On Saturday the 3rd of August a special charity railtour will be operated using DCRail locomotives crewed by GB Railfreight.

DCRail is a part of the Cappagh Group of Companies and specialises in moving bulk material supply for infrastructure, construction, and utility projects.

Rail is increasingly important to all the companies within the Cappagh Group with a developing network of rail freight facilities including three rail-connected concrete plants, and its innovative rail-based supply chain solutions have been recognised by four industry awards for excellence in recent years.

The rail division is well known for its use of heritage Class 56s and Class 60s and a special rail tour is being run visiting some very special and sought-after tracks across London and the home counties.

Starting from Derby hauled by a GBRailfrieght Class 69, the train will visit Chaddesden Yard, Sharnbrook Summit, Forders Sidings Arrival and Departure Sidings, Wembley Yard (Where the Class 69 will be replaced by two Class 60s, one either end of the train) Chessington Coal Depot and Linford Street Depot.

The Return trip from Wembley as far as Leicester will be operated by a pair of Class 56s before a Class 69 returns the last leg back to Derby concluding a very rare and special day out.

All profits from this tour will be donated to Martin House Hospice who provide family-led hospice care free of charge for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses.

There will be a raffle on board alongside a real ale bar alongside a buffet serving Refreshments.

The estimated route and timings of this tour is as follows:

Derby P3 (PU 05.55) – Chaddesden Yard (RM) – Derby P7 (PU 06.47) – Syston North Jn – Melton Mowbray – Oakham – Corby – Kettering P1 (PU 08.25) – Wellingborough P4 – Sharnbrook – Bedford P1 (PU 09.16) – Forders Sidings Arrival and Departures Road – Bletchley P6 – Watford Junction – Wembley EuFOC (loco change) – Willesden West London Jn – Mitre Bridge Jn – Kensington Olympia – Latchmere Jn – London Waterloo P19 (PU 11.55 / RM) – Clapham Junction – Wimbledon – Chessington South – Chessington Coal Depot DCRail (RM) – Chessington South – Wimbledon – London Waterloo (RM) – Linford Street Flyover – Herne Hill – Tulse Hill – Crystal Palace – Norwood Junction – East Croydon – Haywards Heath – Brighton (afternoon break / RM) – Haywards Heath – Three Bridges – Redhill (RM) – Guildford – Woking – Wimbledon – London Waterloo (SD 19.05 / RM) – Latchmere Jn – Kensington Olympia – Mitre Bridge Jn – Willesden West London Jn – Wembley EuFOC (loco change / RM) – Harlesden Jn – Kensal Green Jn – Gospel Oak – Harringay – Hatfield – Welwyn Garden City – Stevenage – Sandy – Peterborough P5 (SD 22.15) – Oakham – Melton Mowbray – Syston South Jn – Leicester P1 (SD 23.15 / RM) – Derby P5 (SD 23.54)

Tickets start from just £129 for an adult in Standard Class and are available on the Branch Line Society’s Website.