Saphos Trains launches 2018 programme

Tickets are now available for Saphos Trains’ – Britain’s newest Train Operating Company – 2018 railtour programme.


Part of Saphos Trains' initial main line steam fleet, 'West Country' No. 34046 Braunton (running as 'Battle of Britain' No. 34052 Lord Dowding) climbs towards Norden at the Swanage Railway's 'Strictly Bulleid' gala on April 1. THOMAS BRIGHT/SR

Saphos Trains, the railtour arm of Jeremy Hosking’s Locomotive Services group, has 12 steam-hauled excursions planned during the next 12 months, with each tour to be hauled by either ‘West Country’ No. 34046 Braunton, LMS ‘7P’ No. 46100 Royal Scot or BR ‘7MT’ No. 70000 Britannia.

Locomotive Services Ltd was awarded a train operating licence on August 4 last year, making it Britain’s third main line steam tour operator after West Coast Railways Company and DB Cargo.

There will be three classes of travel available and, says a Saphos Trains spokesperson: “It will always be our aim to keep ticket prices at an affordable level and, for the first year of operation, we invite you to sample our superb new train at a greatly reduced price with some fares being a 50% reduction from the normal charge.”

Saphos Trains’ 2018 railtour programme:

April 14 & June 2 ‘North Wales Coast Express’
Crewe-Chester-Llandudno Jnc-Bangor-Holyhead and return by TBA.

April 29 & June 10 ‘Welsh Borders Explorer’
Crewe-Chester-Shrewsbury-Oxley Jnc-Bushbury Jnc-Stafford-Crewe by TBA.

May 12 & June 16 ‘Welsh Marches Express’
Crewe-Whitchurch-Shrewsbury-Cardiff by TBA.

June 24 ‘English Riviera Express’
Bristol Temple Meads-Bath Spa-Bradford on Avon-Westbury-Frome-Taunton-Kingswear/Dartmouth and return by TBA.

July 1 ‘English Riviera Express’
Bristol Temple Meads-Yatton-Weston Super Mare-Bridgwater-Taunton-Kingswear/Dartmouth and return by TBA.

July 21 ‘The William Shakespeare’
Preston-Wigan-Warrington-Hartford-Crewe-Stafford-Stratford upon Avon and return by TBA.

August 4 ‘The William Shakespeare’
Bangor-Llandudno Jnc-Colwyn Bay-Rhyl-Prestatyn-Flint-Chester-Crewe-Stafford-Stafford upon Avon and return by TBA.

December 2 ‘Welsh Borders Christmas Explorer’
Crewe-Chester-Shrewsbury-Oxley Jnc-Bushbury Jnc-Stafford-Crewe by TBA.

December 8 ‘Pennine Moors Christmas Explorer’
Crewe-Hartford-Warrington-Manchester Victoria-Todmorden-Copy Pit-Blackburn-Leyland-Warrington-Hartford-Crewe by TBA.

For more information, visit www.saphostrains.com or email enquiries@saphostrains.com. To book you tickets, contact the reservations office on 0800 038 5320.

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