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As well as reaching the end of the line at Rugeley Power Station (above), the Cliffe Hopper on 7th October 2016 also reached the end of the line on the Cliffe Vale branch. [© Geoff Plumb] |
The Branch Line Society
Guest
Fixtures
The Society maintains an active programme of varied outdoor fixtures, and these are run primarily for members. In some cases, especially mainline charter trains, we are pleased to accommodate non-members.
Members receive 24 newsletters per year giving advance notification of events, and benefit from priority booking and discounted fares. You can normally re-coup your membership fee on just one fixture and some fixtures are for members only, so
join us today!
If you are not a member and would like to be kept informed about our fixtures, please click here.
Click on a fixture name below for more details, and to book or notify interest.
Please note that although dates are given as far in advance as possible (in order to allow a measure of planning by intending participants to take place), they must be treated as only provisional until an event is actually open for bookings, as changes can and do occur.
| Friday 30th April 2021 Open for booking | Bord na Móna narrow gauge peat railways 2010-2020Sean Cain is hosting a virtual talk and slide evening about his experiences travelling the Irish Midlands over the last decade, discovering many hidden locations, and visiting all BnM systems. This fixture is for members only. |
| Monday 31st May 2021 Open for booking | Romsey Horticultural TramwayThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce its first minimal gauge railway visit of the year, to the soon to be closed 5-inch gauge Romsey Horticultural Tramway, near Cambridge. This fixture is for members only. |
| Thursday 10th June 2021 to Saturday 12th June 2021 Full | Three Peaks from a Seat 2021The Branch Line Society is delighted to announce a rare opportunity to enjoy over 1200 miles of double-headed LSL Class 37 haulage from the comfort of a Mark III Inter-City liveried first class carriage - covering a wide area of England, Wales and Scotland over three days.
This fixture has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| Friday 2nd July 2021 to Monday 5th July 2021 Waiting List | The Summer SyphonsThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce The Summer Syphons, a four day event raising funds for Martin House Hospice. Operated by DB Cargo using SRPS Mark One coaching stock, our special train will feature across the weekend Class 66s provided by DB Cargo and Class 37s provided by Direct Rail Services.
This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Friday 2nd July 2021 Waiting List | The Europort ExplorerFeaturing two DB Cargo Class 66s 'top 'n tail' from Edinburgh to Carlisle. From Carlisle two DRS Class 37s replace one of the 66s and take the train forward to York, with a visit to the much sought after Wakefield Europort freight terminal on the way.
This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Saturday 3rd July 2021 Waiting List | The Sinfin SyphonFeaturing two DRS Class 37s operating in top and tail formation throughout, our journey features many unusual lines, including the Sinfin branch and the recently opened East Midlands Gateway freight terminal.
This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Sunday 4th July 2021 Waiting List | The Cromford and High Peak ExplorerFeaturing two DRS Class 37s operating in top and tail formation, our journey features Tarmac Tunstead Works, haulage from Doncaster up to Huddersfield via Penistone, and the branch line to Glossop and Hadfield.
This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Monday 5th July 2021 Waiting List | The Great Corby SyphonFeaturing two DRS Class 37s ‘top ‘n tail’ from York to Carlisle. From Carlisle, two DB Cargo Class 66s operating in top and tail formation will take the train back to Scotland, with a visit to Hartlepool Docks on the way.
This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Monday 12th July 2021 Waiting List | The Andrew Wilson (Brillo) Memorial CharterThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce a summer charter on the delightful Kent and East Sussex Railway. The charter will traverse the much requested Rolvenden Carriage Shed Road No.2, Tenterden headshunt and includes a return trip between Tenterden and Bodiam. Haulage interest is provided by the much sought after 08888 This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Monday 12th July 2021 Open for booking | The East Kent RodsThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce an add-on summer charter to complement the Andrew (Brillo) Wilson Memorial Charter which is running on the same date at the nearby Kent and East Sussex Railway. The charter is expected to be hauled by a Class 08, or two, if two are available. |
| Saturday 31st July 2021 Open for booking | The Thanet ThundererA rather special Summer outing to the Kent seaside town of Margate with 50008 Thunderer and friend. This charter will feature a mix of top 'n tail and double-headed English Electric Class 50's. |
| Friday 13th August 2021 to Tuesday 17th August 2021 Open for booking | The BLS Silesian ExplorerIn conjunction with Polish tour operator Turystyka Kolejowa TurKol.pl, the BLS are pleased to offer a five-day railtour around Wrocław as well as rare freight lines in the surrounding area, highlights being the much sought-after Żmigród Test Track located north of the city and freight branches including Jerzmanice Zdrój, Gostyń, Murów and Krapkowice.
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| Monday 30th August 2021 Save the date | Scunthorpe Summer Steeler No.22Fixture redated from 16th January 2021 due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who had booked for January have been contacted and transferred to the new date unless they requested otherwise.
This fixture is for members only. |
| Thursday 16th September 2021 to Sunday 19th September 2021 Save the date | The BLS Niedersachsen ExplorerA four day BLS tour of freight lines of the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn in northern Germany by loco hauled train. |
| Saturday 20th November 2021 to Sunday 21st November 2021 Save the date | 66th Anniversary 2021 AGMWith all the available information at the present time, 20/21 Nov 2021 has been pencilled in as a convenient potential weekend for our next Annual General Meeting, subject, of course, to circumstances nearer the time. The location and venue have yet to be determined. This fixture is for members only. |