A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
Since the early 1990’s special charter trains such as this one have been banned between Maryport and Carlisle preventing or making it extremely difficult to enjoy the full route via England’s longest and most scenic coastal railway by train from most parts of the country in comfort and without hassle. The reason for this restriction was that British Rail (and then later carried on by Railtrack and Network Rail) decided that clearances between the train and trackside landscape beyond Maryport were simply too tight to allow any traditional carriages, which include windows that it is possible to open and put your head out of while the train is moving, to traverse this leg of the route. All modern trains that carry commuters, shoppers and leisure travellers between Workington, Maryport and Carlisle are formed of vehicles that have no opening windows that you can get your head out of. It is widely known that most charter trains carry far more staff (volunteer stewards in our case) than conventional daily rail services so it is with great pleasure following successful campaigning for around 15 years (by a variety of people in the industry) we are once again now able to offer this unique journey by private charter train.
PLEASE NOTE we have only received dispensation to offer you this excursion on the condition that our stewards will keep all vestibule area windows closed for the entirety of the final leg between Maryport and Carlisle stations (and supervise this matter accordingly) and that passengers who book on the excursion MUST agree to follow this additional condition past Maryport, if choosing to book, in order to ensure we adhere to this safety ruling that is only bypassed under this particular set of conditions being adhered to by staff and passengers.
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: - After picking up our passengers we head through the farmland of rural Cheshire and cross the River Weaver from a tall viaduct. We then continue on our pleasant run via Warrington and Wigan before entering Lancashire and running via Preston and to the east of Bowland. On passing Lancaster our first views of Morecambe Bay are afforded at Bolton-le-Sands and we slow for the start of our scenic Cumbrian Coast rail journey at Carnforth (home of the famous Brief Encounter film as well as working yard of heritage steam and diesel engines). The train now runs westerly adjacent to Wharton Sands and up towards Silverdale and Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, then passes Arnside before crossing Kent viaduct and an estuary with views right across the bay and looking towards the South Lakeland mountains. We then run through the sleepy Victorian resort of Grange-over-Sands, then Kents Bank and Cark, which bring us to Cartmel Sands and more fine estuary views crossing the Leven Viaduct. From here there is brief respite from the sea as we pass Ulverston and Dalton-in-Furness. We may then be sent via the normally freight-only line, which avoids Barrow station, but this all depends on what time we reach there at in the morning. To the north of Barrow we’re back onto the coastline and run through Askham and Kirkby-in-Furness with fine views across Duddon Sands, before reaching Foxfield and then arching right round to hug the coast in a southerly direction for a few miles until we reach the historical town of Millom. Past Millom we run west for another few miles before the coast then takes us northbound again and we have seaside and mountainous views all in one go on a very sparsely populated part of the route! This scenery continues in sections as we pass the coastal village of Ravenglass, then Seascale and Sellafield (where a power station looks somewhat out of place in its barren surroundings). The train then ventures northwards up through a few more small coastal villages including St Bees before finally hitting civilisation again at the historical maritime port of Whitehaven, then a few miles on is the once very industrial coastal town of Workington (where most charter trains were once forced to terminate due to lack of suitable sidings further north). We are now adjacent to Solway Firth (and Scotland lies just a few miles across the bay) and the line continues via Maryport then slightly more inland as we take a rural run via Aspatria and Wigton eventually hitting Carlisle in time for early afternoon and completing a memorable outward run!
CARLISLE: This great city dominates the borderlands between England and Scotland, sitting within the vale between the Cumbrian Mountains and Scottish Southern Uplands.
In Carlisle you’ll find yourself at the centre of a stirring past and a vibrant present. In the beautiful and historic heart of the city you may choose to stroll between the castle, cathedral or indeed the Tullie House Museum – all surrounded by great places to shop, eat or to be entertained so creating the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your travel companions.
Departure from Carlisle should be around 15:45 giving a break of about 3 hours.
RETURN JOURNEY: We take an afternoon return via the Eden Valley, Penrith and the beautiful Lake District side of the Cumbrian Fells climbing over Shap summit then dropping down through Tebay (as regular travellers will know this is truly a fabulous scenic run all in itself). The train then runs via Oxenholme with a view of the Lakes, Morecambe Bay, Lancaster, the edge of Bowland and Preston before we eventually begin to retrace our steps returning home for an evening arrival at your local joining station, although our journey to Crewe may be via a slightly different route to the morning due to planned autumn Saturday evening track maintenance works south of Wigan.
RELATED WEBSITES:
http://www.visitcumbria.com/railway.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbrian_Coast_Line
www.lake-district.gov.uk
www.visitcumbria.com/car/carlisle.htm
www.aboutbritain.com/towns/Carlisle.asp
www.historic-carlisle.org.uk
ESTMATED TIMINGS: *PLEASE NOTE times are only those that have been requested. Confirmed final times will be sent out with your tickets around four or five days before the tour when Network Rail advise us of them.
** Note in First Class there are a few tables for two available for additional privacy – you may request these at £10 supplement PER PERSON, subject to availability (advance reservation essential).
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS can be brought on the train free of charge only if not taking up a seat and sharing seats with accompanying adults.
REFRESHMENTS: A buffet service of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages is available to all our passengers throughout the day – as well as an at seat trolley service in first class seating areas, operating at occasional intervals.
THE TRAIN: The train is hired in and operated through licensed UK rolling stock providers and train operating companies and formed entirely of traditional intercity carriages hauled by heritage British Built diesel traction throughout. First class passengers are seated in tables of 2 or 4 seats with curtains, larger more deeply cushioned reclining seating. Standard class is seated mainly in bays of 4 seats around a table. If you have specific seating requests or type – please give us plenty of notice, ideally when booking.
Many of our recent Railtours have been very busy or fully subscribed so early booking is advised!
the train, and other things you may want answering