Longest scheduled heritage service

[StephenHunter]

What is the longest scheduled service on a heritage line, in time and/or distance?

 

[JonathanH]

What is the longest scheduled service on a heritage line, in time and/or distance?

Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway is the longest mainline gauge railway at 19¾ miles. End to end journey takes 1 hour 25 minutes. Journeys are extended to Norton Fitzwarren on selected dates.

Welsh Highland Railway at 25 miles is longer though. Through journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog takes 2 hours 10 minutes.

In theory it is possible to run through trains 40 miles from Caernarfon to Blaneau Ffestiniog, but it doesn't happen in practice.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

In theory it is possible to run through trains 40 miles from Caernarfon to Blaneau Ffestiniog, but it doesn't happen in practice.

They do run through specials a couple of times a year, though, don't they? Although they have to be pre-booked.

 

[JonathanH]

They do run through specials a couple of times a year, though, don't they? Although they have to be pre-booked.

Yes, for example on the weekend of 25/26 April, but where does 'scheduled' and 'special' cross? It also seems to involve a change of traction.

https://www.festrail.co.uk/the-snowdonian/

The Snowdonian is a rare opportunity to savour the whole Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, all in one day. But there is more to see and do so why not join us for the weekend? ​

The Snowdonian will run on April 25th-26th 2026.

After a light inclusive breakfast in Spooner’s at Harbour Station (upgrade to full breakfast available), you join the train which departs at 0830 (for 0845) heading for Blaenau Ffestiniog. Coffee is served on route and there is chance to stretch your legs before the return journey. It is a perk of the Snowdonian that you get to enjoy some mixed and unusual motive power – see below. Following a loco swap at Boston Lodge Works, it is straight through Porthmadog and onto Welsh Highland rails. The train stops at Waunfawr, where a buffet lunch is served in the Snowdonia Parc brewpub. A chance also, to sample a glass of their own ale. They were CAMRA Gwynedd a Môn Brewery of the Year in 2023!

On leaving Waunfawr, you head for the coast to complete the Welsh Highland route, arriving at Caernarfon station where there is a comfort break and chance to check out the shop or wander over to the harbour. Then it is back towards Porthmadog with tea and a sweet treats box served at your seat. This completes your day but Spooner’s will be open should you wish to have a drink and a chat with newly made friends or a meal before you leave.

 

[Roast Veg]

In theory it is possible to run through trains 40 miles from Caernarfon to Blaneau Ffestiniog, but it doesn't happen in practice.

It was a special, but I did just that in reverse as part of a mainline charter.

Yes, for example on the weekend of 25/26 April, but where does 'scheduled' and 'special' cross? It also seems to involve a change of traction.

We had a loco change, but kept our Ffestiniog coaching stock throughout.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has run trains non-stop Hythe to Hythe via Dungeness loop.
Wiki reckons that's 13.5 miles each way, so 27 miles in total.

 

[stadler]

Has there ever been a heritage railway to heritage railway railtour? Something that starts on a heritage railway and then runs on the mainline and then back on to another heritage railway. Something like from Minehead to Sheffield Park or from Bridgnorth to Alresford etc. If that has ever happened then it could be a winner even just counting the two heritage railways mileage?

 

[LittleRedTrain]

Has there ever been a heritage railway to heritage railway railtour?

There have certainly been Steam Dreams trips from the Mid Hants Railway to the Bluebell Railway.

The one I travelled on started from Alresford on the MHR, but terminated at Kingscote on the Bluebell with passengers transferring to a Bluebell train for the run to Sheffield Park.

I think there might have been a run from Alresford to Minehead in the days of Daylight Railtours, but can't be sure

EDIT: Six Bells Junction suggests it ran Alton-Minehead rather than starting on the MHR itself.

Six Bells Junction

 

[Trainlog]

There have certainly been Steam Dreams trips from the Mid Hants Railway to the Bluebell Railway.

The one I travelled on started from Alresford on the MHR, but terminated at Kingscote on the Bluebell with passengers transferring to a Bluebell train for the run to Sheffield Park.

I think there might have been a run from Alresford to Minehead in the days of Daylight Railtours, but can't be sure

You beat me to it on that one .

I would certainly like to see the Bluebell and Mid Hants Railway attempt to run more railtours like this at some point. Even if they are very occasional, like once or once every 2 years, they would be good publicity for both lines and a rare opportunity to travel down both lines in one day.

The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has run trains non-stop Hythe to Hythe via Dungeness loop.
Wiki reckons that's 13.5 miles each way, so 27 miles in total.

After going to a fair few end-of-season galas at the RHDR, I would highly recommend the non-stop Hythe train via the Dungeness loop.

It's great as it does what it says on the tin, it's a non-stop steam express that doesn't outstay its welcome but gives you a decent amount of mileage travelling behind a steam loco in one go. The October/end-of-season gala non stop train is typically timed for the train to go around the Dungeness loop at sundown, which is a highlight, along with speeding past the stations along the route.

 

[philthetube]

The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has run trains non-stop Hythe to Hythe via Dungeness loop.
Wiki reckons that's 13.5 miles each way, so 27 miles in total.

Multiply by 6 to bring it up to scale and y9u have a journey of 162 miles, (if I didn't point this out someone else would).

 

[kje7812]

Has there ever been a heritage railway to heritage railway railtour?

I remember a Severn Valley to Bluebell one a few years ago. They even loaded up a couple barrels of beer from Bewdley Brewery to take down.

Edit: Ah, RTC's Bluebell Explorer 2nd November 2013. Longer ago than I thought.

 

[zwk500]

I would certainly like to see the Bluebell and Mid Hants Railway attempt to run more railtours like this at some point.

The issue for anything running to/from the Bluebell is that the access to the line is via South Croydon. Its an extremely busy part of the network to fit charters in on.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

There is also the issue that neither line has the ability to turn a loco, so at least some of the trip has to be done with a diesel loco hauling the train in reverse.
The MHR-Bluebell trip was diesel hauled from Kingscote to South Croydon, with the train reversing there and then steam-hauled via the North Downs Line and back towards Alton via Guildford and Ash

Six Bells Junction record of the tour

The West Somerset Railway and Severn Valley at least have the option to turn the loco at the destination if required.

 

[Trainguy34]

North Yorkshire Moors is 18 miles Grosmont - Pickering, if you include the services to Whitby that run partially over NR Metals then 24 miles Pickering - Whitby

 

[kje7812]

North Yorkshire Moors is 18 miles Grosmont - Pickering, if you include the services to Whitby that run partially over NR Metals then 24 miles Pickering - Whitby

The OP mentioned time as well. Pickering to Whitby is typically timetabled as 1h50, depending on how much time is given at Grosmont to fit with NR paths and possible loco swaps. This is probably the longest timewise for a standard gauge line and I think only the Welsh Highland beats it if you include narrow gauge.

 

[EYFanatic]

Has there ever been a heritage railway to heritage railway railtour?

Not sure if it counts as heritage railway, but just after Shildon opened the NRM ran a steam special from their yard up to their new Annex

 

[Sun Chariot]

What is the longest scheduled service on a heritage line, in time and/or distance?

64 miles. Albeit in the USA.
The wonderfully-restored Cumbes & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad narrow-gauge steam railway over the Rockies, between Chama (New Mexico) and Antonito (Colorado). Over the Continental Divide at 10,015ft Cumbres Pass. An utter joy to ride.

 

[pdeaves]

Has there ever been a heritage railway to heritage railway railtour?

That wouldn't be 'scheduled' in the sense of the original post, surely?

 

[Egg Centric]

64 miles. Albeit in the USA.
The wonderfully-restored Cumbes & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad narrow-gauge steam railway over the Rockies, between Chama (New Mexico) and Antonito (Colorado). Over the Continental Divide at 10,015ft Cumbres Pass. An utter joy to ride.

Well if we start accepting furrin answers then the Kalka-Shimla service is 5-6 hours and roughly same distance, and Darjeeling is even longer timewise albeit slightly shorter. Although whether they count as heritage services I'm not certain.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Well if we start accepting furrin answers then the Kalka-Shimla service is 5-6 hours and roughly same distance, and Darjeeling is even longer timewise albeit slightly shorter. Although whether they count as heritage services I'm not certain.

Yes, it's a difficult distinction.
I rode the Nilghiri Blue Mountain Railway - Victorian era rack-and-pinion narrow gauge steam locomotives pushing slightly newer wooden carriages up the 1-in-10 grades of Mount Ooty in southern India. But it (in 2005) was very much a scheduled operation.

 

[duffield]

Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway is the longest mainline gauge railway at 19¾ miles. End to end journey takes 1 hour 25 minutes. Journeys are extended to Norton Fitzwarren on selected dates.

Welsh Highland Railway at 25 miles is longer though. Through journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog takes 2 hours 10 minutes.

In theory it is possible to run through trains 40 miles from Caernarfon to Blaneau Ffestiniog, but it doesn't happen in practice.

I make it 21¼ miles from Northallerton West to Redmire on the Wensleydale Railway. Although the railway does not currently run from Northallerton West or as far as Redmire, it did so for a short time and I managed to complete that distance during that time. I can't remember the journey time but I'm pretty sure it was over 1 hour 30 minutes.

 

[EYFanatic]

Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway is the longest mainline gauge railway at 19¾ miles. End to end journey takes 1 hour 25 minutes. Journeys are extended to Norton Fitzwarren on selected dates.

I thought the NYMR was longer at 24 miles

 

[D6130]

I thought the NYMR was longer at 24 miles

No....Pickering to Grosmont is about 18 miles, although you may be thinking of the distance from Pickering to Whitby, which includes several miles of Network Rail infrastructure.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought the NYMR was longer at 24 miles

That includes the distance over Network Rail metals at the Whitby end.

 

[UP13]

64 miles. Albeit in the USA.
The wonderfully-restored Cumbes & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad narrow-gauge steam railway over the Rockies, between Chama (New Mexico) and Antonito (Colorado). Over the Continental Divide at 10,015ft Cumbres Pass. An utter joy to ride.

What is the speed limit for heritage railways in the US?

 

[EYFanatic]

What is the speed limit for heritage railways in the US?

10-25mph on most track, though permitted up to 50mph on "rehabilitated" track