‘Aberdonian’ dates announced following new agreement

THE A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has advertised 2023 dates for the popular ‘Aberdonian’ service with the impending return to traffic of A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado and following the news of a three-year agreement with DB Cargo UK Ltd to run steam-hauled charters in Britain.

The railtour begins at Edinburgh Waverley station and heads west, collecting passengers at Haymarket. From there the tour leaves the city on route to Aberdeen and crosses the Forth Bridge before following the coastline north-east through Inverkeithing and Burntisland to Kirkcaldy and the open countryside of Fife.

Continuing north via Perth, the tour then follows the River Tay to Dundee and again towards the coast, passing Arbroath and Montrose.

Turning slightly inland, the tour passes Laurencekirk and through unspoiled countryside to Stonehaven and finally, crossing the River Dee, No. 60163 arrives in Aberdeen.

There is the opportunity to enjoy the city or, for an additional fee, a whisky tasting experience or a tour of the castle.

The dates for the 2023 season are: April 27; July 20, 27, 29; August 19, 31; and September 7 and 16.

The A1SLT is also offering two other railtours. The ‘Clyde Aberdonian’ is on May 4, July 22, and September 14, which runs from Glasgow Central station to Sterling and on to Perth and Aberdeen. This tour is similar the ‘Aberdonian’ in offering additional off-train excursions. The second railtour is ‘The Yorkshire Pullman’ on April 1 from King’s Cross to York behind Tornado with the British Pullman coaching stock. Visit www. a1steam.com/a1-rail-tours/home