Hedjaz Railways

The amazing Hedjaz Railway was originally built to transport pilgrims from Damascus to Medina. Severely damaged during the First World War, largely by Lawrence of Arabia, several parts have been kept in running order so the romance of the railway remains alive for our tour. We travel on all the available sections on privately chartered trains, steam hauled throughout. The trip features many different steam locomotives and includes visits to a galaxy of fascinating places; the Red City of Petra, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, the ruined Roman city of Jerash and the ancient cities of Amman and Damascus all lie in wait for us. While much of our route runs through desert country, we also visit the Dead Sea and mountainous southern Syria.

Friday 17th September 

Fly to Amman 

Our flight leaves London Heathrow late morning to fly to Amman in Jordan. On arrival, we transfer to the Crown Plaza in time for a light supper. (D) 

Saturday 18th September 

Steam to Quatrana 

We leave the hotel for Amman station where our first locomotive, a British built Stephenson Hawthorn 2-8-2 no. 23, will take us south into the desert to Quatrana. This section of the line is closed to regular traffic and we will have opportunities to capture some rare pictures.
The long climb out of Amman is fascinating as we pass through its suburbs. At Quatrana we have lunch in the Sultani Resthouse after which we continue along the Desert Highway to Petra.
We stay tonight at the 4-star Crown Plaza Hotel. (B L D) 

Sunday 19th September 

Guided Tour of Petra 

Although much has been written about Petra, nothing really prepares a visitor for this amazing place. It has to be seen to be believed. Known as the ‘city of rock’, it was carved out of the local multi-coloured sandstone over two thousand years ago and its imposing facades and tombs are a testament to the one-time wealth of the ancient Nabateans. Its most famous buildings are the Treasury and the Great Temple, worth visiting for the exquisite art and architecture it showcases from this period. A palatial building, it displays carved elephant heads, frescos and elegant pilasters demonstrating the bringing together of many cultures. During our guided tour we have lunch at the Basin Restaurant. (B L D) 

Monday 20th September 

Dead Sea Resort 

The Dead Sea has great significance biblically, archaeologically, historically and geographically, the lowest water surface on earth at 1,373 feet below sea level. Today our coach will take us from Petra to the Dead Sea where you can choose to bathe, reaping the acclaimed benefits of the sea’s mineral-rich waters. Changing facilities and towels are provided by a local hotel. After lunch at the resort we return to Amman and the Crown Plaza. (B L D) 

Tuesday 21st September 

Train to Syria 

We join our train, today hauled by a Japanese Pacific no. 82, at Amman station for a northbound run along the Hedjaz railway to Dera’a in Syria. A marvelous experience, since steam hauled border crossings are a rare event anywhere in the world today. The city of Dera’a dates back to the Canaanites and was mentioned in the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III between 1490 and 1436 BC. We visit the locomotive depot at Dera’a where an ancient 2-6-0T no. 61 will be specially steamed for us to shunt in the station yard. A Hartmann 2-8-2 no. 262 will work into Dera’a with a freight train from Damascus. Another Hartmann 2-8-0 no. 91 hauling Syrian rolling stock will then take us down the little used branch line to Bosra where we check into the 4-star Cham Palace Hotel for two nights. (B L D) 

Wednesday 22nd September 

The Ancient City of Bosra or Steam to Dera’a 

Today you can choose to join us on our sightseeing tour of Bosra. Alternatively you can join no. 91 for the trip back to Dera’a for photo’ opportunities. Bosra is famous for its magnificent fifteen thousand seat Roman amphitheatre, later converted into a fortress by the Ayyubids.
Other things to see include the Western Gate, the Roman Baths, the Mosque of Omar, the Cathedral of Bosra, the Mameluke baths, a Nabatean arch and the basilica known as the Church of Bahira. Those choosing to take the sightseeing tour will return to Dera’a by private coach. Lunch is at the Al Sharak restaurant in Dera’a. In the afternoon we join our train, hauled by no. 262, to the scenic Yarmuk Gorge area beyond Mezerib to Zeizoum. 

This is a fantastic journey passing through tunnels and across viaducts whilst heading deep into the gorge. Here the locomotive runs round the train for the return journey back to Dera’a where our coach will take us back to Bosra. (B L D) 

Thursday 23rd September 

Yarmuk Gorge and Damascus 

We return to Dera’a station to join our special train, hauled by no. 97, for a second run down the spectacular gorge to Zeizoum. If you prefer you can stay in Dera’a for the morning for a spot of sightseeing. We have lunch at the Al Sharak restaurant in Dera’a and afterwards leave hauled by 2-6-2 no. 262 to travel along the main line towards Damascus. We stay at the 5-star Cham Palace Hotel in Damascus for two nights. (B L D) 

Friday 24th September 

Cadem Works and Fijeh 

Today we visit the Cadem works in Damascus, a treasure chest of old steam locomotive carriages and machinery. Following our visit we go to Hameh station to join our special train, hauled by Swiss Loco Company 2-6-0T no. 755, a train of old four-wheel coaches, for our journey to Fijeh. Here we have lunch at a restaurant with a small river flowing through it. We return to Damascus by coach for a guided tour of the city, which includes the chapel commemorating the lowering of St Paul in a basket to escape his persecutors. For enthusiasts there is the option to return to Damascus by our steam train. (B L D) 

Saturday 25th September 

Ruined City of Jerash 

We travel to Cadem station where a Hartman Mikado will be waiting to haul our train along the Hedjaz main line to Dera’a. This is a fascinating line that includes a mixture of street running in Damascus and stunning, bleak desert scenery. After lunch we join a coach to visit the ruined Roman city of Jerash; imagine being back in the 2nd century AD as we walk around one of the best-preserved provincial Roman cities anywhere in the world. This city includes magnificent ruins from Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic periods, proving that it has existed for over a thousand years. We stay at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Amman for two nights. (B L D) 

Sunday 26th September 

Steam to Qasir 

Our coach will take us to the Royal Automobile Museum to view its impressive collection.
From here we go to Mahatta station where Haine St Pierre 2-8-2 no. 71 will haul our train southbound to Qasir station. You’ll enjoy photo’ stops along this highly scenic line then, on arrival, a coach will take us to St George’s Church.
This will be followed by lunch and a visit to Mount Nebo before we return to Amman. (B L D) 

Monday 27th September 

Return to the UK 

Our flight departs early afternoon for London Heathrow for an early evening arrival. (B)

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner