Steam Enthusiast Tour Calendar

7 July 2022 (5 days)     Staffordshire Steam Rail & Ale          fare £529

Our very popular visit to Staffordshire with a slight twist to the usual to include the Military Trains event at Apedale which features Britain’s biggest collection of trains, equipment, trench and re-enactors from World War 1. Add in the steam charters at Rudyard and Amerton Railways plus standard gauge steam at the Churnet Valley Railway and the Foxfield Railway plus a visit to the Crewe Heritage Centre and the popular Titanic Brewery (Plum Porter voted Best Real Ale of Britain) plus an evening meal at a novel café and a pint at the renowned Yew Tree pub. Based at Travelodge Newcastle under Lyme.

18 July 2022 (5 days)  Forest of Dean Steam & the Wye Valley      fares from £599

From our hotel in the beautiful Forest of Dean we explore the magical region between the Welsh borderland and the River Severn on a new tour 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 picturesque Broadway, historic Ledbury, and the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye.

21 July 2022  (5 days)      Chiltern Hills Steam Rail & Ale Trail     fare £659

Another popular favourite commencing with an evening and light snacks Bekonscot Model Village. A steam charter at Leighton Buzzard Railway. A visit to Didcot Railway Centre, private steam charter at Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, and the rare model railway collection at Pendon Museum plus a pint and meal at Fancott pub with its miniature railway. Add in the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway a first time visit to Ruislip Lido Railway and a tasting and food at the Malt Brewery.

31 July 2022 (9 days) Northern Germany & Baltic Coast Steam Explorer  fare £1995

Our ever-popular tour of Northern Germany that includes the superb ‘Molli’ with the street running through the town of Bad Doberan and then runs to the Baltic seaside resort of at Kühlungsborn. As always we also include the Rügen Island’s 15 miles long 750 mm Rasender Roland line. We have timed the tour to feature a visit to the standard gauge Bruchausen-Vilsen Steam Railway at the usual time for it’s steam festival (however at the time of writing the steam festival dates for 2022 have not yet been published). This great tour also includes steam on the rarely visited by UK groups standard gauge Jan Harpstedt line, plus a vintage tram charter and a cruise on a steam boat!

4 Aug & 6 Oct 2022 (5 days)   Cotswolds & Swindon Steam Explorer

This great value tour takes us through the beautiful Cotswolds by steam train and on a journey of exploration as we sail through the Gloucester Docks with visits to the Didcot Railway Museum and STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway also included. Round off your holiday in great style with a tour and tasting at the award winning Hook Norton Brewery.

18 August 2022 (5 days)  Lost Village of Imber and the Somerset & Dorset

fare £599

Based at Jury’s Inn at Swindon we commence with a private charter at the Coate Water Miniature Railway topped off with Corinthian Ales at Cirencester. Our great little railways holiday is packed full with railways you may mean to visit but never quite get there. Including private charters at the Gartell Light Railway on the S&D trackbed and a private charter and lunch at the Somerset & Dorest Railway. We have steam at Swindon & Cricklade Railway followed by a visit to the Avon Valley Railway. Finally board your bus at the stop showing an Annual Bus Service! Because you are off to see the remains if Imber village on the one day a year its open to the public. Before departing for home we take a look at the Museum of Steam at Swinon.

26 August 2022 (5 days)   North Norfolk Steam Gala & Much More     Fare £559

What a way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend starting with a private visit to the magnificent miniature Barton House Railway with a sandwich tea. Topping the holiday list we take the train for a full day at the North Norfolk Steam Railway. But when you add in the Mid Norfolk Railway, the rarely visited standard gauge steam at the Whitwell & Reepham, and the narrow-gauge Wells & Walsingham Railway. Not forgetting the Bure Valley Railway and the steam collection at Bressingham Gardens it’s a magnificent way to spend your Bank Holiday!

3 Sept 2022(8 days) Switzerland's Steam-powered Six

See stunning Switzerland in style on our great steam powered railway holiday, based on the lakeshore of lovely Lake Lucerne. Cruise across three Swiss lakes the nostalgic way by paddle-steamer and experience three exhilarating steam train excursions in the Swiss mountains, plus take a trip on the world's steepest cogwheel railway!

12 Sept 2022 (8 days)  Roses Battle By Steam Plus Settle & Carlisle Line  fares from £975

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!

20 September 2022 (8 & 11 days)     Dresden Steam Festival & Saxon Narrow Gauge     fare £1779 & 2079

A repeat of the fabulous tour that re-commenced our post Covid lockdown steam tours programme this Autumn. A hugely enjoyable tour that is 11 days of steam magic at a truly unique event – the Dresden Steam Festival, plus travelling through beautiful Saxony from rolling meadows to the high hills on a plethora of world famous Saxon Narrow-Gauge lines. A shorter 8 day version missing out on some of the Saxon Narrow Gauge Steam lines is also available.

21 Sept 2022 (8 days)   Swiss Mountain Steam       fares from £2145

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.

22 Sept (5 days)  Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail      fares from £519

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.

6 October 2022 (5 days)     Mid Hants Steam Gala & IOW Steam & More Adventure

fare £619

We commence with a steam charter at the 2' gauge Old Kiln Light Railway and dinner at Tilford Brewery. Top of this list is a full day at the Mid Hants Steam Gala followed by a full day travelling by rail and the traditional ferry to Ryde Head and the new rolling stock to the Isle of Wight for steam on the Isle of Wight Railway. We conclude with a private charter at the South Downs Light Railway and also at Amberley Museum.

13 October 2022 (5 days)  Lancashire Steam & Heritage Tansport    fare £579

Take a trip down memory lane and discover a plethora of vintage vehicles on our Lancashire steam and heritage transport tour including the East Lancs steam gala, four transport museums, vintage bus travel, steam on the West Lancs Railway, vintage trams at Heaton Park Tramway plus, two real ale breweries.

13 October 2022 (5 days)         Kent & Sussex Autumn Steam

Based at the Travelodge Maidstone this re-run of the sold out 2022 Easter version of the tour we have coincided this departure with the Bluebell’s ‘Giants of Steam’ event. This version of the tour also includes standard gauge steam on the Kent & East Sussex and Spa Valley lines 15" gauge on the whole length of the famous Romney Hythe & Dymchurch line to Dungeness. Add in industrial steam at the oh so friendly Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway with hopefully a visit to the extensive Bredgar & Wormshill Railway 2’ line.

9 April 2023  (17 days)  Australia - Steam on Five Gauges Flight Inc  fares £3599 + Flights TBC

Start 2023 with a trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts six steam railways including four exclusive charters, three railway museums, a major steam festival featuring parallel running, a first class journey on the XPT train between Melbourne and Sydney, plus free time in both amazing cities!

10 April 2023 (15 days)  Australia - Steam on Five Gauges (Ground Only)

fares £3599

Start 2023 with a trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts six steam railways including four exclusive charters, three railway museums, a major steam festival featuring parallel running, a first class journey on the XPT train between Melbourne and Sydney, plus free time in both amazing cities!

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

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