HST To Swanage

[route:oxford]

From the Oxford Mail

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10462352.Cotswold_Line_special_train_off_to_the_seaside/

THE Cotswold Line Promotion Group is breaking new ground with its annual excursion train this year, taking a First Great Western High Speed Train to the Dorset resort of Swanage.

The Cotswold-Purbeck Express on Saturday, September 28, will be the first time one of the 125mph express trains has run on the preserved Swanage Railway, which was recently reconnected to the national rail network after 40 years.

Members of the CLPG, which represents passengers on the Oxford to Worcester rail route, have booked most of the tickets, but the last 80 standard class seats are now on sale to the public.

The train will pick up passengers at Kingham, Shipton, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford. As well as Swanage, passengers will be able to leave and rejoin the train at Bournemouth, Poole and Corfe Castle.

It will leave Oxford at about 9.10am and arrive at Swanage at 1pm. The return trip will depart at 4pm, reaching Oxford at 7.45pm, then calling at stations to Worcester.

For more information about the excursion and a booking form, see clpg.org.uk or call the group’s secretary, Brian Clayton, on 01386 701528.

 

[Eagle]

"recently reconnected to the national rail network"

I wouldn't call 2002 recent.

 

[ValleyLines142]

"recently reconnected to the national rail network"

I wouldn't call 2002 recent.

I agree, the only National Rail network connection was a SWT 158 which trialled the line a few months ago!

 

[anthony263]

When was the last time there was a HST at Bournemouth & Poole by the way?

 

[Eagle]

2002-ish, under VXC, I believe.

 

[cjp]

Hmm some eight hours travelling for three hours at the seaside.

Hope the fare is cheap.

 

[43167]

If you want the seaside, you could get off at Bournemouth.

Think 3 hours is reasonable.

 

[yorksrob]

Hmm some eight hours travelling for three hours at the seaside.

Those are the best tours !

 

[route:oxford]

2002-ish, under VXC, I believe.

Does the NMT not venture down that way?

 

[dzug2]

Hmm some eight hours travelling for three hours at the seaside.

Hope the fare is cheap.

£50 adult £20 child

 

[philjo]

I believe that UKR are planning a visit with an EMT HST to Swanage next year.

 

[Goatboy]

So it starts from Oxford but goes back to Worcester? Bizarre, how many Worcs pax will be on it given it doesn't actually start there in the morning?

 

[Monkey Magic]

It is starting in Worcester in the morning.

It is the Cotswold Line Promotion Group special that they run each year.

Worcester SH - 7.30

Then:
Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Shipton, Charlbury, Hanborough

Oxford 9.00
Swanage 13.00

Dep

Swanage 16.00
Oxford 19.45
Worcester S.H 21.15

 

[Eagle]

So it starts from Oxford but goes back to Worcester?

No it doesn't.

Outward journey: Worcester S H dep. 07.30, Oxford dep. 09.10, Swanage arr. 13.00.
Return journey: Swanage dep. 16.00, Oxford. arr. 19.45, Worcester S H arr. 21.15.

 

[IanD]

Hope the fare is cheap.

£50 adult £20 child

That'll be a no, then.

 

[Eagle]

Still cheaper than ordinary rail, though. (Cheapest standard return to Wareham with that route is £59.50. Cheapest overall is £48.50 via Bristol and Dorchester.)

 

[IanD]

Still cheaper than ordinary rail, though. (Cheapest standard return to Wareham with that route is £59.50. Cheapest overall is £48.50 via Bristol and Dorchester.)

True - and cheaper than the majority of railtours.

Or you could get a Freedom of Severn and Solent Rover and do it 3 times for £45 or 8 times for £69.