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The Marching Crompton railtour ready to leave Crewe on 27 August 2018 [© Geoff Plumb 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.
| Sunday 8th December 2019 Closed | The Bootle BrushA Track & Traction tour operated by West Coast Railways (WCR) with two WCR Class 47s 'top & tail' - most unusual on the Merseyrail network. Due to operational constraints it is limited to four vehicles and will book very rapidly. This fixture is for members only. |
| Thursday 12th December 2019 to Friday 13th December 2019 Open for booking Pay on the day | South Wales Signal Boxes VisitsA short notice visit on the afternoon of Thur 12 Dec to Radyr Junction Signalling Centre and Abercynon Signalling Control Centre. Also on Fri 13 Dec there are visits to Port Talbot Signalling Centre, and signal boxes at Tondu, Neath & Brecon Junction, and Pantyffynnon. This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 14th December 2019 Notify interest Pay on the day | BLS Men of SteelFarewell to British Steel Redcar station.
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| Saturday 4th January 2020 Waiting List | Scunthorpe Cold Steel Tracker No. 20Our now traditional first fixture of the new year; a good time to visit as internal traffic is quieter after Christmas with some great photo opportunities. There is over 100 miles of standard gauge track at one of the UK's last 24 hour integrated steelworks set in 1,700 acres. 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 24th January 2020 to Wednesday 29th January 2020 Details awaited | The Madrid CircumnavigatorBookings for this tour are being handled by PTG Tours |
| Sunday 26th January 2020 Open for booking | The Merseyrail Underground & Overground ExplorerThe Branch Line Society is delighted to act as booking agent for a low cost, easy day out railtour operated by Merseyrail, featuring a 6-car EMU. As you would expect, there are a number of unusual lines as part of the itinerary including the Stock Interchange/Holding Line, Sandhills Reversing Siding, Hunts Cross P2 and the less used platforms at New Brighton / West Kirby / Birkenhead North. |
| 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. |
| Saturday 21st March 2020 Save the date | Kernow Spring FunicularsWith thanks to our member Mark Thomas, the first day of spring is reserved for our repeat visit to the interesting non-public Funicular Railways at RNLI The Lizard mainland Britain's most southerly railway) and Padstow. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 26th April 2020 Save the date | Unusual London area Railtour 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 Notify interest | The Niedersachsen ExplorerA three day BLS tour of freight lines of the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn in northern Germany by loco hauled train. |
| 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. |