Saturday, 15 December 2018

CHRISTMAS RAILTOUR -- THE CHESTER CHUFFER (Steam Hauled)

Enjoy some festive shopping in Chester

Saturday 15th December, 2018


A FESTIVE EXCURSION HEADING TO HISTORIC CHESTER WITH AN INTERESTING CIRCULAR ROUTING FOR STEAM HAULAGE.


It is not that often that we have offered a main line steam hauled excursion during the pre-Christmas period but this year we make amends with this seasonal excursion to Chester at a time this famous city is decked out for the festive period. Its historic shopping area will be a haven of colour and lights, complimented by the many wooden chalets around the Town Hall Square and Cathedral offering exclusive gifts and produce.

Our anticipated three hour visit (13:30hrs to 16:30hrs) will be centrepiece to the days itinerary, which starts off diesel hauled from our joining stations through to Bescot Yard in the West Midlands. Here we take on our steam locomotive, which will haul our festively decorated classic carriages north over the Cannock Chase line, then along the fast West Coast main line through Stafford to Crewe before arrival into Chester. The historic City of Chester is more than shops, eateries and festivities. It has an array of other attractions including its cathedral, city walls, historic buildings, Roman amphitheatre, river cruises..... and more.

The return journey differs in that we traverse the old GWR main line up Gresford Bank and via Ruabon and Shrewsbury, before passing over Shifnall Viaduct and heading through Wolverhampton. Our train then threads through the Black Country onto Kidderminster and Worcester.
Royal Scot on the turntable
Steam Locomotive
It was the intention that no. 60163 'Tornado' would feature, but with it not now being available until next year, one of the Crewe based Locomotive Services Limited fleet will be used instead, for which we are most grateful.

Estimated Timings
Joining Stations
Depart
Return
Salisbury06202340
Westbury06502310
Bath Spa07202240
Bristol Parkway07502210
Cam & Dursley08152145
Cheltenham Spa08352125
Worcester Shrub Hill09002035
Kidderminster09252010
Stourbridge Jn09401955

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