125 Group in conjunction with the Branch Line Society and Railadventure, is pleased to announce the operation of a special Railtour on Saturday 20th September in connection with the 150th Anniversary of Heaton Depot. Full details of the Open Weekend can be found here:
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/railway-200/heaton150
The railtour will use the 125 Group’s main line registered HST set and will run from Derby, picking up at Chesterfield, Sheffield and Doncaster. The requested outward route is from Sheffield via Thrybergh Junction to Doncaster, and will head directly up the East Coast Mainline, using the York avoider. From Newcastle, the train will traverse the connections directly onto the depot at Heaton, arriving approximately Midday. The return from Heaton, circa 15.00, will be via Newcastle (pick up), Sunderland, Eaglescliffe and Northallerton, before retracing the outward route with set downs at Doncaster, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Derby. Calling points and times are designed to provide the maximum level of rail connectivity. A buffet service and 125 Group souvenir shop will be provided.
As the tour is designed to operate directly into the open day, all tickets will be sold with an open day entrance ticket included in the booking fare. This fee will go directly to the open day organising committee and no portion will be retained by 125 Group or its associates. All money raised from the open day will go to local charities chosen by the Heaton TrainCare team, along with their charity partner, the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA)
You can find out more about 125 Group by visiting
https://www.125group.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As we will be entering an operational railway running area, it is not permitted for any participant to partake of alcohol in advance of the visit. The buffet will not sell alcohol on the outward trip, and if you bring your own, it must not be consumed in advance of the depot visit. Our stewards will be briefed to watch this and anyone found drinking alcohol will be detrained at Newcastle on the outward leg and will not be allowed a refund on the depot fee.
All times and routing are
indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket.
Derby (PU 09:00) - Chesterfield (PU 09:30) - Sheffield (PU 09:45) - Doncaster (PU 10:30)
Doncaster (SD 17:00) - Sheffield (SD 17:30) - Chesterfield (SD 18:00) - Derby (SD 18:30)
FARES:
First Class, Non-Dining, at a guaranteed table for two £154.00
First Class, Non-Dining £129.00
Standard Class £89.00
Depot entrance fee for children under 5 £5.00
No part fares or pay on the day are available for this charter.
Accompanied under 18s benefit from a £24.00 reduction in all fares.
Please note that we are unable to accept bookings from under 18s unless accompanied by an adult.
Children under five years of age may accompany fare-paying adult passengers free of charge. However, children under five years of age who are travelling free may only occupy a seat which is not required by a fare-paying passenger.
Children under 5 who are visiting the depot will require a separate £5 entry ticket which can be booked separately, however this entry ticket does not guarantee a seat on the train. If a seat is required for an under 5 then a full child ticket should be purchased which will include a seat and entry to the depot. Please note that when booking one of these under 5 tickets you need to select the quantity under 'Adult' for it to show the correct price.
Please book via the Fixtures page on the BLS Website:
https://branchline.uk
unless some magic is performed on 301 in the next few days
