A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: After picking up our passengers we head through the farmland of rural Cheshire, passing through Winsford and Hartford before crossing the River Weaver from a tall viaduct. We then continue on our pleasant run via Warrington and Wigan before entering Lancashire and just to the south of Preston we take the Lostock Curve and the line up to Blackburn.
After passing through here and taking a left turn we set off via ‘Lancashire Witch Country’ and the hilly line up to Hellifield. Here we join with the route from Leeds and Skipton. A short distance on we split with the route to Carnforth and Lancaster at Settle Junction for the famous journey over the Settle – Carlisle line. Although enjoying something of a revival sparked off in 1989 when the line was finally saved from closure the route is normally not accessible by direct train, except on excursions such as this. Many of us may have been over the route before, but whether a first time traveller or not the route always offers a fantastic backdrop to any scenic journey through the North. See www.settle-carlisle.co.uk for further history and details on this route.
The 72 miles between Settle and Carlisle takes us on a magnificent journey through the Yorkshire Dales, over many viaducts including the 24 arches of Ribblehead, which plunges into the long tunnel at Blea Moor. The route is a Victorian masterpiece of engineering and extremely remote in places. In the days of steam crews knew it as the ‘long drag’ because of its continuous uphill climb to the summit of Ais Gill. After here were drop down to Kirby Stephen and the town of Appleby and enjoy the lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley before an arrival at the Border City of Carlisle where we expect to arrive at around 12:45.
CARLISLE - This great border city dominates the borderlands between England and Scotland, sitting within the vale between the Cumbrian Mountains and Scottish Southern Uplands. In Carlisle you’ll find yourself at the centre of a stirring past and a vibrant present. In the beautiful and historic heart of the city you may choose to stroll between the castle, cathedral or indeed the Tullie House Museum – all surrounded by great places to shop, eat or to be entertained so creating the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your travel companions. Departure from Carlisle should be around 16:45.
RETURN JOURNEY - We take a late afternoon return via the Eden Valley, Penrith and the beautiful Lake District side of the Cumbrian Fells climbing over Shap summit then dropping down through Tebay. The train then runs via Oxenholme with a view of the Lakes, Morecambe Bay, Lancaster, the edge of Bowland and Preston before we eventually begin to retrace our steps returning home for an evening arrival at your local joining station.
RELATED WEBSITES:
www.visitcumbria.com/car/carlisle.htm
www.aboutbritain.com/towns/Carlisle.asp
www.historic-carlisle.org.uk
www.settle-carlisle.co.uk
ESTMATED TIMINGS: *PLEASE NOTE times are only those that have been requested. Confirmed final times will be sent out with your tickets around four or five days before the tour when Network Rail advise us of them.
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS can be brought on the train free of charge only if not taking up a seat and sharing seats with accompanying adults.
REFRESHMENTS: A buffet service of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages is available to all our passengers throughout the day – as well as an at seat trolley service in first class seating areas, operating at occasional intervals.
THE TRAIN: The train is hired in and operated through licensed UK rolling stock providers and train operating companies and formed entirely of traditional intercity carriages hauled by heritage British Built diesel traction throughout. First class passengers are seated in tables of 2 or 4 seats with curtains, larger more deeply cushioned reclining seating. Standard class is seated mainly in bays of 4 seats around a table (but some trains convey a little standard class accommodation with private ‘airline’ style bays which have 2 seats together with folding tables – please contact our office though if you are unsure as to whether they are specifically available). If you have specific seating requests or type – please give us plenty of notice, ideally when booking.
Many of our recent Railtours have been very busy or fully subscribed so early booking is advised!
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