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The BLS Central/Northern Finland freight line railtour pauses at Kaskinen in April 2018 [© Iain Scotchman 2018] |
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 7th March 2020 to Monday 9th March 2020 Open for booking | The Parkinson PackagePlease book this fixture if you wish to participate in ALL THREE DAYS of this long-weekend. |
| Saturday 7th March 2020 Open for booking | The Fenny CromptonAn easy day out positioning move railtour operated by West Coast Railways (WCR), hauled by a WCR Class 33. A Class 47 will also be provided on the rear for train heating. Rare track highlights include Fenny Compton Dn loop in the Up direction and Bescot Up & Dn Through Siding (No 1 road requested). |
| Sunday 8th March 2020 Open for booking | The Devonian CromptonOperated by West Coast Railways (WCR), this charter will feature a pair of Class 33s at the sharp end, hauled by 71A Locomotive Group’s 33012 and a WCR Class 33. Our London departure is from Victoria and return is to Waterloo, as we set out to cover classic Class 33 routes. Our unusual destination is Coleford Junction on the line to Okehampton, but with a few twists and turns along the way for good measure! |
| Monday 9th March 2020 Open for booking | The Park Royal ParkinsonA re-positioning move railtour operated by West Coast Railways (WCR), hauled by a WCR Class 33. A Class 47 will also be provided for train heating and reversals. Rare track highlights include Royal Oak Siding, Old Oak Common Reception Line, Coventry Carriage Sidings, Coventry North Yard and Sideway Loop. |
| Friday 13th March 2020 to Sunday 15th March 2020 Open for booking | The Aire FreshenerPlease book this fixture if you wish to participate in ALL THREE DAYS of this long-weekend. |
| Friday 13th March 2020 Open for booking | The Little North Western GridThis charter will feature a Colas Class 56 at the sharp end, and a WCR ETH Class 47 for our reversals. Our departure is from Carnforth and is a one-way journey to Doncaster, ahead of our main event on Saturday 14th March. |
| Saturday 14th March 2020 Waiting List | The Power of AireThis charter will feature a much sought-after Colas Class 70 with a WCR ETH Class 47 inside, supported by a Colas Class 56 for our reversals. The rare track highlights include Selby Curve, Ferrybridge Wagon Repair Depot, Drax Power Station, Gascoigne Wood Sidings, Doncaster Carriage Sidings and Sudforth Lane Sidings. 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 15th March 2020 Open for booking | The Eric and ErnieThis charter will feature a Colas Class 56 and a WCR ETH Class 47 for our reversals. Our departure is from Doncaster and is a one-way journey back to Carnforth, via Copy Pit and Morecambe. The rare track highlights include Selby Curve and Whitehall Road Engineers Sidings. |
| Saturday 21st March 2020 Open for booking | Kernow Spring FunicularsBy popular demand, a weekend repeat of the very successful recent society trips on two significant funicular railways in Cornwall, which the public are not ordinarily permitted to ride on. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 22nd March 2020 Open for booking | North Cornwall Miniature Railway All LinerA |
| Thursday 2nd April 2020 Open for booking Pay on the day | North Stafford Jn - Stoke Jn Signal Box VisitsA repeat of our oversubscribed 4 Oct 2016 visits to some of the eight boxes between North Stafford Jn and Stoke Jn. This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 18th April 2020 to Sunday 19th April 2020 Open for booking | The Combined CromptonPlease book this fixture if you wish to participate in BOTH DAYS of this long-weekend. |
| Saturday 18th April 2020 Open for booking | The BRCW BunnyWith a Class 33 top and tail with a WCR Class 37. Rare track includes Hanson Padeswood Sidings, Warrington Canal Sidings, Wrexham Up Bay 2, Oakleigh Sidings (and triangle), Latchford Sidings and the route from Warrington Arpley past Fiddlers Ferry through to Ditton Reception Sidings. This charter also offers the exceptionally rare opportunity for a loco-hauled tour into Wrexham Central. |
| Sunday 19th April 2020 Open for booking | The Hot Cross CromptonA Class 33 top & tail with a WCR Class 37 and only four coaches. Rare track includes the Knowsley Freight Terminal branch, Birkdale Sidings and Kirkdale Carriage Sidings. A unique chance to travel loco-hauled on parts of Merseyrail. |
| Saturday 25th April 2020 Open for booking | The Andrew Wilson (Brillo) Memorial CharterThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce a spring 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 full line return trip between Tenterden and Bodiam. Haulage interest is provided by the much sought after 08888 enjoying its first advertised run at the railway. |
| Saturday 25th April 2020 Open for booking | The East Kent RodsThe Branch Line Society is delighted to announce an add-on spring charter on the delightful Kent & East Sussex Railway to compliment the Andrew (Brillo) Wilson Memorial Charter which is running on the same date earlier at the nearby Kent & East Sussex Railway. The charter will provide a rare haulage opportunity for both 08502 and 08676. |
| Sunday 26th April 2020 Save the date | Unusual Home Counties event in planningNo further details are available at present. |
| Thursday 30th April 2020 to Sunday 3rd May 2020 Save the date | Island of Ireland V weekendPlease note the change of dates to avoid a tour clash (previously advised as Thursday 7th May to Sunday 10th May 2020).
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| Saturday 2nd May 2020 Save the date | All day 'stand alone' Dublin based Irish Rail tourPlease note the change of date to avoid a tour clash (previously advised as Saturday 9th May 2020).
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| Thursday 21st May 2020 to Sunday 31st May 2020 Save the date | Northern Sweden RailtourUpdate 31/10/19: Please note the change of date (previously advised as Sunday 31st May 2020 to Sunday 7th June 2020
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| Wednesday 3rd June 2020 to Friday 5th June 2020 Notify interest | Tom's Comprehensive Kent ConnectorOur latest service train tracker has been carefully planned (subject to checking the May 2020 timetable) and will be led by Tom Gilby to cover all available lines in Kent. Over 900 miles of rail travel in three days with like-minded company. It includes almost all lines, every possible crossover with rare moves and is a good social occasion in, hopefully nice weather with plenty of daylight. This fixture is for members only. |
| Friday 26th June 2020 to Sunday 28th June 2020 Open for booking | The Niedersachsen ExplorerA three day BLS tour of freight lines of the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn in northern Germany by loco hauled train.
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| Saturday 15th August 2020 Save the date | Lengthy private 15" railway in BuckinghamshireNo further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |
| Monday 31st August 2020 Save the date | Bank Holiday Scunthorpe Summer Steel Spectacular (No.21)No further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |