Details updated: 09.12.08
The Somerset Explorer
Saturday 14th February 2009
Join us on this special day out over former Great Western Railway and London & South Western Railway territory, which will feature the Ex Southern Railway Tangmere.
The Somerset Explorer will combine classic railway routes, with their testing gradients, set in very pleasant scenery.
Our journey to Somerset commences at London Paddington station where we shall leave, steam hauled by our locomotive for the day, namely Ex Southern Railway 34067 Tangmere.
We shall follow the Great Western Main Line out of London and run along the Thames Valley through Slough and Maidenhead towards Reading. After a brief call at Reading, we shall now join the ‘Berks & Hants’ line through to Newbury and onwards via Hungerford to Savernake Summit, which will test the pulling power of Tangmere.
We follow the northern edge of Salisbury Plain through the Vale of Pewsey towards Westbury. Here we shall continue to follow the GWR mainline to Taunton as far as the junction at Castle Cary, where we shall diverge away southwards towards Yeovil. Passing through Yeovil Pen Mill station, we shall take the short connecting link to Yeovil Junction station where a break will be scheduled to service Tangmere at the adjacent Yeovil Railway Centre. During the break, the Yeovil Railway Centre will be open to visitors where you can observe Tangmere being serviced and turned on the turntable in preparation for the return run back to London.
Our departure from Yeovil Junction will then follow the scenic L&SWR line to Salisbury.
There are a number of steep climbs en route, including Sherborne and Gillingham banks to tax the locomotive. We enter Wiltshire and pass through Tisbury before the tall spire of Salisbury Cathedral comes into view.
Another break is scheduled at Salisbury for servicing the locomotive and also to allow passengers a brief visit to this historic town.
With our locomotive fully refreshed, we continue eastwards over the long climb to Grateley and pass through Andover. There will be ample opportunity for Tangmere to reach its maximum permitted speed along this section, a thrilling experience indeed. At Basingstoke, we take the former Great Western Railway line to Reading where we shall rejoin our outward route for the final run back to London Paddington.
Sadly, this is the end of the line for the Salisbury Explorer as we say farewell to Tangmere at our journey’s end.
We shall follow the Great Western Main Line out of London and run along the Thames Valley through Slough and Maidenhead towards Reading. After a brief call at Reading, we shall now join the ‘Berks & Hants’ line through to Newbury and onwards via Hungerford to Savernake Summit, which will test the pulling power of Tangmere.
We follow the northern edge of Salisbury Plain through the Vale of Pewsey towards Westbury. Here we shall continue to follow the GWR mainline to Taunton as far as the junction at Castle Cary, where we shall diverge away southwards towards Yeovil. Passing through Yeovil Pen Mill station, we shall take the short connecting link to Yeovil Junction station where a break will be scheduled to service Tangmere at the adjacent Yeovil Railway Centre. During the break, the Yeovil Railway Centre will be open to visitors where you can observe Tangmere being serviced and turned on the turntable in preparation for the return run back to London.
Our departure from Yeovil Junction will then follow the scenic L&SWR line to Salisbury.
There are a number of steep climbs en route, including Sherborne and Gillingham banks to tax the locomotive. We enter Wiltshire and pass through Tisbury before the tall spire of Salisbury Cathedral comes into view.
Another break is scheduled at Salisbury for servicing the locomotive and also to allow passengers a brief visit to this historic town.
With our locomotive fully refreshed, we continue eastwards over the long climb to Grateley and pass through Andover. There will be ample opportunity for Tangmere to reach its maximum permitted speed along this section, a thrilling experience indeed. At Basingstoke, we take the former Great Western Railway line to Reading where we shall rejoin our outward route for the final run back to London Paddington.
Sadly, this is the end of the line for the Salisbury Explorer as we say farewell to Tangmere at our journey’s end.
Approximate Timings
| Station | Depart | Return |
|---|---|---|
| London Paddington | 09:00 | 19:50 |
| Slough | 09:23 | 19:25 |
| Reading | 09:45 | 19:00 |
| Yeovil Junction | Arrive 11:20 | Depart 12:30 |
| Salisbury | Arrive 13:40 | Depart 16:35 |
Fares
| Fares | Adult | Junior | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | £169 | £112 | £475 |
| First | £104 | £55 | £295 |
| Standard | £74 | £39 | £195 |
• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)