Our special excursion commences at Gloucester, with pick-ups northbound through the midlands to Derby. We continue travelling across country, running through landscapes adorned with rolling fields then changing to an industrial landscape before joining the East Coast mainline to arrive at York, offering passengers the chance to explore this historic town at leisure (Option A). 

Continuing north, we speed to Darlington before branching off to pause at North Road station, offering passengers time in Darlington, with perhaps a visit to the newly opened Hopetown Locomotive Works (Option B).

From here we amble along the Wear Valley Line, calling at Shildon – the world’s first railway town – where Locomotion (Option D) is a short walk from the station.

We continue our run along this section of historic route to Bishop Auckland where we join the 18-mile long Weardale Railway (Option E), hugging the River Wear through the north Pennine landscape.

Our special train will be diesel hauled throughout by a pair of class 47 locomotives, workhorses of the British Railway scene for over 60 years, and a fitting tribute to celebrate a momentous occasion in railway history!

OFF TRAIN OPTIONS:

Option A: YORK* (1105 to 1820 Confirmed)

Alight at York for time to explore its Minster, the city walls, Clifford’s Tower or maybe just take in the local shops, eateries and river cruises. 

*Unfortunately, this off-train option is not available for those who wish to join our train at Derby and travel in Premier Dining.

Option B: DARLINGTON (1215 to 1715 Confirmed)

Alight at North Road for Darlington and explore Darlington at your leisure or perhaps visit the newly opened Hopetown Locomotive Works (free entry via pre-booked ticket online).

Option D: LOCOMOTION (1235 to 1650 Confirmed)

Alight at Shildon and take the short walk to this venue where you can visit the museum. (Free entry).

Plenty of historic locomotives, rolling stock and artifacts to see. 

Option E: WEARDALE RAILWAY (1335 to 1540 Confirmed)

Alight at Stanhope, with time to explore this pretty station, as well as the attractive cobbled marketplace and historic Church of St. Thomas.

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ON BOARD FEATURES INCLUDE:
– Reserved seats aligned with the carriage windows
– A printed excursion and journey guide for everyone
– A travelling licensed buffet with refreshments, including alcoholic and soft drinks 
– The Premier Dining service includes The Great British Breakfast, Elevenses and four course Evening Dinner
– Cheerful, friendly and helpful Pathfinder Stewards!

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The Itinerary

Friday

You will be warmly welcomed aboard our special private train by friendly stewards. From joining points in South Wales, the South-West and Central England you will enjoy a welcoming glass of champagne, followed by the Great British Breakfast. Those joining us later will enjoy a lighter offering.

From Preston we head across Lancashire for traversal of the mountainous Settle and Carlisle line, during which a light luncheon will be served. Subject to the confirmed timings, we hope to have a leg-stretch break of half an hour or so at Carlisle.

A late afternoon departure takes us across the Scottish Border at Gretna for a journey over the former Glasgow and South Western Railway line, through Dumfries and up the Nith Valley to the high Ayrshire moors, then back down to the sea through Troon, with a four-course dinner served during the scenic journey. Arrival will be into Paisley Gilmour Street station, from where road coaches will transfer you to the four-star Golden Jubilee Hotel at Dalmuir, our base for the weekend.

Saturday

The day begins with a road coach transfer to Dumbarton Central, from where a full Breakfast will be served as we travel along the spectacular West Highland Line to Oban.

On arrival, join your choice of activity below:

Option A | Sail to Tobermory 

By ferry across the Firth of Lorne to the scenic Isle of Mull, where waiting road coaches will take you on a guided tour to the island capital of Tobermory. Here there will be time for a stroll round at leisure, enjoying the harbour and the varied brightly painted houses, and perhaps for a snack or drink.

Option B | Oban & Dunstaffnage

After time for sightseeing in Oban, a guided road coach will transfer you to Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel, where you can admire the mighty stronghold of the MacDougalls. In due course the road coach will return you to Oban to rejoin our special train.

Option C | Explore Oban

An easy day exploring the port and town of Oban. Perhaps visit the distillery, which put the town on the map in the 18th century, or climb to the superb viewpoint of McCaig’s Tower. Alternatively, stroll along the Corran Esplanade, visit St Columba’s cathedral or continue round to Dunollie Castle. You could even catch the small ferry to the island of Lismore, but do check the timetable as it can vary with certain tide conditions.

With everyone back on board the train at Oban, we return to Dumbarton, with a four-course Evening Dinner served amidst the wonderful moving scenery. Road coaches will make the transfer back to our hotel.

Sunday

Following the road coach transfer to our special train, your exploration of the Scottish Highlands will continue with a full Scottish Breakfast served at your seat. Once out of the Glasgow suburbs we cross the Forth-Clyde valley to reach Stirling, then head through the hills to a summit at world-famous Gleneagles, and down to Perth. From there we tackle the Highland mainline, through Pitlochry to the highest point on the national rail network – Druimuachdar Summit.

We will call first at Aviemore, where you may alight for:

Option E | Rails of Aviemore

Enjoy a steam hauled return journey along the Strathspey Railway, with the towering Cairngorm mountains providing the back drop. Back at Aviemore, road coaches will transfer you to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, the highest railway in the UK! A return journey will be enjoyed along this funicular railway within the largest national nature reserve in Britain. Free time can be enjoyed afterwards in Aviemore whilst awaiting our return special train.

Alternatively, continue on the train over Slochd Summit to Inverness for a choice of:

Option F | Cruise Loch Ness

Road coaches will take you on a guided tour to join a cruise along the famed Loch Ness. After your search for the Monster, you will rejoin the road coach for the journey back to Inverness, with time for a spot of sightseeing before rejoining the special train.
Please note that this option is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility.

Option G | The Highlanders’ Museum and Culloden Battlefield

Alight at Inverness for a road coach transfer and an afternoon steeped in history. First visit the intriguing Highlanders’ Museum before continuing to the nearby Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre. Our special train will be rejoined at Inverness.

Option H | Explore Inverness

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the capital of the Highlands, with its castle, bridges and riverside walks, botanical gardens, diverse shops and eateries.

Returning from Inverness and Aviemore, Evening Dinner will be served as we retrace our outward routing through the grandeur of the Highlands back to Perth, but then hopefully by an alternative route to where road coaches will be waiting to transfer you back to our hotel.

Tour guides will accompany you on all road coach options.

Monday

Start the day well with a hotel Buffet Breakfast, before transferring by road coach to rejoin our train for the homeward rail journey. The route will take us across to Edinburgh, southwards via Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle and by way of the delightful Tyne Valley line to rejoin our outward route, with a four-course Luncheon served as the amazingly varied scenery slips past your window.

A full weekend of wonderful scenery, memories and friendships reluctantly comes to a close and we will wish you a fond farewell. ‘Mar Sin Leibh’.