Welcome to the UK Steam Railtour page. This is an unofficial list of scheduled steam-hauled excursions over RailTrack lines during 1997. The information is updated regularly, and is provided in good faith, but is not guaranteed accurate! No responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Always check with the rail tour operator for current information, as tours are often cancelled or amended at short notice. This is particularly important in hot dry weather, owing to the fire risk. The decision on operation of steam tours in these circumstances is usually taken four days prior to the tour. Any comments, corrections (or criticism) may be emailed to:
The format of the information provided in the table is as follows:
Date, Tour name,
Tour operator, start and destination, coaching stock set
Steam loco number, steam itinerary
[Other notes]
BN91 Rail Charter Services: BR Mark 1 set
(crimson and cream livery) (dualbrk)
BN94 Rail Charter Services: BR Mark 1 set
(rasberry ripple) (airbrk)
BN96 Rail Charter Services: BR Mark 1 set
(rasberry ripple/green) (airbrk)
BN97 Rail Charter Services: BR Mark 1 set
(maroon livery) (vacbrk)
SRPS SRPS: BR Mark 1 set
(maroon livery)
RIV Riviera Trains: BR Mark 1 set
(chocolate and cream livery) (dualbrk)
OLN ?: BR Mark 1 set
(green livery)
PULL VSOE: Pullman set (air brake only)
VIPS: WCRC/Railfilms: BR Mark 1 VIP set
PM80: ?
RPOI: Mid-Hants Railway BR Mark 1 Set (green)
PSTR: Past Time Railtours, 116 Trent Valley Road, Lichfield,
Staffs, WS13 6EU
Tel: 01543-411971 (0900-1900) Fax: 01543-417531
LSWR: LSW Railtours, c/o Cranmore Station, Shepton Mallett BA4 4QP
Tel: 01749-880782 (1000-1500 Mon-Fri)
PATH: Pathfinder Tours, Stag House, Gydynap Lane, Inchbrook,
Woodchester, Glos GL5 5EZ
Tel: 01453-835414 Fax: 01453-836538
PMRT: Princess Margaret Rose Tours, PO Box 6203, Lichfield,
Staffs
Tel: 01543-411971
HERT: Hertfordshire Railtours, PO Box 125, Knebworth,
Herts SG3 6UA
Tel: 01438-812125 Fax: 01438-812122
VSOE: Venice Simplon Orient Express
Tel: 0171-805 5100
828R: 828 Railtours
Tel: 01963-363203 (01794-323043)
DAYO: Days Out, Premier House, 15 Wheeler Gate, Nottingham NG1 2NN
Tel: 0115-941 9330 0r 0115 948 4525
DLRT: Daylight Limited Rail Tours
Tel: 01962-733810 Fax: 01962-735448
GDWD: Goodwood Travel, St Andrews House, Station Rd, East Canterbury
CT1 2RB
Tel: 01227-76336 Fax: 01227-762417
ELRY: East Lancs Railway. Locomotive Works, Baron St, Bury BL9 0TY
Tel: 0161-763 4340
LULD: London Underground Ltd, Harrow-on-the-Hill Station,
Lowlands Road, Harrow, Middx HA1 1BB
SRPS: SRPS Railtours, 22 Durham Road South, Edinburgh EH15 3PD
Tel: 0176 8341664 01383-822944
BLSY: Britannia Locomotive Society
GEAT: Great Eastern Trains
PKRL: Peak Rail
TVGP: Taw Valley Locomotive Group, 38 Mason Road Squires Meadow,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 9JP, Tel:0115-9440613
WCRC: West Coast Railway Co Ltd
Tel: 01397-703791 (Jacobite)
Tel: 01524-732100 (other trains)
STAF: Steamy Affairs, 18 Popes Lane, Terrington St Clement
Norfolk PE34 4NT
Tel: 01553-828107 (0900-2000)
CHES: Cheshire Railtours, Golsoncott Cottage, Rodhuish,
Minehead TA24 6QZ
Tel 01984-640005
NLPG: NELPG Railtours, 57 Millview Drive, Tynemouth,
Tyne & Wear NE30 2D2
Wed 01-Jan-97 "The First Foot Forth"
SRPS Edinburgh-Forth Bridge circular
44767 Edinburgh-Forth Bridge-Edinburgh
Sat 04-Jan-97 "Cumbrian Mountain Express"
PSTR Watford-Carlisle BN91
42968 Carlisle-AisGill-Crewe
[Ran as scheduled]
Mon 06-Jan-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford PULL
35028 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 11-Jan-97 "The Taffy Apple"
PSTR Northampton-Swansea
7325+2968 Worcester-Hereford-Swansea-Gloucester-Worcester
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 11-Jan-97 "The Southern Wanderer" CANCELLED
LSWR Alton-Kensington
31625 Alton-Ascot-South Acton-Kensington
-Clapham-Woking-Alton
[Cancelled 31625 unavailable]
Sun 12-Jan-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Portsmouth PULL
35028 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 18-Jan-97 "The Bristolian
STAF Paddington-Bristol
6024 Paddington-Swindon-Bristol-Paddington
[6024 failed at Bristol with burst air brake pipe,
return diesel hauled]
Sat 18-Jan-97 "The Treacle Eater
LSWR Paddington-Yeovil
35028 Paddington-Newbury-Yeovil
-Basingstoke-Reading-Paddington
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 18-Jan-97 "The Thames Clyde Express
DAYO Hertford-Carlisle
60532 Skipton-AisGill-Carlisle-Shap-Crewe
Sun 25-Jan-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Canterbury PULL
34027 Victoria-Canterbury-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 25-Jan-97 "The Lowlander"
DAYO Crewe-Edinburgh
44767 Edinburgh-Shap-Preston
Sat 01-Feb-97 "Thames Clyde Express"
DAYO Hertford-Carlisle
60532 Skipton-AisGill-Carlisle-Shap-Crewe
[60532 failed prior to start - Train diesel hauled]
Sun 02-Feb-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Portsmouth PULL
34027 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 08-Feb-97 "Blue Yorkshireman" CANCELLED
DAYO Cambridge-Leeds
60007 Cambridge-York-Leeds-Healey Mills
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 15-Feb-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford PULL
35028 Victoria-Guildford-Victoria
Sat 15-Feb-97 "The Bristolian"
STAF Paddington-Newbury-Bath-Bristol BN91
6024 Paddington-Westbury-Paddington
[34027 replaced 6024]
Sat 15-Feb-97 "The Irish Mail" CANCELLED
DAYO Crewe-Holyhead
60532 Crewe-Holyhead-Crewe
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sun 16-Feb-97 "Much Ado About Steam"
PSTR Paddington-Didcot-Stratford BN91
6024 Paddington-Didcot-Stratford-Didcot
[34027 replaced 6024]
Sat 22-Feb-97 "The Welsh Marches Express" CANCELLED
PSTR Euston-Crewe BN97
2968 Worcester-Gloucester-Newport-Shrewsbury-Crewe
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 22-Feb-97 "The Solent Venturer" CANCELLED
DAYO Woking-Guildford
31625 Woking-Eastleigh-Havant-Guildford
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 01-Mar-97 "Cumbrian Nountain Express"
PSTR Kings Cross-Carlisle BN91
70000 Crewe-Blackburn-AisGill-Carlisle
[70000 failed at Hellifield]
Sat 01-Mar-97 "Solent Venturer" CANCELLED
DAYO Woking-Guildford
31625 Woking-Eastleigh-Havant-Guildford
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 01-Mar-97 "The Mid Day Scot" POSTPONED
DAYO Crewe-Shap-Carlisle
60007 Crewe-Carlisle-Crewe
[Postponed - low bookings]
Sun 02-Mar-97 "Cotton Weaver"
DAYO Watford-Castleton
44767 Castleton-Blackburn-Wakefield-Sheffield-Castleton
Sun 02-Mar-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Portsmouth
35028 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
Sat 08-Mar-97 "The Mogul Mountaineer"
PSTR Euston-York BN97
2968 Crewe-Blackburn-Copy Pit-Wakefield-York
Sat 08-Mar-97 "The Three Peaks Express"
WCRC Carnforth-Carlisle CSO
60007 Carnforth-Shap-Carlisle-Ais Gill-Preston-Carnforth
Wed 12-Mar-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Bath PULL
34027 Victoria-Didcot-Bath
and Salisbury-Staines-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 15-Mar-97 "The Quantock Ranger"
PATH Ealing Broadway-Minehead
6024 Didcot-Newbury-Taunton-Minehead-Bishops Lydeard
3205/7820 pilot B/Lydeard-Minehead-B/Lydeard (on WSR)
[Ran as scheduled - 7029 used as pilot on WSR]
Sat 15-Mar-97 "The Mid Day Scot" CANCELLED
DAYO Crewe-Carlisle
60007 Crewe-Shap-Carlisle-Shap-Crewe
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 22-Mar-97 "The Ayr Raider"
PATH Birmingham NS-Ayr BN97
70000 Carlisle-Beattock-Ayr-Kilmarnock-Carlisle
[60532 replaced 70000]
Sat 29-Mar-97 "The Overlander"
STAF Cleethorpes-Chester BN91
70000 Cleethropes-Chester-Crewe
[60532 replaced 70000]
Sat 29-Mar-97 "The Midlander" CANCELLED
DAYO Euston-Peterborough RIV
60532 Crewe-Nuneaton-Peterborough-Gramtham-Stoke-Crewe
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 30-Mar-97 "The Hop Picker" CANCELLED
LSWR Victoria-Canterbury
828 Victoria-Maidstone-Canterbury
-Dover-Ashford-Victoria
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Fri 04-Apr-97 "VSOE Special"
VSOE Victoria-Guildford PULL
35028 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Staines-Victoria
Sat 05-Apr-97 "The King of the Banks" (FULLY BOOKED)
PFDR Birmingham Int-Plymouth BN97
6024 Taunton-Plymouth-Taunton (unassisted)
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 05-Apr-97 "The Blue Venturer" CANCELLED
LSWR Watford Jct-Crewe-Hereford-Guildford BN91
60007 Crewe-Hereford-Severn Tunnel-Reading-Guildford
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sun 06-Apr-97 "The Wiltshire Wanderer"
LSWR Clapham Jct-Eastleigh BN91
828 Clapham Jct-Reading-Westbury-Salisbury-Eastleigh
Wed 09-Apr-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Bath PULL
35028 Victoria-Didcot-Bath
and Salisbury-Staines-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 12-Apr-97 "The Jorvik Flyer" CANCELLED
PSTR Ealing Broadway-York BN97
2968 York-Sheffield-Derby-Dorridge
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sat 12-Apr-97 "The Cumbrian" CANCELLED
DAYO Crewe-Newcastle
44767 Preston-Shap-Carlisle-Newcastle
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sun 13-Apr-97
Sat 19-Apr-97 "The Midlander"
DAYO Watford-Peterborough WCRC
60532 Crewe-Leicester-Peterborough
-Grantham-Nottingham-Crewe
Sun 20-Apr-97 "The Cotswold Circular" CANCELLED
PSTR Paddington-Stourbridge Jct
6024 Bristol-Badminton-Didcot
7802+7325 Stourbridge Jct-Bristol
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Sun 20-Apr-97 "VSOE Special" CANCELLED
VSOE Victoria-Staines-Guildford-Portsmouth
34027 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Sat 26-Apr-97 "The Golden Arrow"
VSOE Victoria-Canterbury
34027 Victoria-Canterbury-Victoria
[Diesel hauled - fire risk]
Sat 26-Apr-97 "The Meldon Meanderer" CANCELLED
DAYO Crewe-Newton Abbot
7802+7325 Bristol-Exeter(rev)-Meldon Quarry(rev)
-Newton Abbot
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Sat 26-Apr-97 "The Severn Venturer" CANCELLED
DAYO Guildford-Bristol
31625 Guildford-bristol-Guildford
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Sun 27-Apr-97
Sat 03-May-97 "The Waverley" CANCELLED
DAYO Watford-Edinburgh
60532 Crewe-Shap-Edinburgh
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Sat 03-May-97 "The Limited"
PSTR Paddington-Newquay (one way - returns Mon 05-May)
6024 Paddington-Swindon-Westbury-Newton Abbot
6024+7802/7325 Newton-Abbot-Plymouth
7802+7325 Plymouth-Newquay
[Ran diesel hauled due to fire risk]
Sun 04-May-97 "The Alpine Express" CANCELLED
LSWR Victoria-Arlesford(MHR)
34027 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford
-Arlesford-Woking-Victoria
31625 pilot Alton-Alresford
[Cancelled by Railtrack - fire risk]
Mon 05-May-97 "The Limited"
PSTR Penzance-Paddington (one way)
7802+7325 Penzance-Plymouth
6024+7802/7325 Plymouth-Newton Abbot
6024 Newton Abbot-Paddington
[Ran diesel hauled due to fire risk]
Wed 07-May-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Bath PULL
35028/34027 Victoria-Didcot-Bath
and Salisbury-Staines-Victoria
Sat 10-May-97 "Cumbrian Mountain Express"
PATH Reading-Carlisle
48151 Crewe-AisGill-Carlisle
[48151 replaced 70000]
Sat 10-May-97 "The Blue Devonian" CANCELLED
DAYO Wimbledon-Exeter-Guildford
60007 Wimbledon-Basingstoke-Yeovil-Exeter-
Bristol-Reading-Guildford
[Insufficient bookings]
Sat 10-May-97 "The Golden Arrow"
VSOE Victoria-Canterbury
35028/34027 Victria-Canterbury-Victoria
[Ran behind 34027]
Sun 11-May-97 "The Drummond Forays" CANCELLED
LSWR Alton-Camberley-Ascot (2 trips)
30053 Alton-Ascot
[30053 unavailable]
Sun 11-May-97 "The Drummond Forays" CANCELLED
LSWR Alton-Basingstoke-Eastleigh
30053 Alton-Eastleigh
[30052 unavailable]
Sun 11-May-97 VIP Special
---- Victoria-Staines-Eastleigh
35028/34027 Victoria-Eastleigh
[Ran behind 35028]
Thu 15-May-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Portsmouth PULL
35028/34027 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
Sat 17-May-97 "The Wanderers Return"
PSTR Northampton-Paignton BN97
7802+7325 Paignton-Bristol-Worcester
[Ran as scheduled 6024 replaced 7802+7325]
Sat 17-May-97 "The Waterloo Sunset"
LSWR Waterloo-Poole
35028+34027 Waterloo-Andover-Eastleigh
35028/34027 Eastleigh-Poole
34027/35028 Poole-Eastleigh
34027+35028 Eastleigh-Winchester-Waterloo
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 17-May-97 "The Derian Horse Express"
WCRC Carnforth-Carlisle
48151 Carnforth-Preston-AisGill-Carlisle and return
Sat 17-May-97 "The Thames Clyde Express" CANCELLED
DAYO York-Glasgow
44767 Newcastle-Carlisle-Beattock-Glasgow
[Insufficient bookings]
Sun 18-May-97 "The Brighton Breezy"
LSWR Clapham Jct-Reading-Eastleigh-Brighton RIV
828 Clapham Jct-Reading-Eastleigh-Brighton and return
Sun 18-May-97 "The White Rose" CANCELLED
DAYO York-Reading
60007 Reading-Banbury-Derby-Leeds-York
[Insufficient bookings]
Fri 23-May-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028/34027 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Woking-Victoria
[Ran behind 35028]
Sat 24-May-97 "Cumbrian Nountain Express"
PATH Salisbury-Carlisle BN91
48151 Carlisle-AisGill-Crewe
[Ran as scheduled. 48151 replaced 70000]
Sat 24-May-97 "The Flying Scotsman" CANCELLED
DAYO Hertford-Edinburgh BN91
60532 Edinburgh-Newcastle-York
[Cancelled insufficient bookings]
Sun 25-May-97 "The Nadder Valley Rambler" CANCELLED
LSWR Salisbury-Gillingham and return (3 trips)
30053 Salisbury-Gillingham
[30053 unavailable]
Mon 26-May-97 "The Maunsell Marauder" CANCELLED
DAYO Clapham Jct-Yeovil-Guildford (one way)
31625 Clapham-Yeovil Jct-Basingstoke-Reading-Guildford
[Insufficient bookings]
Sat 31-May-97 "The Britannic" CANCELLED
PATH Cardiff-Peterborough BN91
70000 Crewe-Nottingham-Spalding-Sleaford-Peterborough
Sat 31-May-97 "The Berks 'n Barks" CANCELLED
PATH Crewe-Cranmore BN91
6024 Didcot-Newbury-Cranmore-Westbury-Swindon-Didcot
Sat 31-May-97 "Hellifield Awakener"
WCRC Lancaster-Sellifield [Revised itinerary]
48151 Carnforth-Sellafield-Carnforth
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 31-May-97 "The Golden Arrow"
GDWD Victoria-Canterbury PULL
35028 Victoria-Canterbury
-Dover-Ashford-Tonbridge-Victoria
[Ran diesel/electric hauled due to fire risk]
Note: A three month ban by Railtrack on all mainline steam tours (other than Fort William-Mallaig) comes into effect on Sun 01-Jun-97 owing to the fire risk.
16-20 Jun-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767/75014 Fort William-Mallaig
22-27 Jun-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767/75014 Fort William-Mallaig
29-30 Jun-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767/75014 Fort William-Mallaig
01-04 Jul-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767/75014 Fort William-Mallaig
06-11 Jul-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
13-18 Jul-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
75014 Fort William-Mallaig
20-25 Jul-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
75014 Fort William-Mallaig
27-31 Jul-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
03-08 Aug-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
10-15 Aug-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
75014 Fort William-Mallaig
17-22 Aug-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
24-29 Aug-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
31 Aug-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
Note: The three month ban by Railtrack on all mainline steam tours (other than Fort William-Mallaig) is due to end at the beginning of September.
01-05 Sep-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
Sat 06-Sep-97 "Carlisle 150 Special"
WCRC Carnforth-Carlisle
48151 Carnforth-Hellifield-Carlisle
07-12 Sep-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
75014 Fort William-Mallaig
Sat 13-Sep-97 "The Severn Venturer"
DAYO Waterloo-Bristol-Waterloo-Ascot
31625 Waterloo-Reading-Westbury-Bristol
-Newbury-Ealing-Kensington
and Waterloo-Ascot
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 13-Sep-97 "The Welsh Dragon" POSTPONED to 18 Oct
PSTR Euston-Shrewsbury BN91
2968 Newport-Llandrindod-Shrewsbury
[80079+46521 may replace 2968]
Sat 13-Sep-97 "The North Briton"
NELP Leeds-Carlisle WCRC
60532 Middlesborough-Newcastle-Carlisle-Preston
Sun 14-Sep-97 "The Ynys Mon Express" POSTPONED to 19 Oct
PSTR Euston-Holyhead BN91
2968 Crewe-Holyhead-Crewe
[80079+46521 may replace 2968]
14-16 Sep-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
75014 Fort William-Mallaig
17-19 Sep-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
Fri 19-Sep-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028/34027 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Woking-Victoria
Sat 20-Sep-97 "The Southern Valley Wanderer" CANCELLED
PSTR Paddington-Kidderminster BN91
828 Didcot-Kemble-Kidderminster-Evesham-Didcot
[Cancelled following Southall accident]
21-26 Sep-97 "The Jacobite"
WCRC Fort William-Mallaig
44767 Fort William-Mallaig
Sat 27-Sep-97 "The Carmarthen King" [Times]
PATH Paddington-Carmarthen BN94
6024 Gloucester-Worcester-Hereford-Newport-Carmarthen
[6024 failed at Hereford with seized air brake pump]
Sat 27-Sep-97 "The Golden Arrow"
GDWD Victoria-Canterbury PULL
35028 Victoria-Canterbury
-Dover-Ashford-Tonbridge-Victoria
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 27-Sep-97 "The Deerstalker" [Times]
WCRC Fort WIlliam-Edinburgh
44767 Fort William-Edinburgh
Sat 27-Sep-97 "Atlantic Coast Express" CANCELLED
LSWR Waterloo-Paignton (one way) BN91
34027 Waterloo-Salisbury-Meldon-Exeter
Sun 28-Sep-97 "Atlantic Coast Express" CANCELLED
LSWR Paignton-Waterloo (one way) BN91
34027 Paignton-Barnstaple
and Exeter-Castle Cary-Reading-Guildford-Clapham
Sun 28-Sep-97 "The Capital Express"
DAYO Hull-Kings Cross
60007 Hull-Doncaster-Kings Cross
Fri 03-Oct-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028/34027 Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Woking-Victoria
Fri 03-Oct-97 "?"
828R Eastleigh-Yeovil Jct (one way)
828 Eastleigh-Yeovil Jct
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 04-Oct-97 "The Golden Arrow"
VSOE Victoria-Canterbury
35028/34027 Victoria-Canterbury-Victoria
Sat 04-Oct-97 "?" CANCELLED
LSWR Waterloo-Exeter-Clapham Jct RIV
tba Waterloo-Salisbury-Yeovil Jct-Exeter
-Castle Cary-Reading
Sat 04-Oct-97 Yeovil-Castle Cary Shuttle
tba Yeovil Jct-Castle Cary shuttles (6)
30053 + 828 Yeovil Jct-Castle Cary-Yeovil Jct
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 04-Oct-97 "?"
WCRC Edinburgh-Inverness
75014 Edinburgh-Perth-Inverness
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 04-Oct-97 "Flying Scotsman"
DAYO Kings Cross-Edinburgh (one way)
60007 Kings Cross-York-Edinburgh
[Rans as scheduled]
Sun 05-Oct-97 "Flying Scotsman"
DAYO Edinburgh-Kings Cross (one way)
60007 Edinburgh-Carlisle-Leeds-York
[Ran as scheduled]
Sun 05-Oct-97 Yeovil-Castle Cary Shuttle
tba Yeovil Jct-Castle Cary shuttles (4)
30053 + 828 Yeovil Jct-Castle Cary-Yeovil Jct
[Ran as scheduled]
Sun 05-Oct-97 "?"
828R Yeovil Jct-Eastleigh (one way)
828 Yeovil Jct-Eastleigh
[Ran as scheduled]
Sun 05-Oct-97 "The Cambrian Coast Flyer" (Revised itinerary)
PSTR Euston-Towyn BN91
80079 Shrewsbury-Towyn-Shrewsbury
[Ran as scheduled]
Sun 05-Oct-97 ""
WCRC Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh
75014 Inverness-Kyle-Inverness
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 11-Oct-97 "The Royal Welshman" [Times]
PSTR Paddington-Swansea BN94
6024 Swansea-Severn Tunnel-Badminton-Paddington
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 11-Oct-97 ""
WCRC Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh
75014 Inverness-Kyle and return
Sat 11-Oct-97 "The Shakespearean"
STAF Cleethorpes-Stratford-upon-Avon BN91
60007 Cleethorpes-Nottingham-Stratford
Sat 11-Oct-97 "The Blackpool Lights"
DAYO Peterborough-Blackpool
44767 Crewe-Blackpool-Crewe
Sun 12-Oct-97 "The Southern Phoenix" CANCELLED
DAYO Waterloo-Cosham
34067 Waterloo-Chichester-Cosham-Hove-Waterloo
Sun 12-Oct-97 ""
WCRC Inverness-Perth-Edinburgh
75014 Inverness-Edinburgh
Sat 18-Oct-97 "The Shakespearean"
STAF Cleethorpes-Stratford-upon-Avon
60007 Cleethorpes-Nottingham-Stratford
Sat 18-Oct-97 "The Welsh Dragon"
PSTR Euston-Shrewsbury BN91
2968 Newport-Llandrindod-Shrewsbury
[Ran as scheduled 2968 worked Port Talbot-Shrewsbury]
Sat 18-Oct-97 "The Central Wales Adventurer" POSTPONED to 3 Jan
PATH Newport-Shrewsbury BN91
2968 Shrewsbury-Llandrindod-Llanelli-Port Talbot
-Cardiff-Gloucester
Sat 18-Oct-97 Lydney Shuttle CANCELLED
PATH Gloucester-Sharpness/Lydney shuttles RIV
1450 Gloucester-Sharpness/Lydney
Sun 19-Oct-97 Lydney Shuttle CANCELLED
PATH Gloucester-Sharpness/Lydney shuttles RIV
1450 Gloucester-Sharpness/Lydney
Sun 19-Oct-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Southampton (QE2)
35028 Victoria-Southampton-Victoria
Sun 19-Oct-97 "The Ynys Mon Express"
PSTR Euston-Holyhead BN91
2968 Crewe-Holyhead-Crewe
Sun 25-Oct-97 "The Julian Riddick Memorial"
DAYO Hertford-Carlisle
60007 York-Newcastle-Carlisle-Skipton
Sat 25-Oct-97 "The Meldon Meanderer" [Times]
PATH Crewe-Meldon Quarry
7802+7325 Bristol-Exeter-Meldon-Exeter-Newton Abbot
[Ran as scheduled 2968 replaced 7802]
Sat 25-Oct-97 "The Ioniser" CANCELLED
LSWR Waterloo-Plymouth (one way)
35028 Waterloo-Salisbury-Yeovil Jct
-Castle Cary-Exeter-Plymouth
Sun 26-Oct-97 "The Ioniser" CANCELLED
LSWR Plymouth-Waterloo (one way)
35028 Plymouth-Exeter-Newbury-Reading
Thu 30-Oct-97 Private charter
PATH Paddington-Bristol BN91 or BN96
6024 Didcot-Bristol-Didcot
Sat 01-Nov-97 to be confirmed
DAYO Market Harborough-Blackpool
44767 Crewe-Blackpool-Crewe
Sat 01-Nov-97 to be confirmed CANCELLED
STAF Kings Cross-Norwich
34027 Finsbury Park-Ely-Norwich-Peterborugh
Sat 01-Nov-97 "?"
TVRC Victoria-Southampton
34027 Victoria-Horsham-Southampton-Salisbury-Victoria
Sun 02-Nov-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Portsmouth PULL
34027 Victoria-Portsmouth-Victoria
Sun 02-Nov-97 "The Irish Mail"
NLPG Euston-Holyhead BN91
60532 Crewe-Holyhead-Crewe
[Ran as scheduled]
Wed 05-Nov-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Bath PULL
35028 Victoria-Bath and Salisbury-Victoria
Sat 08-Nov-97 "The Pilgrims Progress"
PSTR Paddington-Plymouth
2968+7325 Exeter-Plymouth-Exeter-Bristol
[Ran as scheduled - 2968 replaces 7802]
Sat 08-Nov-97 "The Thames-Avon Express" CANCELLED
DAYO Nottingham-Carlisle
60800 Hartlepool-Sunderland-Carlisle-Durham-York
Sat 15-Nov-97 "The Hardy Flyer"
PSTR Wolverhampton-Weymouth BN91
2968+7325 Bristol-Yeovil and Weymouth-Bristol
[2968 replaces 7802]
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 15-Nov-97 "The Red Dragon" POSTPONED
STAF Paddington-Cardiff RIV
6024 Didcot-Cardiff-Paddington
Fri 21-Nov-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028(/34027) Victoria-Redhill-Guildford-Woking-Victoria
Sat 22-Nov-97 "The Pines Express"
DAYO Guildford-Crewe
31625 Guildford-Didcot-Tyseley
44767 Crewe-Tyseley
31625+44767 Tyseley-Guildford
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 22-Nov-97 "The Lickey Incliner" [Times]
PATH Finsbury Park-Gloucester BN91
7802+7325 Bristol-Bromsgrove-Stourbridge-Gloucester
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 29-Nov-97 "The Arkle" POSTPONED
STAF Paddington-Newbury-Bath-Bristol RIV
6024 Paddington-Bristol-Paddington
Sat 29-Nov-97 "The Shap Attack"
PATH Cardiff-Carlisle BN91
60532 Crewe-Shap-Carlisle-Shap-Crewe
Sat 06-Dec-97 "The Bristolian"
STAF Paddington-Didcot-Bath-Bristol RIV
6024 Paddington-Bristol-Paddington
[Ran as scheduled]
Sat 06-Dec-97 "?" CANCELLED
DAYO Victoria-Dover
34067 Victoria-Margate-Dover-Victoria
Sat 06-Dec-97 "Cumbrian Mountain Express"
PSTR Euston-Carlisle BN91
60532 Crewe-Ais Gill-Carlisle
Sat 06-Dec-97 "The Citadel"
PSTR Stevenage-Newcastle RPOI
60007 York-Newcastle-Carlisle-York
THIS WEEK's TRAINS Return to the top
Tue 09-Dec-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028/34027 Victoria-Guildford-Victoria
Fri 12-Dec-97 "The Festive Cracker"
WCRC Carnforth-Hellifield
60007 Carnforth-Hellifield
Sat 13-Dec-97 ""
DAYO Victoria-Hastings
44767 Victoria-Paddock Wood-Hastings-Redhill-Victoria
Sat 13-Dec-97 "The Chester Chuffer"
PSTR Euston-Chester BN91
2968 Bescot-Chester-Shrewsbury-Bescot
Sat 13-Dec-97 "Santa Special Weekend" CANCELLED
PSTR Cardiff-Valleys
46521 Cardiff-Valleys-Cardiff
Sun 14-Dec-97 "Santa Special Weekend" CANCELLED
PSTR Cardiff-Valleys
46521 Cardiff-Valleys-Cardiff
Sat 20-Dec-97 "Christmas Cumbrian Mountain Express"
PSTR Kings Cross-Carlisle BN91
60532 Carlisle-Skipton
[60532 failed prior to run]
Tue 23-Dec-97 VSOE Special
VSOE Victoria-Guildford
35028/34027 Victoria-Guildford-Victoria
Sat 27-Dec-97 "The Sarum and Solent"
PATH Worcester-Southampton
828 Westbury-Southampton-Salisbury
Sun 28-Dec-97 "LMS Sunset"
DAYO Euston-Coventry-Leamington-H.Wycombe-Clapham Jct
44767 Euston-Cobevntry-Clapham Jct
Wed 31-Dec-97 VSOE Special
GDWD Victoria-Dover
35028/34027 Victoria-Canterbury-Dover-Victoria
Locomotives
Return to the top
Dates in brackets refer to expiry of the seven year main-line boiler
certificate. Note that locomotives are also required to have a six
monthly main-line operating certificate (indicated by ok/no).
1450 GWR 14xx class 0-4-2T (no Oct-02)
5029 GWR 4073 class 4-6-0 Nunney Castle (no 30-May-97)
6024 GWR 60xx class 4-6-0 King Edward I (ok Apr-03)
7325 GWR 43xx class 2-6-0 (ok date ?)
7802 GWR 78xx class 4-6-0 Bradley Manor (ok date ?)
9466 GWR 94xx class 0-6-0T (no date ?)
828 SR S15 class 4-6-0 (ok date ?)
30053 SR M7 class 0-4-4T (no date ?)
31625 SR U class 2-6-0 (ok date ?)
34027 SR WC class 4-6-2 Taw Valley (ok Nov-02 ?)
34067 SR BB class 4-6-2 Tangmere (no)
35028 SR MN class 4-6-2 Clan Line (ok date ?)
2968 LMS 4MT class 2-6-0 (ok date ?)
44767 LMS 5MT class 4-6-0 George Stephenson (ok date ?)
46521 LMS 3MT class 2-6-0 Blossom (ok ?)
48151 LMS 8F class 2-8-0 (ok date ?)
60007 LNE A4 class 4-6-2 Sir Nigel Gresley (ok date ?)
60532 LNE A2 class 4-6-2 Blue Peter (ok Oct-98 ?)
60800 LNE V2 class 2-6-2 (no)
69621 GE N7 class 0-6-2T (no date ?)
70000 BR 7P class 4-6-2 Britannia (no 14-Nov-97)
75014 BR 4MT class 4-6-0 (ok date ?)
80079 BR 4MT class 2-6-4T (ok date?)
Several other locomotives still have current seven year main-line
boiler certificates but do not have current six month main-line
operating certificates, and have no planned main-line work during
1997. Many of these engines are currently in service on preserved
lines, including:
7752 GWR 57xx class 0-6-0PT
Coaching Stock sets
Return to the top
Tour operators
NEWS
Return to the top
[Jun-97] The planned debut into main line service of Battle of Britain Class 34067 Tangmere originally scehduled for 12 October is now likely to be postponed until March 1998 as progress on restoration of the lcomotive is behind schedule. It is intended that this loco will be fitted with air brakes for use on main line trains.
[Jun-97] LSW Railtours has announced its withdrawal from the main-line steam railtour business. The costs and frustrations in running steam railtours is the reason. Tours announced for 4 October and 25/26 October will run, but all other tours have been cancelled. [Addendum: Both the 4 Oct and 25/26 Oct tours have now also been cancelled]
[Apr-97] Cylinder repairs to 6024 King Edward I have been successfully completed and the engine resumed its main line duties with the "Quantock Ranger" from Didcot to Minehead on 15 March. It completed a very successful outing on Sat 5 April when it hauled a packed eight coach load from Taunton to Plymouth and back unassisted in both directions over the fearsome South Devon Banks. The tour featured both impressive hill climbing and fast running. Excellent hill climbing (28mph at Hemerdon and 42mph at Dainton Summit) led to a 14 minute early arrival at Aller Junction on the return trip. The ascent of Rattery westbound was made from a standing start following a signal stop at Totnes.
[Mar-97] SR U class 2-6-0 no 31625 successfully completed a mainline test run on 20 February. It's first mainline run is now expected to be the LSW Railtours "Severn Venturer" on 26 April.
[Feb-97] BR 70000 Britannia was failed with leaking tubes on its tour on 1 February, and has been withdrawn from main line operations. Its place on some duties will be taken over by 60532 Blue Peter.
[Feb-97] The owners of 71000 Duke of Gloucester and 60009 Union of South Africa have abandoned plans to seek immediate extensions of their recently expired seven year boiler certificates. Both locomotives will be subjected to the originally planned overhauls.
[Feb-97] LNER Pacific 60532 Blue Peter failed with a bent combination lever at Skipton prior to the start of the 1 Feb tour. Its place was taken by a diesel. 60532 was fully repaired however within 24 hours.
[Feb-97] Inspection of 6024 King Edward I at Didcot has revealed cracks in 3 of the four cylinders, and will require the fitting of new liners to both outside cylinders. As a result its duties on 15 and 16 February will be taken over by 34027 Taw Valley.
[Jan-97] SR U class 2-6-0 no 31625 was due to undertake a mainline test run on 7 January from Alton to Kensington Olympia and return, prior to its inaugural mainline tour on 11 January. However reports indicate that it was undergoing emergency boiler repairs on 4 January and it now seems unlikely to run on either date.
[Jan-97] 34027 Taw Valley has been moved by road to the Great Central Railway for repairs to its middle cylinder at Loughborough. It will then undergo extended test running on the GCR, prior to returning to Southall for mainline running.