We have received payment for the content in this article. Learn more.
Saturday 6th July 2024
Join us on this very special, high mileage railtour to Wiltshire with options to visit the delightful East Somerset Railway or Longleat House. The tour will be hauled throughout by D1015 ‘Western Champion’.
Our train picks up from stations along the Midland Main Line to Bedford, and then Bletchley and Watford Junction, before we navigate our way through the suburbs of West London to reach the Great Western main line at Acton. On home turf now, Western Champion should have ample opportunity to stretch her legs as we head towards Westbury via Reading and the Berks and Hants line.
Our destination of Westbury is a small market town offering good walking options and a variety of hostelries and eateries. For an additional supplementary fare, passengers can opt to remain on the train beyond Westbury for some extra mileage behind the Western, and be part of the first railtour to arrive at Cranmore since 2018. The mainline connection to the East Somerset has only been recently cleared and is rarely travelled! Take a look around the engine sheds at Cranmore where you can try your hand at driving a shunting locomotive (for which a small additional fee is payable on the day). The Station Café will also be open, serving a selection of cakes, sandwiches, snacks and drinks.
The railway is closed to the public on the day of our visit and is not operating its usual service of trains, but we have made arrangements for UK Railtours passengers to transfer to a specially chartered East Somerset Railway steam service that will provide you with the chance to journey to Mendip Vale, the extremity of the line. Customers wishing to travel on this train should select the appropriate option when they book as capacity is limited and expected to be in high demand.
First Class Dining includes The Great British Breakfast and a four-course dinner. A buffet car is available for those in Standard Class and First-Class Non-Dining. First Class Dining is not available from Reading. Supplementary options must be booked in advance. Visit the website for full details.
