CLASS A4 STEAM RAIL TOUR - THE CHRISTMAS CHESHIREMAN

Saturday 16th November 2019

An interesting trip by vintage steam train to the historic city of Chester, an unusual destination from Bristol. Travel via the Severn Tunnel, the South Wales Main Line, the scenic Welsh Marches route, and the Shrewsbury to Chester line. There will be over three hours in Chester, with the Christmas Market to enjoy. The train will be steam hauled throughout by Class A4 locomotive No.60009 Union of South Africa.

Update - Ahh, sorry only just found this out, appears that Union of South Africa was not available to run this tour, and as a result it was replaced by a pair of Black Fives, so still Steam hauled. Thanks to the posters on The Bristol Railway Archive forum for putting me straight. They even had a video of it on it's outward journey. https://youtu.be/sZYoDi8HPpE

Scheduled to leave Bristol Temple Meads at around 07:00 The steam locomotive will be working hard as we climb Filton Bank to Filton Abbey Wood, where we stop to pick up more passengers. Then head westwards along the South Wales Main Line, passing through the Severn Tunnel into Wales, and continuing to the outskirts of Newport. Here we turn northwards, crossing the River Usk, and join the Welsh Marches route. Further stops are planned at Cwmbran and Abergavenny for more passengers to join the train before we begin the challenging climb of the Llavihangel bank. Our steam locomotive will be in full cry all the way to the summit! We pass many sites where there were once railway stations along this route and the longest section without a station today is between Abergavenny and Hereford, where we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. There is some truly beautiful scenery as we travel through Herefordshire and into Shropshire, passing towns such as Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms and Church Stretton.

Continuing on to Shrewsbury where the ‘listed’ Severn Bridge Junction Signal Box is the largest remaining mechanical signal box in the world (pictured below). We take the Chester Line from Shrewsbury and stop at Chirk for our steam locomotive to again take on water. We pass through Ruabon and Wrexham before arriving at our destination, the beautiful Roman City of Chester. There will be over three hours to explore the walled city and the Chester Christmas Market, with over 70 traditional wooden chalets situated in the heart of Chester, all wrapped around a sparkling Christmas tree. 

Severn Bridge Signal Box 180 Levers

There will be an abundance of festive treats and gifts on offer, including quality local and regional products, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, unique gifts and stocking fillers which are sure to make the perfect present! Don’t forget to sample the delicious hot food and drink, including tasty mulled wine and hot chocolate; the perfect way to keep warm whilst enjoying the market. Other places of interest include the Castle, the Cathedral, and the picturesque racecourse, located between the city walls and the River Dee, where ‘Winter Wonderland’ will be in full swing.

Whilst we have been exploring the city, our steam locomotive will have been serviced and turned at Chester ready for the return journey. The train leaves Chester at around 17:00 returning by the same route and stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers. Look out for Father Christmas and his Elves who will be visiting the train during the day and handing out presents to all children on board.

Train Timings

Updated approximate timings shown

Station	Outward	Return
Bristol Temple Meads	07:04	22:03
Filton Abbey Wood	07:18	21:48
Cwmbran	08:52	20:19
Abergavenny	09:15	19:38
Chester	13:05	16:13