Brunel information
The achievements of railway architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel are on full display on Past-Time Rail’s series of charter train trips as part of the 200 year celebrations since his birth.
Trips pick up from the Brunel-designed railway cathedrals of London Paddington and many from Bristol Temple Meads.
The stunning sea wall at Dawlish is a regular feature on this series of trips and can only be appreciated by traveling by train – there is no road along this route. This is considered to be one of the most extraordinary and scenic railways in Europe.
The Royal Albert Bridge (1859) is one of the greatest bridges in the world; unique in design and unequaled in engineering. It crosses the River Tamar and marks the border between Devon and Cornwall.
There are even a number of steam trips behind Great Western locomotives along this classic Great Western route upon which Brunel had so much influence.
Trips over Dawlish Sea Wall
Eden Flyers
Lost Gardens Flyers
Ascot Flyer
Torbay Express
Trips over Royal Albert Bridge
Eden Flyers
Lost Gardens Flyers
Royal Duchy
The Fowey Pony - steam
The China Clay Pony - steam
Trips from London Paddington
The Great Western Express – steam
Royal Duchy
Trips from Bristol Temple Meads
Eden Flyers
Lost Gardens Flyers
Ascot Flyer
Torbay Express series - steam
The Welsh Marches - steam
The Great Western Express – steam
Dartmouth Arrow
Useful links:
Past-Time Rail – www.past-timerail.co.uk
Brunel 200 bi-centenary celebrations – www.brunel200.com
The Saltash Brunel Partnership/Royal Albert Bridge - www.royalalbertbridge.co.uk
The Empire Museum in Bristol Temple Meads station – www.empiremuseum.co.uk
‘The Welsh Marches’ steam trip from Bristol Temple Meads – Sat 13th May
The wonders ofthe Welsh Marches Line are on offer onPast-Time Rail'sprivate charter ‘The Welsh Marches’ steam excursion on Saturday 13th May with a local pick up atBristol Temple Meadsstation, including the option of luxury, silver servicedining carriages.
The Welsh Marches Line (also known as the North and West Route) runs between Newport and Shrewsbury via Abergavenny, Hereford and Craven Arms and links South Wales to the northwest of England via the Welsh border region of the Welsh Marches, bypassing Birmingham.
There is the additional benefit of travelling along classic Brunel territory as part of the Brunel 200 celebrations in 2006 commemorating the birth 200 years ago of the amazing railway architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Steam from Brunel’s Temple Meads station behind ex-GWR King Class No. 6024 'King Edward 1' steamlocomotive, on loan from the 6024 Preservation Society,through the Severn tunnel to Wales and along the Welsh Marches line towards Hereford, Ludlow and Craven Arms before arriving at Shrewsbury for a stop.
Restored, comfortable period carriagesare offered with a choice of Premier Dining, First Class and Standard Class carriages. There is a licensed buffet car on board. Premier Class costs only £149 per adult, including all meals. Passengers wishing to bring their own picnic or hamper can make the same trip for £65.00 return in Standard Class or £95.00 in First Class. Child discounts apply and under 5’s travel free.
The excursion is due to arrive at Shrewsbury at 14.20 and depart again at 16.55. Pick up from Bristol Temple Meads is 09.55 and back at 20.55. There are also pick ups from Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Worcester Shrub hill and Cheltenham Spa.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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‘The Great Western Express’ - Brunel commemorative steam trip –
Friday 30th June 2006 - from London Paddington
This very special train marks the important anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel 200 years ago, but also celebrates the 165th anniversary of the official opening of the line between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads.
Brunel's huge technical ingenuity was tested by the terrain he chose to cross and among his lasting achievements are the bridge at Maidenhead, the viaducts at Hanwell and Chippenham, and the two-mile-long Box Tunnel. Between the Bath and Bristol section alone, there are three viaducts, four major bridges and seven tunnels and there is a chance to travel this route behind another example of Great Western excellence as 6024 ‘King Edward 1'.
Located next to Bristol Temple Meads Station is the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum housed in Bristol's original station. It is the world's oldest surviving purpose built railway terminus, pre-dating London Paddington by over a decade. As part of the celebrations, tours of the Old Bristol Station will begin in the spring of 2006. This is the first time public access has been granted to Brunel's historic railway building since its recent restoration.
This trip has an exclusive tour led by an expert tour guide. As well as demonstrating the immense achievement of the brilliant Victorian engineer, the tour also offers a unique social history of a railway station at the beginning of the railway revolution.
The train is due to arrive in Bristol at 14.30 and depart at 17.55. Departure from London Paddington is 10.30 and it arrives back at 21.30. Reading pick ups are 11.20 outbound and 20.40 return. Prices start from £65.00 in Standard Class. The Brunel 200 is an optional extra at £10 per adult. Child discounts apply.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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The Eden Flyer – 2nd, 16th and 30th September from Bristol Temple Meads – non steam
A chance to visit the amazing botanical wonderland that is the Eden Project in Cornwall, dubbed the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. These trips are routed through Bristol Temple Meads station, along the Dawlish sea Wall and over the Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar and offer an excellent opportunity to marvel at the work of railway engineer and architect, Isambard Kingdom Brunel during the Brunel 200 festival in 2006 to commemorate the day he was born, 200 years ago.
Sat 2nd Sept
This trip also picks up from Nottingham, Beeston, Loughborough, Leicester, Nuneaton, Barnt Green and Cheltenham Spa.
Sat 16th Sept
This trip also picks up at Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Birmingham Intl, Birmingham New St, Barnt Green and Cheltenham Spa.
Sat 30th Sept
This trip also picks up at Chester, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Abergavenny.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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The Lost Gardens Flyer – non steam
6th May, 10th June and 29th July from Bristol Temple Meads
Forgotten andneglected for 80 years, you can now visit the amazing Lost Gardens ofHeliganin Cornwall for the day on private leisure rail operator, Past-Time Rail’sLost GardensFlyer exclusive charter train.
The award-winning attraction has over200 acres to explore and liesat the heart of one of the most mysterious estates in England, Heligan, the former seat of the Tremayne family, and now the site of one of the largest garden restorations in Europe.
There are magnificent walled gardens, a huge vegetable garden, all being restored to their former glory. Its extraordinary plant collection with exotic glasshouses, romantic structures and designed landscapes, combined with the mild Cornish climate, has resulted in a series of 'gardens within a garden' that are unique. There are very few examples of gardens which haven't been modernised and Heligan provides a unique time capsule for gardeners to enjoy.
A highlight of the trip is the stunning route from Exeter to Par along the Dawlish Sea Wall and across the Isambard Kingdom Brunel-designed Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar, marking the border between Devon and Cornwall.
Prices include all rail travel, transfer buses, entrance to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and a guided tour. Premier Dining Class passengers are treated to silver service dining all day and costs £148.00 per adult. Passengers can also bring their own picnic or hamper, or use the onboard buffet car facility, and make the same trip for only £66.00 in Standard Class or £96 in First Class. Child discounts are available and under 5’s travel free.
Trains are timed to depart stations in time to arrive at St Austell station by 12.30 which allows for an afternoon of sightseeing before departing again at 17.15.
Sat 6th May
This trip also picks up from Chester, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Abergavenny.
Sat 10th June
This trip also picks up from Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Nuneaton, Barnt Green, and Cheltenham Spa.
Sat 29th Jul
This trip also picks up from Derby, Burton on Trent, Lichfield City, Blake Street, Four Oaks, Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green and Cheltenham Spa.
Prices from £66.00.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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The Royal Duchy – non steam – from London Paddington
Saturday 17th June 2006
This is a heritage diesel-hauled trip behind Class 52 Western Hydraulic D1015 ‘Western Champion' from London Paddington to Penzance and return with the climbs of Savernake, Whitehall, the south Devon banks and the Cornish main line. This trip runs along Brunel’s Dawlish Sea wall and Royal Albert Bridge.
Standard Class First Class and Premier Dining Class available. Prices from £54.00.
This trip also picks up from Slough, Reading and Exeter St David’s. Arrival time in Penzance is 13.35 and departing at 16.15.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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‘The Dartmouth Arrow’ – non steam – from Bristol Temple Meads
Saturday 26th August 2006
This is a heritage diesel-hauled trip to the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta in the beautiful south hams district of Devon behind Class 52 Western Hydraulic D1015 ‘Western Champion'. There is the opportunity to travel along Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s feat of railway engineering, the stunning Dawlish Sea Wall.
The highlight of the regatta will be the display by the Red Arrows. This is one of the most spectacular displays the aerobatics team do as they fly over the port just skimming across the steep hills that surround Dartmouth – it really is a show to witness at first hand. There will also be a fly-past by the Battle flight and Lynx Helicopters.
This trip also picks up from Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Weston super Mare, Taunton and Exeter St David’s. It arrives at kingswear at 14.00 and departs at 19.30.
Standard Class and First Class carriages. Prices from £36.00
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit
www.past-timerail.co.uk
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July/Aug/Sep – ‘The Torbay Express’ summer series from Bristol Temple Meads
Sundays 16th, 23rd, & 30th July & 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Aug & 3rd Sept, Sat 29th July & 12th Aug
Ten weekend steam trips from Brunel’s magnificent railway cathedral, Bristol Temple Meads station, in July, August and September - to Paignton and Kingswear in Devon - hauled by ex GWR King Class No. 6024 'King Edward 1' along classic Brunel territory.
There is a lot to see on the way as we steam from the magnificent railway cathedral of Bristol Temple Meads, through Weston super Mare across the lush Somerset Levels to Taunton. Then along the Exe estuary from Exeter and along the famous sea wall to Dawlish to the English Riviera resorts of Torquay and Paignton to the the waterside station at Kingswear.
The image of the past is authentically recreated for this journey through classic Great Western/Brunel territory by using a Great Western steam locomotive – 4-6-0 No. 6024 ‘King Edward 1' or ex LMS 4-6-2 No 6201 'Princess Elizabeth'. The train is made up solely of 1950's designed carriages with deep cushioned seats and large windows with opening top lights that enable you to enjoy the sights and sounds of yesteryear!
Trains depart Bristol Temple Meads at 09.20 and arrive back at 21.40. The train also calls at Weston super Mare, Taunton and Exeter St. David’s.
Prices are £49.50 per person.
For a colour brochure or reservations call 0871 871 4119 for visit www.past-timerail.co.uk
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The Ascot Flyer – from Bristol Temple Meads – Tuesday 20th Jun and Wed 21st Jun – non steam
These dining trains are running for the first time from the South West to Ascot in Berkshire for Royal Ascot at the newly refurbished race course. The Ascot Flyer offers the opportunity to arrive at Ascot in grand style. Dining on this very special train will be a champagne Great British Breakfast, and on the return attentive stewards will silver serve a four course dinner.
The trips also pick up from Plymouth, Totnes, Newton Abbot, Exeter St David’s, Taunton, Weston super Mare and Bath Spa. For passengers joining at Plymouth, Totnes and Newton Abbot there is the additional bonus of travelling along Brunel’s Dawlish Sea Wall.
Prices start from £190 per person including silver service dining and entrance to the racecourse.
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The Ponys – a series of evening steam trips from Plymouth
Mon 29th May & Tues 30th May
A series of evening steam trips along the rare and exciting branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, hauled by ex. BR Standard 4, 2-6-0 No. 76079 with the opportunity to steam over the Isambard Kingdom Brunel-designed Royal Albert Bridge as part of the Brunel 200 celebrations to mark the bi-centennary of his birth.
Mon 29th May – The Fowey Pony
From Plymouth, this is an opportunity to steam across Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge and travel along the Cornish main line before taking the scenic Fowey branch as the train follows the river to Carne Point where a diesel will haul the train back to Plymouth.
Tues 30th May – The China Clay Pony
From Plymouth, this is an opportunity to steam across Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge and travel along the Cornish main line before taking the steeply graded Parkandillack branch which was synonymous with china clay production in Cornwall. A diesel will haul the train back to Plymouth.