Locomotives bring back the halcyon days of Rail Excursions

An excursion train will be bringing passengers to watch the annual Air Show.
Photo: Direct Rail Services

The golden age of rail travel is returning to Blackpool with the arrival of an excursion train bringing passengers to watch the annual Air Show.

The day excursion, which will carry visitors from the Midlands and Cheshire, is a joint venture between Blackpool Council and Retro Rail Tours.

The train will arrive at approximately 11am at Blackpool North Station on Saturday 10 August, the first day of the Air Show, to be greeted by a welcoming party including the Town Crier.

The excursion is starting out from Banbury in Oxfordshire, picking up at Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham International, Tame Bridge Parkway, Stafford, Crewe, Wilmslow, Stockport, Reddish South, Stalybridge and Huddersfield.

The train will be hauled by state-of-the-art class 68 locomotives provided by Direct Rail Services. On board, passengers will be able to enjoy a full catering service, including a real ale bar.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said ‘Tourism excursion trains used to be an integral part of our seaside economy and it is great to see what we hope will be the first of many trips into the resort. The Council is keen to work with the rail industry to encourage rail travel into the resorts, particularly at peak times such as the Air Show weekend. Not only does this help to reduce congestion on the roads and improve air quality, it provides additional rail capacity at times of peak demand. Most of the pick-up points do not have direct rail services into Blackpool and this excursion can help fill that gap. The locomotives are seldom seen in Blackpool and I am sure will be of great interest to rail enthusiasts and the general public.’

Bookings for the excursion will remain open right up to the departure day – http://www.retrorailtours.co.uk/rt20.php .  For more information on the Blackpool Air Show, go to www.visitblackpool.com/airshow