The Southern Seaside Sparrow

We are heading to beautiful Bognor Regis! So please join us onboard a proper loco-hauled train with loud Class 37 locomotives providing the power as we explore Southern routes which seldom see a fantastic train such as ours. We offer very sociable start and finish times, a rare branch and routing for Class 37s and a generous early afternoon break in a fabulous location. In addition, we have planned the route and timings so that all the rare loco hauled track will be covered during daylight hours, so you won’t miss a thing. We will certainly have a lot of fun as some graded routes will ensure the noise of our locomotives will reverberate around the gentrified suburbs of the Capital and the Home Counties where other passengers awaiting their mundane electric trains will look on agog as we thunder through, and swarms of enthusiasts attempt to capture the moment for their social media content whilst secretly wishing they were sat in your seat! Our day starts in Ely with our Class 37/4 leading towards our further pick ups at Cambridge North, Letchworth Garden City and Stevenage. Soon we divert from the East Coast Main Line at Langley Junction for a rare run via Hertford North to collect more passengers before heading south to our north London pick up point of Finsbury Park. We navigate our way via Gospel Oak, Willesden High Level and Kensington Olympia, before reaching the complicated maze of lines in South London. Many fabulous sights of the Capital will be visible through your window as we head towards the city centre and our final pick up point of London Bridge in the shadow of the Shard. Our departure route will be very rare indeed for Class 37 haulage as we pass New Cross, climb up to Lewisham then curve round to take the Mid Kent Line heading towards Elmers End and into the terminus at Hayes. Here we have a short break, hopefully just enough time to grab a photo, before retracing our steps. We continue back as far as New Beckenham where, very unusually, we reverse round the curve to Beckenham Junction, to allow us to take the former London Chatham & Dover route via Penge East to Herne Hill. Here we once again reverse before taking the former LBSCR line to Tulse Hill, Crystal Palace, Croydon, Sutton and then onwards towards the stunning Mid Sussex Line. With its gradients providing the audible pleasure, we race along through Dorking, Horsham, Amberley and into the beautiful River Arun Valley before finally arriving at Bognor Regis where our locos take a well-earned rest! Bognor Regis – Today’s tour affords us an off train break of a couple of hours at the charming seaside resort of Bognor Regis. Blessed with one of the sunniest climates in Britain which we hope will hold until the autumn(!), and with the promenade and award-winning beach just ten minutes stroll from the station, Bognor is a great destination. You will find ample opportunities for refreshment just a short walk from the station, and we will be sure to let the local pubs and fish and chip shops know we are coming! Fully rested and refreshed our trusty Class 37s will now take us along the delightful Southern Coast through Worthing and Shoreham. The route offers a seamless mix of traditional seaside resorts, coastal marshland, and views across to the South Downs. At Hove we turn left via the Cliftonville Curve round to Preston Park to join the busy Brighton main Line. From here its ‘hammer time’ as we take the fast, former Brighton Belle route, hopefully non-stop back to London Victoria. After saying a fond farewell to any passengers who wish to leave us in Central London, we weave our way back towards Finsbury Park via Kensington Olympia, Willesden and North London, then onwards via the Hertford Loop with more passenger set downs at Hertford North and Stevenage and across the Hitchin Flyover towards Letchworth, Cambridge North and Ely to end what has sure to have been a fantastic day for all travelling around the beautiful South of England behind vintage motive power. Our route across London is subject to final confirmation and may vary as pathing dictates. This tour is operated by Hanson and Hall Rail Services, utilising Mk2 carriages provided by Eastern Rail Services and Class 37 locomotives from EPR. Book early to take advantage of our Early Bird Discount which saves 10% if you book this tour by midnight on Tuesday 7th July. Just enter code EB10 in the Promotional Code box when booking online, or mention it when booking by phone. All timings are provisional and intended only as a guide. StationDepartArrive Ely06.4021.10 Cambridge North07.0020.40 Letchworth Garden City07.3020.10 Stevenage07.4519.55 Hertford North08.0019.45 Finsbury Park08.3019.15 London Bridge10.00n/a London Victorian/a17.50 This train will feature a well stocked buffet car serving a range of snacks and drinks provided by The Railway Diners. ClassFareAvailability Standard Class£159Good Standard Class Junior£139Good First Class Non Dining£259Good Book Now