Itinerary

The Cornishman originated in 1952 as a British Rail Western Region service from Wolverhampton Low Level and Birmingham Snow Hill to Plymouth and Penzance via Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham and Bristol. Fifty eight years later despite the closure of Stratford to Cheltenham as a through route, it is still possible to run from Birmingham Snow Hill to Plymouth using motive power from the steam/diesel transition years of the 1960's.

For the Birmingham Snow Hill to Bristol Temple Meads outward and return segments of this journey our train will be in the hands of one of Tyseley's stalwart Class 47 diesels, before handing over at Bristol Temple Meads to more 'native' motive power in the form of the iconic thoroughbred pairing of GWR Castle class loco No 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' and Hall class ‘4965 'Rood Ashton Hall'. Join us for the spectacle of double headed GW steam over the Somerset levels, up and over Whiteball Summit and onwards into Devon for the glorious sea-wall section between Exeter and Newton Abbot followed by the final mountain climbing section known as 'the Devon Banks'. At Plymouth there will be a short break for the turning and servicing of locos and stock, before we retrace our steps back northwards, attacking the Devon banks from the south and returning to Bristol for Class 47 diesel haulage back to the West Midlands.

Class 47 diesel Birmingham to Bristol. 4965 ‘Rood Ashton Hall’ and 5043 ‘Earl of Mount Edgcumbe’ from Bristol to Plymouth.

Route

Birmingham Snow Hill, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, the South Devon Banks to Plymouth and return.

Stations & Times

Pick up : Birmingham Snow Hill, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads.

Set down : Plymouth

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: £95

First Class : £140

Premier Dining : £180

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

First Class Compartment: £750 (6 seats)

Add-on fares for connecting travel on FGW services to/from Worcester, Cheltenham and Bristol are available - enquire at time of booking.

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.

Supporting the Railway Children Charity

Railway Children fund raising teams will be travelling on this train raising awareness of their mission and holding an 'on-train' raffle.
Read more about their work at www.railwaychildren.org.uk