COMPASS TOURS
PROUDLY PRESENT:
PROUDLY PRESENT:
Sit back and relax as we start our journey leaving the hills of Lancashire and plains of Cheshire behind for our journey through Shropshire, taking us through the historical towns of Whitchurch and Shrewsbury, with plenty of rural areas in between. Within minutes of passing Shrewsbury we hit the Long Mynd Mountains, and pass through Church Stretton. On arrival at Craven arms we leave the faster Marches Line, for the single-track Heart of Wales Line, which is remote and extremely scenic with sparse communities and a few passing places. There is even a chance of a few Christmas card scenes along the way.
After passing Broome and the hills of Hopton, we see an ancient fort at Bucknell, then say goodbye to England and following the river Teme enter Wales. Upon passing through the idyllic Knighton we enjoy the ruins of Offas Dyke. We then travel past several mountains and forests, before our likely pathing break at the town of Llandrindod Wells, where we should pass the local branch train. We then enjoy the Tywi Forest and Sugar Loaf Mountain, which has one of the UK’s remotest stations. A pleasant drop follows this down into the Tywi Valley. After which we reach Hendy Junction and the end of this beautiful line. We then take a rare trip along a line normally ‘Freight Only’ – which takes us through the Edge of Swansea. Followed by a trip through South Wales, which takes us near the coastline, and finally onto our destination of Cardiff (an arrival of around 14:45).
With over 2,000 years of history there’s plenty to do in the Welsh Capital. It has a fine castle, the St David’s centre, several great museums and art galleries and the best selection of shopping in Wales (for all those Christmas gifts). The city is thriving and now hosts many of the country’s main sporting events.
After a memorable day, and a spot of Christmas gift hunting – we leave behind Cardiff (departing at 18:10). Relax and enjoy our homeward journey, which takes us up the Welsh Marches Line, passing Newport, Hereford, Ludlow and Shrewsbury before dropping off at our local stations through Cheshire and Lancashire.
| STATION | ||
| Blackburn | ||
| Bamber Bridge | ||
| Euxton Balshaw Lane | ||
| Wigan North Western | ||
| Warrington Bank Quay | ||
| Hartford | ||
| Winsford | ||
| Crewe | ||
| Nantwich |
* Timings are now CONFIRMED.
or
Standard Class: sold out
First Class: sold out
Pullman Dining Class:* sold out
Coach Connection: sold out
In First class tables for two are available for additional privacy – you may request these at £10 supplement per person, subject to availability and on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
*For that extra special day with all the comfort of First Class, you can be pampered by our dedicated team of stewards and enjoy a Full English Breakfast, Luncheon, and 3-course Evening Roast Dinner with wine. Complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits will be included throughout the day with your at seat ‘silver-service’. This accommodation is likely to be unsuitable for young children. Please advise if vegetarian option is required.
Our carriages for the day are of traditional design, spacious and offer a relaxing and comfortable day out. For a bit extra you can enjoy the additional comfort and space of first class, which offers considerably ‘cheaper than normal’ first class fares. Pullman Dining offers all the luxury with that ‘extra-special’ treatment added to make the day even more wonderful, especially if treating somebody important in your life or celebrating something.
Throughout the day an on board buffet and refreshment facilities will be available to all our passengers. A Bar serving fine Real Ales will also be available on board.
Click here for a printable booking form for this tour.
Any special needs/requests should be passed on with your bookings, all tickets are purchased subject to our booking conditions (displayed on this site and also available on written request and with an enclosed SAE).
Your purchase of tickets is acceptance of these conditions.
Our train will be hauled by a traditional British built class 47 locomotive of the same type used on our 'The Tayside Liner' railtour on August 30th, but this time from Fragonset Railways – one not regularly found on passenger trains.
The particular class 47 (number 47292) that was used to power 'The Tayside Liner' was not capable of providing heat as it was owned by freight train company 'Freightliner'. This had been used as it was a warm time of the year, but for this tour on December 13th we will have a loco which will provide heat for the train, or if we do use a freight loco again we will have a carriage containing a generator to heat the carriages.
Contact us for further details regarding the locomotive (if interested).
Note that any fares paid on the day will be levied at higher amounts – if you wish to travel you must make arrangements in advance to ensure your seats are reserved at the advertised prices and to avoid disappointment!
If you need further information or general enquiries (ie: seating availability) please:
For CREDIT CARD bookings please:
Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to COMPASS TOURS FUND. Thank you!
Also see our site booking page for details and be sure to read our terms and conditions available by clicking the links at the bottom of this page to the relevant sections.
Further details on our destination are available by clicking the link to recommended Cardiff websites above.