The U.K.’s Leading Special Trains Operator
ONE-DAY RAILTOURS WINTER/SPRING 2009
A New Season of Charter Trains from West Coast Railways and Railtourer Ltd.
Early in 2009 we will start a new season of one day charters. These special diesel hauled trains will provide an opportunity to travel in classic coaches with a choice of Standard, First and Premier Dining classes. The coaches are clean and tidy and noticeably more comfortable than the modern railway traveller is used to! As such they bring back memories of rail travel from years gone by - days when time was a little less scarce and there was as much joy in the journey as reaching the destination.
Passengers choosing Premier Dining class (when available) will be treated to a delicious full English breakfast and ‘elevenses’ on the outward journey and a top quality three course dinner on the return, all served at your seat. There will be a buffet and trolley service available to all classes throughout the journey.
Please browse through our provisional list of planned charters and choose your day out to remember. The dedicated staff at West Coast Railways assure you of our care and attention at all times and look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Why not bookmark this page?
Bookings for these one day tours will open soon. All prices shown are subject to change. All dates and times shown are provisional.
SNOW ON THE SETTLE to CARLISLE
and the TYNE VALLEY
Saturday 21st February 2009
Bedford to Carlisle
Proposed pick up points: Wellingborough, Kettering, Mkt Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, Langley Mill, Alfreton and Chesterfield.
The Settle-Carlisle Railways is famous for its scenery and rightly so. The journey through the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley offers mile after mile of stunning views including the Three Peaks, open moorland and the Cumbrian Fells. Superb at any time of year but perhaps even more dramatic in winter when the rivers are in full flow and, with luck, the mountains snow topped.
The train will leave Bedford early in the morning, picking up passengers at the stations listed above, and will make its way via Leeds and Settle Junction to the start of the famous climb to the summit at Ais Gill - the highest point on England’s railways - en route to Carlisle. We expect to have around three hours in Carlisle before returning via the Tyne Valley line to our home stations, arriving into Bedford at around 22.00 hrs.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.
Saturday 14th March 2009
Preston to Whitby
Proposed pick up points: Lancaster and Carnforth.
This charter will run from its start in north Lancashire, via Hellifield, Leeds and York to Whitby. Standard, First and Premier Dining classes will be available.
Leaving Lancashire the journey takes the scenic route via Hellifield and the Pennines to Leeds and York. From here we head out towards the lovely coastal town of Whitby, steeped in history and a joy to walk around. It is said that some of Britain’s best fish and chips are to be had in Whitby! We should have around three hours available before departing for the return journey.
More details, including times for this tour will follow soon.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.
WINTER ON THE SETTLE to CARLISLE and
the WEST COAST MAIN LINE
Saturday 21st March 2009
Milton Keynes to Carlisle
Proposed pick up points: Northampton, Long Buckby, Rugby, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield, Rugely and Stafford.
Another tour taking advantage of the wonderful vista of winter landscapes along England’s most famous railway - the Settle to Carlisle line. The route through the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley offers mile after mile of stunning views including the Three Peaks, open moorland and the Cumbrian Fells. Superb at any time of year but perhaps even more dramatic at this time of year when the rivers are in full flow and, with luck, the mountains snow topped.
The train will leave Milton Keynes early in the morning, picking up passengers at the stations listed above, and will make its way via Blackburn and Settle Junction to the start of the famous climb to the summit at Ais Gill - the highest point on England’s railways - en route to Carlisle. We expect to have around three hours in Carlisle before returning via the West Coast Main Line to our home stations, arriving into Milton Keynes at around 22.00 hrs.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.
EASTER SATURDAY: SETTLE CARLISLE AND EDINBURGH
Saturday 11th April 2009
Cleethorpes to Edinburgh
Proposed pick up points: Grimsby, Harborough, Barnetby, Mkt Rasen, Lincoln, Gainsborough and Doncaster.
We have a new opportunity to run into the recently improved Edinburgh Waverley station so are delighted to offer, once again, one of our most popular tours. This journey will take you along England’s famous Settle & Carlisle Railway on the outward journey and return via the East Coast Main Line with its cliff top views over the North Sea.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway needs no introduction (see other tour descriptions) but less familiar, perhaps, is the journey onward from Carlisle as the route passes over Beattock amid the wild landscapes of the border country.
The train will leave Cleethorpes early in the morning and we hope to have a break of between two and three hours in Edinburgh. This time of year offers lighter evenings and we should catch a glimpse of Berwick and Alnmouth and those stunning views of the sea as we speed towards Newcastle and points south.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.
THE CUMBRIAN COAST LINE and
the SETTLE & CARLISLE
Saturday 23rd May 2009
Wolverhampton to Carlisle
Proposed pick up points: Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley, Hampstead, Walsall, Bloxwich, Cannock, Rugely and Stafford.
Another tour taking in two of the most magnificent railway journeys in England. The outward journey takes us via Lancaster and Cumbria’s coastal towns. Less famous, perhaps, than the Settle to Carlisle route, this journey affords passengers arguably more remarkable views from the train. Crossing firstly the Kent Estuary, then the River Leven, both on spectacular viaducts, the seascape is in almost constant view whilst the Cumbrian Mountains rise up to the east. There will be a break of about three hours in Carlisle before we return via the aforementioned ‘Midland’ route via Settle Junction and Leeds then Derby and home.
The train will leave Wolverhampton early in the morning, picking up passengers at the stations listed above, and will make its way via Lancaster and the Cumbrian Coast en route to Carlisle. We expect to have around three hours in Carlisle before returning via Settle, Leeds and on to our home stations, arriving into Derby at around 20.30 hrs and Wolverhampton around 22.30 hrs.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.
SETTLE - CARLISLE and the TYNE VALLEY LINE
Saturday 13th June 2009
Whitby to Carlisle
Proposed pick up points: Ruswarp, Sleights, Grosmont, Egton, Castleton, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Eaglescliffe and Darlington.
A delightful, relaxing, circular tour which includes the beautiful Esk Valley (for those boarding in Whitby) and the famous Settle to Carlisle route! What more could the discerning passenger ask? On leaving our final pick-up point, Darlington, we head along the East Coast Main Line towards York and Leeds before taking the Midland route north at Settle Junction. This part of our journey needs no introduction; just sit back and enjoy the splendour of the Cumbrian Mountains in summer time. Look out for the ‘Three Peaks’ rugged moorland, the picturesque market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland and the long, lush and lovely descent through the Eden Valley to Carlisle. After a break of about three hours in Carlisle, the return journey is via the Tyne Valley route with its rolling countryside and marvellous views.
The long hours of daylight promise a thoroughly enjoyable day out. The train will leave Whitby early in the morning and it is planned to return by around 22.00 hrs.
| TICKET TYPE | |
|---|---|
| Premier Dining Class (all tickets) | — £135.00 — |
| First Class | — £69.00 — |
| Standard Class | — £49.00 — |
Departure times will be posted on this page when available.