Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

..... with the full 'Tour pack'

 

Looks to be a bit of an endurance test on this day
0835 ex Bristol
Arrives Cardiff at 2135

Pembroke dock 1358-1406
Fishguard 1601-1611
Milford haven 1804-1809
Be lucky for the punters to get any photos at any of these locations

And doesn't look like any breaks off the train on that day unless I've missed spotting them, unless they release the doors at pathing stops

 

Newport in the morning for half an hour, then over an hour at Haverfordwest in the afternoon. 15 minute stops at Narbeth and Whitland in the afternoon as well.

 

Cheers missed spotting those in the timings

Suspect everything will be shut in Haverfordwest at that time on a Sunday afternoon

Recall doing Fishguard on a tour on either a Sun or bank holiday and everything was shut up...well what little there was to view

Did Pembroke Dock with Oliver Cromwell with RTC on a Sunday as think that was the only day paths were available. We were running late from memory but had dropped some passengers off at Tenby for a break. Network Rail wanted to turn is back there to pick up time but once we'd said passengers had been dropped off it was either sit at Tenby until time or head to Pembroke Dock, so luckily scratched it in that day

 

Haverfordwest was once my stamping ground, and I'd suggest it's an hour too long these days! Indeed, Sunday opening hours have little effect on what's there mid-week. Many of what's left of the decent pubs are across the Cleddau, itself separated from the station by a busy dual carriageway. There is the Milford Arms, but my recollection is that it's a 'Bow and Stella place. The adventurous might be able to make it to the Bristol Trader, but it'll all depend on timings.

Fishguard could be a much better destination if only coaches were provided to connect the train with the town. Plenty of reasonable pubs and one or two restaurants, while the coastal scenery is rather lovely.

 

The RTT suggests the possibility of being dropped off at Tenby and picked up on the way back out, but this isn't mentioned in the RTC narrative itinerary. For some an hour in Tenby around lunchtime might be a more attractive proposition than 8 minutes at Pembroke Dock. Also a photo opportunity.

 

Whilst if you have already been on the tour 2 days it may be a bit long, by modern railtour standards I would argue a short day. 3 hours shorter than a CME from Euston (with only about 90 minutes in Carlisle) and 3 to 4 hours shorter than from the start point of most LSL operated tours.

 

1 day ( day 2 )

 

My mistake, too used to it heading west from BTM in the past.

 

Tbf It is my 3rd day after travelling from the North

 

I did 7 previous GB trips and the fact you travel to a different hotel each night means you mostly only have to travel one way unlike a normal railtour where you have to get there and back in the same day

My meaning of it being a long day was the fact they are only arriving at Cardiff at 2135 and then have to get to the hotels

Unless they are in dining on the train not much chance of an evening meal that day

 

Chippy Lane Cdf is open late and a short walk from the station....



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Street_(Cardiff)

 

Since the fire risk thread has been moved. Thought I’d update the last forum I posted to with said information.

Fire risk is now green nationwide, with a note for the North West of TBC from Saturday.

 

Day 3 timings

Cardiff to Hereford
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48023/2025-04-28/detailed

Hereford to Chester
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48026/2025-04-28/detailed

Chester to Carnforth
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48028/2025-04-28/detailed

 

Day 4 timings
Carnforth to Carlisle
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48263/2025-04-29/detailed

Carlisle to Edinburgh
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48265/2025-04-29/detailed

 

Day 5 timings
Edinburgh to Inverness
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48361/2025-04-30/detailed

 

Day 6 timings
Inverness to Wick
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U36788/2025-05-01/detailed

Wick to Inverness
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U36789/2025-05-01/detailed

30 mins in Wick

 

Glenmorangie tour possible.