ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEYS IN EUROPE
The steam-hauled Torbay Express' and the old GWR 'West of England Main Line' together make one of the most enchanting railway journeys anywhere in the world.

Reviving the name and spirit of a famous holiday express that last ran in 1961, 'The Torbay Express' unleashes a nostalgia of the old days of steam and the Great Western Railway, when thousands of travellers headed for the West Country for their annual holidays.

This is the dream travelogue, leaving Bristol and whisking across the flat Somerset levels to Taunton, charging through the Blackdown Hills and the Exe Valley to Exeter, the Exe and Teign estuaries, then alongside the sea wall from Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth, and the last lap takes us on through the delightful wooded estate once owned by Agatha Christie. Journey's end is the old riverside terminus at Kingswear.

To complete the weekend we take you into North Somerset and the holiday resort of Minehead, return by steam train along the former Great Western Railway branch line as far as Bishops Lydeard. The line hugs the coast for part of the journey and the little stations are a delight. Later we rejoin the coach for the return to Bristol.

The Hotel
Our base for this fantastic weekend is the 4 Star Ramada Bristol City Hotel, just a few minutes from Bristol Temple Meads Station. All rooms are en suite and have television, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel has a lift.

Itinerary
FRIDAY Depart from your home area in the morning travelling to Bristol and arriving late afternoon at Ramada Bristol City Hotel. 3 nights stay - 2 with dinner, bed and breakfast, 1 with bed & breakfast.
SATURDAY Leaving Bristol we head into North Somerset and the coastal resort of Minehead. We spend a relaxing day here and have time for lunch before we catch the West Somerset Railway and enjoy a 20 miles ride to Bishops Lydeard where we rejoin the coach for Bristol, returning in time for dinner.
SUNDAY After breakfast we cross to Bristol Temple Meads station to connect with the 'Torbay Express'. The train is due in Kingswear at lunchtime and we then have four hours free time to explore. Your ticket includes the foot passenger ferry across the harbour to Dartmouth - enjoy a trawl around Dartmouth's antique shops, art galleries, boutiques and bistros, maybe a River Dart boat trip, or spoil yourself with an afternoon clotted cream tea. Dinner at the hotel tonight is not included due to the late return arrival in Bristol. Whilst in Dartmouth you should take the opportunity to obtain something to eat for the return journey. The train is due to leave Kingswear around 5 p.m. MONDAY After a leisurely breakfast we leave and make our way home.

Please be reminded that all excursions are subject to change due to weather or local conditions.