The Volunteer - 2nd November 2026

https://www.trybooking.com/uk/event/120472

To celebrate 75 years of heritage rail, the Heritage Railway Association is delighted to be working in partnership with the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust and the Severn Valley Railway to offer a special commemorative rail tour on 2 November. Bringing together three organisations with a shared passion for preserving and celebrating Britain’s railway heritage, this unique day out will give passengers the opportunity to travel in style while marking an important milestone in the heritage railway movement.

The anniversary train, titled ‘The Volunteer’ to celebrate their role in creating the successful sector we have today, will mark the first time that the Heritage Railway Association in its current form has been part of a mainline rail tour. But the trip has been designed to evoke memories from the early days of railway preservation when mainline trips behind steam locomotives ventured out to scores of fledgling heritage railways.

Great Western Railway-designed ‘Castle Class’ locomotive No. 7029 Clun Castle was one of the heroes of those exciting 1960s rail tours. It is currently celebrating 60-years in preservation itself as the flagship locomotive of Vintage Trains.
Taking place the day before the HRA Conference, the rail tour provides the perfect opportunity to begin the conference programme with a relaxed and sociable day on the railway. HRA Conference attendees will benefit from specially reduced-rate tickets for the tour, making it an ideal addition to their visit and a chance to catch up with colleagues and friends from across the heritage rail sector before the conference gets underway.

The Volunteer is expected to depart Birmingham Snow Hill at approximately 11.30am, travelling via Stratford-upon-Avon, where it will make an additional passenger stop, before continuing to Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway. An engine change will take place at Bewdley and the train will then move on to Highley, passengers will have time to visit and explore The Engine House Museum, home to an impressive collection of historic locomotives and railway exhibits, before rejoining the train for the return journey to Birmingham Snow Hill, arriving at 20:37. Exact timings for the whole trip will be confirmed closer to the date.

Passengers will be able to choose between Standard Class and First Class tickets. For those wishing to make the occasion extra special, First Class travel will include brunch on the outward journey and afternoon tea on the return, providing the perfect accompaniment to a memorable day celebrating 75 years of railway preservation and the people, volunteers and organisations that have made Britain’s heritage railway movement what it is today.

HRA Conference attendees £75 standard class, non attendees £100 (note extra booking fees)