BLS Fixtures List

The Branch Line Society

Guest

The Society is renowned for getting to the end of the line! This was on our visit to the
Goodluck Mine (in the Peak District) on 23rd October 2016. [© Duncan Finch 2016]

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.

Thursday
2nd April 2020

Closed
Pay on the day

North Stafford Jn - Stoke Jn Signal Box Visits

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted. Please visit the forum for further details.

A 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

Closed

The Combined Crompton

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

Please book this fixture if you wish to participate in BOTH DAYS of this long-weekend.

Saturday
18th April 2020

Closed

The BRCW Bunny

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

With 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

Closed

The Hot Cross Crompton

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

A 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.

Thursday
23rd April 2020

Closed

The Jurassic Crompton

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

An easy, low cost day out to reach the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala in style, with a few unusual platform routings requested for added interest along the way.

Saturday
25th April 2020

Closed

The Andrew Wilson (Brillo) Memorial Charter

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

The 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

Closed

The East Kent Rods

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

The Branch Line Society is delighted to announce an add-on spring charter on the delightful East Kent 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

Closed

The Return of the Jurassic Crompton

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

An easy, low cost day out to return from the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala in style, with a few items of interest to the track enthusiast included.

Thursday
30th April 2020
to Sunday
3rd May 2020

Closed

Island of Ireland V weekend

Fixture postponed until either later in the year or 2021 due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted. Please visit the forum for further details.

No further details are available at present.

Saturday
2nd May 2020

Closed

All day 'stand alone' Dublin based Irish Rail tour

Thursday
21st May 2020
to Sunday
31st May 2020

Closed

Northern Sweden railtour

Fixture postponed to end of May 2021 due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). New dates are provisional and may change.

The plan is to use loco-hauled stock with a restaurant car to do freight lines and non-passenger curves in Northern Sweden not covered by recent tours.

Monday
25th May 2020

Closed

The Jolly Vacman

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

The Branch Line Society is delighted once again to assist Hanson & Hall Rail Services Solutions as its booking agent, with another exciting charter featuring 50008 (D408) 'Thunderer', this time heading to the Lincolnshire coastal resort of Skegness.

Wednesday
3rd June 2020

Closed

Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls Railway

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Please visit the forum for further details.

No further details are available at present.

This fixture is for members only.

Wednesday
3rd June 2020
to Friday
5th June 2020

Closed

Tom's Comprehensive Kent Connector

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted. Please visit the forum for further details.

Our 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

Closed

The Niedersachsen Explorer

Fixture postponed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). All those who have booked will be contacted and refunded in full. Please visit the forum for further details.

A three day BLS tour of freight lines of the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn in northern Germany by loco hauled train.

Friday
14th August 2020
to Sunday
16th August 2020

Closed