Charter Trains 2024
Welcome to scot-rail.co.uk, Scotland's online railway community. The group is for any rail enthusiast interested in the railways and trains of Scotland. It not only consists of the wiki that you're reading now, but a busy online forum and mailing list, which was accessible to registered users. From April 2024 the forum has closed, with a replacement started on Groups.io.
Breadcrumb navigation
A list of charter trains, railtours and associated stock moves and locomotive movements on the mainline in Scotland during 2024.
<<|Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
This page does not include the regular running of Jacobite steam trains or Royal Scotsman.
Please note that all trains (especially steam loco moves) can be subject to late notice re-timings, please check the Gen list for any late info.
Abbreviations:
ECS = Empty Coaching Stock
T&T = Top and Tail (locos on both ends)
DH = Double Headed locomotives
DOR = Loco dead on rear
TF = Steam loco running Tender First
DIT = Loco dead in train (between leading loco and any rolling stock)
* = Locomotive change at this location
tbc = to be confirmed
Rtn = Return journey
Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
Charter Trains 2022
Charter Trains 2021
...
Charter Trains 2007
<<|Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
This page does not include the regular running of Jacobite steam trains or Royal Scotsman.
Please note that all trains (especially steam loco moves) can be subject to late notice re-timings, please check the Gen list for any late info.
Abbreviations:
ECS = Empty Coaching Stock
T&T = Top and Tail (locos on both ends)
DH = Double Headed locomotives
DOR = Loco dead on rear
TF = Steam loco running Tender First
DIT = Loco dead in train (between leading loco and any rolling stock)
* = Locomotive change at this location
tbc = to be confirmed
Rtn = Return journey
Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
| Date | Tour Name | Route | Traction | Promoter | Timings | Links |
| January 2024 | ||||||
| Sat 13th | The Ayr Extension | Crewe - Glasgow C - Barassie Jn | 86101 & 87002 (T&T) | Intercity | 1Z29 - 1Z32 | Photo, Flickr |
| February 2024 | ||||||
| Sat 24th | The Whistling Highlander (Day.1) | Crewe - Carlisle - Perth - Inverness | Class 40 D213 (& 47 D1935 OR) | Intercity | 1Z13 | Flickr |
| Sun 25th | The Whistling Highlander (Day.2) | Inverness - Aberdeen - Forth Bridge - Carlisle - Crewe | Class 40 D213 (& 47 D1935 OR) | Intercity | 1Z14 | Photo 40, Photo 47 |
| March 2024 | ||||||
| Thu 7th | Thunderbirds Are Go! | Derby - ECML - Edinburgh - Linlithgow | 57303 | Branch Line Society | 1Z36 | Photo |
| Fri 8th | BWC Two (Day.1) | Bo'ness - Edinburgh - Fort William | 37403 | Branch Line Society | 1Z36, 1Z37 | Photo |
| Sat 9th | BWC Two (Day.2) | Fort William - Crianlarich - Oban - Fort William | 37403 | Branch Line Society | 1Z38, 1Z39 | Photo, Flickr |
| Sun 10th | BWC Two (Day.3) | Fort William - Mallaig - Fort William - Wemyss Bay | 37403 | Branch Line Society | 1Z40 | Flickr |
| BWC Two (Day.3) | Wemyss Bay - Glasgow Central - Shields Jn - Queen St HL | 66776 & 37403 (T&T) | Branch Line Society | 1Z41, 1Z42 | Flickr | |
| BWC Two (Day.3) | Glasgow Queen St HL - Bo'ness | 37403 | Branch Line Society | 1Z43 | Flickr | |
| Mon 11th | International Rescue | Linlithgow - Edinburgh - Carlisle - Darlington - Derby | 57303 | Branch Line Society | 1Z44 | Photo |
| Sat 23rd | The Edinburgh Flyer | York - ECML - Edinburgh (and return) | Steam 44871 (& diesel 47848 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z47, 1Z49 | Photo |
| Mon 25th | | | n/a | 5Z44 | Cancelled | |
| Thu 28th | | | | West Coast Railways | 2Y61, 2Y62 | Cancelled |
| Fri 29th | West Of Scotland Push-Pull (Day.1) | Crewe - Carlisle* - Edinburgh | 47712 & DBSO | Intercity | 1Z60 | Photo |
| The Easter Chieftain (Day.1) | Eastleigh - Carlisle* - Aviemore | 66110+66034 (DH) | Pathfinder Tours | 1Z68 | Photo | |
| Sat 30th | West Of Scotland Push-Pull (Day.2) | Edinburgh - Oban (& return) | 47712 & DBSO | Intercity | 1Z62, 1Z63 | Photo, Flickr |
| The Easter Chieftain (Day.2) | Aviemore - Kyle of Lochalsh (& return) | 66034 & 66110 (T&T) | Pathfinder Tours | 1Z70, 1Z71 | Flickr | |
| Sun 31st | West Of Scotland Push-Pull (Day.3) | Edinburgh - Gourock - Wemyss Bay - Ardrossan Harbour - Largs - Dumfries - Crewe | 47712 & D1935 (T&T) | Intercity | 1Z64 - 1Z71 | Flickr.1, Flickr.2 |
| The Easter Chieftain (Day.3) | Aviemore - Perth - Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore | 66110 & 66034 (T&T) | Pathfinder Tours | 1Z72, 1Z73 | Flickr | |
| April 2024 | ||||||
| Mon 1st | The Easter Chieftain (Day.4) | Aviemore - Newcastle* - Eastleigh | 66034+66110 (DH) | Pathfinder Tours | 1Z74 | Photo |
| Wed 3rd | (LSL ECS move) | Crewe HS - Fort William TNF | 37 D6851 (& 37409 OR) | n/a | 5Z37 | Flickr |
| Royal Scotsman, Highland (Day.1) | Edinburgh - Boat of Garten | 66746 | Belmond | 1H89 | Photo | |
| Thu 4th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Fort William Jn Yd | 37685+37676 (DH) | n/a | 5Z40 | Flickr |
| Mon 8th | The West Highlander | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | 37409 & D6851 (T&T) | Intercity | 1Z37, 1Z38 | Photo |
| (WCR non-passenger) | Fort William - Mallaig (and return) | 37685+37676 (DH) | n/a | 2Y61, 2Y62 | Flickr | |
| Tue 9th | The West Highlander | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | 37409 & D6851 (T&T) | Intercity | 1Z37, 1Z38 | Flickr.1, Flickr.2 |
| (WCR non-passenger) | Fort William - Mallaig (and return) | 37685+37676 (DH) | n/a | 2Y61, 2Y62 | = | |
| Thu 11th | (LSL ECS move) | Crewe HS - Joppa Straight (via Beattock) | HST 43055 & 43047 | n/a | 5Z60 | Flickr |
| Fri 12th | Cornish Riviera Pullman | (Joppa) Berwick - Penzance | HST 43047 & 43055 | Midland Pullman | 3Z61, 1Z62 | = |
| Sat 13th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Craigendoran* (Crianlarich) | Diesel 47245 + Steam 45212 | n/a | 5Z12 | YouTube |
| (WCR ECS move) | (Carnforth) Craigendoran* - Crianlarich | Steam 45212 (& Diesel 47245 OR) | n/a | 5Z12 | YouTube | |
| Sun 14th | (WCR ECS move) | Crianlarich - Fort William TNF | Steam 45212 (& Diesel 47245 OR) | n/a | 5Z12 | = |
| Mon 15th | The Jacobite (First Morning Train) | Fort William - | Steam 45212 (TF, return with diesel 47245) | West Coast Railways | 2Y61, 2Y62 | Resuming |
| The Great Britain XVI (Day.3) | Lancaster - Carlisle - Glasgow C (via Dumfries & Annbank) | Steam 44871+45407 (DH & Diesel 47802 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z35 | Flickr | |
| (GB XVI ECS) | Glasgow C - Joppa Straight (via Shotts) | Diesel 47802 (& Steam 45407+44871 OR) | n/a | 5Z35 | = | |
| Tue 16th | (GB XVI ECS) | Joppa Straight - Glasgow C (via Shotts) | Diesel 47802 (& Steam 45407+44871 OR) | n/a | 5Z36 | = |
| The Great Britain XVI (Day.4) | Glasgow C - Inverness (via Stirling & Aviemore) | Steam 44871+45407 (DH & Diesel 47802 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z36 | Flickr | |
| Wed 17th | The Great Britain XVI (Day.5) | Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh (& Return) | Steam 44871 (TF & Diesel 47802 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z37, 1Z38 | Flickr |
| Thu 18th | The Great Britain XVI (Day.6) | Inverness - Aberdeen - Edinburgh (via Perth & Kirkcaldy) | Steam 44871+45407 (DH & Diesel 47802 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z39, 1Z40 | Flickr |
| Fri 19th | The Great Britain XVI (Day.7) | Edinburgh - Carlisle* - Liverpool | Steam 44871+45407 (DH & Diesel 47802 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z42 | Flickr |
| The West Highlander | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | 37409 & D6851 (T&T) | Intercity | 1Z00, 1Z01 | Flickr | |
| Tue 23rd | (LSL ECS move) | Fort William TNF - Crewe HS | 37409 & D6851 (T&T) | n/a | 5Z80 | = |
| Highland Clansman Pullman | Crewe - Chester - Lockerbie - Aviemore (& return) | HST 43055 & 43047 | Midland Pullman | 1Z43, 1Z44 | = | |
| Thu 25th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Fort William TNF | Steam 45407 | n/a | 5Z45 | = |
| Fri 26th | (ECS move) | Crewe HS - Dundee HS (via Beattock & Stirling) | HST 43055 & 43047 | n/a | 5Z43 | = |
| Sat 27th | Settle to Carlisle & Blackpool Pullman | Dundee - Edinburgh - Beattock - Blackpool (& return) | HST 43055 & 43047 | Midland Pullman | 1Z43, 1Z44 | = |
| Sun 28th | (ECS move) | Dundee HS - Crewe HS (via Stirling & ECML) | HST 43055 & 43047 | n/a | 5Z45 | = |
| May 2024 | ||||||
| Sat 4th | Historic Edinburgh at Leisure | Derby - ECML - Edinburgh (& return) | 57313 & 47815 (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z71, 1Z72 | = |
| Mon 6th | | | Steam | West Coast Railways | | Cancelled |
| Tue 7th | (N. Belle ECS move) | Carnforth - Joppa Straight | 47812 & 57313 (T&T) | n/a | 5Z16 | = |
| Wed 8th | (Private Charter) | Gleneagles - Perth - Carstairs - Edinburgh (ECS to York) | 47812 & 57313 (T&T) | (Northern Belle) | 1Z18, 5Z18 | = |
| Thu 9th | Glamis Castle/Scone Palace | Darlington - ECML - Dundee (and return) | 47812 & 57313 (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z52, 1Z53 | = |
| Thu 16th | Historic Edinburgh at Leisure | Crewe - Liverpool - WCML - Edinburgh (& return) | 57313 & 57315 (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z63, 1Z64 | Flickr |
| Sat 18th | Historic Edinburgh at Leisure | Manchester V - WCML - Edinburgh (& return) | 57315 (& 47802 OR) | Northern Belle | 1Z72, 1Z73 | Flickr |
| The Edinburgh Flyer | York - ECML - Edinburgh (and return) | Steam 44871 (& diesel 47815 OR) | Railway Touring Co. | 1Z46, 1Z49 | Flickr | |
| Royal Scotsman, Clans, Castles & Isles (Day.2) | Fort William - Bridge of Orchy - Oban | GBRf 66 (T&T) | Belmond | 1H86, 1Z87 | = | |
| Mon 20th | Royal Scotsman, Clans, Castles & Isles (Day.4) | Wemyss Bay - Larbert* - Boat Of Garten | GBRf 66 (& 66 OR*) | Belmond | 1Z90 | = |
| Fri 24th | (ECS move) | Crewe - Ayr Falkland DGL (via Kilmarnock) | HST 43055 & 43047 | n/a | 5Z41 | Flickr |
| Sat 25th | Settle to Carlisle & Blackpool Pullman | Newton-on-Ayr - Kilmarnock - Blackpool (and return) | HST 43055 & 43047 | Midland Pullman | 1Z43, 1Z44 | Flickr |
| Sun 26th | Royal Scotsman, Private tour (Day.1) | Edinburgh - Gleneagles - Boat of Garten | 66743 | Belmond | 1Z41, 1Z42 | = |
| Mon 27th | (ECS move) | Kilmarnock - Heaton | HST 43055 & 43047 | n/a | 5Z40 | = |
| Tue 28th | Royal Scotsman, Private tour (Day.3) | Dundee - Gleneagles (- Craigentinny) | 66743 | Belmond | 1Z44, 5Z44 | = |
| Ben Nevis and Lochaber Pullman | Morpeth - Edinburgh - Fort William (& return) | HST 43055 & 43047 | Midland Pullman | 1Z43, 1Z44 | = | |
| Wed 29th | (ECS move) | Bo'ness - ECML - Barrow Hill | 37403 | n/a | 5Z37 | Flickr |
| June 2024 | ||||||
| Sun 2nd | (British Pullman, ECS move) | Stewarts Lane - WCML - Hamilton | 67021 & 67024 (T&T) | n/a | 5Z60 | Flickr |
| Mon 3rd | British Pullman, Private tour | (Hamilton) Edinburgh - Perth - Gleneagles | 67024 & 67021 (T&T) | Belmond | 3Z60, 1Z60 | Flickr |
| (British Pullman, ECS move) | Gleneagles - ECML - Stewarts Lane | 67021 & 67024 (T&T) | n/a | 5Z61 | Flickr | |
| Thu 6th | Royal Scotsman, Heritage Homes and Gardens (Day.4) | Kingussie - Dunblane (Mossend) Stirling - Dundee | 66746 | Belmond | 1Z83, 1Z84 | = |
| Fri 7th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Fort William Jn Yd | 37518 | n/a | 5Z37 | = |
| Sat 8th | (WCR ECS move) | Fort William Jn Yd - Carnforth | 47245 (& 37518 DOR) | n/a | 5Z47 | = |
| Fri 14th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Fort William TNF | 37516 | n/a | 5Z39 | Flickr |
| Sat 15th | The Ancient Kingdom / Joppa Jaunt | Kings Cross - Alnmouth - Joppa (and return) | 57310 & 57306 (T&T) | UK Railtours | 1Z51, 1Z52 | Flickr |
| Mon 17th | The Jacobite (First Afternoon Train) | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | Steam | West Coast Railways | 2Y68, 2Y69 | = |
| Tue 18th | Oban & West Highland Pullman | Preston - Motherwell - Oban (& return) | HST 43055 & 43059 | Midland Pullman | 1Z80, 1Z82 | = |
| Fri 21st | (GBRf ECS move) | Burton OT - Bo'ness (via WCML) | 57310 & 57306 (T&T) | n/a | 5Z53 | = |
| Sat 22nd | (GBRf staff charter) | Motherwell - ECML - Leeds (and return) | 57306 & 57310 (T&T) | (GBRf) | 1Z55, 1Z57 | Flickr |
| Sun 23rd | The Glasgow GM | Glasgow C - Anniesland - Carlisle - Blackburn - Derby | 57310 & 57306 (T&T) | Branch Line Society | 1Z60 | Flickr |
| Fri 28th | Three Peaks Challenge by Rail (Day.2) | Ravenglass - Fort William (via WCML) | 57311 (& 47593 OR) | The Railway Children | 1Z52 | Flickr |
| Sat 29th | Three Peaks Challenge by Rail (Day.3) | Fort William - Crewe (via WCML) | 47593 (& 57311 OR) | The Railway Children | 1Z53 | Flickr |
| July 2024 | ||||||
| Fri 5th | (Trial Run, day.1) | Crewe - WCML - Fort William | HST 43059 & 43049 | (Midland Pullman) | 1Z43 | = |
| Sat 6th | (Trial Run, day.2) | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | HST 43049 & 43059 | (Midland Pullman) | 1Z44, 1Z45 | = |
| Sun 7th | (Trial Run, day.3) | Fort William - WCML - Crewe | HST 43049 & 43059 | (Midland Pullman) | 1Z46 | Flickr |
| Fri 12th | (Northern Belle ECS) | Carnforth - Glasgow C | 57314 (& 57313 OR) | n/a | 5Z16 | = |
| The Spirit Of Travel Lunch | Glasgow C - Edinburgh - Perth (out via Stirling, return Kirkcaldy, ECS to Joppa) | 57313 & 57314 (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z16 - 1Z18 | = | |
| | | | 21st Century Steam | Postponed | = | |
| | | | 21st Century Steam | Postponed | = | |
| Sun 14th | West Highland Lunch | Glasgow C - Bridge of Orchy (& return, then ECS to Carnforth) | WCR 57s (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z18, 1Z19 | = |
| Mon 15th | (WCR ECS move) | Carnforth - Fort William TNF | WCR diesel | n/a | 5Z37 | = |
| Tue 16th | (WCR ECS move) | Fort William TNF - Carnforth | WCR diesel | n/a | 5Z38 | = |
| Thu 18th | Edinburgh at Leisure | Manchester V - ECML - Edinburgh (& return) | WCR 57/47 (T&T) | Northern Belle | 1Z65, 1Z66 | = |
| | | | 21st Century Steam | Cancelled | = | |
| Thu 25th | | | | 21st Century Steam | Cancelled | = |
| Fri 26th | (ECS move) | Crewe HS - Dundee HS (via Beattock & Stirling) | LSL HST | n/a | 5Z43 | = |
| Sat 27th | Settle to Carlisle & Blackpool Pullman | Perth - Lockerbie - Blackpool (and return) | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | 1Z43, 1Z44 | = |
| | | | 21st Century Steam | Cancelled | = | |
| Sun 28th | (ECS move) | Dundee HS - Crewe HS (via Stirling & WCML) | LSL HST | n/a | 5Z45 | = |
| August 2024 | ||||||
| Wed 7th | Oban & West Highland Pullman | Darlington - Edinburgh - Oban (& return) | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | 1Z77, 1Z78 | = |
| Fri 16th | West Highland Pullman (day.1) | Romford - ECML - Fort William | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | tbc | = |
| Sat 17th | West Highland Pullman (day.2) | Fort William - Mallaig (& return) | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | tbc | = |
| Sun 18th | West Highland Pullman (day.3) | Fort William - ECML - Romford | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | tbc | = |
| Sat 24th | Retro High Speed Scot | Crewe - ECML - Edinburgh (and return) | 125group HST | Retro Railtours | tbc | = |
| The Grampian Highlander (Day.1) | Taunton - Gloucester* - WCML - Stirling - Aberdeen | Class 50s (DH) | Pathfinder Railtours | tbc | Info | |
| Sun 25th | The Grampian Highlander (Day.2) | Aberdeen - Inverness - Perth - Aberdeen | Class 50s (T&T?) | Pathfinder Railtours | tbc | = |
| Mon 26th | The Grampian Highlander (Day.3) | Aberdeen - Leven - Edinburgh - ECML - Taunton | Class 50s (T&T/DH) | Pathfinder Railtours | tbc | = |
| Fri 30th | Cornish Riviera Pullman (day.1) | Dumfries - Carlisle - Penzance | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | tbc | = |
| September 2024 | ||||||
| Sun 1st | Cornish Riviera Pullman (day.3) | Penzance - Carlisle - Dumfries | LSL HST | Midland Pullman | tbc | = |
| Thu 5th | The Caledonian Express | Birmingham - WCML - Edinburgh | Steam 60163 'Tornado'? | 21st Century Steam | tbc | Info |
| The Caledonian Express | Edinburgh - WCML - Birmingham | WCR? diesel | 21st Century Steam | tbc | = | |
| | | | 21st Century Steam | Cancelled | = | |
| Sat 7th | The Clyde Aberdonian | Glasgow C - Aberdeen (and return) | Steam 60163 'Tornado'? | 21st Century Steam | tbc | = |
| Sat 14th | The Eastrigg Eloper | Unknown - Carlisle - Eastriggs (and return) | GBrf ?? | UK Railtours | tbc | = |
| October 2024 | ||||||
| Sat 5th | Central Scotland & Fife Push Pull (Day.1) | Crewe - Carstairs - Glasgow Q St HL & LL - Lanark - North Berwick - Edinburgh | 47712 + DBSO | Intercity | tbc | Info |
| Sun 6th | Central Scotland & Fife Push Pull (Day.2) | Edinburgh - Tweedbank - Leven - Dunfermline - Alloa - Carstairs - Crewe | 47712 + DBSO | Intercity | tbc | = |
| November 2024 | ||||||
| Sat 23rd | The Edinburgh Festive Explorer | Gloucester - Crewe* - WCML - Edinburgh (and return) | Electric 86259 | Pathfinder Railtours | tbc | Info |
| December 2024 | ||||||
Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|Jun|Jul|Aug|Sep|Oct|Nov|Dec
See Also
Internal Links
Charter Trains 2023Charter Trains 2022
Charter Trains 2021
...
Charter Trains 2007
External Links
- UK diesel & steam railtours with links to timings
- Railway Herald - listing of forthcoming Railtours & Excursions
- Six Bells Junction: railtour reviews
- UK mainline steam railtours - 1996 to 2018
- National Preservation forum - Mainline activity
- The Class 47 List (news page)
- Class 37.co.uk (workings)
- Realtime Train Info
Tour Promoters
- A1 Steam Locomotive Trust / 21st Century Steam
- Belmond - Royal Scotsman
- Bishop Trains
- Branch Line Society
- CFPS - Class 40 Preservation Society
- Flying Scotsman at the Strathspey Railway
- GBRf Charity Railtours <FB>
- Intercity Tours (LSL)
- Midland Pullman (LSL)
- Northern Belle, <FB>, <Tw>
- Pathfinder Tours
- The Polar Express (Edinburgh)
- PMR Tours
- The Railway Children (Three Peaks Challenge by Rail)
- Railway Touring Company, <news>
- Retro Railtours
- The Royal Scotsman
- Saphos Trains (LSL)
- Spirit of the Lakes (WCR)
- SRPS Railtours (and North East Railtours), <FB>
- Statesman Rail (LSL)
- Steam Dreams - The Cathedrals Express, <Tw>
- UK Railtours
- Vintage Trains
- West Coast Railways (WCR), <FB>, <Tw>