HDL West Country Cruiser railtour

Saturday 25 June 2005

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This page was last modified on Tuesday 28 June 2005

Itinerary

For our long summer day trip this year we have chosen Exeter as our destination.

Exeter has many attractions for day-visitors, whatever their interests. The most well-known is the cathedral, but there is also the historic Guildhall and city walls, and the 16th century port area which now funtions as a riverside resort. The extensive city centre shopping area is close to Central station and will, no doubt, appeal to some.

Stations at which you may join our train are listed below; after leaving passing Reading we travel directly down the Great Western main line, setting down at both Exeter Central and Exeter St. Davids stations.

At Exeter we should have at least four hours of free time for sightseeing, shopping, etc. There is also the option of making a return trip on our train (at extra cost) along the branch line to Barnstaple although, in this case, free time in Exeter would be very much reduced. A separate document gives details of this optional extra trip, which does not need to be booked in advance.

Our return journey will pick up at both Exeter Central and Exeter St. Davids station only, and the route will again be via the main line back to Reading, then Guildford, Redhill, Tonbridge, etc.

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Timings

These are the final timings as received from Network Rail.
Tickets were posted today, Wednesday 22 June.

Please note:

• We are unable to stop at Reading, because of the high volume of traffic picking up for the Glastonbury Festival — however we are stopping at Wokingham instead;

• The Tarka Special will originate and terminate at Exeter St. Davids station only;

• The railtour will depart from Exeter for Hastings from St. Davids station only.

Outward Hastings platform 2, depart 0643 Battle 0703 Etchingham 0716 Tunbridge Wells 0736 Tonbridge platform 2 0747 Edenbridge 0802 Redhill platform 1 0824 Guildford platform 5 0855 Wokingham 0922 runs non-stop via Reading p4 (0936), Bedwyn (1005), Westbury (crew-change, 1034), Taunton (1125), Exeter St. Davids (1159) Exeter Central platform 2, arrive 1202 Exeter St. Davids platform 3, arrive 1211

Return Exeter St. Davids platform 4, depart 1626 runs non-stop via Taunton (1656), Westbury (crew-change, 1743), Bedwyn (1825), Reading (through-line, 1858) Wokingham arrive 1918 Guildford 1958 Redhill 2028 Edenbridge 2047 Tonbridge 2100 Tunbridge Wells 2111 Etchingham 2129 Battle 2142 Hastings arrive 2157

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Fares

Fares for return travel on the entire trip

• From all stations Hastings to Redhill inclusive:
  • £49 (standard); £180 (bay of four standard seats); £65 (Club Class).
• From Guildford and Reading Wokingham, reduced fares apply:
  • £45 (standard); £170 (bay of four standard seats); £61 (Club Class).

Club Class

Travel at a seat with a table, with refreshments provided throughout the trip plus a meal with wine on the way home. Seating is likely to be in a DEMU trailer coach; payment of the additional £5 supplement assures travel in Tunbridge Wells power car (while spaces remain unbooked).

Power Cars

A £5 supplement should be added to individual (not bay) fares for travel in power cars (both Club and Standard classes). Capacity is limited.

Refreshments

Our train includes a Buffet Car; a selection of hot & cold snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day at reasonable prices. There will also be a trolley service.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any part of our train.

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Bookings

Bookings have now closed.