Friday 22nd August - Monday 25th August 2025

Join us on our special train as we travel from London to and from Scotland.  You will be free to make your own weekend arrangements or join in with some of ours – and we will offer you class 47 haulage over an interesting route to and from Dunbarton in the comfort of First Class accommodation. Fancy Edinburgh? Take a trip to the Scottish capital on Saturday or even visit the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway or embark on a Forth River Cruise if you so wish.

Friday 22^nd August

Our journey begins at London King’s Cross and we call to pick up passengers at Stevenage, Peterborough and Doncaster. At Doncaster, with everyone onboard, we veer left towards Leeds and from here we head up the picturesque Aire Valley through Keighley to Skipton.

A break in Skipton
Our journey north pauses as we take a leg stretching break in the bustling market town of Skipton. The town has been listed by The Sunday Times as one of the best and happiest places to live in the UK and has received praise for its enduring character and charm. In 2008, it was voted the best High Street in the United Kingdom. Amongst the many independent shops you may wish to look out for Whitakers, the chocolatier, that is based in the town. Alternatively, Friday is market day so enjoy a brief glimpse of the bustling trade in the town centre.

Settle & Carlisle Railway
Following our break we resume our journey north. We pass Settle Junction and join the dramatic Settle & Carlisle Railway. The Midland Railway was determined to build its own Anglo-Scottish route even if it meant crossing some of the most inhospitable terrain in England, and this was the result. It survived a closure campaign by British Rail in the 1980s and is once again a busy core route carrying both freight and passengers. The highlight of course is crossing the famous Ribblehead Viaduct but there are numerous other features of note along the way. The northern section of the line, beyond Appleby, is delightfully rural as it follows the River Eden to Carlisle.

We pass through Carlisle and within ten minutes we are at Gretna. Here we deviate from the West Coast Main Line as we join the Glasgow South Western line which came into being in 1850 and offers a secondary route into Scotland via Dumfries and Kilmarnock. The delightful rolling hill scenery of Southern Scotland provides the backdrop as we head into the Lowlands. We travel via Rutherglen Jn and Glasgow Central Low Level before emerging along the north bank of the mighty River Clyde to our destination, Dumbarton (Approx. 23.00)

Saturday 23rd August

Edinburgh at Leisure

Our departure to Edinburgh (Approx 08.30) from Dumbarton sees us head around the northwest outskirts of Glasgow passing the suburban outposts of Westerton, Maryhill, and Springburn before eventually joining the main line towards Edinburgh. With views of the Forth Bridge emerging in the distance, we swing left and make our first crossing of this man-made wonder which is also a UNESCO world Heritage site. Opened in 1890 the bridge carries the Edinburgh to Aberdeen railway line across the Forth.

We head east, the railway hugging the coastline as we pass through delightful seaside resorts including Dalgety Bay.  Before long we are heading inland to complete our anti-clockwise circuit of the ‘Fife Circle’, until we reach Dunfermline City where passengers will alight.

For those electing to stay on board our train we once again cross the Forth Bridge this time following the main line through Haymarket into Edinburgh Waverley.

Here you will have the afternoon and evening at leisure. There is a myriad of distractions in this great city to suit all tastes. You might be remiss to miss the opportunity to walk down Princess Street but we will leave that entirely up to you.

Our train back to Dumbarton will depart shortly after 21.15. We head west taking the route via Linlithgow and Croy.  Our train once again skirts around the suburbs of Glasgow before arrival at Dumbarton at around 23.00.

Supplementary Option  – Forth River Cruise and Edinburgh at Leisure  

Those chosing this option will transfer by coach to Port Egar Marina from where our two-hour voyage on the River Forth departs. We will take in the spectacular Three Bridges, the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline, Inchcolm Island with its medieval abbey and the magnificent Blackness Castle. Look out for the seals and marine wildlife along the way.

Our specially chartered vessel has all the amenities one would expect, including a café/bar serving hot and cold beverages and snacks, comfortable indoor and outdoor decks.

After this option our coach will take us onward to Edinburgh where we will have the rest of the day at leisure before rejoining our train home at approx 21.00. We expect to arrive back in Dumbarton by 23.00.

Supplementary Option – Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway and Edinburgh at Leisure 

Our route to Dunfermline City is described above. Here we leave the train and join road coaches for the short drive to this excellent preserved steam railway which is located on the banks of the River Forth. Bo’ness is also the home of the Museum of Scottish Railways, entry to which is included in our visit.

Enjoy a scenic ten mile return  steam hauled train journey to Manuel along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct.

After this option our coach will take us onward to Edinburgh where we will have the rest of the day at leisure before rejoining our train home at approx 21.00. We expect to arrive back in Dumbarton by 23.00.

Sunday 24^th August
Today participants have at their leisure.

Monday 25^th August
Our train departs Dumbarton at approximately 08.00 and we are homeward bound. Once again our train is routed towards Edinburgh. Our route south is via the East Coast Main Line and there are numerous coastal views as we head towards England.

Our route through Northumberland is somewhat unusual south of Morpeth as we diverge onto the recently upgraded Blyth and Tyne line. Although a key freight route, passenger services can be traced back to 1855 although they were withdrawn progressively between 1964 and 1978 – the latter to make way for the new Tyne and Wear Metro services. The line to Ashington was reopened to passenger services in 2024 and now enjoys a half hourly service to Newcastle.

A break in Newcastle upon Tyne
We enjoy a 90 minute leg stretching break in Newcastle – often cited as the friendliest City in the UK. The bars and traditional pubs of the Bigg Market are just a few minutes walk from the station, as is Eldon Square – the City’s expansive indoor shopping centre. For those who like to try local fayre – ask for a Stottie cake at one of the many Greggs stores in the City.

We depart Newcastle and continue our journey south enjoying the sights of Durham Cathedral to our left and then rural North Yorkshire. For added interest we follow the former Joint Line south of Doncaster providing spectacular sights of Lincoln Cathedral along the way. With further set downs at Peterborough and Stevenage we expect to arrive back at London King’s Cross by 20.30.

Booking Notes
Traction is expected to be West Coast Railway Company class 47 locomotives throughout.  The route and motive power is advertised based on our submitted specification to the train operator and may be subject to change up to and including on the day of operation. Fares cover travel on our special train on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Off train options on Saturday must be booked in advance and include the relevant coach transfers and admission.

No meals or hotel accommodation is included in the fare although it is expected a buffet service serving hot food will be available.

Confirmed Timings.

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Seating is at tables for four and two in a First Class buffet car and is of limited availability.

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