First quarter kick off for InterCity

Operator announces three new all- first class tours for 2024.

INTERCITY, one of the railtour arms of the Crewe-based Locomotive Services Group (LSG), has released details of three excursions to cover the opening quarter of 2024 – two of which are to Scotland.

The first of these tours which will feature all first class accommodation is ‘The Ayr Extension’ on January 13, which will see both a Class 86 and 87 working different sections of the train from Crewe to Ayr via Glasgow Central.

With an expected start at 08.15 from Crewe, pick-up points are Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Preston and Carlisle before an arrival at Glasgow Central (circa 12.00) where some passengers may opt to depart and visit the city.

Understood to be running in top-and-tail mode, the train takes the route via Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr where there will be a break and photo opportunity of rare traction at the seaside resort.

The train will retrace its steps to Glasgow Central before returning south over Beattock and Shap, setting down as the outward pick-ups, with a planned arrival back at Crewe at around 19.30.

Ticketing

Fares are £199 first class which includes full English breakfast and a three-course dinner on the return journey. A guaranteed window table for two is available at a supplement of £25 per person. First class non-dining fares are £99, again with the £25 per person supplement for a table for two. In standard class, passengers will have access to a buffet bar for the purchase of hot and cold beverages, light refreshments and alcoholic drinks.

The second tour is planned for February 10, and will feature a Class 90 working over the East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross to visit Leeds, Bradford and Skipton.

With an approximate departure from King’s Cross at around 08.15, the ‘West Riding Limited’ will pick-up at Stevenage and Peterborough only before running to Leeds. After reversal, the excursion will visit Skipton (photo stop), at the west end of the Aire Valley electrification, before returning to Leeds for a break of around two hours.

With a second westward departure from Leeds, at Shipley the train will take the line to Bradford Forster Square where there will be a second photographic stop, before returning to Leeds and eventually London, with an estimated arrival at 21.20. Fares are the same as the train to Ayr, outlined above.

Haulage

The third train is a weekend trip on March 24-25 from Crewe to Inverness hauled by Class 40 No. D213 (40013) Andania.

The ‘Whistling Highlander’ has an outline departure time from Crewe at 08.15, and will pick up passengers at Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Preston and Carlisle before being routed via Cumbernauld, Larbert, Perth and the Highland Main Line to Inverness for an overnight stop. Accommodation is not included in the tour, leaving passengers to choose what suits their own budget.

On Sunday, March 25, departure from Inverness will be at 09.00, taking the route via Elgin to Aberdeen, then via Montrose, Dundee, both the Tay and Forth Bridges before passing Falkirk Grahamston on the way back to Crewe with an estimated arrival at 19.50.

Being a weekender, the fares are £249 first class which includes full cooked breakfast and lunch as the train threads it way through Scotland. On the return, first class passengers will be given a three-course lunch and a light supper. A guaranteed window table for two is available at a supplement of £50 per person.

First class non-dining fares are £159, again with the £50 per person supplement for a table for two, and the buffet car will be open for drinks and snacks.

Full details of all these tours are at inter-city.co.uk where passengers can also book online, or alternatively call 0800 038 5364, or email enquiries@ inter-city.co.uk