A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: After picking up our passengers 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.
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. Many excursion trains would terminate here, but there is plenty more scenery ahead on this journey!
After a short operational stop at Carlisle we reverse and traverse the increasingly popular Tyne Valley line, which traverses rural Northumberland, its remote moorland and following the route of Hadrian’s Wall for a while. This is seen as the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain, spanning across 2000 years of civilisation and surviving to this day as a legacy of the great Roman Empire. It was built in dramatic and wild landscape, which to this day even with the addition of a few rural towns and villages remains virtually unchanged and unspoilt. The small communities at Haltwhistle and Hexham are passed along the line – you will also notice rare surviving examples of local architecture on signal boxes and stations. We finish our journey along this route heading along the Tyne Valley and following the River Tyne in its more infant stages into the big city of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Before arrival at the station we enjoy great views of the city and its waterfront from the railway bridges crossing the River Tyne.
NEWCASTLE: An arrival at around 12:45 is expected at Newcastle Central station. The city has something for everyone and was even short-listed as a candidate for European Capital of Culture 2008. It is a mix of contemporary, cultural, stylish and the historic, famed across the world for a captivating welcome. Even the architecture at the station captures this. You can enjoy its most wonderful collection of shops across the city, or even head a short way out of the centre to the Gateshead Metro Centre, a huge shopping, leisure and entertainment complex popular which attracts visitors from far and wide. Equally there is no shortage of exciting art galleries and museums to sample, along with a medieval castle, city walls, restaurants and many world-class cultural events and local visitor attractions. Also leave the train at Newcastle if you are intending to journey to the local ‘Bowes’ or ‘Tanfield’ steam railways, or indeed make the short Tyne Metro journey to the George Stephenson Railway Museum. We expect to leave Newcastle at around 17:45.
DURHAM: A short and pleasant train journey through county Durham is Durham itself, where we expect an arrival at around 13:00. Durham is situated along the River Wear, which forms a rocky peninsula containing the historic city centre, with its magnificent cathedral and castle. A combination of these landmarks gives Durham one of the most distinctive skylines in the world. Architectural and historical importance to these two sites (dating from Norman times) was considered so great they achieved listing in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A visit to the award winning Beamish Open Air Museum is also easily possible via local bus services by alighting here. There is no shortage of shopping and attractions in the city as well as local walks including the local gardens and along the Wear riverbanks. There should be time to enjoy a meal or picnic combined with exploration of the area. A return of around 18:00 is expected.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL MINI-TOUR OF COUNTY DURHAM, THE CLEVELAND AND TYNE COASTAL RAILWAY:
For those travelling mainly for the journey and its associated scenery, or haulage/routes for the locomotives on arrival at Durham we are offering an alternative to the full time at the destinations. Passengers may stay on board (at a supplement of £10 adults and £5 child under 16) as the train takes a circular tour of the North East (lasting around 2-2 ½ hours), via rural County Durham, the Ferryhill area, Cleveland via the pleasant Coastal run through Hartlepool and Seaham, Sunderland, and into the Tyne arriving Newcastle later in the afternoon (15:00 onwards). This add-on mini-tour can be booked in advance or by payment on the train (if you haven’t decided until the last minute). Anybody not travelling on the main tour may join at Newcastle or Durham and return to either of these stations for the same fares (paying in advance or on the train).
RELATED WEBSITES:
http://www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com/
http://www.durhamtourism.co.uk/
http://www.beamishmuseum.co.uk/
http://www.touristnetuk.com/Ne/durham/attractions/index.htm
http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/tourism+-+tourism+welcome+to+county+durham
RETURN TRAIN JOURNEY: You may relax as the train takes a swifter return journey and heads us back home via Yorkshire and the ‘floodlit’ cathedral skyline of York. South of here we take an express run down through the county and into South Yorkshire. At Sheffield we then traverse the Hope Valley line before finally beginning to drop everyone off home! This rounds off what is a circuitous and enjoyable tour of some of the finest railways Northern England has to offer!
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, operating at occasional intervals.
THE TRAIN: The train is hired in from and operated through FM Rail of Derby 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. 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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