Stream Train Trips

The UK has a long history of train travel, from the conception and development of the first steam train, The Rocket, by Robert Louis Stevenson to fairly high speed services (used to be Intercity 125).

York is home to the National Railway Museum which has a massive collection of trains from all over the world from all eras, and archives and events.

York, UK is located on the North East side of England and in itself is a very beautiful historical city. There are many interesting places to see and lots to do. York railway station is also a fantastic piece of architecture.

All in all it’s well worth a trip to York for a day out or a weekend break. More information on York here.

Take a steam train ride to Bolton Abbey. Travel along the Railway Children line and enjoy its Bronte connections at Haworth. Cross the Cumbrian Hills on the famous Settle and Carlisle Railway. Experience the wild and remote moorland vistas surrounding the village of Hawes. Trundle through picturesque Wensleydale aboard a heritage railcar. Explore some fantastic Yorkshire gardens. Topped off with a day to enjoy the historic city of York.

Example six day train tour

Travelling by train to the Victorian spa town of Harrogate and the 4 star Yorkshire Hotel situated in the town centre with free time for sightseeing at this traditional Yorkshire town.

A leisurely day of little distance but great attractions commencing at historic Ripley Castle and Gardens which date back to the 14th century. A short journey takes us to the world heritage site of Fountains Abbey where the dramatic remains of a Cistercian Abbey are surrounded by an ornamental lake and medieval deer park. The day ends at Harlow Carr Gardens.

 Travelling by coach from Harrogate to Keighley where we board the Worth Valley Railway steam train for a ride along the Railway Children line to Haworth where time is free for sightseeing and visiting the Bronte parsonage the former home of the Bronte sisters. We conclude with a visit to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

A grand circular tour of Yorkshire and the Cumbrian Fells commencing with a train ride over the famous Settle & Carlisle line alighting high on the moors at Garsdale. From here we follow the route of the now closed railway over the fells to Hawes for a sightseeing break in this pretty town. We then continue to Redmire to board a heritage diesel train for a scenic journey through Wensleydale before returning to Harrogate by coach.

A short train journey brings us into the city of York for a completely free day for shopping and sightseeing including amongst the attractions are York Minster and the National Railway Museum. We return to Harrogate by train in the late afternoon.

After free-time to enjoy the shops and sights of Harrogate itself we return homeward by train.

Kingfisher Railtours offers a very special steam train trip to the biggest airshow on the south coast of England, which this year is expected to include displays on selected days by the ‘RAF Red Arrows’, the ‘Battle of Britain Memorial flight’, ‘Falcons freefall parachute team’ and many, many more international aircraft.

If that is not enough the train will be steam hauled, most appropriately, by ex – Southern Railway Battle of Britain Pacific ‘Tangmere’.

From London the Battersea ‘Tangmere’ will be take the train with a full head of steam onto the Brighton line for a fast run past Gatwick Airport and towards the Sussex Downs passing Lewes prior to arrival in Eastbourne, where around four hours will be available at your leisure to view the spectacle of ‘Airbourne 2006’.

Eastbourne owes much to the Victorians who laid out many beautiful parks and gardens and built the pier. This elegant town has many charms awaiting your discovery.

Our return in the late afternoon will be diesel hauled for the short journey along the spectacular coast to Hastings, where ‘Tangmere’ will once again take charge as we travel through the beautiful Sussex Weald passing Battle and Tonbridge.

On arrival at Battersea we say farewell to our gallant steam traction as we return homeward behind a more modern locomotive.

This service takes you by steam train to one of several medieval English cities. A full day train trip with various levels of luxury!

Canterbury

This ancient cathedral city has always attracted visitors, from the medieval pilgrims immortalised by Chaucer to the present day tourists.

Within the ancient city walls you will find some of the oldest churches; twisting medieval alleyways; half-timbered Tudor houses; distinctive houses of the Huguenot weavers; beautifully proportioned Georgian and Regency terraces, and above all the Cathedral, seat of the Archbishop and pre-eminent centre of English Christianity for over a thousand years.

Bath and Bristol

Regency Bath is not strictly a cathedral city, but boasts a beautiful abbey. Elegant stone buildings with terraces, crescents and graceful squares spread before one. Visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room where the natural mineral water attracted all fashionable society.

Explore the Pulteney Bridge, topped by shops and buildings and visit the Old Abbey. View the Museum of Costume’s extensive display of more than 30,000 items and see carefully selected gowns from the collection of Her Majesty the Queen during her Golden Jubilee.

Warwick and Stratford

Although neither are strictly cathedral cities, both Warwick and Stratford are steeped in history. Stratford is the birthplace of possibly the greatest English playwright, William Shakespeare and is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Alternatively, visit the Teddy Bear Museum or the Holy Trinity Church. Warwick Castle forms a magnificent centrepiece to the city of Warwick, which is rightly famed for it’s antique and collectable shops. Tour the Heritage Motor Centre or enjoy a lesuirely walk along the river bank.

Oxford and Gloucester

This City of Dreaming Spires is home to an impressive cathedral and the world-famous Oxford university. Visit the Bodelian Library, which has educated many of the world’s most respected scholars.

For those wishing to learn more about this part of the cities history, you may wish to visit The Oxford Story Exhibition – 800 years of history of both the city and the university. The city also houses the world’s oldest museum – The Ashmolean. Alternatively, take a river trip which range from punts to steamers.

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An steam train trip with a difference… Learn how to drive a standard-gauge steam train on the Mid-Hants Railway “Footplate Experience Courses”.

They run two courses, an introductory and advanced.

Both courses offers the chance to learn to drive a powerful steam locomotive which is an exhilarating experience. The Mid-Hants Railway offers an opportunity to do this over one of the most demanding lines in railway preservation.

The course runs for the morning, afternoon or whole day and you will be paired with another participant and you will take turns to fire and drive the locomotive, under the instruction of the crew.

When you are not driving or firing you can ride in the coaches, where you may want to discuss the route, signals and other points with the guard. You could help with uncoupling, coupling, taking water, and operating the ground frame during shunting.

Each round trip takes about one and half hours, and you can book for just one round trip which costs £300 (including VAT) or two round trips (a total of 40 miles)

Participants must be between 16 and 75 years of age, fit, and in reasonable health, i.e. able to climb to from the footplate by a vertical flight of steel steps from/to ground level.

The learner driver will need to be correctly dressed with stout boots or shoes, and overalls for protection, as the footplate can be very hot and dirty. We can loan a pair of overalls (free of charge) if you let us know in advance, but not shoes.

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Most weekends one of several different companies operate a day tour from one of London’s main train stations (such as Paddington, Euston, Kings Cross, etc), featuring a vintage steam locomotive with a consist of older style first and second class carriages. The train typically leaves moderately early in the morning, and then travels over the public rail network to a destination where passengers will have two to four hours of leisure time before the train then takes them back to London for an evening return.

The steam locos are lovingly restored and many times are famous locos such as the ‘Flying Scotsman’. They are typically given permission to operate at speeds up to 75 mph, but slow compared to their maximum speed capability which many times exceeds 100 mph. Because the train travels over mainline rail track, the ride is typically very comfortable and smooth, and the loco engineer is able to fully open the throttle and make the steam loco roar with its unique and distinctive sound as it rushes up the gradients and along the straights.

You really do get a completely authentic experience just as it used to be for all rail passengers 50 years ago, unlike visiting a restored vintage railway that operates a train over perhaps 3-10 miles of track at very slow speeds.

First or Standard Class

Most of the excursion trains feature two or three classes – standard and first class and perhaps a ‘premium’ class as well. The trains, which might have as many as twelve or more carriages, usually include a buffet car, and of course each carriage has one or two toilets as well. The buffet car will generally have a range of snacks as well as tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Excursions operated by Past-Time Rail on several occasions are well managed and most enjoyable. Also an excursion operated by Steam Dreams, while marred by an unfortunate problem with the steam loco, their handling of a difficult situation was very professional and sensitive.

Pricing

Prices range from about £30-60 for standard class, £50-80 for first class and £100-200+ for premium class (£1 = about $1.46 at present). Orient Express excursions are considerably more pricey – £200-300 per person for a day trip.

A great opportunity to ride on locomotives such as Green Arrow and Sir Lamiel, as they wend their way through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside from York to Scarborough.

Departing York at 11am and from Scarborough at 5.15pm, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy this quaint seaside town that has been a tourist desitnation for hundreds of years.

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Both Swiftline and its managing director, Steven Howard have featured in newspapers, on radio and on television. Most notably was Steve’s appearance on the BBC 1 programme Brassed Off Britain, which led many papers to dub him the next Richard Branson!

Below you will find an archive of articles related to Steve and Swiftline obtained from papers such as The Sunday Telegraph, and Manchester Evening News.

These articles can be viewed in the form of a graphic (as scanned from the publication) or as text-only. Both the text only and image versions will open in new windows.

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