Our Journey
On this tour with Tornado, the journey is a destination in itself, as the lush rolling countryside of the English-Welsh border can be viewed both sides of the train.
Our train will depart diesel hauled from Salisbury station, heading west onto Warminster and Trowbridge to pick up further passengers. We traverse the scenic Avon Valley to reach Bath. From there it’s a quick dash along Brunel’s mainline where Tornado joins the train. We also reverse here and there is a chance to photograph the steam locomotive.
With Tornado at our head we are away again and soon climbing the challenging Filton Bank and heading on through the Severn Tunnel. This is the U.K. rail network’s longest tunnel and sees us emerge into Wales. Before Newport, we turn north and head onto the picturesque Marches route where we pass through Cwmbran and Abergavenny before tackling the fierce climb to Llanvihangel.
We descend from the summit across into England and arrive into Hereford station to take water for Tornado. Our journey continues north again, along the border between England and Wales, before we call at Ludlow for those passengers wishing to visit the medieval town. The last stretch of our journey is to Shrewsbury, passing through the picturesque towns of Craven Arms and Church Stretton, before arriving in Shropshire’s county town.
Our return route retraces our outward journey.
Approximate times for our destinations:
Ludlow: 13:00hrs - 17:30hrs
Shrewsbury: 13:45hrs - 16:45hrs