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Train Of Hope

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trainofhope

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we have added a plane to follow our charity Steam Rail tour

www.trainofhope.co.uk

‘Train of Hope’ promises fantastic day out – for a great cause

Fancy sipping a glass of champers while travelling on a magnificent 1950s steam train? Or indulging in a five star, five course meal while some of the world’s most spectacular scenery passes you by?

This is the vision of the team of Manchester-based Virgin Trains’ drivers who came up with the idea of organising an event that would combine a passion for the railways with a desire to make a difference for a very worthwhile cause.

The steam-hauled Train of Hope will run on 1 October 2011 from Crewe to Carlisle over the Cumbrian fells and return on the scenic Settle and Carlisle line. The historical train is formed of luxurious first class coaches and hauled by Scots Guardsman, a steam locomotive built in 1927. All money raised by the event will go to Virgin Trains’ charity partner CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.

Steam train journeys are always popular but this one really has the x-factor. The train will be waved off at Crewe at 09:00 by a brass band and pop impresario and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, and met in Carlisle by a piper and the Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle.

Whilst onboard, passengers will be invited to indulge in a full English breakfast on the outward journey and a five course dinner, including complimentary wines and refreshments, on the return. Ticket holders travelling on the Train of Hope will be able to travel First Class by Virgin Trains to and from Crewe on the day at no extra cost.

A selection of fantastic prizes will be raffled on the train exclusively for Train of Hope customers. These include:

• Two premier dining tickets with the Rail Touring Company
• Balloon flights for two
• Limited edition prints
• Worth Valley Railways family tickets
• One night’s stay at Crewe Hall, including breakfast, evening meal and two spa treatments
• Foxfield Railway Footplate Drivers days
• Two night’s stay in London, including a show and First Class travel with Virgin Trains
• Twelve month’s subscription to Railway Magazine
• Llangollen Railways Family ticket
• Tesco voucher
• House of Commons bottle of whiskey and a guided tour of the House of Commons.

Train of Hope tickets are available for £179 for adults, which includes breakfast, a five course dinner with complimentary wine and return Virgin Trains First Class tickets to and from Crewe on the day. The cost for children is £119.

While the rail tour and on-train auction is the headline event, the organising team is running a raffle and auctioning items on eBay. These include exclusive items offered by the railway industry such as a day on highly realistic driver simulators, two Standard Class tickets to New York and an overnight stay for two at Lucknam Park Spa and Hotel in Bath.

Another very special item, available exclusively to the appeal, is a commissioned painting by John Cowley, who is a member of the Guild of Railway Artists. The scene, set in the Second World War, depicts children being evacuated waiting to board their train at Crewe station. Both the original oil painting and a series of signed limited edition prints will be sold to raise funds for CLIC Sargent.
Details on booking arrangements as well as information on buying raffle tickets are available at: www.trainofhope.co.uk. For information about the event, contact John Young on: johnyoung877@btinternet.com or call: 07796 350 559

For more information on CLIC Sargent go to: www.clicsargent.co.uk

Ends
For further media information contact Virgin Trains on 0845 000 3333 or visit the Virgin Trains Media Room website at http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk.

More information about the event
• The event is organised by five Manchester-based Virgin Trains drivers.
• The train departs Crewe at 09:00, Warrington Bank Quay 0930, Wigan North West 09:50, Preston 10:10 and arrives in Carlisle at 12:45. Returns Carlisle 14:50, Wigan North West 19:30, Warrington Bank Quay 19:50 and Crewe 20:30.
• The train will be waved off by Pete Waterman and the championship winning Co-op band.
• The Train Operating Company is West Coast Railways.
• The steam locomotive is The Scots Guardsman 46115.
• The train comprises eight first class coaches and two kitchen cars plus a support coach with a Class 47 locomotive.
• First Class dining, including Buck Fizz, a full English breakfast and a five course meal.
• Plane with banner to follow the train.
• Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle to meet the train.
• Special onboard raffle.
• John Cowley commissioned oil painting.
• First Class travel to and from Crewe on the day of the tour courtesy of Virgin Trains.
• All funds go to CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, which provides clinical, practical and emotional support to families.
 
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gazthomas

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Why do you keep creating these threads? You started one about flogging stuff on eBay a few days ago. Why not just keep it all in one thread? :|

It's for a good cause, been coordinated by volunteers for the benefit of others. This forum is for rail related items and this qualifies.

Are you saying all the other non rail related gibberish in these forums is more acceptable. I can't wait for a "what are your favourite colour socks?" type posting. Many fall into this category.

Good luck to this initiative, I wish the charity well and long may they post new items as others generously put forward new items as awareness of this event builds.

Good luck Train of Hope!
 

trainofhope

Member
Joined
6 May 2011
Messages
60
It's for a good cause, been coordinated by volunteers for the benefit of others. This forum is for rail related items and this qualifies.

Are you saying all the other non rail related gibberish in these forums is more acceptable. I can't wait for a "what are your favourite colour socks?" type posting. Many fall into this category.

Good luck to this initiative, I wish the charity well and long may they post new items as others generously put forward new items as awareness of this event builds.

Good luck Train of Hope!

Thank you Gaz

we have some super items on eBay that are already at a very good price.

The reason we started this thread is so it can run long after the eBay auctions have finished.

From what I know, which Is very little in the "steam tour or any tour world" it is usual that the Headboard is raffled on the train/tour we thought we would put it on our website so everyone can have a go at bidding for it and potentially raising more cash for the charity.

The headboard should be completed within the next 2 weeks by Procast.

regards and thank you.:)
 

trainofhope

Member
Joined
6 May 2011
Messages
60
Hello

here is an update on a couple of more things added to the Train of Hope charity Steam Rail tour.

FREE FIRST CLASS TRAVEL to and from Crewe on the day with Virgin Trains.

I have booked a banner plane to intercept the train north of Preston. The plane will fly along side the train for about 20-30 minutes towing a banner displaying TRAIN OF HOPE - CLIC SARGENT

We will also have a professional photographer travelling with us and he will give us all the photographs to put on our website so we can sell them after the tour to raise more money CLIC Sargent.

The on train raffle list just keeps growing.

Tickets are now starting to sell really well so thank you all. :D
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hello

I would just like to thank anyone who bid on the last lot of eBay auctions as that little lot raised over £3,000 thank you. :D
 
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trainofhope

Member
Joined
6 May 2011
Messages
60
Hi

Just an update for you guys thinking about it!

These tickets are now selling really fast and I dont think it will be long now till the tour is sold out.

This is a very special charity steam tour, please dont miss out if you are thinking about it.

We may start a reserve list when sold out.

regards
 
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