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Allison Udy: bucket-list Lapland trip, coach drivers and more
GTO Allison Udy on the uniqueness of her group and how a coach driver can make or break a trip.
It’s full steam ahead as vintage trains from Scotland, England and Wales all make the list, perfect for a group day out on the tracks.
The list was compiled by Boundless, with railways expert and author Anthony Lambert, who has contributed to 20 books on the subject and travelled by rail in 55 countries, coming in to help judge the winners.
Scotland’s The Jacobite service from Fort William to Mallaig is described as ‘the greatest railway journey in the world’ by operators West Coast Railways – and it took first place in the UK thanks to beautiful Highland scenery and wonderful service.
The Bluebell Railway in Sussex, famous for its springtime views and dining experiences, came out top in England - and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, renowned for stunning Snowdonia landscapes, was number one in Wales.
Here’s the full list:
1. The Jacobite
Journey time: 2 hours from Fort William to Mallaig
Where to board/alight: Fort William
How to get there: Trains or A82 from Glasgow
When: Weekdays 22nd April - 25th October; weekends 4th May - 29th September
2. Bluebell Railway
Journey time: 40 minutes each way
Where to board/alight: Sheffield Park, East Grinstead
How to get there: Trains to East Grinstead; leave M23 at junction 10
When: Almost daily until 3rd November
3. Dartmouth Steam Railway
Journey Time: 30 minutes each way
Where to board/alight: Paignton, Kingswear
How to get there: Train to Paignton; A38/A380
When: Daily until 2nd November
4. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
Journey Time: FR 1¼ hours each way; WHR 2¼ hours each way
Where to board/alight: Porthmadog, Blaenau Ffestiniog (FR)/Caernarfon (WHR)
How to get there: Trains from Shrewsbury; A5/A470/A487
When: Daily until 3rd November (FR); 2 November (WHR)
5. North Norfolk Railway
Journey Time: 25 minutes each way
Where to board/alight: Sheringham, Holt
How to get there: Train to Sheringham; A148 from King’s Lynn, A140 from Norwich
When: Daily until 3rd November
6. North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Journey Time: 65 minutes (Pickering to Grosmont), 1¾ hours (Pickering to Whitby)
Where to board/alight: Pickering, Grosmont, Whitby
How to get there: Train to Whitby or Grosmont; A169, A171
When: Daily until 3rd November
