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On 9th April 2017, Chiltern Railway's 121034 stands in Bicester MoD Goods Loop on our Bubble and Squeak Tracker railtour. [© 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.
| Monday 26th August 2019 Full | 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 has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| 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. |
| Saturday 21st September 2019 Open for booking | The Brickies LamentHampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust. An all available track tour of the 2ft Light Railway and 7¼" Miniature Railway. Railway operations cease at the end of this season. Then: Bankside Miniature Railway. A 7¼" gauge 100yd ground level line and a most unusual 8¼" gauge trestle system railway. Finally: Eastleigh Lakeside Railway. A special all available track tour after public running at 16.30 on this complex and intricate 7¼/10¼" railway. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 22nd September 2019 Open for booking | The Hayling TaxiAll available track tours of: Southampton Society of Model Engineers. 7¼" outer ground level & 3½/5" mixed gauge inner elevated line. Then: Hayling Seaside Railway. A special tour of this one mile long 2ft gauge line. There is time to walk the standard gauge Hayling Island branch. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 22nd September 2019 Open for booking | Birmingham Balti BashVintage Trains in conjunction with the Branch Line Society are offering an opportunity to enjoy some rare track, Choppers (Class 20's), and a Curry - all at the same time!
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| Sunday 6th October 2019 Open for booking | Ffarwelio â Phacer Cymoedd CaerdyddCardiff Valleys Pacer Farewell featuring 2 x Class 143 "Pacer" units, the private charter will feature a number of unusual lines across the region with the highlights being Treherbert and Rhymney Sidings, along with a wide range of sought after crossovers.
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| Saturday 12th October 2019 Save the date | Save the date - main line tour on South East EnglandNo further details are available at present. |
| Saturday 26th October 2019 Open for booking | The Eastbourne Miniature Magical Mystery (tour)A visit to the 7¼" gauge Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway. Expected to last about 1½ hours. The Railway (public run 880yds) has offered a chance to travel over the long and rarely used (inner) P2 behind the steam locomotive in use on the day. Additional sections may be available towards the end of their operational day once the more regular clientele complete their visits. |
| Saturday 26th October 2019 Open for booking | The Isfield InvestigatorA private Society Track & Traction Event on the standard gauge Lavender Line. The Railway has been most accommodating offering a chance to travel behind (or inside!) most of their internal combustion fleet and traverse many sections of track never normally available as they are usually full of stock. A variety of motive power is anticipated. |
| Saturday 2nd November 2019 Notify interest | The Madrid CircumnavigatorThe Society presents a rare opportunity to travel on freight, non-passenger lines and curves with a comprehensive tour of the Madrid area from Madrid Chamartin to the Delicias Museum station. The train, hauled by an ALSA-Rail Alco Class 321 diesel, will be the one used on the 'El Tren de Felipe II' tourist train with a restaurant car. The planned route complements the Jan 2019 PTG tour. |
| 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. |