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It's the month of December, and almost Christmas time, which means only one thing... a BLS Christmas train! Join us on this fixture which will cover an interesting route, some rare track coverage, and something for everyone to get their red pen's out for!Its not just modern traction on this tour, we are very grateful to GBRf for allowing us to use one of their Class 47/7's for elements of this day out, which is the first time the 47 has been used for a long time! We leave Finsbury Park just after 06:30 behind the Class 47 for the short run into London Kings Cross. Here, after a Reversal, we head North back up the ECML behind a much sought after Class 99, which we expect to be a winner for all! We will pick up at Potters Bar (with easy access to the M25, and significant parking availability), before heading North to Stevenage and our final pick-up at Peterborough at 09:20. We then head West passing through Melton Mowbray, East Midlands Parkway, Toton and onwards to our first set-down location at Chesterfield where you can visit the Crooked Spire, have a meal and drinks in the numerous bars and restaurants close to the station, or just enjoy some fresh air and a break from the train in this lovely market town. You will have approx. 5 hours for your visit here if you want to alight. If you wish to stay on board, we head towards Barrow Hill where we shunt into the on-site platform allowing you to disembark for your visit to the last surviving operational railway roundhouse in the UK.
Barrow Hill Roundhouse, known as Staveley Engine Shed until 1948, is a former Midland Railway roundhouse in Barrow Hill, near Staveley in Derbyshire. It now serves as a railway heritage centre and is a treasure trove of railway items and infrastructure for you to explore and enjoy whilst we are there. We expect rides to be available on the demonstration line behind heritage diesel traction; the costs of which are included in the fare below. The café will be open for you to enjoy some refreshments whilst on site.
We leave Barrow Hill at approx. 15:00, allowing you plenty of time to explore this spectacular railway heritage centre. We shunt back out onto the mainline, before heading back to Chesterfield to pick up our passengers via Woodhouse Jn and Sheffield. Onwards back towards London Kings Cross via the same route and setting down at Peterborough, Stevenage and Potters Bar, with our Class 99 showing off its power and efficiency whilst stretching its legs on the East Coast Mainline. We arrive back into London at around 21:30 for a quick reversal before our Class 47 again powers us back up the hill towards Finsbury Park to say goodbye to those of you still on board, and to wish you all the best for Festive Period.
First Class Dining includes a wonderful Great British Breakfast on the way to Chesterfield, and a seasonal four course dinner, served at your seat by our fantastic team, on the return.
A well stocked Buffet Car will serve a wide range of snacks, drinks and light refreshments and will be available for those travelling in First Class Non-Dining and Standard Class. A real ale bar will be available throughout, and we will also be running our very successful on board charity raffle.
This charter will be raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
Our friends at Eastern Rail Services will provide their excellent Mark 3 set which benefits from comfortable seats, wide windows, plenty of leg room and those all important plug sockets for your tech!
And finally, as its that time of year... Christmas Jumpers are very welcome!
All times and routing are indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket.
Finsbury Park (PU 06:42) - London Kings Cross RM (PU 07:21) - Potters Bar (PU 07:45) - Stevenage (PU 08:08) - Peterborough (PU 09:20) - Melton Mowbray - Loughborough - East Midlands Parkway - Toton Centre - Alfreton - Chesterfield P3 (SD 11:30) - Barrow Hill (SD 12:00)
Barrow Hill (PU 15:30) - Barrow Hill South Jn (RM) - Beighton Jn - Woodhouse Jn - Sheffield - Dore Station Jn - Chesterfield P3 (PU 17:30) - Alfreton - Toton Centre - East Midlands Parkway - Loughborough - Melton Mowbray - Peterborough (SD 19:55) - Stevenage (SD 20:45) - Potters Bar (SD 21:03) - London Kings Cross (SD 21:20) - Finsbury Park (SD 21:45)
Tickets www.branchline.uk
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6th Floor, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, S1 2FN Sheffield, United Kingdom, 150 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2FN, United Kingdom
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