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Daisy Days 1989-90
The first 'Green Express' ran on 1st May 1989, a protest train, organised by the Green Party to highlight the plight of the Settle-Carlisle line, then threatened with closure. Formed of several 'first generation' diesel multiple units, hired from British Railways Group Travel at Leeds City Station. The train was a sell out, the Settle & Carlisle line was reprieved, and more trains were organised. The use of those versatile Regional Railways Heritage Diesel Unit's formed of serveral 2 or 3 car formations, was short lived. May '90 was a fitting tribute, a 'Mystery Tour' once the mainstay of the British Rail 'Merrymaker' programme. The Huddersfield to Saltburn  working (via Barnsley (reverse), Castleford (reverse) and Leeds (reverse)   had passengers guessing until 10 miles from the destination!

 1.5.1989    Huddersfield to Carlisle  1st Generation D.M.U's
25.6.1989  Denby Dale to Carlisle    1st Generation D.M.U's
27.8.1989  Denby Dale to Whitby     1st Generation D.M.U's
?.?.1989    Penistone to Carlisle       1st Generation D.M.U's
25.3.1990  Barnsley to Holyhead      1st Generation D.M.U's        
?.?.1990   Barnsley to Carlisle          1st Generation D.M.U's
13.5.1990 Huddersfield to Saltburn (Mystery Trip) 1st Generation D.M.U.'s

Loco Hauled along the Penistone Line 1991-96
1991 saw the Green Express use locomotive hauled trains for the first time. Hired from the British Rail Special Trains Unit at London, passengers now had reserved seats and the luxury of tables, but no buffet car ( like the British Rail 'Merrymaker' of the 1980's ) just basic catering from the guards van. The 1990's saw several locomotive hauled trains travelling each year over the Penistone Line. Little did we realise August 96, would be the last tour of the line, as for 11 years a 'weak bridge' has prevented tours on this rural line. On a positive note, a change of heart at local level saw the then new 'Super Sprinter' available for hire and interesting seaside destinations followed.

6.5.1991   Barnsley to Carlisle              47490 (now scrapped)
19.8.1991 Barnsley to Carlisle           47972
15.9.1991 Barnsley to Morecambe    4 Car Super Sprinter (Travels to Morecambe's Old station, now Tourist Info Centre
11.4.1992 Barnsley to Carlisle         
25.5.1992 Rochdale to Carlisle
7.6.1992   Barnsley to Bridlington     4 Car Super Sprinter
22.8.1992 Sheffield to Edinburgh      47830,90004 47821 (Scrapped)
23.8.1992 Huddersfield to Edinburgh 4 Car Super Sprinter
30.8.1992 Huddersfield to Carlise
1.11.1992 Barnsley to London
3.4.1993   Rochdale to Carlisle
3.5.1993   Barnsley to Carlisle
30.5.1993 Rochdale to Whitby        4 Car Super Sprinter
20.6.1993 Marsden to Whitby         4 Car Super Sprinter
27.6.1993 Leeds to Carlisle            4 Car Super Sprinter
10.7.1993 Sheffield to Carlisle
18.7.1993 Barnsley to LLandudno   4 Car Super Sprinter
21.8.1993 Rochdale to Edinburgh
28.8.1993 Sheffield to Edinburgh
4.9.1993   Barnsley to Edinburgh
3.10.1993 Barnsley to Blackpool      4 Car Super Spinter


Writing on the Wall:

Privatisation was gathering pace, the 'bean counters' were in the ascendancy, and the costs of running charter trains would shortly double. The lull before the storm was 1994 highlights being : a locomotive hauled train round the 'Oldham Loop' and along the full length of the Cumbrian Coast (formed of Mark 1 rolling stock) and a tour from Huddersfield along the Penistone Line to Aberystwyth, (Brush type 4 to Birmingham, a pair of Class 31's onto the Cambrian route) with connecting double decker bus to the Centre for Alternative Technology at  Machynlleth and a special steam charter booked at Aberystywth to Devils Bridge.
  1. 26.3.1994 Huddersfield to Carlisle (Via Maryport)
  2. 2.5.1994   Barnsley to Carlisle
  3. 30.5.1994 Rochdale to Carlisle
  4. 25.6.1994 Huddersfield to Aberystwyth (Via Penistone) Class 31
  5. 16.7.1994 Sheffield to Carlisle
  6. 20.8.1994 Sheffield to Edinburgh
  7. 29.8.1994 Rochdale to Edinburgh
  8. 3.9.1994   Barnsley to Edinburgh
  9. 26.3.1995 Rochdale to Whitby       4 Car Super Sprinter
  10. 9.4.1995   Barnsley to Whitby        4 Car Super Sprinter
  11. 6.5.1995   Sheffield to Glasgow Central
  12. 17.6.1995 Sheffield to Lancaster
  13. 15.7.1995 Barnsley to Edinburgh 47772
  14. 19.8.1995 Sheffield to Edinburgh
  15. 26.8.1995 Rochdale to Edinburgh
  16. 2.9.1995  Barnsley to Edinburgh 47733
  17. 16.6.1996 Leeds to Bath               47747 47781 Beer from two breweries on board 'Linfit Brewery' Linthwiate  and 'Blackmoor Brewery' Batley Live Jug Band Blues from 'Hokum'
  18. 3.8.1996  Marsden to Edinburgh
  19. 24.8.1996 Sheffield to Edinburgh
  20. 26.8.1996 Sheffield to Edinburgh
  21. 31.8.1996 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Edinburgh 'Oldham Line Edinburgh Festival Express'  Beer from two Breweries on board 'Linfit Brewery' Linthwaite and 'Blackmoor Brewery' Batley
  22. 7.9.1996 Leeds to Swansea 'Heart of Wales Scenic Circular Tour' 47790
Last Green Party Charter Train
November 1996 saw the Green Party in Kirklees organise their last  Charter Train with a trip to London for the Lord Mayors Parade. (Little realising that 11 years later, they would return, with a trip to Brighton) Having seen at first hand the fragmentation of British Railways, for a voluntary orgainsation it had become very time difficult with prices rising sharply and British Railways now fragmented into many companies. From 1997, Green Express Railtours becomes a small business, dedicated to focus on retaining the 'Merrymaker' tradition, attracting people back onto the railways by giving an enjoyable, affordable day out from the local station and continuing to promote public transport and environmental awareness.

23.11.1996 Stalybridge to London Kings Cross via Meadowhall  'The London Christmas Express' Beer from 'Linfit Brewery' Linthwaite and Live Trad Jazz from 'The Train Gang'

RES Days (Rail Express Systems) to EWS (English Welsh & Scottish Railways)
Green Express Railtours, settled to using West Coast Railways Coaches, for most of their tours, from their Carnforth depot, with engines and train crew for the trains changing from RES to EWS. The former once the mover of much of the countries mail by rail. The Excursion trains, running on a Saturday, fitting nicely into the spare resource capacity. Unfortunately, Royal Mails Carbon Footprint took a big leap forward as mail was transferred to the roads. A real shame as recently constructed Royal Mail rail hubs were moth balled, like Stafford and Doncaster.

  1. 12.4.1997 Leeds to Kidderminster      47739
  2. 3.5.1997  Giggleswick to Edinburgh 'Aire Valley Edinburgh Express' Beer from 'Linfit Brewery' Linthwaite, the Sair was the film location next month as 'the local' from three policemen in a new TV series 'Wokenwell'
  3. 5.5.1997  Leeds to Bath Spa        'The Georgian Bath Explorer'     47789 47739 
  4. 31.5.1997 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Edinburgh  'The Lancashire Edinburgh Express' 47727
  5. 2.8.1997   Marsden to Edinburgh       47792 'The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza'  with live Trad Jazz from 'The Train Gang'
  6. 9.8.1997   Skipton to Edinburgh  'The Aire Valley Edinburgh Blues Festival' Coaching Stock Rail Charter Services
  7. 16.8.1997 Rochdale to Edinburgh 47736 'The Calder Valley Festival Fellsman'
  8. 23.8.1997 Leeds to Edinburgh via Stalybridge 'Trans-Pennine Edinburgh Festival Express'Coaching Stock Rail Charter Services
  9. 25.8.1997 Normanton to Edinburgh via Ashton 47782 'Trans Pennine Edinburgh Festival Express' Coaching Stock Rail Charter Services Live Folk Music from 'The Unplugged God Egg Band' Real Ale from 'Linfit Brewery' 'The Sair' had just won the coveted 'best pub in the United Kingdom award'
  10. 30.8.1997 Mills Hill (Rochdale) to Edinburgh via Shaw 'The Oldham Line Festival Scotsman' 47766
  11. 11.4.1998 Long Preston to Edinburgh 47734 'The Easter Edinburgh Express'
  12. 13.4.1998 Leeds to Edinburgh via Pannal 47734 'The Easter Edinburgh Express'
  13. 18.4.1998 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Edinburgh via Shaw  47770 'Oldham Line Edinburgh Express'
  14. 2.5.1998  Giggleswick to Edinburgh  'The Craven Edinburgh Express'
  15. 4.5.1998  Leeds to Stratford-upon-Avon & Oxford via Barnsley 'Stratford-unpon-Avon & Oxford Historic Tour' Live Folk Music from 'The Good Egg Band' from Holmfirth. Our first incident of 'cable theft' causes signal problem and delays at Sheffield on the return journey.
  16. 20.6.1998 Stalybridge to Edinburgh via Normanton 'Mid Summer Scotsman'
  17. 1.8.1998  Marsden to Edinburgh via Wakefield Kirkgate 'Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza'  Live Trad Jazz on board from 'The Train Gang'
  18. 22.8.1998 Skipton to Edinburgh 47726 'Aire Valley Festival Fellsman' returns over Settle & Carlisle, thanks to late authorisation from Railtrack. (A landslip 2 months previous had restricted the route to local trains only)
  19. 29.8.1998 Sheffield to Edinburgh  'Hallam Line Festival Scenic Tour'
  20. 31.8.1998 Sheffield to Edinburgh  via Berry Brow 'Penistone Line Phoenix Scotsman' Live music from Chris Mc Shane and friends playing Irish Folk Music in the Bar. At the time it was two years since the last Penistone Charter, shortly after the tour a weight restriction was placed on Springwood Viadict, near Huddersfield!
  21. 10.10.1998 Wolverhapton to Whitby 'The Whitby Jet' 47750
  22. 3.4.1999   Blackburn to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Folk Festival Fiddler' Live Music on board with 'The Good Egg Band' 10 musicians including 3 fiddle players.
  23. 5.4.1999  Leeds to Edinburgh via Starbeck 'The Easter Edinburgh Express' The station buffet opens specially in Harrogate as 200 board the train!
  24. 1.5.1999 Skipton to Edinburgh 'The Spring Craven Edinburgh Circular Tour'
  25. 3.5.1999 Leeds to Cardiff Central 'The Heart of Wales Scenic Circular Tour' 47773 'Reservist'
  26. 22.5.1999 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Bath Spa via Milnrow 'The Georgian Bath Festival Express' Change of Brewery with 'Kitchen Brewery' of Moldgreen, Huddersfield. Train calls at the 'Ghost station' of - Denton. (usualy served by one train a week, in one direction only!)
  27. 29.5.1999 Skipton to Bath Spa 'The Georgian Bath Festival Express' via Barnsley. Live Trad Jazz from 'The Train Gang' in  the Bar, who also entertain waiting passengers at Bath Spa Station.
  28. 31.5.1999 Yarm to Edinburgh  via Seaham 'The Edinburgh Circular Scenic Tour' 47793
  29. 5.6.1999  Marsden to Edinburgh 47758 'The Mid Summer Scotsman' With live Jug Band Blues from'Hokum' playing in the bar
  30. 31.7.1999 Stalybridge to Edinburgh via Dewsbury 'The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza' Live Trad Jazz from'The Train Gang' in the bar

1999 End of the decade  and the Super Sprinter Summer -last chance of hiring local rail rolling stock? 
Northern Spirit, the local train Franchise at the time, covering most north of England local and regional trains, took some inovative moves to relieve overcrowding, hiring a Hasting Unit for the Whitby Branch and took the novel move at the time in the North of putting on extra 'Super Sprinter' trains to cater for peak season demand. While not keen on 're-entering' the Charter Train market, they were prepared to hire a 4 coach  Super Sprinter Train  their train crew running for 8 weeks over the same route as a trial.  E.W.S. (English Welsh & Scottish Railways) were prepared to be the train operator. In a good bit of joint working Railtrack (now Network Rail)  Northern Spirit  and E.W.S.  managed to put together a good package.  This resulted in the bargain £18 return 'Settle Carlisle Tyne Valley Sunday Special's alternating beteen Manchester Victora (via Mytholmroyd) and Piccadilly via Batley to Carlisle. With just 6 week lead in, all seat were sold out before the first train ran. The trains ran well, were popular with passengers, and train crew, and received great publicity in the local media, with local journalists enjoying a modern 'Merrymaker' day out. However the complexity behind the scenes for the Train Opertors ensuring the success involved a lot of time and resources, and it was not possible to repeat the operation.
 

'The Settle -Carlisle Tyne Valley Sunday Specials'

1.8.1999  Manchester Victoria to Carlisle  4 Car Super Sprinter

8.8.1999  Manchester Piccadilly to Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter 156463 156xxx

15.8.1999 Manchester Victoriato Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter

22.8.1999 Manchester Piccadillyto Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter 156498 156xxx

29.8.1999 Manchester Victoria to Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter

5.9.1999   Manchester Piccadilly to Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter 156483 156498

12.9.1999 Manchester Victoria to Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter

19.9.1999 Manchester Piccadilly to Carlisle 4 Car Super Sprinter 156473 156480


14.8.1999 Stoke-on-Trent to Edinburgh via Bolton 47776 'The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Scotsman'
21.8.1999 Lancaster to Edinburgh via Haydon Bridge 'The Tyne Valley Edinburgh Festival Express'
28.8.1999 Gargrave to Edinburgh 'The Aire Valley Edinburgh Festival Fellsman'
30.8.1999 Sheffield to Edinburgh 47793 'Saint Augustine' 'The Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour'
13.11.1999 Ashton-under-Lyne to London Live Trad Jazz Band 'The Train Gang' play in the bar

4.12.1999 Milton Keynes to Edinburgh via Lichfield Trent Valley
4.12.1999 Skipton to Edinburgh 1Z43/47 47732 47746 (from Dunbar)'The Edinburgh Christmas Express'

4.3.2000 Hemel Hempstead to Carlisle via Lichfield Trent Valley 47782
1.4.2000   Mills Hill(Middleton) to Edinburgh via Leyland 47763 (Now scrapped) 'The Oldham Line Edinburgh Express'

22.4.2000 Blackburn to Edinburgh via Mirfield  1Z36/37 47746  'The Edinburgh Folk Festival Fiddler'

24.4.2000 Sheffield to Glasgow Central 47746 'The Bobby' 47760 Ribblehead Viaduct'

29.4.2000 Leeds to Edinburgh out via Starbeck & East Coast return S&C 'The Harrogate Line Edinburgh Express'

1.5.2000   Leeds to Cardiff Central via Wilmslow 47744 'The Heart of Wales Scenic Circular Tour' Live Trad Jazz from 'The Trackside Stompers'

20.5.2000 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Cardiff Central 'Heart of Wales Scenic Land Cruise'

29.5.2000 Yarm to Edinburgh via Hartlepool 'The Edinburgh Circular Scenic Tour'

3.6.2000  Skipton to Canterbury via Grantham 1Z36 47749 'The Canterbury Tales' Live Trad Jazz from 'The Trackside Stompers' in the real ale Bar' Beers from the 'Kitchen Brewery'

10.6.2000 Carnforth to Cardiff Central via Hartford 1Z38/39 47785 'Heart of Wales Scenic Land Cruise'

8.7.2000 Morpeth to York via S&C 37418 37427
9.7.2000 Newcastle to Carlisle 37418 37427
29.7.2000 Stalybridge to Edinburgh 47727 'Duke of Edinburgh's Award' 'The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza' With live Trad Jazz from 'The Trackside Stompers' This train featured in 'Railway World' November 2000 article by Chris Dixon 'Riding the Rails with Green Express Railtours'  (Magazine now called Railways Illustrated)

5.8.2000  Rochdale to Edinburgh 1Z39 47786 'Settle-Carlisle Edinburgh Blues Festival Express' train is the first charter to stop at the re-opened Brighouse station, 170 passengers join the train. 'The Trackside Stompers' play trad jazz in the Bar,
28.8.2000 Sheffield to Edinburgh 47784 'Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour' In the bar are 'Swing of Things' A sextet of three guitars, clarinet/baratone sax, violin and double bass their sound inspired by Django Reinhardt's Swing Guitars of the 30's and 40's.

11.11.2000 Manchester Victoria to London Kings Coss via Wakefield Kirkgate  47772 'The London Lord Mayor's Show Express' Ian, opens Huddersfield renown Station Buffet early for Hudersfield's 150 passengers to partake of 'bacon butties' The 'Trackside Stompers' play trad jazz in the bar, where passengers enjoy their last pints of hand pulled 'rail ale' from the 'Kitchen Brewery' prior to its closure

West Coast Railways starts operating its own trains, with dedicated train crew, and locomotives sourced form locomotive hire companies.
2001 saw a change in motive power, with most tours being operated by Class 31 Brush/English Electric locomotives, dating from the late 1950's. A class of locomotives that saw most of their work on less glamours duties. They were one of the first locomotives built under the 1950's modernisation of the railways and were soon displaced by more powerful classes of engine developed through the 1960's. Operating in a pair, their reliabily ensured that they remained a class of locomotives still in use on the modern railways, outlasting most of the faster, more powerful designs. During this period, Class 33 locomotives often made a camio appearance, and a Peak (Class 45) The Class 31 locomotives often named after mythical beasts put in some stirling performances, hauling some of their heaviest, longest distance trains of their career.


  1. 31.3.2001  Rochdale to Ravenglass, Sellafield & Workington via Huddersfield 'The Cumbrian Coast Line Scenic Explorer' 1Z52/53 31459 31601 31602 'The Cumbrian Coast Line Explorer' New Year, and a new Brewery 'Riverhead' of Marsden, on offer - 'Butterley Bitter'. Their beers being named after local Colne Valley reservoirs, the stronger the beer the higher the reserevior above sea level! With 'foot & mouth' restrictions, 650 Green Express passengers are appreciated by the tourst trade of West Cumbria, passing over disinfectant mats on arrival, and enjoy their visit, despite foopaths being closed. Class 31 diesel locomotives refuelled by road taking in Workington Yard for the return journey. Workington Transport Heritage Centre help promote Workington to Green Express visitors and St Michaels Church, open specially and serve teas and home made cakes! The Ravegalss railway offer a special pre booked discount ticket for Green Express passengers.
  2. 7.4.2001  Rochdale to Edinburgh via Shaw and Chorley 'The Edinburgh Express' 1Z52/53 31459 31602
  3. 14.4.2001 Milton Keynes to Carlisle via Lichfield Trent Valley 47732 47758
  4. 16.4.2001 Normanton to Cardiff Central via Warrington 'The Heart of Wales Scenic Circular Tour' 1Z45 1Z27 31459 31190 'The Unplugged Good Egg Band' join the ctrain and play folk music in the bar.
  5. 21.4.2001 Bradford Foster Square to Ravenglass and Sellafield 'Steam on the Cumbrian Coast' 1Z50/51 31459 31190 (Steam 48151)
  6. 1.5.2001 Lancaster to Carlisle 'Steam on the Settle & Carlisle' (Steam 48151)
  7. 5.5.2001 Hull to Blaenau Ffestiniog 47734 47727
  8. 7.5.2001  Wakefield Kirkgate to Ravenglass and Sellafield via Hathersage 'Steam on the Cumbrian Coast' 1Z31/51 33021 31459 (steam 48151) Our third tour to West Cumbria, giving a welcome boost to the tourist trade during 2001 a very difficult year for rural Britain.
  9. 12.5.2001 Lancaster to Edinburgh 'Edinburgh Coast to Coast' 1Z58/59 31190 31459
  10. 19.5.2001 Llandudno Junction to Carlisle 'The Settle & Carlisle Anniversary Tour' 1Z63/64 31459 31602
  11. 26.5.2001 Bedford to Scarborough 47783 60800 47785
  12. 28.5.2001 Yarm to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Scenic Circular Tour' via Billingham 1Z45/46 31459 31602
  13. 2.6.2001  Giggleswick to Edinburgh 'The S&C 125 Anniversary Tour' 1Z50/51 31459 31602
  14. 16.6.2001 Stalybridge to Canterbury East via Newark North Gate 'The Canterbury Tales' 47772 47793
  15. 14.7.2001 Crewe to Carlisle 47798
  16. 28.7.2001 Stalybridge to Edinburgh via Wakefield Kirkgate 1Z62/63 'The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza'31459 31601
  17. 4.8.2001 Rochdale to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Express' 1Z62/63 31459 31601
  18. 25.8.2001 Leicester to Carlisle 47759
  19. 27.8.2001 Sheffield to Edinburgh via Normanton 'The Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour' 1Z90/91 31459 31601

2002

Almost all tours now use West Coast Railway coaches and train crew, with loco's hired from Fraggonset, English Welsh & Scottish Railways and Freightliner
30.3.2002 Oldham Mumps to Ravenglass 'Steam along the Cumbrian Coast' 1Z48/49 (252.4 miles) 31602 33108 (steam 48151)

1.4.2002 Milton Keynes to Ravenglass 45112 66549 37668 1Z48/49 (202.75 miles) 'Steam along the Cumbrian Coast' Peak 45112 fails in the Midlands, train terminated at Stafford and returns to Milton Keynes all passengers given a full refund.

6.4.2002 Nottingham to Carlisle 'Tyne Valley Settle & Carlisle Scenic Circular Land Cruise' 1Z57/58 33108 31602

13.4.2002 Skipton to Ravenglass via Hebden Bridge 1Z45/47 (326.08 miles)'Steam along the Cumbrian Coast' 31128 31452 (steam 48151)

27.4.2002 Llandudno Junction to Ravenglass 'Steam along the Cumbrian Coast' 1Z44/45 (336.51 miles)31452 31602 (steam 48151)

4.5.2002  Lancaster to Edinburgh via Brighouse 'The Edinburgh Coast to Coast Tour' 1Z58/20 (516.22 miles)31452 31602 31106 33108 Train terminated at Lancaster due to engine failure, taken forward by returning 'St James Day Tripper Train' (returning from Spalding) to Blackburn, unfortunately due to line closure, passengers for East Lancashire and the Calder Valley stations taken forward by road transport from Blackburn.

4.5.2002 Bedford to Carlisle 'The Settle & Carlisle Thunderer' 1Z47/4847791
6.5.2002 Manchester Victoria to Ely, Wymondham and Norwich via Doncaster  'The East Anglian Cathedrals Express' 1Z41/42/43 (443.97 miles)31106 31602 08871 due to previous days locomotive failure train formed of 'no heat' locomotives.
6.5.2002 Skegness to Whitby 'The Whitby & Esk Valley Explorer' 1Z46/47/48 47783 47792
11.5.2002 Whitby to Carlisle 'The Esk Valley Fellsman' 1Z62/63 31452 31602
25.5.2002 Erdington to Carlisle 'The Settle & Carlisle North Country Tour' 1Z42/43 (516.15 miles)31452 31602

1.6.2002  Leeds to Edinburgh 'The Harrogate Scenic Scotsman' via Cattal 1Z62/63 (581.25miles)31452 31602

3.6.2002 Skipton to Carlisle 'Bank Holiday Settle Carlisle Scenic Land Cruise' 1Z31/32 (419.81 miles) 31452 31602 08908

22.6.2002 Leeds to Bath Spa 'The Midsummer Georgian Bath Explorer' 1Z62/63 31452 31062

27.7.2002 Stalybridge to Edinburgh via Dewsbury 'Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza'  (530.06 miles) ' 47703 47746 08331 47701

3.8.2002 Moston (Manchester) to Edinburgh 'The Settle-Carlisle Edinburgh Blues Festival Express'  (546.59 miles) 37669 37682 'Hartlepool Pipe Mill' 08331 A surprise appearance of 2 class 37 diesel locomotives from the English, Welsh & Scottish fleet, usually used on freight trains these 'no heat' loco's  they added to the novelty of the first charter to ever start from Moston? 

10.8.2002 Llandudno Junction to Carlisle 'The Settle Carlisle North Country Tour' 1Z60/61 (380.66 miles) 47292 another 'surprise loco' owned by freight company 'Freightliner' and in new corporate colours of Green and Yellow the years third 'no heat loco' powered tour.

24.8.2002 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Edinburgh  via Atherton 'The Edinburgh Festival Explorer' 1Z31/18 (502.25 Miles) 31190 31601 08472 It was a rare chance to travel by loco hauled train from the Atherton Line, at the time often called 'the line that time forgot.' This was due to the many of the stations long platforms having extensive tree growth on the sections not used by the usual 2 car 'pacer' units, traditional semaphore signalling and most of the track in 60 foot lengths. 6  years later the stations have been transformed with decades of vegetaion cut back, and with rail traffic booming, this suburban line is seing extra trains being provided.

26.8.2002 Sheffield to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour' (553.93 miles) 1Z61/1Z19 31190 31601 08472

2003

5.4.2003 Spondon (Derby) to Carlisle 'The Tyne Valley, Settle Carlisle Land Cruise' 1Z48/49 47709 08899 Article on this tour appeared in 'Best of British Past & Present Magazine August 2003 'Brian Howes boards the Green Express to enjoy a rail tour with a difference'

12.4.2003 Greenfield to Kidderminster and Worcester 'Steam on the Severn Valley' 1Z71/72 47709

26.4.2003 Llandudno Junction to Edinburgh '3 countries the North Wales Edinburgh Scot' (566.44 miles) 31459 31468 08472
3.5.2003 Hebden Bridge to Glasgow Central ''The Settle-Carlisle Glasgow Scot' 1Z60/18 (551.55 miles) 47701 31468 90040 'The Railway Mission' . Class 47 suffers low power and strugles over Blea Moor, at Carlisle  the whole train is taken forward by electric loco Class 90, built at the BREL workships (British Rail Engineering Limited) at Crewe in the late 1980's,  this powerful loco has no problem pulling 2 locomotives and 13 coaches, the huge consist arriving in Glasgow Central to rain but 'on time' 

5.5.2003 Carnforth to Bath Spa via Manchester Victoria 'The Georgian Bath Explorer' 47701 31468

17.5.2003 Leeds to Minehead 'The West Country Seaside Express' 1Z27/28 47709 33048

24.5.2003 Erdington to Carlisle  via Swinton 'The Settle & Carlisle Scenic Circular Tour'
21.6.2003 Leeds via Knaresborough to Norwich 'The East Anglian Cathedrals Express' 1Z47/48/49 (491.33 miles) 47709 31459

26.7.2003 Rochdale to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Extravaganza' 47709 08472 67016

2.8.2003 Spondon (Derby) to Carlisle 'The Settle & Carlisle Tyne Valley Scenic Circular Tour' 47709 47854. The Real Ale bar re-locates from the old 'parcels cage' in the guards van to the buffet car in the centre of the train.

9.8.2003 Skipton to Carlisle via Stockton and Durham 'The Tyne Valley Settle Carlisle Land Cruise' 47709 47854

16.8.2003 Llandudno Junction to Carlisle 'The Settle-Carlisle Explorer' 1Z73/74 31128 31459

23.8.2003 Rochdale to Edinburgh 'The Settle -Carlisle Edinburgh Festival Explorer' 1Z90/91 31128 31459 08678 08472

25.8.2003 Sheffield to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour '1Z90/91 31128 31459

2004 West Coast Railways Locomotives power the Green Express Charter Trains

The new year saw recently purchased ex Main Line Class 47 Locomotives purchased by West Coast Railways, along with prototype Class 57 (601)  and over the next few years, the Carnforth depot, expanded with a locomotive maintance facility, and the pool of locomotives available for charter train work expands. The method of operation, being 2 locomotives 'top and tailing' the train. As well as saving on shunting coaches at terminal (dead end) locations, though only one locomotive is needed to pweer the train, the extra loco is useful in case of eengine problem. This ensures good reliability of the heritage trains. A welcome bonus, as there are now few spare locomotives on the modern railway, within the next couple of years, almost all 'locomotive' hauled passenger trains are replaced by 'unit' formations.


10.4.2004 Pannal (Harrogate) to Workington 'The Cumbrian Coast Scenic Land Cruise' 1Z42/43 47854 57601

12.4.2004 Huddersfield to Ayr 'The Galloway Coastal Venturer'1Z44/26 57601 47854 The charter has the added bonus of returning via Glasgow on its return journey, giving a scenic circular tour as an added bonus!
17.4.2004 Spondon (Derby) to Carlisle 'The Tyne Valley, Settle & Carlisle Scenic Circular Tour' 1Z57/77 57601 47854 08678 Train consist

1.5.2004 Llandudno Junction to Bath Spa 'The Georgian Bath Explorer' 1Z79/27 57601 47854

3.5.2004 Leeds to Bath and Salisbury 'The Georgian Bath Explorer/Salisbury Cathedral Express' 1Z47/48 57601 47854 08908

8.5.2004 Skipton to Pitlochry 'The Highland Clansman Perth or Pitlochry' (1Z40/20) 57601 08678

15.5.2004 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Ely, Wymondham and Great Yarmouth 'The Fenland Cathedral & Seaside Express' (1Z72/74) 57601 08847
10.7.2004 Scarborough to Carlisle 'The Settle -  Carlisle & Tyne Valley Tour' (1Z54/55) 47854 57601

21.8.2004 Skipton to Carlisle via Seaham 'Tyne Valley-Settle Carlisle Land Cruise' (1Z47/48) 47854 37197

28.8.2004 Lancaster to Edinburgh via Brighouse 'The Edinburgh Coast to Coast Grand Tour' (1Z71) 556.99 Miles

30.8.2004 Meadowhall to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Festival Scenic Circular Tour' (1Z46/18) Due to pathing problems at Sheffield, passengers were brought by service train to Meadowhall, the train returned to Sheffield in the evening 47854 57601

12.2.2005 Doncaster to Winchester 'The Winchester Valentine Venturer' (1Z44/45) 47854 57601
19.3.2005 Sandy to Carlisle 'The Settle-Carlisle Scenic Land Cruise' (1Z73/74) 57601 47854
2.4.2005 Carnforth to Edinburgh via Bentham 'The Edinburgh & East Coast Explorer' (1Z45/23) 47854 57601

9.4.2005 Rochdale to Dundee 'The Forth-Tay Bridge Express' (1Z61/22) 57601/47854

23.4.2005 Llandudno Junction to Ely 'The Fenland Land Cruise' (1Z61/62) 57601/31190 (Last Charter Train to call at Etruria railway station (now closed)

30.4.2005 Leeds via Starbeck to Pitlochry 47854/57601

2.5.2005 Leeds to Dawlish via Welsh Marches Line 'The Devonian' (1Z66/67) 57601 47854

7.5.2005 Spondon (Derby) to Edinburgh 1Z71/72 47854/47826

14.5.2005 Skipton to Ely, Wymondham and Great Yarmouth 'The Fenland Seaside Express' (1Z74/75/76) 47826 47851

25.6.2005 Rochdale via Milnrow and Ashton to Workington 'The Whitehaven Maritime Express' 1Z40/41 47826 47851

9.7.2005 Bridlington to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Coastliner' (1Z61/62) 47851 47854
20.8.2005 Rochdale to Edinburgh via Atherton 1Z40/41 47854

27.8.2005 Lancaster to Edinburgh via Accrington 47826 47851

29.8.2005 Sheffield to Edinburgh via Barnsley 47826 47851


2006
11.2.2006 Harrogate to Windsor & Eton Riverside via Hornbeam Park 'The Windsor & Eton Valentine Venturer' (1Z28/29) 57601/47854

18.2.2006 Cleethorpes to Windsor & Eton Riverside 'The Windsor & Eton Valentine Venturer'  (1Z42/44) 47826 57601
11.3.2006 Carnforth to Chester via Bentham and Blackburn Steam 48151 57601

31.3.2006  Peterborough to Aberystwyth

8.4.2006 Spondon (Derby) to Edinburgh 47851 57601

15.4.2006 Burnley Manchester Rd to Burnley via Brighouse 47826 57601

17.4.2006 Llandudno Junction to Scarborough via Bempton (Last inbound charter over Yorkshire Coast Line) 47826 57601

22.4.2006 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Perth

29.4.2006 Carnforth to Edinburgh  via Clapham 47851 47854

1.5.2006  Ashton-under-Lyne to Dundee via Dewsbury 47851/47854

27.5.2006 Scarborough to Lancaster 'Settle - Carlisle & Lancaster' (1Z65/66) 47826 57601
17.6.2006 Hull to Edinburgh 'Settle - Carlisle and Edinburgh' (1Z20/21) 47851 57601
24.6.2006 Cleethorpes to Lancaster 'The Settle-Carlisle Thunderer' (1Z22/23) 57601 33207 33029
26.8.2006 Lancaster to Edinburgh via Hebden Bridge 47826 47851

28.8.2006 Sheffield to Edinburgh via Elsecar 47826 47851

14.10.2006 Skegness to Brighton 'The Brighton Belle' (1Z57/58) 47826 47851
18.10.2006 Barnetby to Aberystwyth 'The Mid Wales & Cambrian Coast Land Cruise' (1Z52/53) 33025 33029
21.10.2006 Doncaster to Bournemouth 'The Southern Coast Express' (1Z45/46) 47826 47851
25.10.2006 Lincoln to Salisbury (1Z95/96) 47826 47854
2.12.2006 Stevenage to Edinburgh 'The Edinburgh Christmas Express'
9.12.2006 Scarborough to Windsor & Eton Riverside (1Z29/30) 47854 57601

2007
3.2.2007  Skegness to York  'Steaming into historic York' (1Z51/52) 47826 47854 (steam 48151)

7.4.2007  Sheffield to Perth via Brighouse 'The Cumbrian Mountain & Scottish Highland Explorer' (1Z32/33) 47854 47826

9.4.2007  Spondon (Derby) to Sellafield via Edale 'The Cumbrian Coast Scenic Land Cruise' (1Z41/42) 47854 57601

14.4.2007 Holyhead to Stratford-upon-Avon 'The Shakespeare' (1Z22/23) 47851 47854

21.4.2007 Mills Hill (Middleton) to Ely, Wymondham and Great Yarmouth 'The Fenland Cathedral & Sunrise Coast Explorer' (1Z21/22/23) 47851 57601

25.4.2007 Peterborough to Carlisle via Cumbrian Coast 'The Cumbrian Coast & Tyne Valley EXplorer' (1Z41/42) 57601 47851

28.4.2007 Skipton to Bath Spa via Wombwell 'The Georgian Bath Explorer' (1Z79/80) 47851 47245

12.5.2007 Skegness to Berwick-upon-Tweed

23.6.2007 Scunthorpe to Brighton 'The Brighton Belle' (1Z35/36) 47826 47245

7.7.2007 Hull to Cleethorpes 'Steaming around the Humber' (1Z51/52) (steam 48151 'Gauge O' Guild' 47245

15.9.2007 Doncaster to Bath & Salisbury

Kirklees Green Party re-enters the Charter Market:
After a gap of 11 years, Kirklees Green Party run a special to Brighton.

13.10.2007 Ashton-under-Lyne to Brighton  'The Brighton Belle' 47826 57601

20.10.2007 Huntingdon to Scarborough

27.10.2007 Skegness to Morecambe

1.12.2007 Scarborough to Bath Spa 47804 47787

8.12.2007 Stevenage to Chester

2008
5.4.2008 Sheffield to Canterbury West
12.4.2008 Rochdale to Canterbury West Canterbury East to Rochdale 47804 47851
19.4.2008 Skipton to Dundee 47760 47787

Thanks for help with filling in the many gaps in the history of the tours special thanks to
Damien '57601', Peter Harrison, Nick Scott,

Further information 'filling the blanks' would be most welcome.