BLS 2025 tours

[31160]

Hello all as the BLS has announced save the dates for several tours in relation to the Derby works open day event a very long time ago now and they STILL haven't given any more details as to what they actually are planning on doing, to be fair this isn't unknown with BLS they seam to drag their feet terribly. It would help if they give start points or where they are staying overnight or roughly what they hope to achieve but no nowt, anyway if it's help to anyone there is a positioning tour now on Thursday July 31st, now the stock for all the tours the ERS MK2 rake out of Great Yarmouth, so I suspect though I don't know it'll be from Anglia across to Dreby, overnight the stock is staying at Barrow Hill with tours starting from there each morning but I've no idea what they're doing exactly, and on the Saturday the BLS bits aren't supposed to start until the UKR tour arrives from Paddington, don't know if the 69 of that tour will, do something with BLS as well
I just wished the BLS would step up with more updates instead of just leaving us hanging unable to plan, I'm on the border of just saying bugger it and booking on the UKR job just so I've got a idea of what's happening

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello @31160 have you tried reaching BLS at BLSqueries@branchline.uk
Info is on BLS's website, "Contacts" page

 

[ainsworth74]

Or perhaps @Branch Line S might be able to help directly on here?

That being said to my knowledge the BLS bods do their very best to get details out as early as possible but often their tours and trips have a lot of moving pieces which can come together quite late in the day. So it's having to balance giving details which may change (and cause disappointment and cancelled bookings) and giving decent notice as to what those details are. I image they're as frustrated as potential punters at not being able to post details well in advance.

It's also worth recalling that the BLS is a volunteer outfit. They all have day jobs alongside running tours!

 

[31160]

I'm not asking for every detail but they aren't even saying where the trains start and finish, I'm not asking for what sidings it's doing or with what we need basic information that's all and we aren't getting it

 

[Sun Chariot]

You'll see on BLS's Fixtures page, their disclaimer: "Entries marked as 'Save the Date' are provisional and therefore are subject to change"

So I still recomend you engage with BLS via the two routes @ainsworth74 and I suggested.

 

[Iskra]

It’s certainly a frustration but there isn’t much evidence that the BLS are inclined to change their ways on this, as if if anything they are getting worse rather than better. An organisation for the ultra-flexible retiree perhaps.

However, why not just book with the tour operators that can give basic information in advance?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2025 ==


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The BLS have announced a railtour: class 57/3 dragging a Pendolino to Derby for the Greatest Gathering from Crewe. You don’t need to be a member to book. Plenty of novelty value there!

 

[Rail Quest]

The BLS have announced a railtour: class 57/3 dragging a Pendolino to Derby for the Greatest Gathering from Crewe. You don’t need to be a member to book. Plenty of novelty value there!

Now that's something I'd book on! And, in theory, I'd imagine this has got less of a chance of being cancelled due to low bookings as the Pendolino/57 will need to be transported to Derby regardless.

 

[Iskra]

Now that's something I'd book on! And, in theory, I'd imagine this has got less of a chance of being cancelled due to low bookings as the Pendolino/57 will need to be transported to Derby regardless.

It’s certainly an interesting tour and I think it will sell out. Personally, it doesn’t really work for me due geography.

The BLS have announced another new tour with the Hastings DEMU to a freight installation at Goole.

 

[Class15]

The BLS have announced a railtour: class 57/3 dragging a Pendolino to Derby for the Greatest Gathering from Crewe. You don’t need to be a member to book. Plenty of novelty value there!

I’m booked onto this one! My first railtour that isn’t a farewell tour!

 

[Branch Line S]

Evening all. Thanks for all the interest in our tours. As has been pointed out, we have this week released 2 tours...one a Pendolino drag with a 57 from Crewe to Derby Works for the event there, and a Hastings Unit to a number of freight installations in the Goole area. Both are selling really well so I suggest you book soon if you wish to join us.

In terms of the other "Save the Dates" on our website...there are no further details to share on these at the moment, however as soon as they are released, you will be able to find full details including a detailed spec and provisional timings both on our website and via a number of social media threads and forums...as you will see from the dates, we have a number of exciting charters coming up over the next 3 months so please keep a look out for them!

Thanks again!

 

[Russel]

Evening all. Thanks for all the interest in our tours. As has been pointed out, we have this week released 2 tours...one a Pendolino drag with a 57 from Crewe to Derby Works for the event there, and a Hastings Unit to a number of freight installations in the Goole area. Both are selling really well so I suggest you book soon if you wish to join us.

In terms of the other "Save the Dates" on our website...there are no further details to share on these at the moment, however as soon as they are released, you will be able to find full details including a detailed spec and provisional timings both on our website and via a number of social media threads and forums...as you will see from the dates, we have a number of exciting charters coming up over the next 3 months so please keep a look out for them!

Thanks again!

New to BLS tours, but this one has caught my eye...

How do I book the 57/Pendo drag?

 

[theblackwatch]

New to BLS tours, but this one has caught my eye...

How do I book the 57/Pendo drag?

Via their website at:
https://www.branchline.uk/current-fixtures.php

 

[Russel]

Via their website at:
https://www.branchline.uk/current-fixtures.php

Thanks, found it.

That's one dated website.

 

[Harpo]

That's one dated website.

Handy to have something that works with older tech. Possibly a bonus for their demographic?

 

[DarloRich]

tours...one a Pendolino drag with a 57 from Crewe to Derby Works for the event there,

I will be on that one. Never managed a 57 drag in the real world so can cross that off!

 

[Harpo]

The break at Derby sounds like a run-round? If it is, it’s a great chance to watch the astonishing faf thats involved. It was also something which (allegedly) convinced DfT pre-IET that coupling any loco always took 15 minutes.

 

[DarloRich]

The break at Derby sounds like a run-round? If it is, it’s a great chance to watch the astonishing faf thats involved. It was also something which (allegedly) convinced DfT pre-IET that coupling any loco always took 15 minutes.

All the modern gubbins does take a while to sort out. It is just passing the hook and connect the pipes anymore!

I have seen a 57 couple to a unit and that did take a good 10 minutes.

 

[The_Train]

Tytherington Quarrier (July 12th) has gone on sale this evening

BLS Fixtures List

Did the DCR/Cappagh one last year and it was a superb day out so definitely doing this one. 5 locos, rare track and the chance for a decent off train break - something for everyone. Here's hoping DCR provide alternative sticky digits to the ones used last year

 

[31160]

Tytherington Quarrier (July 12th) has gone on sale this evening

BLS Fixtures List

Did the DCR/Cappagh one last year and it was a superb day out so definitely doing this one. 5 locos, rare track and the chance for a decent off train break - something for everyone. Here's hoping DCR provide alternative sticky digits to the ones used last year

Well it's unlikely the 56s will be different unless they borrow one from colas, a 57 down the MML is also pretty different

 

[The_Train]

Well it's unlikely the 56s will be different unless they borrow one from colas, a 57 down the MML is also pretty different

I thought they had 3x 56s?

 

[ExRes]

I thought they had 3x 56s?

Only 56103 & 56301 are operational, 56091 has been stored at Leicester LIP since 26/1/24, there's the outside chance of 56098 from GBRf but I'm not sure if it's currently up to main line use

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2025 ==

Well it's unlikely the 56s will be different unless they borrow one from colas,

I'm not sure that's correct, weren't the pair 56098 & 56103 last year? this years would presumably be 103 & 301

 

[31160]

Only 56103 & 56301 are operational, 56091 has been stored at Leicester LIP since 26/1/24, there's the outside chance of 56098 from GBRf but I'm not sure if it's currently up to main line use

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2025 ==



I'm not sure that's correct, weren't the pair 56098 & 56103 last year? this years would presumably be 103 & 301

Yes of course you are correct

 

[Harpo]

Starting out from Derby behind the 57, we head down the Midland Mainline, to our first pick up at East Midlands Parkway, before moving onwards through Corby

Mmmmmm

BLS Fixtures List

 

[Iskra]

Ouch that’s an early start from Derby!

Looks a good tour. Very short notice as seems to be normal from BLS these days. If I can arrange to be off work, I’ll be on it.

Also, the unfinalised paths are in RealTimeTrains already for this tour.

 

[ainsworth74]

Very short notice as seems to be normal from BLS these days.

Yes, whilst I do defend the BLS I have to admit less than a months notice is not brilliant. I've not done an exhaustive search by any means but Premier Inn's in Derby appear to be £200 for the weekend so add £134 on top for the tour and you're already at £334 without travel to get to the origin. Obviously there's no doubt that other hotels are available in Derby and elsewhere that might be cheaper. But I do think less than a months notice isn't really good enough. Hopefully the BLS can work towards getting the notice period back towards being a couple of months at least.

 

[Iskra]

Yes, whilst I do defend the BLS I have to admit less than a months notice is not brilliant. I've not done an exhaustive search by any means but Premier Inn's in Derby appear to be £200 for the weekend so add £134 on top for the tour and you're already at £334 without travel to get to the origin. Obviously there's no doubt that other hotels are available in Derby and elsewhere that might be cheaper. But I do think less than a months notice isn't really good enough. Hopefully the BLS can work towards getting the notice period back towards being a couple of months at least.

Yes, it would probably help them sell more seats too as passengers would have more paydays to fund the tour in question.

 

[The exile]

Yes, it would probably help them sell more seats too as passengers would have more paydays to fund the tour in question.

And are less likely to have acquired other commitments.

 

[The_Train]

Yes, whilst I do defend the BLS I have to admit less than a months notice is not brilliant. I've not done an exhaustive search by any means but Premier Inn's in Derby appear to be £200 for the weekend so add £134 on top for the tour and you're already at £334 without travel to get to the origin. Obviously there's no doubt that other hotels are available in Derby and elsewhere that might be cheaper. But I do think less than a months notice isn't really good enough. Hopefully the BLS can work towards getting the notice period back towards being a couple of months at least.

I booked a hotel in Derby as soon as I saw the save the date, purely based on the fact last years started from there as well so got the same one I stayed at last year for £70 (still steep for Derby if you ask me) and they let me leave my car on there until we got back so hopefully they will do the same again this year

 

[Kite159]

It seems to be one long day as well for anybody on the train from Derby without any sort of decent length break. Especially if the AC on the coaches does the usual MK2 AC working for ten minutes before giving up the ghost resulting in the coaches becoming uncomfortably hot (especially sitting around in sidings/loops)

 

[The_Train]

It seems to be one long day as well for anybody on the train from Derby without any sort of decent length break. Especially if the AC on the coaches does the usual MK2 AC working for ten minutes before giving up the ghost resulting in the coaches becoming uncomfortably hot (especially sitting around in sidings/loops)

There is a 4 hour break in Bath available