 |
A run past on the impressive 'Ten Arch' stone viaduct in the suburbs of Amman during our Jordan tour 10th to 15th May 2017. [© Iain Scotchman 2017] |
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.
| Saturday 20th July 2019 Closed | The Luca Pezzulo ExpressThis rather special and unusual Branch Line Society loco hauled charter, operated by West Coast Railways, will be visiting FOUR freight installations in the Network Rail London North East zone. From a traction perspective, we will feature a WCR Class 37 operating in top 'n tail formation with a Colas Rail Class 37. |
| Friday 26th July 2019 to Sunday 28th July 2019 Open for booking | The Carinthia Explorer - All Three DaysNow taking bookings from non-BLS members too.
|
| Friday 26th July 2019 Open for booking | The Carinthia Explorer - Day OneNow taking bookings from non-BLS members too.
|
| Saturday 27th July 2019 Open for booking | The Carinthia Explorer - Day TwoNow taking bookings from non-BLS members too.
|
| Saturday 27th July 2019 Open for booking | The Return of Thunder VacUpdated routing and timings.
|
| Sunday 28th July 2019 Waiting List | The Steel City SpecialWe are delighted to announce a special charity charter exploring the Supertram network and reaching areas not normally accessible to the public, including the limited use tracks of 'The Delta' in both directions and will include a visit to the recently opened Rotherham Parkgate Tram Train extension. 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 28th July 2019 Open for booking | The Carinthia Explorer - Day ThreeNow taking bookings from non-BLS members too.
|
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Main Tour)The Branch Line Society is delighted to announce a low flying and highly unusual railtour from Crewe to Portsmouth and return. Our train will be formed of Mark 1 coaching stock from West Coast Railways (WCR) and features a total of three WCR Class 37s! The charter will travel from the North West with pick-ups on the edge of the Midlands and London before heading to Portsmouth Harbour.
|
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 1 - The Princess Anne)Travel from Portsmouth Harbour to Southsea Hoverport by bus, then fly to Lee-on-the-Solent by one of the two hovercrafts to the Hovercraft Museum, with two hours on site. The Hovercraft will perform a capability demo en route which is not to be missed! |
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 2 - The Cosham Completer)Join us for the journey to Eastleigh to enjoy additional Class 37 mileage. It is understood that the nearby Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway will be running. |
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 3 - Portsmouth Guided Walk)Gunwharf Premium Outlet / Emirates Spinnaker Tower / Old Portsmouth including the historic harbour. Enjoy a guided walk courtesy of the Visit Portsmouth team. |
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 4 - The D-Day Story Museum)Told through the personal accounts of people who were there and brought to life through stunning audio-visual presentations alongside iconic objects from the Museum's collection; this is the story of D-Day. |
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 5 - Hover to the Island)Return trip to the Isle of Wight by Hovercraft on the Griffon12000TD hovercrafts. Plan your trip to 'red pen' both crafts! |
| Saturday 10th August 2019 Open for booking | Type 3 to the Sea (Option 6 - The Underground Flyer)Take a return flight to the Isle of Wight by Hovercraft and enjoy a return trip on the Island Line, featuring the unique Class 483 EMUs. |
| Sunday 11th August 2019 Open for booking | The Tri County Triple TractorWith the availability of Class 37 x 3 and coaching stock at Crewe from the previous days Type 3 to the Sea railtour, the Branch line Society takes great pleasure in announcing a short re-positioning move back to Carnforth, the home of West Coast Railways, where our 3 x Class 37 will lead together from Crewe to Lancaster. |
| Monday 26th August 2019 Waiting List | Scunthorpe Steeler No.19 railtourWith over 100 miles of standard gauge track to choose from; a great way to see an operating integrated steel works and 24-hour industrial railway at close quarters set in 200 acres (totally unspoilt by tourism). An extensive full day summer railtour, and it is hoped to include the new line and realignments of its junctions at either end. 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 6th September 2019 to Sunday 8th September 2019 Save the date | Society Track & Traction railtour in NorwayUPDATE: Postponed to 2020 (some lines not available in 2019).
This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 14th September 2019 Open for booking | The Bow BellsA ''Classic'' BLS loco-hauled railtour from Nottingham to Norwich, offering a great selection of requested freight branches, many not done before, and goods loops. Highlights include BOW PLASMOR TERMINAL, JOHNSTON LOGISTICS GRAIN TERMINAL, BRANDON DB CARGO and NORWICH RIVERSIDE FREIGHT DEPOT. DB Cargo Class 66s rare for passenger haulage will be requested as motive power. |
| Sunday 6th October 2019 Save the date | Llinellau cangen y rheilffordd / Branch line tourNo further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |
| Friday 15th November 2019 to Sunday 17th November 2019 Save the date | Provisional Barrow Hill AGM weekend with Sunday railtourNo further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |
| Thursday 7th May 2020 to Sunday 10th May 2020 Save the date | Island of Ireland V weekendNo further details are available at present. |