On Saturday 11/4/15, the Dee and Mersey Group is running a railtour to The Cotswolds, in collaboration with Chester Model Railway Club. The Class 47 diesel-locomotive hauled tour will utilise Riviera Trains carriages. The tour starts from Hooton at around 6:45am and picks up at Bache, Wrexham, Gobowen and Shrewsbury (about 08.15am). The train then proceeds via the West Midlands and Kidderminster, to arrive at our first drop-off at Worcester Shrub Hill (about six hours break). Worcester sits on the River Severn and is full of history, with its cathedral, the old buildings and shopping opportunities. The museum of Royal Worcester Pottery is not to be missed.
The tour then continues south through Cheltenham Spa and the outskirts of Gloucester to take the Golden Valley Line through Stroud, over Sapperton Summit and towards the Vale of the White Horse at Swindon. A fast run along the main line and a turn northwards (via the freight only Didcot West Cord) brings us to our main destination of Oxford (about four hours break). The city needs no introduction with its dreaming spires, college buildings and elegant shopping streets. The train returns along the Cotswold Line through Evesham and the heart of the Cotswolds, picking up at Worcester Shrub Hill and arriving back in Shrewsbury mid evening and Hooton late evening.
Each passenger will have a reserved seat, a free detailed route description and local plans. The train has a buffet car and a trolley service in first class providing light refreshments. Seating in First Class is in open coaches around tables for two (first come, first served) and four. Most Standard Class seats are at tables for four.
Fares are as follows
First: Adults £99, Children (5-17) £59, Children under 5 sharing a seat, free.
Standard: Adults £69, Children (5-17) £39, Children under 5 sharing a seat, free. For full information and online booking see www.chestermodelrailwayclub.com/railtours.htm.
The Group has been organising railtours since 1978 with the proceeds supporting many F&WHR projects, the most recent example being the purchase of the slates for the new Porthmadog Signal Box and Relay Room.
