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** FIXTURES UPDATE **

#1149 Posted on: 26 March 2024 at 19:48 by Martha HaggasType: Public

The Jurassic Crompton - Thursday 9th May 2024

We are pleased to confirm that subject to the usual caveats, 69007 will be making its first passenger run on this charter to the excellent Swanage Railway Diesel Gala alongside 33012. 69007 will be working the Eastleigh to Waterloo leg. As well as the already advertised visiting locomotives, Swanage Railway is very pleased to announce that the Harry Needle Railroad Company Class 20s, 20 302 & 30 311, will be visiting as well as Class 50, 50 021. There will also be a sought-after “mystery loco” to be announced soon. It has also been confirmed that Thursday’s running day will feature Class 52 D015 and “West Country” 34028 Eddystone. Why not join us and go to and from the diesel gala using the exceptionally good-value “Jurassic Crompton” Railtours which are only £49 each way. Spaces remain available but please book soon as demand for seats is expected to be high.

The Return of the Jurassic Crompton - Sunday 12th May 2024

We are pleased to confirm that subject to the usual caveats, 69007 will be joining 33012 on this charter to bring you back from the excellent Swanage Railway Diesel Gala to Eastleigh via London Waterloo. 69007 will be working the Waterloo to Eastleigh leg. Spaces remain available but please book soon as demand for seats is expected to be high.



Please view the Fixtures page for more information on the above.

Entries marked as 'Save the Date' on our Fixtures page are provisional and therefore are subject to change/removal at any time.

Please do NOT email the Bookings Officer to try and book or save spaces on our fixtures. Bookings CANNOT be made by email and must be booked online via the website.

In addition, please do NOT email the Fixtures Secretary (Kev Adlam) with queries about bookings or e-tickets, these MUST be directed to the Bookings Officer.



** FIXTURE UPDATE **

#1142 Posted on: 15 March 2024 at 23:07 by Kev AdlamType: Public

Kernow - Friday 3rd May 2024 to Monday 6th May 2024

Now that the excellent BWC 2 charter is concluded, I am now in a position, following an important meeting this week, to give you an update on our Kernow project planned for May 2024. The specification is now fully completed to deliver all passenger branches and a number of significant freight branches. It is with regret however that we are left with no alternative to defer the project until Spring 2025. The support from the supply chain for this project has been exceptional, and special mention must be made of the Class 50 Alliance, South Devon Railway, GB Railfreight, DB Cargo, Freightliner, Network Rail, GWR and Weedfree for all their amazing support. A critical component, of course, is the supply of rolling stock and despite every endeavour, we exhausted all options this week to ensure the required number of vehicles for the operation could be provided. We are, however, not to be defeated! We know many of you will have the weekend set aside in your diary for Spring days out with friends enjoying heritage traction, unusual lines and some freight locos too - so stand by for an announcement shortly on 'Plan B'. Thank you for your patience whilst the Martin House team has worked hard to explore our options, and quickly come up with an alternative for us all to enjoy, whilst continuing to support the amazing work of the hospice.



** NEW FIXTURES OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1141 Posted on: 05 March 2024 at 16:42 by Martha HaggasType: Public

The Jurassic Crompton - Thursday 9th May 2024

We are delighted to announce a special railtour designed to deliver you in style to the Swanage Railway for their fantastic diesel gala.

The Return of the Jurassic Crompton - Sunday 12th May 2024

We are delighted to announce a special railtour designed to return you home in style from the Swanage Railway after their fantastic diesel gala.

The Holt Hoover - Thursday 6th June 2024

Join us and travel to the North Norfolk Railway Rails and Ales event in style, with a locomotive hauled charter from Eastleigh via the Chilterns.

The Cromer Crompton - Sunday 9th June 2024

With the North Norfolk Railway Rails and Ales event behind us, it's time to head home and finish the weekend in style with a locomotive hauled charter back to the West Midlands.



** NEW FIXTURES OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1124 Posted on: 02 February 2024 at 22:49 by Martha HaggasType: Public

Birmingham New Street subterranean guided tour - Thursday 29th February 2024

This is another chance to see a different side of Network Rail’s busiest station outside of London!

The Strawberry Fields - Friday 22nd March 2024

Join us on the first day of our very special 'Western Weekend' as we make a private visit to the East Somerset Railway on a non-running day for an 'All Available Lines' tour.

The Bodmin Bubble - Saturday 23rd March 2024

The second of our comprehensive track tours in this - the first weekend of spring - sees us visit the delightful Bodmin Railway to build on our very successful visit in November 2014.

The Southern Extremity - Sunday 24th March 2024

Our last 'all available track' excursion of our long weekend in the West of England features a railway never formally visited by the Branch Line Society, the Helston Railway.



** NEW FIXTURES OPEN FOR BOOKING (updated) **

#1120 Posted on: 15 January 2024 at 22:45 by Martha HaggasType: Public

Manchester Railway Architecture Tour - Friday 23rd February 2024

This is a tour taking in the splendid railway architecture of three icons of central Manchester.

Mountsorrel Heritage Centre Standard and Narrow Gauge Railways - Saturday 24th February 2024

A visit to this Heritage Site adjacent to the Mountsorrel Branch of the GCR has been arranged to encompass as much of the full Standard and Narrow Gauge layouts as is practicably possible.

The Scaccarium Dies - Saturday 6th April 2024

Join us on our exploration of the 11 mile long Bluebell Railway as we have been granted very special access to sheds, loops, sidings and crossovers that the Railway's public passengers would never normally get to enjoy.

Manchester Victoria Behind the Scenes Guided Walking Tour - Friday 26th April 2024

With enormous thanks to Network Rail, we are delighted to offer this unique opportunity to visit areas of Manchester Victoria station which are not normally publicly accessible.



** NEW FIXTURES OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1117 Posted on: 27 December 2023 at 23:38 by Martha HaggasType: Public

Thunderbirds Are Go! - Thursday 7th March 2024

Join us for a one way journey to Scotland, as a positioning move to reach our BWC 2 Scottish excursion.

BWC Two - Friday 8th March 2024 to Sunday 10th March 2024

Explore Scotland's nature and scenery from the comfort of your spacious First Class seat. This charity charter will feature Class 37 37403 'Isle of Mull'.

International Rescue - Monday 11th March 2024

Join us for a one way journey from Scotland, as the return positioning move from our BWC 2 Scottish excursion.



** NEW FIXTURES OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1114 Posted on: 21 December 2023 at 19:17 by Martha HaggasType: Public

The Hanson Hanse - Saturday 25th May 2024

Scenic Kings Lynn is our destination, home of the annual Hanse Festival, for a classic locomotive hauled charter to West Norfolk.

The Millbrook Meander - Sunday 26th May 2024

Our seaside destination for this charity charter is wonderful Weymouth, where a circa two-hour afternoon break will be provided to take in some sea air, and perhaps treat yourself to some fish and chips!



BROOKWOOD UP FAST TO DOWN FAST TRAILING CROSSOVER

#1113 Posted on: 17 December 2023 at 10:40 by Paul StewartType: Public

Thanks to our member Stephen Ebbs and 'Gensheet'...

The Single Line Working from Woking P2 in the Down direction over the Up Fast and regaining the Down Fast via the centre trailing at Brookwood is planned to be undertaken again all day on Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th December 2023.

It is booked to be done by three trains per hour.

Also, a reminder about the services from the Guildford direction heading towards London utilising Woking P4 or (less likely) P5.



** NEW FIXTURE OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1111 Posted on: 08 December 2023 at 22:47 by Martha HaggasType: Public

Mini Birmingham Walking and Service Train tour - Saturday 30th December 2023

Mini Birmingham Central Goods Branch and Cross City Line inspired Walking and Service Train tour.



** NEW FIXTURE OPEN FOR BOOKING **

#1096 Posted on: 30 October 2023 at 21:56 by Martha HaggasType: Public

Hello, Sailor! - Sunday 26th November 2023

A much requested revisit to Blackpool Tramway for a rather special unusual lines tour.




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