Great Eastern Freighter

Published 19th June 2012

Charity Railtours First Charter

FELIXSTOWE - Charity Charter Train on “Great Eastern Freighter” from Eastleigh to visit Felixstowe Container Terminals. UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

DB Schenker

This train offers a rare opportunity to visit non passenger routes and will be running to raise funds for the Alzheimers Society. The train has long been planned but was in doubt owing to engineering works and the fact that the Port of Felixstowe’s yard space is consumed by wagons being stored during the weekend.

Luckily these problems have been overcome, and the confirmed date is Saturday, September 8th, 2012 when the requested motive power for the charter is expected to cause a great stir.; It commences with two Direct Rail Services Class 37s from Eastleigh to Wymondham where a DB Schenker Class 60 takes the train over the connection from Wymondham to Dereham on the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Then the Class 37s take over to Norwich swapping with the Class 60 from Norwich to Ipswich, and then again, the Class 37s from Ipswich on a circular route. This takes in Felixstowe Creek, Felixstowe Beach and Felixstowe North and the Griffin Wharf branch in Ipswich and Harwich Town. The Class 37s will return the tour from Harwich to Eastleigh.

Passengers can join the train at Eastleigh, Basingstoke, Acton Main Line, Stratford, Colchester or Ipswich. Those wishing to board in the London area are advised that the Stratford stop offers the most leisurely start and finish time, with pick up expected at around 08:20, and drop off expected at around 22:15. The charters start and finish point at Eastleigh could see a departure as early as 05:45, and an arrival at around 00:30.

The train operator will be DB Schenker, utilising Riviera Trains stock. First Class and Standard Class accommodation will be available, and you are advised that something of a “sliding scale” of fares will be in operation dependent upon your joining station.

As this is a charitable concern, you are invited to donate additionally to the Alzheimers Society, and it is hoped that this will be the first of many charters from Charity Railtours.

External Links

• Charity Railtours