M&GN Rail Tours
After humble beginnings, running rail tours around the country turned into an important source of income for the Society. They were covered in detail in Joint Line 168 to 172 and what follows is an updated version of the listing in first article.
This listing is still not complete but no further information is to hand. Some entries have clarifications within square brackets. In 1979 and 1980 there are a number of tours where the words ‘Day Out With A Difference no. xxx’ are in italic. This is to denote that the tour number is assumed – they are based on the number of tours known about in that period and the few whose designation we are certain of.
Organised by the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Preservation Society
21 May 1960
‘Waveney Valley and M&GN Special’
Norwich City, Melton Constable, Sheringham, North Walsham, Wensum Junction, Tivetshall, Beccles, Lowestoft, Norwich Thorpe. J15s 65469 and 65462
8 October 1960
‘Waveney Valley and M&GN Special’
Norwich City, Reepham, Themelthorpe Curve, Aylsham South, Hoveton and Wroxham, Wensum Junction, Tivetshall, Beccles, Lowestoft, Norwich Thorpe. B12 61572 and J15 65469
27 May 1961
‘M&GN Special’ – details of the tour are in M&GN in Colour Vol I
Peterborough North, Wisbech North, Sutton Bridge, Bourne, Peterborough North. At least 4MT 43151
26 May 1962
Cambridge, Mildenhall, Fordham, King’s Lynn, South Lynn, East Rudham, South Lynn, King’s Lynn, Ryston, Stoke Ferry, Downham Market, Ely, Cambridge. At least 43149
5 October 1963
‘Wandering 1500’ – details of the tour are in B12s Remembered
Broad Street, Bedford, Northampton Castle, Stratford-on-Avon, Rugby, London Broad Street. B12/3 61572.
This was the last steaming of the B12 for 31 years
19 September 1964
Tour cancelled
Paddington, Bath, S&DJR, Bournemouth, Evercreech Junction, Chippenham, Paddington. 61572 and others
4 March 1967
‘East Anglian Branch Farewell Rail Tour’
Marks Tey, King’s Lynn, Dereham, Cromer, Sheringham, Cromer Beach, Norwich Thorpe, Cambridge. DMU
23 September 1967
‘Cathedrals Express’
Ipswich, Norwich. March, Peterborough, Spalding, Doncaster, York. 4472 Flying Scotsman – the tour was a joint venture between M&GNJRS, Alan Pegler and the Gainsborough Model Railway Club
7 October 1967
The ‘Fenland Rambler’
Cambridge, Peterborough, Spalding, March, Ely, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Beccles, Lowestoft, North Walsham, Cromer, Sheringham
7 September 1968
‘East Anglian Branch Farewell No. 2’
Cambridge, March, King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, King’s Lynn, Dereham, Cromer–Sheringham return, Norwich Thorpe, Lowestoft, Ipswich. DMU
14 September 1968
‘The Chesterfield Flyer’
Ipswich, Norwich, Chesterfield for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway or a coach trip to Chatsworth or Crich Tram Museum. 4472 Flying Scotsman
8 March 1969
The ‘Worth Valley Limited’
Cambridge, Leeds. DMU
20 September 1969
‘The Dart Valley Limited’
Norwich, Cambridge, Stratford, Reading Newton Abbot and return. The first through train from Norwich to Newton Abbott crossing London via the North London line to Acton Wells Junction
Organised by the M&GN Rail Tours Syndicate in the Society’s name, though not under Society control, and may have used the title ‘Day Out With A Difference’
24 January 1970
‘The Essex Coast Express’
Liverpool Street, Bishops Stortford, Barking, Shoeburyness, Tilbury Riverside, Fenchurch Street, Clacton, Colchester St Boltolphs, Liverpool Street. EMU
7 March 1970
‘The East Anglian’
Stratford, Newmarket, Harwich, Manningtree, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Cromer–Sheringham return, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Cambridge, Stratford. DMU
16 May 1970
‘London Termini’
Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street via various London terminii. DMU
6 June 1970
Charing Cross, London Bridge,Paddington, King’s Cross and ‘over the complexity of south London and north London tracks’. DEMU
12 September 1970
‘London Termini’
Charing Cross, London Bridge, Blackfriars, Marylebone, Paddington, Broad Street, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge. DEMU 1007
26 September 1970
‘Eastern Belle’
Paddington to East Anglia return with optional trips to other attractions available
26 September 1970
‘The Brontë Pullman’
Liverpool Street, Ely, Peterborough, Rotherham Central, Normanton, Keighley, Leeds, Doncaster, Ely return. D1582 and D1582
24 April 1971
‘Eastern Belle’
Liverpool Street, Hertford North, Royston, Ely–Whitemoor return, Thetford, Norwich Wensum Curve, Lowestoft, Ipswich, Liverpool Street. Class 47 D1524
12 June 1971
‘London Termini No. 2’
Clapham Junction, Moorgate, Euston, Paddington, Marylebone, Clapham Junction, Barking, Fenchurch Street. North Woolwich, Liverpool Street,
Waterloo. 3 x DMUs: E56417, E51296; E56123, E51270; E56424, E51292
Organised by the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Preservation Society under the banner ‘Day Out With A Difference’
26 September 1971
Day Out With A Difference no. 1
St Pancras, Wakefield, Leeds, Keighley, Normanton, Sheffield, St Pancras for Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, coach tour of Brontëland or visit Bradford trolley buses. Class 46 D189 and Class 47 1572
8–10 October 1971
‘The Highlander’ [organised by Rail Tours Syndicate]
Liverpool Street, Scotland for, provisionally, Mallaig, Kyle of Lochalsh, Tay and Forth bridges
13 November 1971
‘Boomerang No. 1’ [organised by Rail Tours Syndicate]
Liverpool Street, Willesden Junction High Level, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, Richmond, Cricklewood, Liverpool Street. DMU E50568, E59210, E50564
12 February 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 2
Euston, Carlisle, Penrith and Keswick for Keswick branch before closure
18 March 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 3
Marylebone, Quainton Road, Leighton Buzzard return via Neasden for the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway
13 May 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 4
Euston, Bury and Rawtenstall to visit the Bury and Rawtenstall branch before closure
11 June 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 5
St Pancras, Bedford, Wolverhampton High Level and return for visit to Severn Valley Railway; optional coach tour to Stratford-on-Avon and Shakespeare country [due to industrial action this tour was switched from railway to road at short notice]
2 July 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 6
St Albans, Bluebell Railway and the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Rolvenden (this tour was by road)
24 September 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 7
London, Wroxham for boat trip then to Sheringham for ride on North Norfolk Railway (this tour was by road)
30 September 1972
Day Out With A Difference no. 8
St Pancras, St Albans, Leicester or Bedford (Midland Road) to Malton and Scarborough return for North York Moors Railway with optional afternoon coach tour of the Moors or visit to Hornsea Pottery.
25 March 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 9
St Pancras, Keighley for Keighley and Worth Valley Railway or optional coach tour of Brontëland
7 April 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 10
Leicester, Kettering, Wellingborough, Kew, Clapham Junction, Haywards Heath return (route back unconfirmed) for the Bluebell Railway. DMU
6 May 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 11
St Pancras, Blythe Bridge return for the Foxfield Railway or coach tour of the Peak District and the Lady Bower reservoir
20 May 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 12
London, Chappel and Wakes Colne for the Stour Valley Railway and then Bressingham Steam Museum (this tour was by road)
2 September 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 13
St Pancras, Sittingbourne for the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway and then to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (this tour was by road)
15 September 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 14
Euston, Bangor for Snowdon Mountain Railway or Llanberis Lake Railway, or Festiniog Railway or a coach tour of the area
30 September 1973
‘Torbay Limited’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 15)
Bedford, Paignton and Kingswear for the Dart Valley Railway or a coach tour of Devon
13 October 1973
Day Out With A Difference no. 16
St Pancras, Leicester, Welshpool return for Welshpool and Llanfair Railway or coach trip to Lake Vyrnwy
24 March 1974
‘Brontë Limited’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 17)
St Pancras, Leicester, Keighley return (route back unconfirmed) for Keighley and Worth Valley Railway or coach tour of Brontëland and East Riddleston Hall. Possibly 45001
7 April 1974
‘Salopian’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 18)
St Pancras, Wolverhampton for Severn Valley Railway or Chasewater Light Railway or canal cruise
27 April 1974
‘The Norfolkman’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 19)
Leicester, Stratford, Cromer, Sheringham return for North Norfolk Railway steam ride. DMU
19 May 1974
‘Isle of Wight Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 20)
Bedford, Portsmouth Harbour to the island for visit to Havenstreet Steam Railway with an optional coach tour of the island or spend the day by the sea
9 June 1974
‘Red Dragon’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 21)
Euston, Crewe, Chester, Bangor return for Llanberis Lake or Festiniog Railways with an optional afternoon coach tour
28 July 1974
‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 22)
St Pancras, Leicester, Barnetby, New Holland Pier, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Barnetby, St Pancras with paddle steamer to Grimsby, then Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway and an optional coach tour or spend the day at Cleethorpes
14 September 1974
‘Lady of the Lakes’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 23)
Euston, Crewe, Lancaster, Ulverston, Haverthwaite, Amble Pier Dock, Ulverston return for Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway also steamer and coach tours of the Lake District. 85023, 40113, L&HR 2085 (LMS 42085), 86010
29 September 1974
‘The Devonian’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 24)
Bedford, Buckfastleigh for the Dart Valley Railway with optional coach tour of Devon
12 October 1974
‘North Yorkshireman’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 25)
St Pancras, Leicester, Malton, Scarborough return for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway or coach tour
March 1975
‘Day Out With A Difference no. 26’
To Keighley for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
19 April 1975
‘The Conway Bay Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 27)
Euston, Crewe, Bangor return with optional trip to Llanberis Lake Railway. 85023, 40019, 85013
26 April 1975
‘The Mayflower’
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Hereford, Chester return. 60xx 6000 King George V Hereford to Shrewsbury and Chester. Second steam hauled excursion train from Hereford arrived at Chester, hauled by MN 35028 Clan Line. Steam locos swapped at Chester. 35028 hauled the DOWAD from Chester to Shrewsbury and Hereford. DOWAD train then hauled by diesel to Birmingham and then by electric loco to Euston. It was reported at the time this was the first occasion a King and a Southern loco had visited Chester
10 May 1975
Euston, Carnforth, Ravenglass return
18 May 1975
‘The Peaks Rambler’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 30)
St Pancras, Toton Centre, Derby, Blythe Bridge return with buses from various East Anglian towns to St Pancras or Leicester, optional trip to Foxfield Railway available. 45062
21 June 1975
‘Lady of the Lake’
To Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and cruise on Lake Windemere
6 July 1975
‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 35)
St Pancras, Toton Centre, Newark, Barnetby, New Holland Pier, paddle staeamer then coaches to Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Barnetby, Doncaster, Chesterfield, Toton Centre, St Pancras. 47381
27 July 1975
Euston to Welshpool via Birmingham and Wolverhampton return for the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. Electric-hauled train called at Harrow and Wealdstone and Tring and a Class 47 took over at Wolverhampton. Coach transfer from Welshpool to Llanfair Caereinion for the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. Return ride on W&L to Sylfaen, hauled by Sir Drefaldwyn. After, return by coach from Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool BR
16 August 1975
‘The Fells Rambler’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 37)
St Pancras, Leicester, Sheffield, Settle and Carlisle line, Carlisle and return via Settle Junction, Leicester, St Pancras
31 August 1975
‘Cavalcade 150’.(Day Out With A Difference no. 38)
St. Pancras – Darlington return with DMU shuttle between Darlington and Shildon celebrating the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton to Darlington Railway. Buses ran from various East Anglian towns to St Pancras, Bletchley or Leicester, for the train. One was from Stalham to Bletchley station having collected other travellers en route and another from Sheringham
7 September 1975
Leicester, St Albans, Ealing Broadway, Bath Spa, Weston-super-Mare return
20 September 1975
Euston, Harrow and Wealdstone, Birmingham New Street, Shrewsbury, Dovey Junction, Tywyn, Barmouth, Minffordd, Porthmadog and Pwllheli return. Special train on the Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn hauled by no. 3 Sir Haydn. At Minffordd we transferred on to a special train on the Ffestiniog Railway to Dduallt (as far as the railway then operated), hauled by one of the Double Fairlies. Class 24 x 2 Birmingham to Pwllheli
5 October 1975
St Pancras to the Severn Valley Railway
12 October 1975
St Pancras to York, Malton for the North York Moors Railway and Scarborough return. Coach transfer from Malton to Pickering for ride on a DMU to Goathland followed by a steam train Goathland–Grosmont return, hauled by ‘Black 5’ Eric Tracey. Then it was coach transfer from Goathland to Malton to rejoin the train. There was late running on the return journey to St Pancras.
8 November 1975
‘The Clydeside Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 42)
Euston, Rugby, Trent Valley, Stafford, Crewe, Carnforth, Carstairs, Motherwell, Glasgow Central return. 86219
6 December 1975
‘The Santa Special’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 43)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Worcester Foregate Street, Hereford, local goods lines, Birmingham New Street, Stechford and reverse of outward journey back to Euston. At least 37203 and 47159
21 March 1976
St Pancras, Keighley return
3 April 1976
‘The Norfolkman’
St Pancras, Leicester, Oakham, Peterborough, March, Wensum Junction, Wroxham return with optional trip to the NNR. 47203
24 April 1976
‘The Gwentman’
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Newport, Hereford, Birmingham New Street, Euston. Steam (Hereford–Shrewsbury return) MN 35028 Clan Line and 8P 6201 Princess Elizabeth
8 May 1976
‘The Lakelander’
Euston, Northampton, Carnforth, Ulverston, Sellafield, return. At least 86254 and steam (Carnforth, Ulverston Sellafield return) 790 Hardwicke, B1 1306 Mayflower and A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
15 May 1976
Euston, Paignton replaced (believed to be because of engineering work) with a Euston, Harrow and Wealstone to Preston and Blackpool return. Coach transfer available from Preston across the Pennines to Haworth for round trip on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Later transfer by coach from Haworth back to Preston.
4–6 June 1976
Euston, Kyle of Lochalsh or Thurso and Wick
20 June 1976
‘North Yorkshireman’
St Pancras,York return for North Yorkshire Moors Railway or Scarborough
26 June 1976
Euston, Rugby, Blaenau Ffestiniog return for Festiniog Railway. At least 25168 and 25293
3 July 1976
‘East–West Express’
Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Cambridge, Ealing Broadway, Bristol Temple Meads return (route back unconfirmed) with optional trips available to the East Somerset Railway or Cheddar Gorge. At least 47158
8 August 1976
St Pancras to New Holland for Humber ferry which was still a steam paddle steamer
15 August 1976
‘The Lady of the Lakes’
Euston, Rugby, Carnforth, Ulverston return for the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
5 September 1976
Euston, Rugby, Birmingham New Street, Aberystwyth return
18 September 1976
St Pancras to Welshpool for Welshpool and Llanfair Railway
25 September 1976
‘The Hereford Pioneer’
St Pancras, Droitwich Spa, Hereford return
28 September 1976
St Pancras to Droitwich and Hereford for the Severn Valley Railway
9 October 1976
Euston, Glasgow return for Falkirk Steam Centre or scenic tour
29 October–1 November 1976
The Rheine and Wuppertal Suspension Railway and trainspotting en route [not advertised as a DOWAD]
Sheringham to Wuppertal by coach via Eindhoven, Rheine to Wuppertal, West Germany. Return via Essen and Brussels. Whilst this tour was organised by some involved with the DOWADs it was mainly for NNR volunteers
6 November 1976
‘The Fells Rambler’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 59)
Euston, Stockport, Keighley, Settle and Carlisle line, Carlisle, Euston with optional trips available. Class 47, Class 86s
4 December 1976
‘Santa Special’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 60)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Hereford return (route back unconfirmed)
27 March 1977
‘The Brontë Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 61)
St Pancras, Bedford, Wellingborough and Leicester to Keighley for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway or scenic tour of the Yorkshire Dales or to Cliffe Castle, nearby moors and Haworth. Return via Normanton and Chesterfield to Leicester and St Pancras
16 April 1977
‘Capitals United’
Euston, Edinburgh return for Falkirk Steam Centre via Forth Bridge or scenic tour. Trips were arranged at the FSC behind 419 (BR 55189), a Caledonian Railway-built locomotive
23 April 1977
‘The Cathedrals Express’
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Hereford, Chester return. At least 37203 and 47159, and 8P 6201 Princess Elizabeth (Hereford–Chester), King 6000 King George V (Chester–Hereford)
15 May 1977
‘Lady of the Lakes’
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and cruise on Lake Windemere
21 May 1977
‘The Norfolkman’
St Pancras, Leicester, Wroxham return with a visit to the North Norfolk Railway where no. 5 John D Hammer hauled a service train carrying a rather makeshift Society headboard. 47203
28 May 1977
‘Sunny South Express’
Norwich, Bluebell Railway for trip behind 21C123 Blackmoor Vale
10–12 June 1977
‘Oban Explorer’
London to Glencoe and Fort William or the Isle of Mull or the sacred (sic) Iona
25 June 1977
‘The Conway Bay Express’
Euston, Rugby, Llandudno Junction, Blaenau Ffestiniog return. At least 47123, 24057 and 24073 (Llandudno Junction–Blaenau Ffestiniog return), 86209
21–25 July 1977
Continental holiday [this was not a DOWAD]
Norwich, Holland, West Germany, Berlin
7 August 1977
‘North Yorkshireman’
To York with coaches to Peterborough station, for National Railway Museum or coach to Scarborough
21 August 1977
‘Cambrian Coast Venturer’
London to Tal-y-Llyn Railway, Fairbourne Railway or scenic tour to Barmouth
3 September 1977
‘Cumbrian Coast Explorer’
To Carnforth Steam Museum or coach to Windemere for cruise
10–11 September 1977
Sheringham to the Rheine for the end of steam on Deutsches Bundesbahn
24 September 1977
‘Bon Voyage’
Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Folkestone Harbour, Boulogne to visit and travel on Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme at the mouth of the River Somme
1 October 1977
‘Devonian’
To Newton Abbott and Paington for Torbay Steam Railway or scenic tour
16 October 1977
‘North Coast Explorer’
St Pancras to York for the National Railway Museum or coach to Beamish
29 October 1977
‘Pennine Ranger’
Euston, Leicester, York, Leeds, Settle& Carlisle line, Carnforth, Crewe, Euston. Steam: 92220 Evening Star (York–Leeds), 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley (Leeds–Carnforth)
12 November 1977
‘Clydeside Express’
Euston, Crewe, Glasgow Central return for British Rail Engineering Limited works (St Rollox) or Falkirk Steam Centre or scenic tour. 86017
11 December 1977
‘Santa Special’
To Main Line Steam Trust, Loughborough or shopping. Childrens’ Special
19 March 1978
‘The Brontë Express’
St Pancras, Keighley for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
1 April 1978
‘The Fells Rambler’
Euston, Northampton, Chesterfield, Normanton, Keighley, Skipton,Settle and Carlisle line, Carlisle, Crewe, Euston with optional trips available. 86236, 45019 (Northampton–Carlisle), return loco unknown
8 April 1978
‘The Capitals United’
Euston, Edinburgh return for Falkirk Steam Centre or guided tour of Edinburgh and castle or scenic tour to Peebles
29 April 1978
‘The Devonian’
Euston, Paignton and the Dart Valley Railway return.
6 May 1978
‘The Isle of Wight Express’
Great Yarmouth, Portsmouth Harbour return for Mid-Hants Railway and Hollycombe Woodland Garden or across to the island for scenic tour. 47010
20 May 1978
St Pancras, Leicester, Norwich, Wroxham return. 37102
2–4 June 1978
‘The Highland Explorer’
Euston, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh return
18 June 1978
‘The North Yorkshireman’
Euston, York (for the National Railway Museum), Scarborough return
2 July 1978
‘The Fylde Coast Express’
Euston, Rugby, Preston, Blackpool North return (route back unconfirmed) for Blackpool trams or Hornsea Pottery or Lytham Creek Railway or scenic tour of Lake District
16 July 1978
‘The Kentishman’
Liverpool Street, Willesden Junction High Level, Kensington Olympia, Brixton, Maidstone East, Folkestone Central for Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Return to Kensington Olympia and, presumably, Liverpool Street. 47155.
12–13 August 1978
To Oban
London departure
10 September 1978
‘Conway Bay Express’
Euston, Crewe, Llandudno, Holyhead return with optional trip Llandudno–Blaenau Festiniog return by DMU
23 September 1978
Rugby, Harrow and Wealdstone, Bromley South, Folkestone Harbour, Boulogne return. ‘Sealink’ ferry to Boulogne. Coach transfer to Noyelles for a return ride on a steam train to Le Crotoy on the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme. Return by coach from Noyelles to Boulogne, Sealink ferry and the ship to Folkestone Harbour was Caesarea.
30 September 1978
St Pancras, Derby, Chesterfield, Woodhouse, Sheffield Victoria, Woodhead, Manchester Piccadilly, Chinley, Edale, Chesterfield, Midland main line, St Pancras. Class 45 St Pancras–Woodhouse, Class 76 Woodhouse–Manchester Piccadilly, Class 45 return to St Pancras
6–8 October 1978
‘Cornish Riviera Express’
Great Yarmouth, Willesden Junction High Level, Plymouth, Penzance, Truro, Plymouth Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, Stratford, Great Yarmouth with optional Cornish Day Rail-Rover ticket trip available and chartered road coach so all the Cornish branch lines could be travelled over, plus a ride on the Dobwalls Forest Railway. 47155 (Great Yarmouth–Plymouth), 45071 and 46020 (Plymouth–Penzance–Truro–Plymouth), 46020 and 47155 (Plymouth–Exeter St Davids), 47155 (Exeter St Davids– Great Yarmouth)
14 October 1978
Euston, Rugby, Glasgow Central return (route back unconfirmed)
11 November 1978
The Yorkshire Ranger (Day Out With A Difference No. 93)
Euston to the Settle and Carlisle line. Steam: 4771 Green Arrow (York–Harrogate–Leeds–York) and 6115 Scots Guardsman (York–Rotherham–Sheffield–Guide Bridge. 85035, 45065, 47008, 85013
18 November 1978
‘The Capitals United Express’
Euston, Carstairs, Edinburgh Waverley return
2 December 1978
‘Father Christmas Special’
Great Yarmouth to Ashford and Canterbury return with a visit to the Kent and East Sussex Railway
9 December 1978
Euston, Rugby, Wolverhampton return
17 March 1979
‘The Fells Rambler’
Euston, Northampton, Market Harborough (goods only line), Keighley, Settle and Carlisle line, Carlisle for Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The tour only travelled as far as Northampton due to snow further north. The train then returned to Euston
1 April 1979
‘The Brontë Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 98)
Euston, Keighley for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The tour did not start from St Pancras but started from Euston and travelled to Hebden Bridge (where it arrived an hour late) via Rugby, Crewe and Manchester Victoria and road coach to Haworth. The return was Leeds, Stalybridge, Stockport, Rugby to Euston on time
6–8 April 1979
‘The Oban Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 99)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Oban return (route back unconfirmed). 27044 and 25076 doubleheaded some of the tour in Scotland from Oban
21–22 April 1979
‘The Centenarian’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 100)
Rugby, Paris return
28 April 1979
‘Somerset & Dorset Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 101)
Euston, Northampton, Birmingham New Street, Bristol, Taunton for the West Somerset Railway where a service train hauled by industrial 2994 Vulcan carried a Society headboard
5 May 1979
‘York Ranger’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 102)
Great Yarmouth to York and return for the National Railway Museum or a scenic tour.
10 June 1979
‘Lady of the Lakes’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 103)
Euston, Ulverstone for the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and a cruise on Lake Windemere
17 June 1979
‘Isle of Wight Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 104)
From Great Yarmouth to Portsmouth Harbour with optional visit to Mid-Hants Railway
8 July 1979
‘The Fylde Coast Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 105)
Euston, rugby, Birmingham New Street, Bescot, Stafford, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Blackpool North, Preston, Birmingham New Street, Euston. 40164, 47488, 85012 and 86030
2 September 1979
‘North Wales Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 106)
Euston, Crewe, Holyhead return for Llanberis Lake Railway or Ffestiniog Railway. At least 40034
15 September 1979
‘Bon Voyage’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 107)
A rerun of the last trip to Boulogne, which was a sell-out, visiting the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme at the mouth of the River Somme. This tour encountered difficulty at Bologne due to French dockers strike which caused delays in embarking at Bologne. On the return not all passengers could join the ferry to Folkestone so some travelled to Dover via ferry and hovercraft with coach transfer back to Folkestone. This caused late departure from Folkestone
29 September 1979
‘The Comet’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 108)
Euston, Carnforth, York, Guide Bridge, Crewe, Euston. 83001 and/or 86103 (Euston–Carnforth), A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley (Carnforth–York), A3 4472 Flying Scotsman (York–Guide Bridge), 25138 (Guide Bridge–Crewe), 86101 (Crewe–Euston)
6 October 1979
‘The Scotsman’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 109)
Euston, Carlisle, Ayr, Waterside, Newton-on-Ayr, Kilmarnock, Carlisle return. At least 47040 (Carlisle–Ayr), DMU (Ayr–Kilmarnock), 47040 (Kilmarnock–Carlisle)
12–14 October 1979
‘Highland Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 110)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Inverness Kyle of Lochalsh return (route back unconfirmed). At least 47546 (Inverness–Kyle of Lochalsh) that ran with a ‘The Scotsman’ headboard
27 October 1979
‘North East Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 111)
St Pancras, Sheffield, Normanton, York, Newcastle return with optional trips available. 47538
17 November 1979
‘The York Ranger’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 112)
Norwich, York, Layerthorpe, Dunnington, return with charter on the Derwent Valley Railway. At least J72 69023 Joem and Class 04 D2298 (Layerbridge–Dunnington return). Believed to be the last train on the Derwent Valley line before closure
24 November 1979
‘The Capitals United’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 113)
Euston, Edinburgh return for visit to Haymarket loco depot or scenic tour or city tour
1 December 1979
‘The Christmas Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 114)
Great Yarmouth, Norwich to Nene Valley Railway or Great Central Railway or Nottingham for shopping or scenic tour
9 December 1979
‘Christmas Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 115)
Euston, Rugby, Nuneaton, Peterborough return (route back unconfirmed). The Great Central Railway was visited where B1 61306 Mayflower headed a train with a M&GNJRS headboard
15 March 1980
‘East–West Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 116)
Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Cambridge, Willesden Junction High Level, Bristol Temple Meads return (route back unconfirmed). Travel options were to leave and rejoin the train at Bath or Bristol, coach trip from Bristol to the Avon Valley Railway or another to Cheddar George and its caves. At least 47255
23 March 1980
‘The Brontë Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 117)
Euston, Rugby, Hebden Bridge return with a visit to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway where L89 (5775) and 34092 City of Wells doubleheaded a service train and the Pannier carried a Society headboard. At least 40031
29 March 1980
‘Central Wales Rambler’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 118)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Shrewsbury, Craven Arms, Llandrindod Wells, Hereford, Birmingham New Street return with optional trips available. At least Class 47s and Class 86s
12 April 1980
‘Somerset and Devon Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 119)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton return with optional trip to West Somerset Railway. 86241 (Euston–Birmingham New Street), 45060 (Birmingham New Street–Taunton return), 86253 (Birmingham New Street–Euston). Bagnall 2994 Vulcan on the West Somerset Railway
18–20 April 1980
‘The Anglo-Dutch Weekender’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 120)
Norwich, Amsterdam return for Keukenhof and the bulb fields. This was not a railtour but used two road coaches from Sunrise Coaches to Harwich with a crossing on St Beatrix
26 April 1980
‘The North-East Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 121)
St Pancras, York, Newcastle return for Beamish Museum or Tyne and Wear underground
10 May 1980
Day Out With A Difference no. 122)
Norwich, March, Leeds, Carlisle, Norwich. At least 47085
[This rail tour may not have been organised by the M&GNJRPS but by other colleagues]
This was a M&GNJRPS tour from Yarmouth, Norwich, Leeds, Keighley return
25 May 1980
‘Rocket 150’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 123)
A block booking was made on the Stour Valley train from Norwich. The tour train went to Liverpool where there were DMU shuttles to get visitors to the cavalcade site at Rainlhill
26 May 1980
‘Rocket 150’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 124)
Euston, Rugby, Liverpool Lime Street return with DMU shuttles (organised by BR) between Liverpool and Rainhill where the event was held
7 June 1980
‘The Eskdale Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 125)
Euston, Ravenglass for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway or a scenic tour
6 July 1980
(Day Out With A Difference no. 126)
Rugby, Northampton, Bletchley, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Harrow and Wealdstone, Stratford, Diss, Norwich, Wroxham return with optional trip to the NNR
20 July 1980
‘Isle of Wight Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 127)
East Anglia to Portsmouth Harbour for scenic tour of the island
24 August 1980
‘The York Ranger’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 128)
Yarmouth, Norwich, York return with coach transfer to North Yorkshire Moors Railway
7 September 1980
‘North Wales Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 129)
Euston, Rugby, Llandudno Junction, Bangor return for Ffestiniog Railway or Llanberis Lake Railway
13 September 1980
(Day Out With A Difference no. 130)
Rugby, Folkestone Harbour, Boulogne
Quote from the advert, ‘BR are unable to provide a train. Tour will be carried in a fleet of coaches’
27–28 September 1980
(Day Out With A Difference no. 131)
Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Peterborough, Preston, Blackpool North return (route back unconfirmed) with optional trips available
4 October 1980
‘The Devonian’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 132)
Euston, Birmingham New Street, Barnt Green, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids, Paignton return with optional trips
10–12 October 1980
‘Anglo-Dutch Weekender’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 133)
East Anglia to Amsterdam
18 October 1980
‘Anglo-Scot Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 134)
Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Edinburgh for visit Haymarket loco depot or scenic tour
8 November 1980
‘The Clydeside Express’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 135)
Start point is unknown, Watford Junction, Crewe, Carlisle, Glasgow Central return (finish point unknown). 86229
6 December 1980
‘The Christmas Explorer’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 136)
East Anglia, Cambridge, London for a tour of Heathrow or see the London sights. Presents for the children
13 December 1980
‘Santa Special’ (Day Out With A Difference no. 137)
Euston, Kidderminster for the Severn Valley Railway or scenic coach tour with presents from Santa for the children
The rail tour of 13 December 1980 was the last organised by Keith Montague under the auspices of the M&GNJRS. From March 1981 further tours were run by his own business ‘Linkwise’ which paid a donation to Society funds.