartmouth steam railway & river Boat companyQueen’s Park station, torbay Road, Paignton, Devon tQ4 6AF Tel: 01803 555 872 • Fax: 01803 664 313 e: [email protected] W: www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: sarah Roach

Main periods of operation: April - october. santa specials in December.

Coach parking facility: no coach park but two minutes away from multi-storey car park

Principal Group Rates: Please call for a timetable or visit our website

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Max: 300 Catering available for Groups: Cafe at Paignton & Kingswear.

dean Forest railway company limitedForest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4et tel: 01594 845840 e: enquires through DFR website W: www.dfr.co.uk

Contact name for group bookings: Mrs Lynne Wentworth

Main periods of operation: Mid February to Mid november and December for santa and Mince Pie specials

Coach parking facility: Large FRee car & coach park at norchard station on the B4234 just north of Lydney.

Principal Group Rates: 15% discount offered for groups of 20 or more.the discount applies to reductions on standard rate fares which apply to normal running days. We Do not give group discounts on special days, i.e. DoWt and santa specials. Refer to the DFR website for days of operation & timings or see the 2012 publicity brochure. standard Fares for 2012 season: Adults £11.00. senior Citizens £10.00.Children 5 – 16 yrs, £5.00. Family (2A+2C) £30.00.


Payment: A deposit is required, but full payment can be made on the day BUt before travel, for all members of the group.

Catering available for Groups: Light buffet facilities are available, which offer Light Lunches, salads, sandwiches, Cakes, Hot Pasties, Potatoes, soup, Hot & Cold drinks and Ice creams. When booking, to assist catering requirements, please indicate the number of persons who may require use of these facilities.

Coach drivers can opt to receive a free return trip on the railway or a redeemable £5 voucher for use in the buffet on the day of the visit.

didcot railway centreDidcot, oxfordshire oX11 7nJ Tel: 01235 817200 • Fax: 01235 510621 e: [email protected] W: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Michael Bodsworth

Main periods of operation: open daily from 2 June - 16 september, during school holidays, and all weekends.


appendiX oF heriTage railwaysCoach parking facility: nearby

Principal Group Rates: Admission depends upon events etc:

Adult £5 - £10, Child £4 - £10 and seniors £4.50 - £9 number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 15

Catering available for Groups: Luncheon, tea & refreshments available at Centre and on special trains by arrangement.

Conference Facilities available: (15 – 100 person capacity) Catering provided. Great Western steam train with special super saloons (max. 50).

east anglian railway MuseumChappel station, Colchester, essex Co6 2Ds Tel: 01206 242524 • Fax: 01787 224473 e: information@ earm.co.uk W: www.earm.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Karen nelson

Main periods of operation: All year except Christmas Day & Boxing Day

Coach parking facility: At front of station

Principal Group Rates: £3.60 Adult, £3.15 senior, £1.80 Child steam days: £7.20 Adult, £6.30 senior, £3.60 Child number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10 Max: 100 Catering available for Groups: By prior arrangement only. Light meals, drinks, ice creams.

east lancashire railwayBolton street station, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0eY Tel: 0161 764 7790 (10am – 4pm) • Fax: 0161 763 4408 e: [email protected] W: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Passenger services Manager

Main periods of operation: Weekends throughout the year, and Wednesday to Friday between April & september. Please see our website for further details.

Coach parking facility: Drop off and pick-up points in front of stations and weekend coach parking available if advised in advance.

Principal Group Rates: Various discounts available for groups, depending on size of party. Please contact our Passenger services Manager for further details. number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10

Catering available for Groups: Catering available on train or in our restaurant by prior arrangement. Ranges from small buffets to full dining packages.

east somerset railwayCranmore Railway station, Cranmore, shepton Mallet, somerset BA4 4QP tel: 01749 880417 e: [email protected] W: www.eastsomersetrailway.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Group Bookings Co-ordinator - Chris Brown

Main periods of operation: Weekends April-september plus selected weekdays in summer


Principal Group Rates: Group Adult rate: £8.50 Group Concession rate: £7.50 number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Catering available for Groups: Whistlestop Café or on-train catering (selected dates, pre-booking required).

ecclesbourne valley railwayWirksworth station, station Road, Wirksworth, Derbyshire De4 4FB

tel: 01629 823076 e: [email protected] W: www.e-v-r.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Anton shone

Main periods of operation: mid April to end of october

Coach parking facility: Ample free parking at Wirksworth station

Principal Group Rates: All line £9.00 Adult; £5.00 Child

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min:10.

Catering available for Groups: Lunches & Afternoon teas available for up to 80 covers in air conditioned former Gatwick express coaches.

Conference Facilities available: (2 – 20 person capacity):

Catering provided in Buffet Car or in room.

embsay & Bolton abbey steam railwayBolton Abbey station, Bolton Abbey, skipton, north Yorkshire BD23 6AF Tel: 01756 710614 • Fax: 01756 710720 W: www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: stephen Walker

Main periods of operation: All Year

Coach parking facility: Ample - up to 30 spaces at Bolton Abbey station

Principal Group Rates: Adult £8.00 Return / £5 single Concession £7.20 Return/£4.50 single


Catering available for Groups: 2 Cafes plus Buffet Cars

Conference Facilities available (70/80 person capacity):

Catering provided and special Wine & Dine service available.

exbury gardens railwaythe estate office, exbury, southampton, Hants so45 1AZ Tel: 023 8089 1203 • Fax: 023 8089 9940 e: [email protected] W: www.exbury.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: nigel Philpott, Commercial & Marketing Manager

Main periods of operation: 10 March - 4 november 2012 Gardens open at 10am

Coach parking facility: Free parking for up to x 50 coaches, hard-standing

Principal Group Rates: £8.50 per person for Gardens; £3 per person for steam Railway, if booked in advance. Groups constitute 15 or more persons. Gardens entrance required to purchase railway tickets.

special offer 10 March - 10 June - Pay Gardens and Railway entrance and receive a FRee return ticket for autumn colours between 25 August - 26 october.

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min:15

Catering available for Groups: Group lunches available – visit exbury website for full details.

Conference Facilities available: (20 – 100 person capacity)

Catering provided.



Ffestiniog railwayHarbour station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9nF Tel: 01766 516024 • Fax: 01766 516005 e: [email protected] W: www.festrail.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: samantha Hughes/Victoria towers or Ben Kelly

Main periods of operation: Daily 24th March – 3rd november 2012.

Winter timetable has trains on Wednesdays and thursdays to Christmas then daily 26th December to 1st Janaury.

Coach parking facility: Coach parking available at Porthmadog

Harbour station, Blaenau Ffestiniog – regeneration work in town, please enquire.

Principal Group Rates: Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog

single – Adult £8.00, Concession £8.00, Child £4.00 Return – Adult £16.00, Concession £14.00, Child £8.00 number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Max: 100

Catering available for Groups: At seat buffet service, pre-booked catering for groups available either on train or at station restaurant.

Foxfield railwayCaverswall Road, Blythe Bridge st11 9BG Postal Address: Po Box 1967, stoke-on-trent st4 8Yt tel: 01782 396210 / 07983 950 237 e: [email protected] W: www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Richard Barnett

Main periods of operation: easter to october and December Coach parking facility: tarmaced carpark for 6 coaches

Principal Group Rates: PoA, substantial discounts on our ‘turn up and go fares’ visit our group travel page on our website. number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 25 Max: 200

Catering available for Groups: on-site cafe provides home cooked meals & desserts to suit requirements.

gloucestershire warwickshire railwaythe station, toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5Dt tel: 01242 621405 e: [email protected] W: www.gwsr.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Claudette oddy

Main periods of operation: open March - December – every sat, sun, plus Bank Hols & selected weekdays April – october. Coach parking facility: Yes

Principal Group Rates: on application number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10

Catering available for Groups: Refreshments by prior arrangement on trains and at toddington station.

great central railwayGreat Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, Le11 1RW Tel: 01509 632323 • Fax: 01509 239 791 e: [email protected] W: www.gcrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Booking office

Main periods of operation: Weekends throughout the year: selected weekdays during the summer. Also special events.

Coach parking facility: on-street parking at Loughborough; car park at Quorn (weekends)

Principal Group Rates: 10% reduction on groups of 15 or over. Coach drivers & guides travel for free. number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 15

Catering available for Groups: snacks, Griddle Car (all-day breakfasts, afternoon teas etc) through to luxury dining services.

great orme Tramwayc/o Conwy County Borough Council, Government Buildings, Dinerth Road, Rhos on sea, LL28 4UL Tel: 01492 577877 • Fax: 01492 574027 e: [email protected] W: www.greatormetramway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: susan Kent/Julie Jones

Main periods of operation: 31st March – nov 4th 10am to 6pm daily (5pm during March & october)

Coach parking facility: Dedicated coach parks within the town, drop off point at Prince edward square near the Pier

Principal Group Rates: £5.90 for adults, with a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more, each tram car takes 48 people number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10

gwili steam railwaythe Railway station, Bronwydd Arms, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire sA33 6Ht tel: 01267 238213 e: [email protected] W: www.gwili-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Jeremy John

Main periods of operation: Main period of operation from easter to october. “thomas” event over easter Weekend 2012. Please check web site for operating days.

Coach parking facility: Plenty of parking. Coaches welcome

Principal Group Rates: Adult £8.00, oAP £7.00, Children aged 3-15 £2.00 and under 3’s free. Dogs welcome and free! 10% reduction for groups – drivers & couriers free. Different fares for thomas and all other special events. number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10

Catering available for Groups: strawberry teas, cream teas, light lunches, teas & coffee, bacon rolls.

isle of Man steam railwayDepartment of Community, Culture and Leisure, transport Headquarters, Banks Circus, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5Pt Tel: 01624 663366/662525 • Fax: 01624 663637 e: [email protected] W: www.iombusandrail.info, www.gov.im/dccl www.facebook.com/isleofmanrailways

Main periods of operation: 24th February to 5th november 2012

Coach parking facility: Douglas: set down point, limited parking by prior arrangement. Castletown: set down/pick-up only by station.Coach park in Main town. Port erin: coach spaces reserved in adjacent public car park.

Principal Group Rates: Contact for details. number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20

Catering available for Groups: Douglas & Port erin. special events put on throughout the year, check our events section online or contact for details.



isle of wight steam railwaythe Railway station, Havenstreet, nr Ryde, Isle of Wight Po33 4Ds Tel: 01983 882204 • Fax: 01983 884515 e: [email protected] W: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Liz King

Main periods of operation: trains run on most days during March,

April & May, then daily from late May until late september, then on selected days in october, november and December.

Coach parking facility: Free coach parking available on tarmac hardstanding, in part of main car park at Havenstreet station

Principal Group Rates: Adults £8, Child (5-15) £4.50


Catering available for Groups: the licensed Refreshment Rooms are ideal for a warming meal, a light bite, or a scrumptious cream tea!

Conference Facilities available: (10 – 60 person capacity) Catering provided.

Keighley & worth valley railwaythe Railway station, station Road, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8nJ Tel: 01535 645214 • Fax: 01535 647317 e: [email protected] W: www.kwvr.co.uk

Main periods of operation: every weekend throughout the year & daily from June this year.

Coach parking facility: oxenhope & Ingrow station

Principal Group Rates: Phone for further details


Keith & dufftown railway1 Hedge Road, Garmouth, Moray IV32 7nU or Dufftown station, Dufftown, Moray AB55 4BA tel: 01343 870429 e: [email protected] W: www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Rod Furr

Main periods of operation: Weekends from easter to end of september plus Fridays in Jun, Jul & Aug

Coach parking facility: At Dufftown station & Keith town station

Principal Group Rates: Discount off normal fare depending on size of group. Return journey discounts of 50p per person for group of 10+, £1.00 per person for groups of 20+. Charter trains available on none service days, ring for details.

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min:10 Max:75

Catering available for Groups: Morning Coffee, Light Lunches or Afternoon teas. Limited to approx 30 in any one sitting unless special arrangements made. special arrangements required for other events, details on request.

Kent & east sussex railwaytenterden town station, tenterden, Kent tn30 6He Tel: 01580 765155 • Fax: 01580 765654 e: [email protected] W: www.kesr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: sales office

Main periods of operation: Please refer to timetable. Daily service 24th July – 2nd september

Coach parking facility: Ample and free at tenterden & northiam stations

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount on standard fares for 20+


Catering available for Groups: Both at tenterden station and on train, cream teas, ploughman’s lunches, fish & chips.

Conference Facilities available: (50 person capacity) Catering provided. see website for details.

Kirklees light railwayPark Mill Way, Clayton West, nr Huddersfield HD8 9XJ tel: 01484 865727 Fax: 01484 866333 e: [email protected] W: www.kirkleeslightrailway.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: stuart Ross or Richard shaw

Main periods of operation: Weekends & Whitsun through to september

Coach parking facility: Large free car & coach park

Principal Group Rates: 15-29 Persons: Adult £5.50, Concession £5, Child £4, 30+ Persons: Adult £5, Concession £4.50, Child £4. on non-operating days, there is a minimum charge of £120

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 15 Max: Contact for details

Catering available for Groups: Cafe & tearoom serving drinks and hot & cold food.

lakeside and haverthwaite railwayHaverthwaite, nr Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 8AL tel: 015395 31594 Fax: 015395 30503 e: [email protected] W: www.lakesiderailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Karen Maher

Main periods of operation: 31st March - 4th november 2012

Coach parking facility: Free Coach Parking at Haverthwaite

Principal Group Rates: £3.40 per adult single journey


Catering available for Groups: excellent station Restaurant at Haverthwaite serving tea/coffee, delicious giant homemade scones and speciality homemade meals & snacks.



The lartigue Monorailway & MuseumJohn B. Keane Road, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland tel: +353 (0)68 24393 e: [email protected] W: www.lartiguemonorail.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: Martin Griffin

Main periods of operation: open May to september – open daily from 1 pm to 4.30 pm. open for group bookings ouvtside of these hours (Please allow 2 days notice).


Principal Group Rates: Adults: 5.00 eURo Children (Aged 12 & under) 2.50 eURo

number of passengers required for Group Rate: 10 or more

Catering available for Groups: Light Refreshments

Conference Facilities available: Yes (for small groups)

launceston steam railwayLaunceston, Cornwall PL15 8DA tel: 01566 775 665 e: [email protected] W: www.launcestonsr.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Jonathan Mann

Main periods of operation: Daily April 6th - 13th; Daily May 27th - June 1st; sundays/Mondays/tuesdays in June; Daily except saturdays July 1st - september 21st; daily 28th october - 2nd november.

Coach parking facility: Free coach & car park

Principal Group Rates: 15 persons or more: Adults £5.50 (if an adult group contains a few children, these will be £4 each) Child Groups (3 -16 years; under 3 free): 15 Children or more: £4 each, 1 adult travels free for every 6 children. train ride + Cream tea: Adults £8; Children £6


Catering available for Groups: By arrangement

The lavender line railwayIsfield station, Isfield, nr Uckfield, east sussex tn22 5XB tel: 01903 761455 e: [email protected] W: www.lavender-line.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Marion taylor

Main periods of operation: every sunday throughout the year.

Mondays to Friday during February & october half term school holidays. Wednesdays & thursdays during August.

Coach parking facility: Yes - room for several coaches on site. there is also turning room.

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount on entrance fees & discounts on catering depending on what is required.


Catering available for Groups: Buffet on site serving hot & cold food and drinks.

leighton Buzzard railwayPage’s Park station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 4tn

tel: 01525 373 888 e: [email protected] W: www.buzzrail.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: traffic Manager

Main periods of operation: sundays & Bank Holiday weekends; 18th March – 28th october plus extra days during school holidays and summer months. see website for full information.

Coach parking facility: At Page’s Park station

Principal Group Rates: Adult £7.50, seniors £5.50, Child (age 2 to 15 years) £4.00, Child (under 2) FRee

Charter train hire also available - ask for details.


Catering available for Groups: At Page’s Park station

Conference Facilities available: only when railway is not operating (10 – 30 person capacity). Catering provided.

llanberis lake railwayGilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4tY tel: 01286 870549 Fax 01286 870549 e: [email protected] W: www.lake-railway.co.uk

Contact name for group Bookings: Gwen Ackers

Main periods of operation: open from mid-February to early December, tues/Weds throughout, then Daily from easter to end october (except sats in April, May, sept, oct & Fris in oct)

Coach parking facility: free coach park at Gilfach Ddu station for 12+ coaches, shared with Welsh slate Museum

Principal Group Rates: Adult /senior return £ 6.00 ; child return £3 number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Max: 150

Catering available for Groups: self service café at Gilfach Ddu station for lunchtime meals, light snacks & afternoon teas; seating for 56

llangollen railwaythe station, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8sn tel: 01978 860 979 Fax: 01978 869247 e: [email protected] W: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Main periods of operation: Weekends February to easter. Full running easter to Middle of october

Coach parking facility: Market street Car Park, Llangollen

Principal Group Rates: Groups of 10 or more - Adults-£10.50, seniors-£8.50, Children-£5.50

Groups of 35 or more - Adults & seniors £7.50 each, Children £4.50 each.


Catering available for Groups: Afternoon teas & menu selections available can be served in Victoria’s tearoom or onboard by prior arrangement.

lynton & Barnstaple railwayWoody Bay station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Devon eX31 4RA tel: 01598 763487 e: [email protected] W: www.lynton-rail.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: ask for the Commercial Manager

Main periods of operation: easter to end october, December santa specials


Principal Group Rates: £3.50 per person, tickets valid all day


Catering available for Groups: Cream teas, sandwiches, cakes and beverages etc.



lynton & lynmouth cliff railwaythe esplanade, Lynmouth, north Devon, eX35 6eQ tel: 01598 753486 e: [email protected] W: www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Ceri Hughes or Ashley Clarke

Main periods of operation: Mid February to beginning of november

Coach parking facility: not onsite but nearby in Lynton, Bottom Meadow Carpark & Lynmouth, Lower Lyndale Car park, there is coach parking, for which at the time of writing there is a nominal fee of £1 per coach

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount on normal rates for pre booked groups

number of passengers required for Group Rate: 10

Catering available for Groups: nearby in the towns of Lynton & Lynmouth

Manx electric railwayDepartment of Community, Culture and Leisure, transport Headquarters, Banks Circus, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5Pt Tel: 01624 663366/662525 • Fax: 01624 663637 e: [email protected] W: www.iombusandrail.info, www.gov.im/dccl www.facebook.com/isleofmanrailways

Main periods of operation: 17th March to 4th november 2012

Coach parking facility: Douglas – adjacent highway on reserved spaces.

Laxey – nearby reserved coach spaces on public parking off Mines Road. Ramsey – none nearby.

Principal Group Rates: Contact for details


Catering available for Groups: Laxey only.

special events put on throughout the year, check our events section online or contact for details.

The Mid hants railway ‘watercress line’the Railway station, Alresford, Hampshire so24 9JG tel: 01962 733810 Fax: 01962 735448 e: [email protected] W: www.watercressline.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: tony Gibbs/Karen Butler

Main periods of operation: Weekends January to november, Public Holidays, Half terms & selected mid week days from May to september.

Coach parking facility: Free coach parking by prior appointment.

Principal Group Rates: Discounted group rates apply to parties of 15 persons +. Adult - £12, Child (2-16) - £6

We also operate multi-destination packages with local attractions: Jane Austen’s House, Gilbert White’s House, Basingstoke Canal and Milestones Museum.


Catering available for Groups: Please contact Reservations on 01962 733810 to discuss your particular requirements. our Cream teas on the trains are very popular!

Conference Facilities available: (10 – 90 person capacity. Catering provided. steam train trip & driving experience can be included.

Midland railway, ButterleyButterley station, Ripley, Derbyshire De5 3QZ Tel: 01773 747674 • Fax: 01773 570721 e: [email protected] W: www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk

Contact name for group Bookings: Alan Calladine

Main periods of operation: Weekends throughout the year & weekdays in school holidays

Coach parking facility: At Butterley station (Free)

Principal Group Rates: small groups attract a 10% discount, larger groups need to contact the railway for details.


Catering available for Groups: Dining trains available & static catering in two buffets.

Mid-norfolk railwaythe Railway station, station Road, Dereham, norfolk nR19 1DF Tel: 01362 690 633 • Fax: 01362 698 487 e: [email protected] W: www.mnr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: stephen smith

Main periods of operation: March - December weekends, May - october plus Wednesday. July - August plus thursday, Bank Holidays.

Coach parking facility: Dereham

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount pax. 20% - 20-60 pax based on full return fares. Above 60 pax is negotiable.


Catering available for Groups: tearooms at Dereham station up to 100.

Mid-suffolk light railway MuseumBrockford station, Wetheringsett, stowmarket IP14 6PW tel: 01473 890 622 e: [email protected] W: www.mslr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Chris Baddeley

Main periods of operation: easter to end of september


Principal Group Rates: 10% discount on standard rates


Catering available for Groups: snacks rather than full hot meals

north Bay railway, scarboroughstation Building, northstead Manor Gardens, Burniston Road, scarborough Yo12 6PF Tel: 01723 368 791 • Fax: 0871 244 9484 e: [email protected] W: www.nbr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: David Humphreys

Main periods of operation: 24th March to end of october. Weekends all year. February - school half term. Between Christmas & new Year.

Coach parking facility: Ring for details

Principal Group Rates: £1.70 per person - return

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 12 Max: 100+

Catering available for Groups: Glass House Cafe/Bistro at Peasholm Park station (see www.glasshousebistro.co.uk)



north norfolk railway (The poppy line)the station, sheringham, norfolk nR26 8RA tel: 01263 820 800 Fax: 01263 820 801 e: [email protected] W: www.nnrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Cherrill Butterworth or Vinny Blake

Main periods of operation: 1st April – 4th november, plus santa specials, December weekends

Coach parking facility: Public coach parking close by sheringham station. Parking at Holt station by prior arrangement.

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount for groups of 20-200


Catering available for Groups: Lunch or dinner trains may be hired by prior arrangement. sheringham station Buffet open to groups, but not exclusively.

Conference Facilities available: (10 – 50 person capacity) Catering available. Facilities in Railway Institute but static carriage also available.

north yorkshire Moors railwayPickering station, Park street, Pickering, north Yorkshire Yo18 7AJ

Tel: 01751 472508 • Fax: 01751 476970 e: [email protected] W: www.nymr.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Customer services / Gerry Bacon

Main periods of operation: 31 March - 4 november 2012

Coach parking facility: not at stations but coach park in Pickering eastgate Car Park or Goathland in village.

Principal Group Rates: Prices on application, group rates available for 20 or more fare-paying passengers.


Catering available for Groups: tearooms at Pickering, Goathland & Grosmont. tea hut at Levisham.

peak railMatlock station, Matlock De4 3nA Tel: 01629 580381 • Fax: 01629 760 645 e: [email protected] W: www.peakrail.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Claire statham / steve slinn

Main periods of operation: March - December

Coach parking facility: Free

Principal Group Rates: 10% for 10-30 visitors. 15% for 30+ visitors


Catering available for Groups: Buffet on station & on train.

pontypool & Blaenavon railway13A Broad street, Blaenavon, torfaen nP4 9nD tel: 01495 792263/01874 730775 e: [email protected] W: www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: norman Clymer

Main periods of operation: April - october + December

Coach parking facility: Yes - up to 20 - Coach parking is at the station -

Furnace sidings, nP4 9sF

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount


Catering available for Groups: Part of the Blaenavon World Heritage site, close by Big Pit, the Iron Works & Blaenavon’s World Heritage Centre (all free). At the head of the eastern Valley of south Wales in a unique industrial landscape surrounded by mountains and the birth place of Britain’s industrial Revolution.

ravenglass & eskdale railwayRavenglass, Cumbria CA18 1sW Tel: 01229 717171 • Fax: 01229 717011 e: [email protected] W: www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Claire Woodburn

Main periods of operation: Daily trains from 17th March to 4th november inclusive, most winter weekends plus daily 26th December to 3rd January 2013

Coach parking facility: Ravenglass - dedicated free parking spaces for all pre-booked coaches – close, level access to the trains & other facilities

Principal Group Rates: steam to the Hills, (full line return journey) - £8.50 per adult; one Happy Family, (a day on the railway & a day with Ullswater ‘steamers’, our sister attraction) - £11.50 per adult; steam on the Wild side, (a full line return journey on the railway & a visit to the neighbouring attraction of Muncaster Castle) - £13 per adult; steam and smugglers (a full line return journey and a visit to Whitehaven’s Rum story exhibition) - £12.00.

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 (negotiable)

Catering available for Groups: Purpose-built Café and Gift shop includes the eskdale Room which is always available for groups to use.

Ravenglass turntable Café built in winter 2010/11 with a conference/function room on the upper floor.

In house catering team offer Cumbrian flavours with flair – from a snack to a banquet, all options available.

Conference Facilities available at both Ravenglass and Dalegarth: (up to 75 person capacity). Catering provided

ribble steam railwayChain Caul Road, Preston PR2 2PD tel: 01772 728800 e: [email protected] W: www.ribblesteam.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Booking Clerk

Main periods of operation: sundays & Bank Holidays in April.Weekends: May-september. summer & Half term midweek services – check website for details.

Coach parking facility: on site. Free car parking. Disabled facilities

Principal Group Rates: 10% discount on all groups


Catering available for (Pre-booked) Groups: Buffet with light refreshments.

romney, hythe & dymchurch railwaynew Romney station, new Romney, Kent tn28 8PL Tel: 01797 362353 • Fax: 01797 363591


appendiX oF heriTage railwayse: [email protected] W: www.rhdr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Lesley Maxim/sandra Refault /

Main periods of operation: All year

Principal Group Rates: single Hythe to new Romney Adult £6.55 Child £3.27 Dayrover ticket: Adult £12.75 Child £6.38

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 20 Max: Unlimited with reservation

Catering available for Groups: Full self service restaurant service & snacks/sandwiches at new Romney & Dungeness. open all running days.

seaton TramwayHarbour Road, seaton, Devon eX12 2nQ tel: 01297 20375 e: [email protected] W: www.tram.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: sue Bowman

Main periods of operation: 31st March – 4th november, 26th December – 1st January 2013

Coach parking facility: seaton-east Devon District Council Coach Park & own car park at Colyton

Principal Group Rates: Return Journey – Adult £8.10 senior £7.50 Children (3-16) £4.10


Catering available for Groups: Devon Cream tea £4.25, Buffet style Lunch (min 8 people) £6.50 to include a drink, two Course Lunch £8.50 to include a drink - further details on request.

Conference Facilities available: (12 – 30 person capacity). Catering provided.

severn valley railwaythe Railway station, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1BG Tel: 01299 403816 • Fax: 01299 400839 e: [email protected] W: www.svr.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Lisa Meredith

Main periods of operation: open daily May - september. All school holidays and most other weekends. see website for full information.

Coach parking facility: Free parking at Kidderminster, Bewdley & Bridgnorth station

Principal Group Rates: For pre-booked groups of 15 or more adults/seniors - £9.00 per person, single journey Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. £13.30 per person, return journey.

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 15 Max: no max subject to prior arrangement

Catering available for Groups: pre-booked catering is available by prior arrangement at the engine House at Highley & the Valley suite at Kidderminster station.

snaefell Mountain railwayDepartment of Community, Culture and Leisure, transport Headquarters, Banks Circus, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5Pt Tel: 01624 663366/662525 • Fax: 01624 663637 e: [email protected]

W: www.iombusandrail.info, www.gov.im/dccl www.facebook.com/isleofmanrailways

Main periods of operation: 4th April to 1st november 2012

Coach parking facility: Laxey – nearby reserved coach spaces on public parking off Mines Road. Bungalow – adjacent to station.

Principal Group Rates: Contact for details


Catering available for Groups: Laxey & summit.

special events put on throughout the year, check our events section online or contact for details.

snowdon Mountain railwaysnowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4tY Tel: 0844 493 8120 • Fax: 01286 872 518 e: [email protected] W: www.snowdonrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: sue Vowell

Main periods of operation: Mid-March - end of october 2012

Coach parking facility: Drop off point at the station & third party parking nearby

Principal Group Rates: For a full list of fares, please contact sue Vowell on 0844 493 8120

number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min:15

Catering available for Groups: Please contact us for further details.

south devon railwaythe station, Buckfastleigh, Devon tQ11 0DZ Tel: 01364 644370 • Fax: 01364 647140 e: [email protected] W: www.southdevonrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: neil smith

Main periods of operation: end of March – end of october

Coach parking facility: Free at Buckfastleigh

Principal Group Rates: Adults from £6.50


Catering available for Groups: our Refreshment Rooms at Buckfastleigh are open every day and serve a range of hot & cold meals.

south Tynedale railwaythe Railway station, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3JB Phone Bookings until 31st March: 01325 352435 tel: 01434 381696 (from April onwards). talking timetable: 01434 382828 W: www.strps.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: neil Holmes

Main periods of operation: 1st April - 28th october 2012. every day from 17th July - 2nd september 2012.

Coach parking facility: Car park adjacent to station

Principal Group Rates: Discounts for 10+ on application number of passengers required for Group Rate: Min: 10 Max: 100

Catering available for Groups: At stations: limited. on train: Buffet carriage – 20 seats.



spa valley railwayWest station, nevill terrace, tunbridge Wells, Kent, tn2 5QY tel: 01892 537715 e: [email protected] W: www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: stephen Woolven

Main periods of operation: Weekends and public holidays during April to october, thursdays and Fridays during school holidays within this period, thursdays during June & July and weekends in December for santa specials

Coach parking facility: West station Coach Park is 150 yds from tunbridge Wells West station.

Principal Group Rates: £1 off adult and sC returns to Groombridge or eridge for groups of 20+. Joint ticket with admission to Groombridge Place Gardens available with group rates for groups of 12+ special fares for school groups booked on thursdays during June & July of £3.00 per child


Catering available for Groups: Cream teas available on the train at £3.50 supplement per person (max. 50). Fish & Chip specials offered on any operating day for groups of 40+. teas and coffees also served on the train if required.

strathspey railwayAviemore station, Dalfaber Road, Aviemore PH22 1PY Tel: 01479 810725 • Fax: 01479 812220 e: [email protected] W: www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Laurence Grant


Coach parking facility: At Aviemore and Broomhill stations

Principal Group Rates: single Aviemore – Broomhill: £5.50. Return Aviemore-Broomhill-Aviemore: £9.50


Catering available for Groups: tea or coffee and shortbread at table. Full meals available. Contact the caterer at [email protected]

swanage railwaystation House, swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB Tel: 01929 425800 • Fax: 01929 475208 e: [email protected] W: www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Reservations (01929 475207)

Main periods of operation: February until December, Daily April until end october.

Coach parking facility: Yes at norden P&R, free if booked in advance.swanage - coach drop-off adjacent to station

Principal Group Rates: norden to swanage (or vice versa) Party Adult return £8, Party Child return £6, Party Adult single £5.50, Party Child single £4 norden to Corfe Castle - Party Adult return £1.50 (saving of 25% per person) Party Child return £1 (saving of 30% per person)


Catering available for Groups: Buffets in swanage, norden & on-train.

Wessex Belle dining train also available. Groups should be booked in advance.

Talyllyn railwayWharf station, tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9eY Tel: 01654 710472 • Fax: 01654 711755 e: [email protected] W: www.talyllyn.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Lorraine simkiss

Main periods of operation: 1 April - 4 november and 26 December (2012) - 1 Jan 2013

Coach parking facility: Yes (Free)

Principal Group Rates: tywyn - Abergynolwyn single: £7.00. tywyn - nant Gwernol Return: £10.50


Catering available for Groups: By prior arrangement

Conference Facilities available: (35 person capacity). Catering provided.

Tanfield railwayold Marley Hill, Gateshead, tyne & Wear ne16 5et Tel: 0845 463 4938 (Groups: 0191 384 7888) • Fax: 0191 387 4784 e: [email protected] W: www.tanfield-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Dave Holroyde

Main periods of operation: every sunday & Bank Holiday Monday, plus Wed/thu in school summer holidays

Coach parking facility: Hardstanding on site

Principal Group Rates: £5 per head


weardale railwaystanhope station, station Road, stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 2Ys tel: 01388 526203 e: [email protected] W: www.weardale-railway.com

Main periods of operation: April – october. see the website for special events, santa express (December) and updates on services and timetables.

Coach parking facility: Contact the railway

Principal Group Rates: Contact Jo Brown, Marketing Manager

Catering available for Groups: station buffet serving hot & cold drinks, light snacks, daily specials, sweets & ice creams.

wells & walsingham light railwaystiffkey Road, Wells next-the-sea, norfolk nR23 1QB tel: 01328 711630 (8am to 5pm only) W: www.wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Lt. Cmdr Roy Francis

Main periods of operation: 6th April to 31st october. 7 days a week, timetable service – see website

Coach parking facility: Coach Park about 300 yds from Walsingham station, nR22 6Bt

Principal Group Rates: 10% reduction on all fares


Catering available for Groups: excellent catering facilities at “Christine’s” - the station Buffet at Wells station. Good facilities in both Wells & Walsingham.



welsh highland railwayHarbour station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9nF Tel: 01766 516024 • Fax: 01766 516005 e: [email protected] W: www.festrail.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: samantha Hughes/Victoria towers or Ben Kelly

Main periods of operation: Most days 24th March to 4th november

Winter timetable has part journey trips at weekends to Christmas then daily 27th December to 1st January.

Coach parking facility: Drop off / Pick up at Caernarfon, Waunfawr (Pub Car Park), Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Pont Croesor or Porthmadog.

Principal Group Rates: Caernarfon – Porthmadog single Adult £14.00, Concession £14.00, Child £7.00, Caernarfon – Beddgelert single Adult £10.00, Concession £10.00, Child £5.00, Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu single Adult £8.00, Concession £8.00, Child £4.00 Porthmadog – Rhyd Ddu single Adult £9.10, Concession £9.10, Child £4.60


Catering available for Groups: Refreshment trolley & fresh hot snacks available plus pre-booked catering options for groups.

welshpool & llanfair light railwaythe station, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys sY21 0sF Tel: 01938 810441 • Fax: 01938 810861 e: [email protected] W: www.wllr.org.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Kevin Heywood

Main periods of operation: Weekends from easter until end of october & most days in June, July, August, september & october half term

Coach parking facility: At Welshpool & Llanfair Caereinion stations

Principal Group Rates: £6.30 single or £8.90 Return. Further discounts for children


Catering available for Groups: our tea room serving snacks & light refreshments is available at Llanfair Caereinion station.

wensleydale railway1 Leases Road, Leeming Bar, northallerton, north Yorkshire DL7 9AR Tel: 01677 425805 • Fax: 01677 427029 e: [email protected] W: www.wensleydalerailway.com

Contact name for Group Bookings: nigel Park

Main periods of operation: 11th February 2012 - 31st December 2012 (not always daily - please see website)

Coach parking facility: At Leeming Bar & Redmire. nearby at Bedale & Leyburn

Principal Group Rates: Depends on journey. Between £9.00 for full line return to £4.20 single from Leeming Bar to Leyburn


Catering available for Groups: Light refreshments.

west coast railwaysJesson Way, Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9UR Tel: 01524 737751/53 • Fax: 01524 735518 e: [email protected] W: www.westcoastrailways.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Michael townley

Main periods of operation: May - october

Coach parking facility: Fort William

Principal Group Rates: 10% Discount

number of passengers required for Group Rate: 10

Catering available for Groups: Light Refreshments

west somerset railwaythe Railway station, Minehead tA24 5BG Tel: 01643 700384 • Fax: 01643 706349 e: [email protected] W: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

Contact name for Group Bookings: Commercial Dept.

Main periods of operation: selected dates Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, nov & Dec. Daily: early April to early october.

Coach parking facility: Free at Bishops Lydeard station. new coach park adjacent to Minehead Railway station. see website for other stations.

Principal Group Rates: Adults - £14.45, seniors - £14.35, Children - £7.25


Catering available for Groups: on application

Conference Facilities available: (8 – 16 person capacity – Bishops Lydeard. 12 person capacity - Minehead). Catering provided.

The information contained within this appendix has been

provided separately by each of the railways that are listed. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any omissions where railways did not submit their relevant details at the time

of going to press.

AMBeRLeY MUseUM & HeRItAGe CentRe ................4

AVon VALLeY RAILWAY ....................................................4

BALA LAKe RAILWAY ........................................................55

BeAMIsH – tHe LIVInG MUseUM oF tHe noRtH ...45

BLUeBeLL RAILWAY ..........................................................27

BoDMIn & WenFoRD RAILWAY ...................................19

BUCKInGHAMsHIRe RAILWAY CentRe ......................10

BURe VALLeY RAILWAY ...................................................31

CHInnoR & PRInCes RIsBoRoUGH RAILWAY ..........21

CHURnet VALLeY RAILWAY ............................................6

CoLne VALLeY RAILWAY ................................................31

CRICH tRAMWAY VILLAGe ............................................35

DARtMoUtH steAM RAILWAY &

RIVeRBoAt CoMPAnY ....................................................17

DeAn FoRest RAILWAY ....................................................6

eAst LAnCAsHIRe RAILWAY ..........................................41

eCCLesBoURne VALLeY RAILWAY ...............................35

eMBsAY & BoLton ABBeY steAM RAILWAY .............45

eXBURY GARDens & steAM RAILWAY ........................25

FFestInIoG & WeLsH

HIGHLAnD RAILWAYs ...............oUtsIDe BACK CoVeR

FoXFIeLD RAILWAY ............................................................8

GLoUCesteRsHIRe WARWICKsHIRe RAILWAY ..........37

GReAt CentRAL RAILWAY .............................................37

GReAt oRMe tRAMWAY ................................................53

IsLe oF MAn RAILWAYs .....................................................4

IsLe oF WIGHt steAM RAILWAY ..................................21

KeIGHLeY & WoRtH VALLeY RAILWAY .....................45

KeItH & DUFFtoWn RAILWAY .....................................59

Kent & eAst sUsseX RAILWAY .....................................27

KIRKLees LIGHt RAILWAY ..............................................47

LAKesIDe & HAVeRtHWAIte RAILWAY ......................10

LeIGHton BUZZARD RAILWAY .....................................25

LLAnBeRIs LAKe RAILWAY .............................................53

LLAnGoLLen RAILWAY ...................................................53

LYnton & BARnstAPLe RAILWAY .................................8

LYnton & LYnMoUtH CLIFF RAILWAY .....................19

MID HAnts RAILWAY ‘WAteRCRess LIne’ .................21

MIDLAnD RAILWAY, BUtteRLeY ...................................6

nAtIonAL RAILWAY MUseUM ......................................47

noRtH noRFoLK RAILWAY (tHe PoPPY LIne) ........31

noRtH YoRKsHIRe MooRs RAILWAY ........................47

PeAK RAIL .............................................................................8

RAVenGLAss & esKDALe RAILWAY/

ULLsWAteR ‘steAMeRs’ .................................................41

RIBBLe steAM RAILWAY ....................................................4

RoMneY, HYtHe & DYMCHURCH RAILWAY ...........29

seAton tRAMWAY ..........................................................19

seVeRn VALLeY RAILWAY ..............................................35

snoWDon MoUntAIn RAILWAY .................................55

soUtH DeVon RAILWAY.................................................15

soUtH tYneDALe RAILWAY ..........................................41

sPA VALLeY RAILWAY .......................................................10

steAM - MUseUM oF

tHe GReAt WesteRn RAILWAY ....................................10

sWAnAGe RAILWAY ..........................................................25

tALYLLYn RAILWAY..........................................................55

tAnFIeLD RAILWAY ..........................................................47

WeARDALe RAILWAY .......................................................49

WeLLs & WALsInGHAM LIGHt RAILWAY ...................31

WeLsHPooL & LLAnFAIR LIGHt RAILWAY ................55

WensLeYDALe RAILWAY.................................................49

West CoAst RAILWAYs ............ InsIDe FRont CoVeR

West soMeRset RAILWAY .............................................17


indeX oF adverTisers

THE HERiTAGE RAiLWAYAssociATioN

Most parts of Great Britain are within easy reach of a heritage railwaywith the majority of' trains being hauled by a steam locomotive.Trains run through scenic areas - some within National Parks.

Facilities for coach groups include reduced rates and reserved seatson trains. Toilet and refreshment facilities are available at stations

and on most trains.

Advance booking is recommended in order to ensure thatgroups are well looked after.

For information and advice or to order further copies of this Guideplease contact:

HRA Travel Trade Liaison,c/o 8, Ffordd Dyfrig,

TYWYN, Gwynedd LL36 9EHTel: 0845 528 0335 Fax: 01654 712323

or email to [email protected]

Please visit our website at

www.heritagerailways.comThis will provide you with a link to our individual members.

HRGTOA 2012 FP ad_Layout 1 22/02/2012 09:34 Page 1

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FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS, HARBOUR STATION, PORTHMADOG, LL49 9NF [email protected] 01766 516024 www.festrail.co.uk

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways provide the perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of North Wales during a relaxing, carefree journey in comfortable carriages - complete with Buffet service and on-train toilets.

The Ffestiniog Railway - the world’s oldest independent railway - takes you on a 13½ mile ride starting near sea-level beside the harbour at Porthmadog, then climbing through the beautiful

Vale of Ffestiniog and into the mountains to reach the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The Welsh Highland Railway - the longest heritage line in the UK - now runs from coast to coast through the very heart of Snowdonia, forming a truly dramatic 25-mile railway linking the towns of Caernarfon and Porthmadog which climbs up and over the foothills of Snowdon along the way.

We can offer you a choice of two distinctive narrow-gauge railways - with a wide range of journey options and destinations to suit tour operators and group travel organisers alike. Please contact our experienced Group Travel staff for further information, advice and help with your itinerary.

Documents

HRA Group Travel Guide 2012