Why not take a Railtour? (Railways in general)

Member Name: mark-r

Product:	Railways in general
Date:	14/06/01 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaxing day out, scenic routes

Disadvantages: Last minute changes, early morning starts

There are many companies and societies running railtours, or excursion trains as they were called in the heady days of BR. These day (or occasionally weekend) trips by train are an excellent way of enjoying a day out without the hassle of driving, parking, bank holiday traffic, "Are we there yet?" and all the other headaches of a typical day out in the car. And, of course, everyone can have a drink which can save a few arguments!

Typically, a railtour will start early in the morning (scarily early in many cases - somewhere 5-7am is typical for longer trips), and pick up passengers at a few stations around the starting point. You then spend almost all day on the train, although usually there's a stop somewhere, and you normally return somewhere between 10-11pm.

Now, railtours fall roughly into 2 camps - "enthusiast" tours and "normal" tours. The enthusiast tours are run for the hardened trainspotters and "bashers" (people who's ambition is to ride behind every locomotive, or travel every inch of the country's rail network). These tours usually go to obscure branch lines in the middle of nowhere, and often involve lots of changes of engine which means you end up taking a long time going nowhere. There's normally no scheduled stops anywhere, except for brief photo-stops and engine changes, so I'd recommend avoiding these tours unless you own (and regularly make use of) a thermos and anorak.

"Normal" tours, however, are operated slightly differently. They normally travel on fairly fast mainline routes, which allows a reasonable stop at some attraction along the way. For example, there are often excursions to Edinburgh during the festival, or to London for shopping trips near Christmas; normally these trips are timed to give at least 4 hours at the destination and they usually attempt to return via a different route to the outward trip for variety. Sometimes, they will run ov
er scenic routes in one direction - Settle & Carlisle and the "Heart Of Wales" lines are popular and often the trains steam-hauled at least some of the way for extra nostalgia value.

The trains that run on railtours are usually made up from old "Mark-I" coaches, which many people say are the most comfortable coaches ever built. Certainly, they are quite spacious with four seats around a table in standard class, and either four or two big armchair style seats around each table in first class. There's usually a buffet car, and often a real-ale bar, on board plus a trolley serving hot drinks and snacks at your seat. These are normally reasonably priced (compared to catering on service trains) although the selection can be limited so it's definitely worth taking at least some snacks. Some people really push the boat out and bring enormous picnic baskets!

There's generally a tour guidebook provided to each passenger, pointing out things to look out for en-route, although they tend to be railway oriented (e.g. pointing out disused lines and old engine sheds) rather than of general interest. Nevertheless, it can be interesting learning just how extensive our railway was in its heydey before Beeching. Apart from a raffle and possibly some live music, there's not usually any entertainment provided, so bring something to amuse yourself with after dark.

Most tours offer three classes of travel, standard, first, and "super-first" (which
guarantees a table for two). As mentioned before, the first class carriages are more spacious, and usually a bit quieter. Although (as far as I know) no company has an official policy, in general young children are not encouraged in first class - expect some hard stares if you try it! Smokers are also not well catered for, again there is rarely first-class smoking accomodation on a train. Some tours allow the option of a full meal on the train for an additional cost. P
rices depend on the distance and destination, but are typically 40 pounds or so per person for standard rising to 60 or more for super-first. There may be child or party discounts available, and large parties can sometimes book a compartment to themselves.

One of the biggest downsides, apart from the early starts, are operational problems. Special trains have to be slotted into the busy timetable wherever they can, which sometimes results in short-notice timing changes or even last minute cancellation. Tour operators try their best to keep to the advertised times, and will keep their customers informed of changes, but bear in mind that many problems are outside their control - Railtrack are more often than not the guilty party! Should a tour be cancelled, it is rescheduled wherever possible, but a full refund is usually available. Cancellation more often affects enthusiast tours, where often specially trained drivers have to be found to work the unusual routes or special clearance to run needs to be obtained.

So, mainline railtours are a brilliant way to relive some of the magic of the railway in a way that short "preserved" lines can't really do, and you get a good relaxing day out in the bargain. If I've convinced you to give it a go, you'll need to get yourself booked onto a tour. The best way to find out what's running is to buy a railway magazine, available in larger newsagents (especially ones near stations), which print lists of forthcoming tours. You can recognise enthusiast tours because they'll generally have long lists of "motive power" showing all the classes of loco expected to be pulling the train. Any of the companies listed will happily send you a brochure of upcoming tours starting from your area with full details of destinations and special events along the route. Tours are sometimes organised by local Rail Users Groups as well, these are usually advertised in local papers near the starting
stations.

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