UK Steam in January 2011

[philabos]

We will be visiting the UK in late January and I would like to ride behind a British steam engine. I have loooked in several places on the web and it appears the only main line workings are the lunch trips out of Victoria - a bit too pricey. Our Transatlantic air tickets are about the same price.
Is there any steam railway reachable by rail from London operating during that period. Thanks for any help.

 

[matt]

The Mid Hants Railway is running which is at Alton which can be reached by South West Trains from London Waterloo (http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Your-Visit/Timetable).

 

[philabos]

Matt

Thanks very much - that looks perfect fpr a day trip from London

Warren

 

[cav1975]

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will be running between Havenstreet and Wootton on January 23rd to celebrate 40 years since the first steam train at Havenstreet in the preservation era. Details including train times are on the web.

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/special-events/january/the-last-train/details/44.html

Getting there will give you a taste of many forms of transport. Start with a train to Portsmouth harbour, the Wightlink ferry to Ryde Pier and than a 1938 vintage electric train to Ryde Esplanade (All on one ticket Waterloo to Ryde Esplanade return) Then take a No.9 bus to Wootton Station to catch the steam train. the bus takes 15 minutes and runs every 30 minutes even on a Sunday in winter.

Whichever heritage railway you visit I hope you will have a great day.

 

[philabos]

Thanks Cav1975

Think we will opt for the Mid Hants - seems the right combination of a steam trip for me and a walk around with pub lunch for her at Alresford. Hopefully your inclement weather will have abated by then - but then again, we have seen snow before! Also features direct train service from London which is a plus. We are also visiting friends in Glasgow so will get a taste of Virgin Trains while there as well.

 

[Daimler]

Alternatively, there's the Bluebell Railway, around the same distance out from London as the Mid Hants, providing the special bus service is running from East Grinstead.

 

[moonrakerz]

Think we will opt for the Mid Hants - .............. Also features direct train service from London which is a plus.

I note that their web site gives a link to the Train Line.com: I wouldn't (don't, in fact) use this particular company, they claim to offer large savings, but their advertising is a little "selective" - shall we say !
Their tickets are NO cheaper than anyone else - BUT they charge delivery fees, card fees, etc, etc which most of the Train Operating Companies (TOCs) don't.

All the TOCs sell tickets via their websites, and you don't have to buy your ticket from the company you are going to travel on. You can have them posted to you (in the UK) or collect them from ticket machines or station booking offices. If you collect them - you must carry the card you used to buy the tickets on line -just to prove that you are the person who paid for those tickets.

Have a good time !

 

[philabos]

[All the TOCs sell tickets via their websites, and you don't have to buy your ticket from the company you are going to travel on.


Does that mean I can buy the SWT tickets for Alton at the same time I buy
my VT tickets fro Glasgow all from VT?

 

[matt]

Does that mean I can buy the SWT tickets for Alton at the same time I buy
my VT tickets fro Glasgow all from VT?

Yes you will be able to buy your tickets for all of your trips from the same place.

 

[philabos]

Yes you will be able to buy your tickets for all of your trips from the same place.

Thanks - did not know that!

 

[moonrakerz]

Yes you will be able to buy your tickets for all of your trips from the same place.

........and if you buy well in advance you can get much cheaper fares - rather like the budget airlines.
You will be tied to specific trains but well worth it.

Have a play with one of the TOC websites and you will be able to see what kind of fares are available.

I usually use this one:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/

This may be worth a look too - if you fall into any of the categories listed:
http://www.railcard.co.uk/

 

[philabos]

I was astounded to find a UKP 18.50 fare from Euston to Glasgow on a Saturday morning - unfortunately my wife refuses to get up for an 0605 train. She insisted we take the 0930 for 37.50 which will make my Scottish ancestors turn over in ther graves. Given we will be on a morning train, I then countered with a compromise to go first class since in was only 12.00 more and included breakfast. Even at the first class rate, for this distance it is quite a bargain compared with anything you could get on the this side of the pond.
Thanks for all the suggestions - worked out well.
Will plot the trip to Mid Hants based on the weather after we arrive London.

 

[urtvnews]

Anyone who is coming to the UK and would like a steam train ride, you HAVE to come to Scotland and ride the steam train through the West Highland Way (voted the most scenic train route in the world for the past 3 years).

Here is some footage of the steam train in all its glory (as well as a quick chat with the driver)...

http://helensburgh.urtv.co.uk/stories/302-steam-train-at-garelochhead