MAY 2021 RAILTOURS AS LOCKDOWN CONTINUES TO EASE?

With the calendar showing no model railway exhibitions available for May, also early June does not look too hopeful either, so we will keep our eyes on the possibility for the resumption of rail tours in the not too distant future. Looking at the calendar for May 2021 it would appear that a lot of planned events are still being cancelled or rescheduled for later. The one exception seems to be north of the border where the regular service known as The Jacobite. The seven-month season will have two trains running each day (morning and afternoon service) starting in April and continuing through October 2021. This 84 mile round trip takes in some of the breath-taking views the highlands can offer including a ride over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Steam Dreams look like they are preparing the Flying Scotsman for some regular tours beginning with a trip around the Surrey Hills from London Victoria later in May, then there's a run down towards Southampton early June departing Paddington behind the world famous Steam Locomotive as well as rides to Oxford and Salisbury and all these trips are sure to fill up fast. 

Elsewhere the HST rebranded as the Midland Pullman (pictured right) will set out on 29th May bound for Cornwall. Highlights of the journey include the twisting scenic line around the breath-taking Devon sea wall at Dawlish, views of the Dartmoor National Park, and the iconic Royal Albert Bridge spanning the River Tamar designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Early June they will set off from Bristol Temple Meads up around the Settle / Carlisle line. Expecting the return of a regular steam service now departing London Victoria to Windsor which began just before Covid originally from Waterloo, The Royal Windsor Express runs three services available every Tuesday from 1st June till 14th September and should prove to be popular again too.

As always these tours are subject to change, though hopefully it's a positive sign if we can see some opportunities to get out and about now. In our next blog we will be creating another in the series on the Uk Heritage Railway scene with a look north of the border around Scotland. Probably some of the most scenic views in the British Isles that can be seen from the comfort of a train, will begin with a look at the Cairngorms region, which also has it's funicular train to help the tourists (below), but predominantly looking at the heritage scene.