Apparently there's going to be a Steam Heritage tour at the end of April 2011.

It would be great if one of the photographers in the village could capture the train crossing the viaduct.

I think the schedule is going west on Saturday 30th April at about 11:30am and returning east about an hour and a quarter later.

The Royal Duchy

Saturday 30th April

Join us on this very special excursion from Slough to the Royal Duchy of Cornwall. The train will be steam hauled on the return journey from Penzance to Bristol by Britannia class locomotive, No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell and LMS Class 5, 45305. This superb combination should ensure an impressive pace over the notorious inclines of the Cornish and South Devon Banks. The train will be diesel hauled from Slough to Penzance and from Bristol to Slough.

 

 

 

Our train leavesSlough at 06:20 and stops to pick up more passengers at Reading, Swindon, and Bristol. We continue to Taunton and then climb to Whiteball Summit on the border of Somerset and Devon, before dropping down into the Culm Valley to Exeter. We then follow the Exe Estuary and run beside the sea wall from Dawlish to Teignmouth, one of the most superb stretches of railway line in Britain. It is an exhilarating experience to travel along this route, passing through tunnels and rock cuttings right on the edge of the sea.

After Newton Abbot, there are some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First there is the climb of Dainton Bank up to Dainton Tunnel, before dropping down to Totnes, and then it is the climb up Rattery Bank before the descent to Plymouth. After leaving Plymouth, we cross the River Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, and enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside and over high slender viaducts before arriving at Penzance, where there is about an hour to explore the town.

Penzance is a market town and port with numerous attractions including the 1840’s promenade with its Art Deco swimming baths, the sub-tropical Morrab Gardens, and the Penlee House Museum and Art Gallery. The town has interesting Georgian and Regency buildings. A number of establishments offer traditional Cornish food and drink, especially the Cornish Pasty.

Our two steam locomotives will be hauling our train as we leave Penzance at 13:00 for the return journey. We shall enjoy some spirited running through the undulating Cornish countryside.
Leaving Plymouth, the two steam locomotives will demonstrate their true power as they tackle the long, steep climbs up Hemerdon and Dainton Banks. After Exeter, the climb to Whiteball Summit will be followed by some fast running to Taunton and through the Somerset countryside to Bristol.

We shall be leaving our two steam locomotives at Bristol and a diesel locomotive will take us back to Slough. We shall stop, to set down passengers, at the same stations as on the outward journey.

 

Actual Timings

Station	Depart	Return
Slough	05:30	22:00
Reading	06:01	21:36
Swindon	06:50	20:41
Bristol	07:34	19:23
Penzance	12:05 (arrive)	12:45 (depart)

Fares

Fares	Adult	Junior	Family
Premier	£209	£132	£615
First	£129	£70	£330
Standard	£95	£49	£240

• 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.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £18 per person.
(subject to availability)

Book this tour online

CLICK HERE

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