Next February, the Branch Line Society is running a charter excursion from Derby to Falkirk in aid of Martin House Hospice, which is a charity that provides hospice care for children and young people throughout Yorkshire.

The charter, running under the title “Technical Cobra”, will run on Sunday, 12th February 2023 and operated by RailAdventure. It is scheduled to visit the RTC Derby, Cobra Wakefield, and Wakefield Europort, then travel via the Settle and Carlisle line to Carlisle, then via the West Coast Main Line via Beattock, Carstairs, and Motherwell to Falkirk.

Haulage will be by the Scottish Railway Preservation Group’s Class 37 37403 throughout, with tail-end assistance provided by Class 50 No. 50008 between Derby and Gascoigne Wood, where the Class 50 will be detached. From there, the Class 37 will take the train forward to Carlisle and Scotland.

Accommodation will be in Mk.1 coaching stock, but due to operational requirements, the formation is limited to a maximum of six vehicles. Refreshments will be available in a buffet car staffed by members of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, with a wide range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light refreshments available, as well as a number of hand-pulled real ales and cider.

During the tour there will be charity raffle, with all proceeds donated to Martin House Hospice, whilst during the early afternoon, there will be time for a leg stretch stop at Pontefract Monkhill.

Bookings for the tour are now open, but are restricted to members of the Branch Line Society and must be booked via the Branch Line Society’s website. Ticket prices are £139 for First Class, Non-Dining, and £99.00 for Standard Class. Accompanied under 18s benefit from a £49.50 reduction in all fares. All profits from the tour will be donated to the society’s nominated good cause.

Indicative routing and timings:

Derby P3 (08.45 PU) – RTC Derby (RM) – Derby P7 – Broadholme DPL – Chesterfield P1 (PU 10.19) – Dn Heeley Loop – Sheffield Up Station Siding No 1 – Brightside Reception No 1 – Brightside Up & Dn Slow – Barnsley – Wakefield Kirkgate P3 – Crofton East Jn (RM) – Oakenshaw UGL – Cobra Siding (RM) – Calder Bridge Jn (RM) – Turners Lane Jn – Wakefield Europort (RM) – Turners Lane Jn – Oakenshaw Jn – Pontefract Monkhill (break) – Glashoughton – Castleford – Gascoigne Wood Down Loop (RM) – South Milford – Leeds Through Road – Kirkstall Dn Loop – Apperley Bridge (SD 17.15) – Skipton (SD 17.41) – Settle – Carlisle P3 (SD 19.26) – Beattock Summit DPL – Carstairs – Motherwell P2 (SD 21.23) – Coatbridge Central – Falkirk Grahamston P1 (SD 21.54)

You can book tickets for the tour on the Branch Line Society website