UK Railtours still selling out despite ‘frustrating' seasonal setbacks

UK Railtours' Elizabeth Morris said that she was frustrated at losing two planned pre-Christmas trains because DB Cargo was unable to supply crews – leaving her with one festive departure, to Beverley on December 18.

However, the ‘Doctor Syn' trip from the Midlands to the Kent coast along the nine miles of freight-only track to Dungeness was virtually sold out by midOctober.

The ‘Hampshire Pullman', comprising the Belmond set behind Bulleid 4-6-2 No. 35028 Clan Line at the sharp end, on November 6, has sold out in all classes. Departing London Victoria, the Pullman train runs down the South Western Main

Line to Basingstoke on towards Salisbury, then to Romsey before heading via Southampton and Winchester and back to London.

On November 27, UK Railtours heads for the Blackpool illuminations, with a trip which includes a ride in one of the seaside's heritage trams specially chartered for the occasion.

This train sets out from Euston, calling at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Rugby, then taking the newly-electrified Fylde branch to Blackpool North.

UKRT's sole Christmas train, the ‘Beverley Christmas Carol,' runs from King's Cross to Doncaster, Humberside and Beverley, where the carol service takes place in Beverley Minster.