Saphos Trains are delighted to present a programme of tours offering a selection of steam hauled excursions to transport the discerning traveller to interesting destinations in both comfort and style.
NORTH WALES COAST EXPRESS – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Leicester, Narborough, Hinckley, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Rugeley Trent Valley, Stafford & Crewe
Enjoy a day out to the beautiful North Wales coast as our train travels on a 200-mile steam hauled return journey from Crewe with sweeping views of the Dee Estuary, Irish Sea, Snowdonia Mountains and finally crossing the Menai Strait with a fast run across Anglesey to the Port of Holyhead for an afternoon break.
PENNINE PEAKS & VALLEYS EXPLORER – SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Sandbach, Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Bolton & Chorley
We are pleased to present a truly memorable steam hauled circular tour with travel in our immaculately restored vintage carriages for a journey through deep valleys and the spectacular Yorkshire Dales with stunning views and the prospect of snow covered peaks as they glisten in winter sunlight, plus taxing climbs to make the engine work hard.
THE WHITE ROSE – SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Crewe, Hartford, Warrington, Newton-le-Willows & Manchester Victoria
Enjoy a fabulous day tour travelling through the impressive Pennines over two very different routes with the outward journey taking the spectacular Vale of Edale through the Peak District National Park with stunning views of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout and through Sheffield to historic York for a sightseeing afternoon break.
PENNINE PEAKS & VALLEYS MOTHERS DAY EXPLORER – SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Hartford, Runcorn, Liverpool South Parkway, Liverpool Lime Street, Huyton, St Helens Central, Wigan North Western
We are pleased to present a truly memorable steam hauled circular tour with travel in our immaculately restored vintage carriages for a journey through deep valleys and the spectacular Yorkshire Dales. Our Premier dining experience offers the ideal gift for the special lady in your life with a sumptuous five course Luncheon accompanied with champagne and wine.
THE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Preston, Wigan North Western, Warrington Bank Quay, Hartford & Crewe
Travel in style on our steam hauled train to enjoy a wonderful day out to Stratford-upon-Avon, one of England’s most historic and vibrant towns. Situated in the heart of the Midlands on the River Avon Stratford is today most famous as the home of Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare whose birthplace is a “must see”, as is Anne Hathaway’s cottage.
THE FELLSMAN – WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Blackburn, Clitheroe & Hellifield
The popular ‘Fellsman’ runs again in summer 2020 for its 12th season offering a 300-mile return steam hauled journey from Crewe on the spectacular ‘Settle to Carlisle Railway’ as we travel through the Yorkshire Dales and climb high towards the roof of England.
WELSH MARCHES EXPRESS – SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Newton le Willows, Warrington Bank Quay, Crewe, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury
Traversing the breathtaking beauty of the Welsh Marches route our steam hauled train offers a totally unique day out as we travel through the rolling hills of the pretty Shropshire countryside that divides England and Wales for an afternoon break in Cardiff.
THE LAKELANDER – SATURDAY 13 JUNE 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Wolverhampton, Codsall, Telford, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Crewe & Preston
Enjoy a fabulous day tour hauled entirely by steam all the way from Crewe and offering spectacular views of the Cumbrian mountains and high Pennines as we climb over the Lakeland fells to the historic border city of Carlisle for a lunchtime sightseeing break and return around the longest coastal line in Britain with splendid views across the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay.
PENNINE PEAKS & VALLEYS EXPLORER – SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Sandbach, Wilmslow, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Bolton & Chorley
We are pleased to present a truly memorable steam hauled circular tour through the magnificent Pennines with travel in our immaculately restored vintage carriages for a journey through deep valleys and the spectacular Yorkshire Dales offering stunning views of the three peaks, plus taxing climbs to make the engine work hard – Our Premier dining experience offers the ideal gift for Father’s Day with a sumptuous five course Luncheon accompanied with champagne and wine.
THE FELLSMAN – WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Blackburn, Clitheroe & Hellifield
The popular ‘Fellsman’ runs again in summer 2020 for its 12th season offering a 300-mile return steam hauled journey from Crewe on the spectacular ‘Settle to Carlisle Railway’ as we travel through the Yorkshire Dales and climb high towards the roof of England.
GREAT WESTERN ENVOY – SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Stafford, Tame Bridge Parkway, Birmingham International, Coventry & Leamington Spa
This is a truly amazing and unique steam hauled tour offering a journey through the heart of England, along the Great Western main line through the rolling hills and gentle scenery of beautiful Wiltshire with a choice of destinations for an afternoon break. You may choose to spend around four hours in the elegant Georgian city of Bath Spa, or, around three hours to discover the unique charms of Bristol, whichever you choose we can guarantee a memorable and lasting experience of the West Country.
SEVERN VALLEY ENTERPRISE – SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Stafford, Lichfield Trent Valley, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Hinckley, Leicester, Loughborough & East Midlands Parkway
This is a truly amazing and unique steam hauled tour offering a very unusual journey from Crewe and through the Midlands to Kidderminster for a trip over the full length of the preserved Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth for a three-hour afternoon break.
THE FELLSMAN – WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Blackburn, Clitheroe & Hellifield
The popular ‘Fellsman’ runs again in summer 2020 for its 12th season offering a 300-mile return steam hauled journey from Crewe on the spectacular ‘Settle to Carlisle Railway’ as we travel through the Yorkshire Dales and climb high towards the roof of England.
ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Bradford on Avon, Westbury, Frome & Taunton
We recreate one of the great holiday trains with a steam hauled journey all the way from Bristol around the beautiful Devon coast with time available to discover the many charms of the pretty ‘English Riviera’ resorts of Paignton and Dartmouth.
PEMBROKE COAST EXPRESS – WEDNESDAY 29 JULY 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Exeter St David’s, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Bridgwater, Weston super Mare, Bristol Temple Meads, Patchway, Severn Tunnel Jct & Newport
Enjoy a summer day tour to glorious South Wales as our train is diesel hauled from Exeter to Bristol and then following a locomotive change we are steam hauled through the Severn Tunnel and into Wales, for an afternoon break in Carmarthen.
ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS – SUNDAY 2 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton, Weston super Mare, Bridgwater & Taunton
We recreate one of the great holiday trains with a steam hauled journey all the way from Bristol around the beautiful Devon coast with time available to discover the many charms of the pretty ‘English Riviera’ resorts of Paignton and Dartmouth.
WELSH BORDERS EXPRESS – WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Exeter St David’s, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Bridgwater, Weston super Mare, Bristol Temple Meads, Patchway, Severn Tunnel Jct & Cwmbran
Traversing the breathtaking beauty of the Welsh Marches route our steam hauled train offers a totally unique day out as we travel through the rolling hills of the pretty Shropshire countryside that divides England and Wales for an afternoon break in Shrewsbury.
ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS – SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Bradford on Avon, Westbury, Frome & Taunton
We recreate one of the great holiday trains with a steam hauled journey all the way from Bristol around the beautiful Devon coast with time available to discover the many charms of the pretty ‘English Riviera’ resorts of Paignton and Dartmouth.
DEVONIAN EXPRESS – WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Cardiff, Newport, Severn Tunnel Jct, Patchway, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Bradford on Avon, Westbury & Taunton
We recreate one of the classic steam hauled holiday trains of the golden age of railway travel for a journey around the beautiful Devon coast with time available to discover the many charms of maritime Plymouth.
THE FELLSMAN – WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Leyland, Blackburn, Clitheroe & Hellifield
The popular ‘Fellsman’ runs again in summer 2020 for its 12th season offering a 300-mile return steam hauled journey from Crewe on the spectacular ‘Settle to Carlisle Railway’ as we travel through the Yorkshire Dales and climb high towards the roof of England.
THE WHITE ROSE – SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Wolverhampton, Codsall, Telford, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Crewe, Warrington, Newton-le-Willows & Manchester Victoria
Enjoy a fabulous day tour travelling through the impressive Pennines over two very different routes with the outward journey taking the spectacular Vale of Edale through the Peak District National Park with stunning views of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout and through Sheffield to historic York for a sightseeing afternoon break.
THE LAKELANDER – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Dorridge, Solihull, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Crewe & Preston
Enjoy a fabulous day tour hauled entirely by steam all the way from Crewe and offering spectacular views of the Cumbrian mountains and high Pennines as we climb over the Lakeland fells to the historic border city of Carlisle for a lunchtime sightseeing break and return around the longest coastal line in Britain with splendid views across the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay.
WELSH MARCHES EXPRESS – SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Hartford, Crewe, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury
Traversing the breath-taking beauty of the Welsh Marches route our steam hauled train offers a totally unique day out as we travel through the rolling hills of the pretty Shropshire countryside dividing England and Wales for an afternoon break in Cardiff.
THE SUSSEX BELLE – THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2020
DEPARTING FROM: London Victoria
Capturing the atmosphere of summer seaside specials of yesteryear this train is steam hauled by Southern Railway West Country Class 34046 ‘Braunton’ and visits the popular destinations of Hastings and Eastbourne with ample time available in both resorts for building sandcastles, a stroll on the promenade and perhaps an ice cream or two.
THE COTSWOLD EXPRESS – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2020
DEPARTING FROM: London Paddington, Slough, Maidenhead & Reading
Departing from London Paddington our steam hauled train travels west for a full day tour to the beautiful Cotswolds and a visit to historic Worcester. We travel outward through Oxford and Evesham, with a return through the Golden Valley and the challenging climb of Sapperton bank.
PENNINE MOORS CHRISTMAS EXPLORER – THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Birmingham International, Tame Bridge Parkway, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Crewe & Warrington Bank Quay
We are pleased to present a truly memorable circular tour offering a steam hauled journey time of over five hours as we travel in vintage carriages through deep valleys and over wild Pennine moors with taxing climbs to make the engine work hard, including over the Pennines to the summit at Copy Pit, some 749 feet above sea level.
THE CHRISTMAS WHITE ROSE – SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020
DEPARTING FROM: Wolverhampton, Codsall, Telford, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Crewe, Warrington, Newton-le-Willows & Manchester Victoria
Enjoy a fabulous day tour travelling through the impressive Pennines over two very different routes with the outward journey taking the spectacular Vale of Edale through the Peak District National Park with stunning views of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout and through Sheffield to historic York for a sightseeing afternoon break.