Vintage Trains 175th anniversary railtours
Saturday 15th June

As a very special contribution to the 175th anniversary celebrations, Vintage Trains are running not one, but two one-off railtours on 15th June, both very fittingly featuring their flagship locomotive, GWR number 7029 'Clun Castle'

Booking tickets

Bookings for either of these railtours must be made online via the Vintage Trains website.

Oxford 175 Express

The Oxford 175 Express will depart Solihull for Oxford, picking up along the way at Dorridge, Warwick Parkway and Banbury. This railtour is operating as Standard Class only and represents remarkable value at only £60 per person return from Birmingham.

Provisional timings are for a stop to pick up at Banbury about 8:30am with arrival in Oxford at 9:15am. The return journey is scheduled to leave Oxford at 6:00pm. These timings allow plenty of time to join in with the 175th celebrations, explore Oxford and even travel on the Luncheon Circular!

Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular

The Oxford 175 Luncheon Circular will depart Oxford Parkway thence Oxford, passing through Radley, Culham and Appleford towards Didcot. Leaving Didcot, a sprint along Brunel’s Billiard Table that is the Great Western Mainline, passing through Reading, Slough and Southall. Shortly after Southall, turning onto the Greenford curve that links the Chiltern and Great Western Mainlines. In days past, this was the route taken by the Paddington to Wolverhampton expresses, routinely hauled by Kings and - Clun Castle. Joining the Chiltern Mainline, the tour continues through the picturesque Chilterns, past High Wycombe and Princess Risborough towards Bicester. The Bicester chord and Gavray Junction take the tour through Bicester Village station and Islip, completing the circular railtour back at Oxford Parkway and Oxford.

~~~ This railtour offers the opportunity to travel a route which is seldom, if ever, taken ~~~

Provisional timings are to depart Oxford Parkway at 12:00 noon and Oxford about 12:15, returning at 3:45pm and 4:00pm respectively.

• Premier Dining includes a 4-course luncheon, silver-served at your table. Seating is offered at tables of 4, or for a supplement of £20 per person, tables for 2
• 1st Class travel includes a Gourmet Picnic Hamper, loaded with delicious goodies for your enjoyment. Seating is offered at tables of 4, or for a supplement of £20 per person, tables for 2
• Standard Class travellers have the option to pre-purchase a picnic hamper for £25 per person. Seating is at tables of 4 only

Any queries regarding availability, purchasing, terms and conditions, or timetabling should be raised directly with Vintage Trains who are operating these railtours. The promotion of these services does not imply any liability by the organisers of the 175th celebrations for any matters arising whatsoever.