2025 Railtour reviews
the capital highlander
Saturday 8th February 2025
Locomotives - 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ + 37409 ‘Loch Awe’
Stock - 35185, 3140, 3127, 80043, 1863, 5991, 13227, 5912, 5366
06:58 1Z37 Carlisle to Inverness and 16:42 1Z39 Inverness to Carlisle
The train departed Carlisle on time just before 7am on its 269.5 mile journey north with 37403 leading and 37409 assisting. Uneventful stops to pick up passengers were made at Lockerbie and Motherwell, before we were notified that a freight train had failed in front of us and we were to be diverted towards Glasgow and therefore miss out the booked pick-up points at Cumbernauld and Larbert. After a few quick phonecalls, volunteers were on hand at Larbert to provide taxis to Falkirk High station, where the train would make an additional stop. All this was done with minimal fuss and the good news was that we were now to be diverted over the famous Forth Bridge and along the Fife coast before making our way to our next scheduled stop at Perth, where we were able to depart just 1hr late. After a glorious run up the Highland Mainline, where fabulous views of the snow capped mountains at Drumochter were aplenty, the streams were in full flow at Moy and Slochd summit was reached with ease, we arrived into our destination of Inverness just 50 minutes late just after 14:30. This was plenty time to enjoy the delights of Inverness, where it was very pleasant weather for a fresh February day. An on time departure just after 16:40 saw us return with 37409 leading and 37403 assisting. The journey was smooth, uneventful and even arrived into Carlisle early that evening!
Thanks to all the passengers who found the time to provide feedback, which included… "Outstanding day. Thanks to all the teams from SRPS, LSL and Network Rail for re-routing the train so quickly"… "Class trip! Thanks all, especially the steward in coach B!".. “Great day out. Big thanks for the crew who looked after us in coach G”… "Thank you 🙏. We had a great day and thank you to all the crew and volunteers for dealing with the rerouting issues, especially to Graham in Coach D (aka Ice Station O) for the free drink 🤭"… "A fantastic day out and being at the front on the way back was superb. Both locos were perfectly in sync. Well planned, great re-routing and look forward to the next one"… “Just a note to say many thanks for organising such a great tour and a big thanks to the staff and train crew for making it such a great day. It worked very well, and turned even better for me, it was the first time crossing the Forth Bridge!”
The Seven counties rambler
Saturday 8th March 2025
Locomotives - 20096, 20107 ‘Jocelyn Feilding 1940-2020’, 20118 ‘Saltburn-by-the-Sea’, 20132, 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ + 37409 ‘Loch Awe’
Stock - 1863, 5366, 5912, 13227, 5991, 80043, 3150, 3112, 35185
1Z31 06:11 Linlithgow to Carlisle & 1Z32 11:46 Carlisle to Preston
1Z33 14:48 Preston to Carlisle & 1Z34 17:28 Carlisle to Linlithgow
On a cold misty morning we departed Linlithgow on time just after 06:10 and headed for our first pick-up point at Edinburgh Waverley with the class 20s, 20118 and 20132 leading the way and 37403 assisting from the rear. We headed across to Glasgow via Shotts and then joined the Glasgow & South Western route heading for Kilmarnock, Kirkconnel and Dumfries. As the morning broke, it became clear that this was going to be a gloriously sunny day and so it proved.
Arrival at Carlisle was on time around 11:10, where our two class 20s left us and we were joined by another pair of class 20s, 20096 and 20107. Departure was on time at 11:45 and we headed for the famous Settle & Carlisle line with its magnificent rolling hillsides and structures such as the Ribblehead viaduct before arriving at Preston from the south before embarking on the steep climb of Shap and through the Lune Gorge to arrive at Carlisle on time at 16:35. We said goodbye to our class 20s and 37409 joined 37403 on what was now the front of the train for the run back to Linlithgow via the Hadrians Wall line through Hexham and into Newcastle before a storming run up the East Coast mainline to Edinburgh and Linlithgow where we arrived back on time.
Just one of the kind comments from a happy passenger “It was a brilliant tour, first I have done with SRPS Railtours in a very long time and was very impressed! Hoping to be able to get along to future tours too! Well done to everyone involved and a big thank you from me!”
the Grangemouth growler
Saturday 19th April 2025
Locomotives-37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ + 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE’
Stock - 5366, 1863, 5912, 35185, 3112, 3150
1Z30 06:30 Bo’ness to Ayr & 1Z32 12:55 Ayr to Largs
1Z34 15:14 Largs to Grangemouth Refinery & 1Z36 17:45 Grangemouth to Tweedbank
1Z38 20:46 Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley & 1Z40 22:19 Edinburgh to Bo’ness
This train was slightly different to our normal offer and was deliberately aimed at customers who like travelling along track that locomotive hauled passenger trains such as ours do not normally travel on. The journey began in Bo’ness around 06:30 where GBRf operated 66749 led from the front with 37403 on the rear, before the train reversed at Manuel station and 37403 led us to the 1st pick-up point at Linlithgow where we departed on time at 07:25 and headed for a pick-up at Edinburgh Waverley before heading across to Glasgow via Shotts. From there the plan was to head for the rarely used line to Killoch colliery. Unfortunately, it is so rarely used that Network Rail were unable to guarantee the route was safe and accessible, so the decision was taken at rather short notice to divert the train to Ayr for a couple of hours where passengers could alight and grab an early lunch, but not before passing through a number of rarely used loops between Paisley and Ayr, which went someway to pacifying those looking for “rare track”.
The train went off empty to nearby Falkland yard for a rest, before returning to Ayr and picking up the original itinerary with 66749 now leading to Largs via Saltcoats using the rarely used freight only track to / from Hunterston docks. Then it was onto the main event, to sample the freight only track into Grangemouth Docks. After successful negotiation, attention turned to the recently opened Scottish Borders route to Tweedbank. By now it was nearly 21:00, with the final part of the journey being the return via Edinburgh and Linlithgow to Bo’ness, where arrival was just before midnight!
A long and exhausting, but fascinating day with plenty new track gained for plenty of people.
Thanks to all the passengers who found time to cheer us up with comments such as these… “Honestly have to say what a fabby trip it’s been so far! Thanks SRPS so very much for all the effort (and the extra effort!) genuinely dunno how you guys do it! And put up with us all but the fact this is Easter weekend and all the volunteers are sacrificing their time during this holiday to make this happen means so much to me and my train buddies. Please don’t be disheartened, we love these trips so much”… “Having done the tour, and even though I wanted [to get to] Killoch, we couldn't do it. But the guys at SRPS and GBRf pulled off a great day. Really enjoyed it”
The Oban explorer
Saturday 10th May 2025
Locomotives - 20118 ‘Saltburn-by-the-Sea’, 20132 + 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’’
Stock - 1863, 5366, 5991, 13227, 5912, 80043, 3150, 3112, 35185
1Z67 06:33 Leven to Oban & 1Z68 16:40 Oban to Leven
A lovely relaxing day travelling from Fife and across the iconic Forth Bridge then along the spectacular West Highland Line was the plan for the day and it didn’t disappoint. The day started with 20132 leading 20118 on departure from the newly opened Leven station, making this the first railtour to depart Leven. A brief stop at Arrochar & Tarbert for a leg stretch and a listen to the piper who greeted us on our arrival. Glorious weather was to be had for much of the route, including the climb up through the scenic Glen Falloch and along the beautiful Glen Lochy. Apologies to some customers who got their breakfast a bit later than planned. Hope it didn’t spoil things too much and obviously we made sure things were much more timely on the return.
The sun also shone for us in Oban, leading to some spectacular vistas across Oban Bay to the Isle of Mull and up to McCaig’s Tower sitting just above the town centre.
Another serenade from the piper at Oban as 20118 led 20132 on the return, but owing to a points failure just outside Oban station, we were somewhat delayed departing and arrival at our 1st set down point at Westerton was nearly an hour late. Despite the late running, it was another lovely sunny trip south with a highlight for many being the journey around Loch Awe and over the Awe viaduct, so a successful trip with rare appearances at Oban for the 60+ year old class 20s!
And once again many thanks to the many passengers who were kind enough to send us many kind comments, such as these “Was a superb day out, well done to all staff involved, making it a memorable wedding anniversary gift. Thank you.”…”We had a fantastic day! My first ever rail tour and it won’t be the last! The team looked after us very well!”…. “Fantastic day out and so well looked after by all the staff and volunteers - thank you and see you again soon hopefully!”
the Lochalsh chopper
Saturday 21st June, Sunday 22nd June & Monday 23rd June 2025
Locomotives - 20118 ‘Saltburn-by-the-Sea’, 20132, 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ + 87002 ‘Royal Sovereign’
Stock - 6311, 1863, 5366, 5912, 13227, 5991, 1730, 3150, 3112, 35185
1Z20 08:23 Crewe - Inverness (21st June 2025)
1Z20 08:39 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh (22nd June 2025)
1Z21 13:55 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness (22nd June 2025)
1Z20 07:15 Inverness - Crewe (23rd June 2025)
This was our first attempt at running a multi‑day tour of this scale and it truly felt like a rewarding three‑day adventure from start to finish.
After welcoming our passengers on board, we began the tour with electric locomotive 87002 working the train from Crewe to Carlisle. From Carlisle, the excitement built as 87002 made way for the locomotives that most people had come to see. Railfreight Grey liveried 20118 and 20132, with 37403 added to the rear to provide heating (after recently hauling the Caledonian Sleeper).
Despite some of the usual operational challenges, we more or less kept to time throughout the day, even managing to arrive four‑minutes early into Inverness.
Sunday’s run to Kyle of Lochalsh had its own special flavour, blessed with glorious Highland scenery as we crossed over Loch Achanalt and wound our way through Strathcarron and along the shores of Loch Carron. It was also a historic moment - the first‑ever visit of a pair of Class 20s to Kyle of Lochalsh, something that went down brilliantly with the passengers and volunteers alike.
37403 had the day off at Inverness, and we arrived back in Inverness within 5 minutes of booked time after an enjoyable, relaxed and memorable day. A big thank‑you goes to the museum at Kyle of Lochalsh and the local businesses who kindly supported our visit.
Monday started with a slight delay due to the stock arriving from the depot, but once underway we made good progress, with leg‑stretch breaks enjoyed at Elgin and Aberdeen. By Falkirk we were running fifteen minutes early and at Carlisle there was an emotional farewell to 20118 and 20132, which had performed superbly all weekend, supported throughout by the ever‑reliable 37403. From there, 87002 resumed duties and carried us back to Crewe where we arrived bang on time after three thoroughly enjoyable days.
Across the three days, the catering team from Rail Diners, excelled themselves. This was their first time delivering SRPS catering, and they exceeded expectations with friendly service and excellent food from start to finish.
Also special thanks to LSL, who provided the class 20s and 87002, plus the traincrew (drivers & gauards), plus the smoothly handling of filling the water carriages with water regularly, as well as emptying the toilets!
Our volunteers deserve huge praise as well - they worked tirelessly, maintained high standards throughout, and ensured passengers felt looked after at every stage. We also received invaluable assistance from Network Rail, including several off‑duty staff who stepped in with guidance when major disruption around Manchester created worries about passenger connections. Their support was hugely appreciated.
All in all, it was a highly successful three‑day operation. The combination of skilled traincrew, dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic passengers made it something truly special. Our thanks also to those passengers who took the time out to post some lovely comments after the tour including “A huge thanks from my partner, Kate, brother, Andy and I to all the volunteer stewards and everyone else involved who worked so hard to make this tour so wonderful, it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and I very much look forward to joining you for another tour again soon.”.. “Thanks to all the volunteers for giving up their time and putting in long unpaid hours. Without whom us vintage diesel cranks wouldn’t be able to experience our favourite loco classes in such scenic splendour, all from the comfort of superbly maintained matching carriages.”… “Many thanks to everyone that made this tour the amazing success that it was. We felt really well looked after and genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.”…“Thank you all for a superb weekend that will last long in the memory”… “it was good that special arrangements were made to open up the little museum which I found quite interesting. It was also a nice touch to have someone playing the bagpipes upon arrival and before departure”
The Oban Bucket
Saturday 27th September 2025
Locomotives - 40013 ‘Andania’ + 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’
Stock - 4832, 3150, 3112, 35185, 1730, 13227, 5991, 5912, 5366
1Z60 16:40 Oban - Carlisle
A proud moment for everyone involved at Scottish Railway Preservation Society and Locomotive Services Group as the immaculate D213 (40013) 'Andania' broke new ground and became the first Class 40 locomotive to ever visit Oban hauling a sold out train of happy passengers!
We hope all of our guests had a fantastic day out despite the rather inclement weather in Oban and we look forward to welcoming you back on board in the near future!
A massive thanks must go to all of our dedicated volunteers who put in an astronomical amount of free hours to make these things happen during 2025, without these passionate and dedicated individuals we simply couldn't do what we do. Every volunteer is a credit to the SRPS. Thanks also to our partners at Locomotive Services Group (LSL) and all their professional employees and let’s not forget the man that produces the raffle prize everyone wants to win - the commemorative dominoes box!
And to top off a wonderful day, we also saw driver Ogden celebrate his retirement as he stepped out of the locomotive at Carlisle. As his boss said “Farewell to a Railway Legend”
Some comments from our happy passengers, that we are always happy to receive “Another great day out despite the weather, along with the Inverness trip in February. Stewards on both trips did a fantastic job keeping everyone fed and watered especially with the extremely long days for them. Hopefully some of the 2026 tours will also start south of the border like these. Thanks to all involved”… “Another cracking SRPS Railtour thanks to everyone involved in making this possible, the liquid sunshine didn't dampen our spirits,beer and wine.”… “It was a fantastic day the weather couldn't spoil. Thanks to everyone involved”… “A great day out and another professionally run tour. Thank you for all your efforts.” … “What an amazing day yesterday was. The traction looked and sounded superb all day, the rolling stock was well turned out and the staff were impeccable. A day spent in great company both on and off the train with an enjoyable break visiting McCaig's Tower and enjoying some local fish and chips at Cuan Mor (highly recommend for any future visits). Even the Oban weather couldn't ruin things. A perfect day so thanks to all involved in yet another memorable outing”
Hopefully see you all again in 2026! Thanks again everyone!