UKRT to send ‘Hoovers’ to Okehampton in March
DESPITE a delay caused by the positioning of train crews to match tour itineraries, the first of the new season’s brochures to arrive from UK Railtours give details of its programme for the first half of the year.
Managing director Elizabeth Morris said: “2021 was a difficult year for everyone, and the railtour industry was no exception. We were unable to run any tours until the second half of the year and the way we had to run them had to change considerably.
“Thankfully, after a successful if somewhat reduced autumn, we are able to proudly to say that we are back on our feet. We now turn our attention to 2022 and the prospect of the rail tour industry reopening and flourishing in the wake of the pandemic.”
Two trips may appeal to those who enjoy a cocktail on a day out with diesel and steam. The first is a trip to the Severn Valley Railway gala or a visit to the Black Country Museum, departing King’s Cross and calling at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough on Saturday, April 23.
The second trip offers a choice of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway or the Eden Project. Starting from Paddington, the train makes stops at Slough, Reading and Newbury on Saturday, May 21
Much earlier, ‘The Welsh Marches’ leaves Stevenage on Saturday, February 26, picking up at Welwyn Garden City, Potters Bar and Finsbury Park, joining the Great Western line at Acton and heading on via Swindon, Severn Tunnel to Maindee Junction, where the train heads north through Abergavenny to Hereford for a break. The return journey is routed by way of Leominster, Ludlow and Shrewsbury.
On March 12, a ‘Winter Wonderland’ tour heads for the Settle and Carlisle line and a two-hour break at the citadel. Starting from King’s Cross, passenger pick-ups are at Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough, travelling via Doncaster, Keighley and Skipton.
‘Springtime Hoovering In Devon’ is a trip which many enthusiasts might feel excited about – a rare visit on the reopened branch to Okehampton.
Arranged in conjunction with Network Rail and Great Western Railway, the motive power will be provided by a pair of Class 50 diesels.
Starting out of Paddington, the ‘Hoovers’ stop at Slough, Reading and Swindon, the train routed via Bristol and Taunton, on Saturday, March 26.
UK Railtours expected demand for tickets to be exceptional, and was right – the train is fully booked.
On Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, two destinations are on offer: a visit to Chester and its attractions, or alternatively a chance to enjoy the finale of Llandudno’s Victorian Extravaganza.
Departing King’s Cross, the trip calls at Potter Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough en route.