Mix of lines and Class 31 for ‘Hoover and Holly’ tour

A RAILTOUR that will please both track and traction enthusiasts has been announced for December 17 by the Branch Line Society. The ‘Hoover and Holly’ tour will work in top-and-tail formation and feature Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer and Class 31 No. 31128 Charybdis making a rare main line appearance. The tour will visit both Marylebone and Paddington stations. Starting at Burton-on-Trent (05.10), the tour will call at Tamworth High Level, Birmingham New St, Coleshill Parkway and Nuneaton before taking the line via Coventry and Leamington on the way to another pick-up point at Banbury. The tour continues through Oxford to Hinksey Yard where it will reverse and take the line to Bicester Village (photo stop) and then Marylebone. Throughout the day, a number of loops and crossovers, rare for passenger traffic, will be traversed. The full itinerary is on the BLS website. Passengers from London and the south east can join the tour at Marylebone as the tour then runs north to Stratford-upon-Avon where a break is taken. The next destination for the ‘Hoover and Holly’ is London Paddington (a set down point for Marylebone passengers), with the routing being via West Ruislip and the Greenford loop. From Paddington, the special returns to Burton via Banbury and Tyseley. Fares are £174 first class, non-dining, however seats at a guaranteed table for two will be £199. Standard class fare is £119. Under 18s benefit from a £59.50 reduction on all fares. There is no surcharge for not being a BLS member. Booking for this tour is online only at www.branchline.uk