The Branch Line Society have once again put together a fantastic charter which is ideal for rail enthusiasts with highlights including:

• Dn Arley Goods Loop in the Up direction
• Banbury Dn Goods Loop in the Up Direction
• Hinksey Yard
• Gerrards Cross Dn platform in the Up Direction
• Old Oak Common Engine & Carriage Line
• Dn Bordesley Goods Loop
• Up Washwood Heath Goods

The festive tour will take place on Saturday the 17th of December and will see a loco hauled trip through the Chilterns with a good mix of uncommon lines

The special train will be operated by SLC Operations and will be hauled by Class 50 50008 ‘Thunderer’, which took part in a Branch Line Society tour exploring Cliftonville Spur near Brighton, Newhaven Marine and Ore Up Siding earlier this year. Joining the Class 50 will be Class 31 31128 ‘Charybdis’ with the locomotives operating top and tail. The tour will also visit London Marylebone and London Paddington as part of the journey.

Onboard the train, the Buffet Car will serve a good variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light refreshments including a number of hand-pulled real ales and ciders.

The charter will see two opportunities for an afternoon break with the choice to alights at either Warwick or Stratford-upon-Avon both of which have a fantastic array of places to eat and drink.

During the charter, a number of photo stop opportunities will also be available and are included within the specification.

The tour will also see a charity raffle take place with all proceeds being donated to the Epilepsy Society.

Bookings for the charter can be made via the Branch Line Society website with prices as follows:

• First Class, Non-Dining, with a guaranteed table for two costs £199.00
• First Class, Non-Dining costs £174.00
• Standard Class costs £119.00
• Under 18s who travel accompanied can benefit from a £59.50 reduction in all fares.

Indicative times and routing:

Burton on Trent P2 (PU 05.10) – Tamworth P4 (PU 05.25) – Birmingham New Street P8 (PU / RM 06.10) – Coleshill Parkway P2 (PU 06.25) – Dn Arley Goods Loop – Up Nuneaton Chord – Nuneaton P2 (PU 07.00) – Coventry – Leamington Spa Up Main – Dn Banbury Goods Loop – Banbury P1 (PU 08.10) – Oxford Up Oxford – Hinksey Yard (RM) – Oxford Dn Oxford – Bicester Village (photo stop) – Princes Risborough Up Main – Gerrards Cross P1 – West Ruislip P4 (photo stop) – London Marylebone P3 (PU 11.30/RM) – West Ruislip – Princes Risborough P3 – Banbury P2 – Leamington Spa Dn Main – Warwick P1 (SD 13.25) – Hatton P3 – Stratford-upon-Avon P1 (break / RM) – Hatton P3 – Warwick P2 (PU 16.30) – Leamington Spa Up Main – Banbury P3 – Bicester North P2 – Princes Risborough P2 – Gerrards Cross – West Ruislip Through Line – Greenford South Jn – West Ealing – London Paddington P9 (SD 18.50 / RM) – Old Oak Common Engine and Carriage Line – West Ealing – Greenford West Jn – Princes Risborough P3 – Bicester North P2 (photo stop) – Banbury P2 (SD 21.20) – Leamington Spa Dn Main – Dorridge – Tyseley P2 (SD 22.15) – Dn Bordesley Goods Loop – Bordesley Jn – St Andrews Jn – Landor Street Jn – Up Washwood Heath Goods – Coleshill Parkway P2 (SD 22.50) – Up Whitacre – Tamworth P3 (SD 23.10) – Burton on Trent P1 (SD 23.30)