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Welcome to Railtrail Tours

A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.

Big on Quality, Small Enough to Care

01538 382323
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

Steam Enthusiast Tour Calendar

 

Welcome to our unique programme of steam tours which are now open for booking. Below you will find a fantastic series of steam tours in the UK, Europe, and Worldwide including ever popular steam destinations such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, America, and New Zealand.

 

We look forward to the pleasure of your company soon discovering destinations that other tour operators do not reach.

 

Please also find our Expressions of Interest section at the bottom of this page. These are tours that are currently being finalised which will then be added to the tour list once released. You can follow the link to Express Your Interest and be one of the first to receive details of the tour as soon as they are available.

 

Last Updated: 22 March 2024

 

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Dresden Steam Festival & More      9 Apr 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £1999

Every year Dresden hosts one of the major steam festivals in Europe, and this year is no exception. Experience two main line steam runs, visit steam locomotives at the festival, enjoy three scenic narrow-gauge steam railways, and a vintage tram charter plus free time to discover the historic city of Dresden. Using our local agents, Railtrail Tours give you the best of the Dresden Steam Festival… & More!

 

<img src="steamingthroughthetulips180.jpeg" alt="Stoom Train">

Amsterdam, Tulips, Cheese & Steam     10 & 24 Apr 2024 (6 or 7 days) - Fares from £1399

Railtrail’s popular Holland tour features the incomparable bulbs in bloom at Keukenhof Gardens plus the historic steam train from Hoorn to Medemblik. Not forgetting a day in Amsterdam with a canal trip and we also stay in Alkmaar to coincide with their cheese market! We then sneak in some extra steam at Goes-Borsele whilst staying at the oldest hotel in the Netherlands.

 

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Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail     Five Dates from 11 Apr 2024 (5 days) - Fares from £699

Build up a head of steam, uncovering Scotland’s heritage from a different angle. Enjoy the Bo’ness & Kinneil Steam Railway, soar above the canals by boat on the remarkable Falkirk Wheel, cruise Loch Katrine, and steam through the Highlands on the Strathspey Railway. This great railway holiday also features The Kelpies, a distillery tour, and a brewery visit.

 

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Yorkshire Gold - Steam, Coast & Country     28 Apr & 8 Sep 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £1339

Discover the delights of England's most diverse county with our Yorkshire Gold tour staying in superb hotels in the spa town of Harrogate and coastal resort of Scarborough. Enjoy steam nostalgia in the magnificent Dales, explore historic houses & gardens, stroll York's medieval streets, sail the Leeds & Liverpool canal, and steam across brooding moors to charming Whitby.

 

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Heart of Wales Steam     Four Dates from 2 May 2024 (5 days) - Fares from £650

Introducing four great preserved steam railways and a scenic mainline on one great rail holiday based in the Heart of Wales spa town of Llandrindod Wells. View coastlines, valleys, reservoirs, and mountains from your window on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the Heart of Wales Line, the Brecon Mountain Railway and, last but not least, the Talyllyn, the world’s first ever preserved railway.

 

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Roses Battle By Steam     13 May, 17 Jun & 9 Sep 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £1099

We thought we would celebrate the steam and rail heritage of the north country with our own 'battle of the roses' tour, including Yorkshire and Lancashire steam and heritage railways every day from our base at an iconic railway hotel. With Railtrail escorting this great railway holiday you are sure to come up smelling of roses!

 

<img src="12.blonaychamby3.jpegg" alt="Blonay Chamby">

Lake Geneva Spring Steam      15 May 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £2499

Railtrail's new and exciting tour introduces four engines in steam plus three further steam lines and lake steamers wrapped in one great rail holiday. Perfect for any dedicated steam enthusiasts enjoying a major steam festival in scenic Switzerland staying in a superb hotel in Vevey on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva.

 

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The Australian (Flight Inclusive)      23 May 2024 (20 days) - Fares from £5989

Experience the trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts at least nine steam train rides including exclusive charters, outback towns, the scenic Blue Mountains, a vintage wooden paddle steamer cruise, and some amazing railway museums. Enjoy comfortable day time rail journeys between Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with free time in these amazing cities to explore and create unforgettable memories.

 

<img src="1.sydneyharbour-adobestock.jpeg" alt="Sydney Harbour">

The Australian (Ground Only)      24 May 2024 (18 days) - Fares from £4599

Experience the trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts at least nine steam train rides including exclusive charters, outback towns, the scenic Blue Mountains, a vintage wooden paddle steamer cruise, and some amazing railway museums. Enjoy comfortable day time rail journeys between Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with free time in these amazing cities to explore and create unforgettable memories.

 

This is the Ground Only option and you will have to make your own flight arrangements to Sydney and return from Adelaide.

 

<img src="1.alnvalleyrailway2.jpeg" alt="Aln Valley">

North East Steam      23 May 2024 (6 days) - Fares from £849

Experience Railtrail's newest steam tour to fantastic Newcastle. Explore the home of five steam railways, some in their historic original industrial setting plus enjoy a scenic ride along the beautiful coast for another spectacular steam rail journey. Enjoy free time in the delightful and diverse Scottish city of Edinburgh to explore and create amazing memories.

 

<img src="3harzmountainssteam-jewelofgermany.jpeg" alt="German Steam">

Harz Mountains Steam     8 Jun, 20 Jul & 14 Sep 2024 (7 days) - Fares from £1475

A great Railtrail holiday to discover picturesque medieval towns and villages surrounded by a panoramic range of stunning mountains, romantic valleys, and fairytale woods - full of folklore, fascinating history, and superb steam trains.

 

<img src="1.cotswold&swindon.jpeg" alt="Cotswolds Steam"/>

Forest of Dean Steam & The Wye Valley     10 Jun & 9 Sep 2024 (5 days) - Fares from £689

From our hotel in the beautiful Forest of Dean we explore the magical region between the Welsh borderland and the River Severn including three heritage steam railways and a boat trip on one of the country's most scenic river landscapes. We also visit some of the areas many charming towns and villages including Broadway 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', picturesque Ross-on-Wye, and the historic market town of Abergavenny.

 

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Swiss Rail Roamer     19 Jun & 11 Sep 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £2049

Experience Railtrail's newest tour to Switzerland. Discover spectacular routes such as the Gotthard, Lötschberg, and Albula Passes on the comfortable and remarkably efficient Swiss trains. Marvel at the scenery on the classic Glacier Express and the Rigi Mountain Railway, uncover the rarely visited "backwater" routes in the east of the country, and enjoy a relaxing lake cruise on this fantastic tour.

 

<img src="landwasserviaduct-shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Landwasser Viaduct"/>

Swiss Glacier Express and the Bernina     10 Jul, 18 & 25 Sep 2024 (9 days) - Fares from £2499

Two of the world’s greatest railway journeys in one tour! Enjoy the classic Glacier Express journey across the Swiss Alps followed by the Bernina Express in its full glory. Not forgetting Lausanne, Montreux, and St Moritz plus stays on Lake Geneva and in the Engadin Valley. We have also enhanced the tour by adding an outbound overnight in the beautiful city of Basel for a more leisurely travel experience.

 

<img src="landwasserviaduct-shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Landwasser Viaduct"/>

Northern Germany by Steam     11 Jul 2024 (9 days) - Fares from £2399

Experience our exciting tour full of steam action and variety in Northern Germany. Featuring the amazing Flensburg Steamboat Festival, two rarely visited steam railways including an exclusive charter, special arrangements on the "Molli" steam line with a unique photo session at the depot plus vintage trams, a steamboat cruise, and a visit to the world's largest model railway. This is not a tour to be missed!

 

<img src="1aswissmountainsteam.jpeg" alt="Rigi Steam"/>

Swiss Mountain Steam     22 Jul, 19 Aug & 23 Sep 2024 (9 days) - Fares from £2939

Switzerland and steam trains - a delightful combination as Railtrail Tours take you to the heart of this beautiful country to experience some amazing mountain rail journeys and glorious lake steamer cruises. Plus, for 2024, we have enhanced the tour by adding an outbound overnight in the beautiful city of Basel for a more leisurely travel experience.

 

<img src="bavarianlocaltrain.jpeg" alt="Rail Riding"/>

Bavarian Rail Roamer      8 Aug 2024 (6 days) - Fares from £1199

Discover Railtrail's exciting, new, all-rail holiday to Germany. This value-for-money tour travels over some of Germany's most scenic rail routes, taking in a large railway museum, a vintage railcar, steam tram, the lovely lakeside town of Lindau, and the opportunity to explore beautiful Munich.

 

<img src="bavarianlocaltrain.jpeg" alt="Rail Riding"/>

Dutch Maximum Steam Weekend      5 Sep 2024 (5 days) - Fares from £1199

Experience a fantastic major steam festival featuring big engines, demonstration freight trains, and traction engines plus a steam powered sawmill, model railways, and lots more on this exciting and action-packed tour. We also visit three other steam railways in the Netherlands, enjoy a vintage boat cruise, and explore a superb outdoor recreated village museum in this short break, value for money tour.

 

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South of France Steam      23 Sep 2024 (8 days) - Fares from £1899

We are proud to offer this highly anticipated, special tour to the South of France riding steam hauled trains over some of the most scenic routes in France. Experience the stunning Doux Gorge line to the gourmet town of Lamastre, an exclusive charter train, the superb viaducts aboard the Cévennes steam train, and steam into the Provence countryside plus a ride along the Mediterranean coast and a fantastic branch line into the mountains.

 

<img src="uswilmingtonandwesternrr.jpeg" alt="Wilmington & Western"/>

USA Fall Colours Steam (Flight Inclusive)     2 Oct 2024 (13 days) - Fares from £4289

Join us on this truly amazing, new tour to the USA featuring 7 steam lines including marvellous double headed shay locomotives and a phenomenal 2-6-6-2 Mallet in operation. On this action-packed adventure we will also experience two scenic diesel excursions, an Amtrak ride into New York with free time in the infamous "Big Apple", and two fascinating railroad museums. This is the journey of a lifetime to create lasting memories!

 

<img src="uswilmingtonandwesternrr.jpeg" alt="Wilmington & Western"/>

USA Fall Colours Steam (Ground Only)     2 Oct 2024 (12 days) - Fares from £3399

Join us on this truly amazing, new tour to the USA featuring 7 steam lines including marvellous double headed shay locomotives and a phenomenal 2-6-6-2 Mallet in operation. On this action-packed adventure we will also experience two scenic diesel excursions, an Amtrak ride into New York with free time in the infamous "Big Apple", and two fascinating railroad museums. This is the journey of a lifetime to create lasting memories!

 

This is the Ground Only option and you will have to make your own flight arrangements to Philadelphia and return from Washington Dulles.

 

<img src="1.newzealandcoastalpacifictrain.jpeg" alt="New Zealand Coastal">

New Zealand Steam Adventure (Flight Inclusive)     7th Feb 2025 (26 days) - Fares from £TBC Late March

Experience the trip of a lifetime on our unique escorted tour to New Zealand showcasing the best of both the North and South Islands. Immerse yourself in the charm of KiwiRail's scenic routes with breathtaking rides on all three journeying through magnificent mountain scenery and coastlines. Enjoy numerous charter trains, exclusive steam charters, a lake cruise, visits to railway museums, and much more plus time to explore and soak in the culture, beauty, and history of this amazing country.

 

<img src="1.newzealandcoastalpacifictrain.jpeg" alt="New Zealand Coastal">

New Zealand Steam Adventure (Ground Only)     10th Feb 2025 (22 days) - Fares from £7995

Experience the trip of a lifetime on our unique escorted tour to New Zealand showcasing the best of both the North and South Islands. Immerse yourself in the charm of KiwiRail's scenic routes with breathtaking rides on all three journeying through magnificent mountain scenery and coastlines. Enjoy numerous charter trains, exclusive steam charters, a lake cruise, visits to railway museums, and much more plus time to explore and soak in the culture, beauty, and history of this amazing country.

 

This is the Ground Only option and you will have to make your own flight arrangements to Auckland and return from Christchurch.

 

<img src="rsz_1railtrail_logo_300dpi.jpeg" alt="Railtrail Logo">

Northern Hungary Narrow Gauge Tour     21 Oct 2024 (9 days) - Fares from £TBA

Are you 'Hungary' for steam this summer. Just letting you know we are working on an 8/9 day tour featuring a combination of steam and vintage tram charters travelling throughout by rail with the option of a Budapest tour base fare for anyone wishing to fly. Please express your interest now to be the first to receive the tour itinerary and option to book.

 

Express your interest in receiving details of this tour as soon as they are available

 

<img src="rsz_1railtrail_logo_300dpi.jpeg" alt="Railtrail Logo">

Canadian Rail Explorer      Late March 2025 (12 days) - Fares from £TBA

If you're looking for a unique rail journey through majestic Canada, this is the tour for you! You'll travel in a classic 1950's train with dome cars, tail observation car and proper restaurant car, and enjoy 12 days of sightseeing and relaxing on your way. Feast your eyes on iconic cities like Montreal and Toronto, gaze out at the thundering waters of Niagara Falls, soak in coastal breezes in Vancouver, and take a ferry ride to Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island. This rail journey across Canada offers an unforgettable experience like no other.

 

Express your interest in receiving details of this tour as soon as they are available

 

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Please keep visiting the Railtrail Steam Calendar for updates to our site.  Many thanks for looking.





 



Contact Us
Railtrail Tours Limited
21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
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