The Official Guide for Groups 2020
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2020 THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR GROUPS 2 Heritage Railway Association Foreword Heritage railways are amongst the most popular destinations for group trips. Whether it’s the ease of access, the abundance, the distinct variety or the nostalgia, itineraries that include a heritage railway or two are sure to be a winner with travellers. In addition to scenic journeys and brilliant locomotives, many of the railways and attractions offer activities for children, mouth-watering catering and fun theme days throughout the year. The brilliant thing about a train journey is that it can not only make up a part of your itinerary, it can also get you from one destination to another, killing two birds with one stone. Groups are always welcomed aboard the UK’s myriad heritage railways and they do their utmost to accommodate specific requirements of each group. Disabled access is common, as is an incentive for coach drivers and tour organisers. So if you want to discover Britain by winding through moors, mountains, forests, open countryside and coastlines, where there are no roads and where the vistas are both stunning and unique to the rail passenger, consider adding a heritage railway to your next trip. You won’t be disappointed! Steve Oates Chief Executive, Heritage Railway Association Heritage Railway Association 3 Contents 6-7 8-9 Editorial: Shearings Editorial: Airedale Tours 10-11 12 Editorial: Sue Shapland Photographing Railways 15-98 99 UK Heritage Railway Listings Index of Advertisers 4 Heritage Railway Association Railways by Region 16 - 19 Find a Heritage Railway 56 - 67 South West 20 - 25 East of England 68 - 79 Yorkshire & North East 26 - 35 Midlands 80 - 89 Wales 36 - 43 North West 90 - 95 Scotland 44 - 55 South East 96 - 98 Ireland Published by Blueprint Travel Media Ltd, Suite 1, Sabrina House, Sabrina Court, Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury SY3 7BF T: 01743 231135 | E: [email protected] | W: www.blueprintmedia.org.uk Design: Dan Steeden | Production: Sarah Edwards | Sales: Simon Dodds THE HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 2020 is distributed free of charge to a controlled circulation including members of the Association of Group Travel Organisers, the Coach Tourism Association and UKinbound. Blueprint Travel Media Ltd. The opinions expressed by all editorial contributors within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this guide is accurate at the time of going to press. The publisher cannot accept any liability for inaccuracies, omissions or amendments that arise after compilation. No part of this guide may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever. Any infringement of the copyright will be vigorously pursued. Heritage Railway Association 5 East of England Shearings Rail Journeys For group travel on some of the most iconic and Scotsman along the East Lancashire Railway. Our unique train journeys across the UK and Europe Fort William & Jacobite Steam Railway tour includes with so much included in the price, Shearings are travelling the West Highland Line from coastal the ideal choice. With famous train journeys across Mallaig to Fort William alongside Loch Eil and Arisaig, England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man and passing over world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. the European mountain railways of the Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites. Tours include travel, Our Railway Journeys of the Isle of Man Tour uncovers accommodation, with half board basis on many the island’s famously rich rail history on three of tours and of course your chosen rail journeys with its most celebrated trains. The Snaefell Mountain transfers included where necessary. Railway will take you from the seaside village of Laxley to the island’s highest point. You’ll also travel Discover some of Britain’s most loved routes such as on the Manx Electric Railway, in operation for over the West Highland Line, or riding aboard the Flying 125 years, and the Isle of Man Steam Railway that 6 Heritage Railway Association East of England still uses its original rolling stock and locomotives stunning rivers. Also included is the chance to enjoy dating back to 1870. wine tastings at local vineyards with transfers included, making your visit as straightforward as possible. If your group is looking to head further afield, we have options in Europe, enjoying superb, classic and This is a small selection of the railway holidays we unique heritage mountain railways in the Alps and offer. Other UK tours feature the West Somerset the Pyrenees. Railway, the Settle-Carlisle Railway or the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, or in Europe discover the Ardennes, The Little Trains of the Pyrenees tour includes two of the Swiss Alps and much more. the range’s most perfect trains, while getting to know the culture of French and Spanish Catalonia. You’ll See our website shearings.com for more info or give board the Yellow and Red Trains which wind through our dedicated group’s team a call on 01942 823447 Pyrenees landscapes, crossing colossal gorges and to plan your tour. Heritage Railway Association 7 Welsh Highland Wonderland! Rob Carroll, Commercial Director of Airedale Tours A 35 year old business offering bespoke holidays and experiences for groups by air, coach or rail. After over a decade designing and organising rail an ice cream on the beach, then 15 minutes later a holidays I joined Airedale Tours in 2018. We have warming hot chocolate at the top of the mountain?! been providing bespoke holidays for groups by Why superlative? It’s Britain’s only funicular tramway coach, air or rail since 1985 and last year I received, that drives on public roads. for me, the dream job. Could I design a coast to coast tour of Wales ticking off as many heritage How do you beat that? How about the Snowdon railways as possible? Well, Wales is so packed with Mountain Railway, Britain’s only rack railway to the steam superlatives and huge heritage hits that I highest peak in Wales. We basked in clear weather even donned my Tour Manager cap, fuelled my almost to the top, where a few hardy souls from the firebox and off I steamed! group made it through the mist to the summit. Back in the valley bottom we were smitten with the little 8 days, 13 heritage rail experiences, but nobody felt Llanberis Lake Railway, whose driver was so engaging unlucky! We began at the charming Welshpool & about the history of the line and the secrets inside Llanfair with one of their original locos, the Countess, his cab. On the return journey we took a detour via pulling beautifully restored Hungarian waggons with Llanfairpwllgwyn…. how does it go again? open balconies. A morning shower made everything glisten slightly, the volunteers were so welcoming and How do you beat that? We trundled along the coast, we got a bit giddy, stealing the guard’s hat and flag. where we boarded the Welsh Highland Railway beneath the keeps of Caernarfon Castle. Superlatives? What a start! Next up Llangollen, steaming amidst The WHR is the best, most scenic steam excursion on superb scenery behind the railway’s pride and joy, this island. In my opinion. But I’ve done quite a few, Foxcote Manor. A ponderous pause at the Pontcysyllte so please trust me; it’s magical. A pause for liquid Aqueduct, a cheeky stop at Chirk, then the Airedale lunch in sunny Porthmadog, then all aboard for our coach sped to the coast and lovely Llandudno, home next superlatives, the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau to our first superlative, the Great Orme Tramway. with the world’s oldest railway company and looping Why is Llandudno special? Where else can you enjoy around the mountain on Britain’s only railway spiral. 8 Heritage Railway Association The Conwy Valley Line took us back to Llandudno this place. In fact I have. Please visit The Rail Holiday through slate hills to the blue sea. How many is that maker on Facebook or visit www.monorail.blog to so far? 8 railways, 7 of them heritage, in just five days, read the TVR’s extraordinary tale. including a day at leisure with no trains! (Many of the group snuck off on trains on their free day too!). Onwards to the Gwili, which for me will always be “Jeremy’s Line”. Who is Jeremy? He is a volunteer, a How do you beat that? Maybe with a private charter charming, retired gentleman but also Gwili’s Sales of the world’s first heritage railway, the Tal y Llyn, and Marketing force. He’s also sometimes the guy mother of them all. If you have never been, why not?! in the pinny serving your tea, bara brith and Welsh The Tal y Llyn is wonderful. We toured the sheds at cakes. And the guy who made sure we had steam on a Pendre, then rode the line, stopping for a superb scheduled diesel day. Thank you Jeremy, the lifeblood picnic lunch at Abergynolwyn. The drama continued of this scene, Heritage Railway Britannia. as the train backed along the line for us, we lined up along the bridge, then they steamed through empty Our finale was the Brecon Mountain Railway, riding up so that the photographers in the group could get their the incline through a stunner of a landscape behind a prized shots of the loco in full force. German loco that once hauled a travelling circus. Our climax was at the Pontypool & Blaenavon for a private The next experience was one of those incredible charter, our own train performing just for us, photo unexpected hidden gems. I had never ridden the Vale opportunities galore and the amazing volunteers of Rheidol.