Itinerary

Beltane is the anglicised spelling of the Gaelic festival, which traditionally takes place on the first day of May and which for the Celts, marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when livestock was delivered to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. Appropriately enough therefore 'The Beltane Express' will provide a similar service, delivering directly to a May day festival with a difference, this being in the form of “The Main Event”, the Great Western Society's GWR 175 festival, being held at their Didcot Railway Centre HQ.

Traveling outwards with No's 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' and 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' at the helm, this train delivers both locos to Didcot to enable their participation in the Great Western Society's activities before the train is worked home. For those who prefer not to travel through to Didcot, there will also be a stop at Oxford to enable the retail and cultural delights of the 'city of spires' to be sampled at your leisure.

This is truly a train that will provide something for everyone and all with the added bonus of authentic travel behind a combination of two of the most famous GWR locos currently working on the mainline.

Hauled by 4965 ‘Rood Ashton Hall’ and 5043 ‘Earl of Mount Edgcumbe’.

Route

Solihull, Dorridge, Warwick, Leamington, Banbury, to Oxford, Didcot and return.

Stations & Times

Pick up : Solihull, Dorridge, Warwick Parkway, Banbury.

Set down : Oxford, Didcot

Times : subject to confirmation

Tickets, final information and confirmed timings are mailed out to passengers AS SOON AS VINTAGE TRAINS RECEIVE FINAL TIMINGS FROM NETWORK RAIL, normally about ten days before a tour is scheduled to depart.

Travel Classes

Standard
Traditional 'open' coaches with tables for 4 persons.

First *
Traditional 'open' coaches with tables for 2 and 4 persons.

Premier Dining *
Dining at tables for 2 and 4 persons in BR Mk 1 Pullman Cars .

*Table for Two
We offer a 'Table for Two' guarantee (subject to availability of tables) in Premier & First Class for an additional payment.

First Class Compartment:
Traditional 'compartment' coaches with compartments for 6 persons.

Dining

Premier Dining fares on this trip include:
Outward - Full English breakfast
Return - 3-course dinner

A selection of beers, wines and spirits willl be available for purchase (by dining passengers) from the dining car team.

Special dietary requirements must be requested when making your booking.

Juniors & Children within Dining Cars: There is no special child menu & no reduced child fare in Premier Class.  We regret we are unable to accommodate children under 5 in the dining cars.

For more information see the Premier Dining page.

Fares

Standard Class: £60

First Class : £75

Premier Dining : £110

Table for Two : £20 per table (£10 per person) extra

First Class Compartment: £534 (6 seats)

Postal Bookings

For Premier, First Class & Table for Two seats please contact VT Office to check availabilty before making a postal booking.

No Smoking

Customers are reminded that UK government legislation prohibits smoking in public places. Areas designated NO SMOKING include ALL CARRIAGES ON ALL TRAINS AS WELL AS RAILWAY PLATFORMS AND PREMISES.