SRPS Steam Railtours 2013

Scottish Railway Preservation Society's steam Railtours for 2013:

Sunday 21st April - The Forth Circle - Steam hauled by 60009 Union Of South Africa:

From LINLITHGOW (morning train) & DALMENY or INVERKEITHING (afternoon train)
Morning and afternoon steam specials round the 'Forth Circle'; over the Forth Bridge, along the Fife Coast and round the Fife Circle to Dunfermline, then along the shores of the Firth of Forth to Kincardine and through Alloa to Stirling.

Saturday 1 June - Fort William & Mallaig (steam hauled Fort William to Mallaig & return)
From AYR, Prestwick Town, Troon, Irvine, Kilwinning, Johnstone, Paisley Gilmour Street, Westerton, Helensburgh Upper
From the scenic West Highland Line view Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Monessie Gorge. Either choose to spend the afternoon in Fort William or continue on the train steam-hauled to and from Mallaig with .

Sunday 16 June - Fife/Forth Circle - Steam hauled by 60163 Tornado

From EDINBURGH WAVERLEY
Two steam specials hauled by Britain’s newest main-line steam locomotive. Both depart round the Edinburgh Suburban Circle. The morning departure crosses the Forth Bridge, along the Fife Coast to Kirkcaldy and round the Fife Circle to Dunfermline returning over the Forth Bridge. The afternoon departure runs through Linlithgow and Falkirk to Stirling; continuing through Alloa, Kincardine and along the shores of the Firth of Forth, returning via Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and over the Forth Bridge.

Saturday 26 October : FORT WILLIAM

From Polmont, Falkirk High, Westerton, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper
Double-headed steam special on the scenic West Highland Line with stunning views of Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Monessie Gorge and Ben Nevis


The above is advance information on SRPS Railtours in 2013. These tours are provisional and may be subject to change and other tours are being planned. Further details, fares and booking information will be shown on SRPS Railtours : 2013 Programme when available. I will update the thread as more information is released.

 

Another tour with partial steam haulage:

Saturday 1 June - Fort William & Mallaig (steam hauled Fort William to Mallaig & return)
[SIZE=-1]
[/SIZE][SIZE=-1] [SIZE=-1]From AYR, Prestwick Town, Troon, Irvine, Kilwinning, Johnstone, Paisley Gilmour Street, Westerton, Helensburgh Upper
From the scenic West Highland Line view Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Monessie Gorge. Either choose to spend the afternoon in Fort William or continue on the train steam-hauled to and from Mallaig with views of Ben Nevis, Loch Eil, Glenfinnan and Morar. [/SIZE][/SIZE]

More information see: SRPS Railtours

 

Another one added today:

Sunday 16 June - Fife/Forth Circle - Steam hauled by 60163 Tornado

From EDINBURGH WAVERLEY
Two steam specials hauled by Britain’s newest main-line steam locomotive. Both depart round the Edinburgh Suburban Circle. The morning departure crosses the Forth Bridge, along the Fife Coast to Kirkcaldy and round the Fife Circle to Dunfermline returning over the Forth Bridge. The afternoon departure runs through Linlithgow and Falkirk to Stirling; continuing through Alloa, Kincardine and along the shores of the Firth of Forth, returning via Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and over the Forth Bridge.

 

I'm a surprised they aren't doing their Aviemore & Inverness steam trip this year. After watching the coverage of that trip I thought it ended up being one of the Highlights in the Steam Calander for year 2012.

 

Agreed - that was a superb trip which I wouldn't have missed for the world. I like SRPS trips, although it is a long journey from Cornwall - you get photo opportunities at single track crossing places such as Kingussie, and it's nice to have a meal on the train without needing a second mortgage!

John

 

P.S.

There is an SRPS trip to Aviemore and Inverness on 8th June but steam is not indicated. My brother's birthday that weekend anyway!

John

 

Thank you both for the feedback (and very nice comment from John!). I'm not in the Society's Railtour department but will pass the message onto someone who is.

 

The 'Forth/Fife Circle' trips on Sunday 16 June are pretty damn handy for someone kicking their heels around Edinburgh on the 'free' day of the 'Cathedrals Express to Scotland' trip. I'm more than tempted... Depending on the timings, might even go to Dalmeny to take a photo of the morning run across the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry.

 

Just a reminder that the first tour of the SRPS's season is this coming Sunday, A4 60009 Union Of South Africa taking two trips around the Forth Circle. Believe there are some seats left and weather looks dry but cloudy!

Also of note; it is now possible to book online twenty-four hours a day at SRPS Railtours

 

In some absolutley stunning lighting conditions, 60009 is seen with the SRPS Forth Circle:
[video=youtube;L-TdqjW3LoA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-TdqjW3LoA[/video]

 

It appears the morning 'Fife Circle' hauled by 60163 on June 16 has been cancelled due to operational reasons. However, the afternoon 'Forth Circle' is going ahead as planned and is fully booked (thank goodness I booked this one from the outset, although I was hoping to lineside at Dalmeny for the morning run. No matter!).

 

Lack of crews for the morning run.

 

Timings for the 'Forth Circle' have been up for a couple of days: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54302/2013/06/16/advanced

 

Staying local for this one having covered 700 miles in the previous two days; 60163 having a whistling competition at Manuel Junction today with 75254. Now, the important question, who do we think won?!

 

Announced today, a repeat of last year’s popular double headed steam (on return) West Highlander, Saturday 26th October 2013:

From Polmont, Falkirk High, Westerton, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper
Double-headed steam special on the scenic West Highland Line with stunning views of Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Monessie Gorge and Ben Nevis

Fare £79 (Child £57), First Class £115

 

My photos from Sunday's trip :


Almond A1 by JonathonAG, on Flickr


Glinted Light by JonathonAG, on Flickr


Torryburn Departure by JonathonAG, on Flickr


Cowdenbeath Coaster by JonathonAG, on Flickr


Eastern At Jamestown by JonathonAG, on Flickr

And my personal favourite :


Couple 'Not' On The Rocks by JonathonAG, on Flickr

Not every railway photo has to focus on the train itself......

 

Thanks Ralph, was well worth the 9am start from Bangor and work shift immediately following the last shot. Was interesting seeing the circle tackled in reverse for a change.

 

Lovely photos, and the video further up the thread was great to see. I was on the big blue things footplate for the roun out to Stirling and only caught a fleeting glimpse of the Austerity as we dashed past.