AFTER a gap of a year since its last tour (a football special from Huddersfield to Wembley on May 29, 2022), Retro Railtours is back, offering a Class 50-hauled excursion from Yorkshire to Devon. ‘The Retro Devon Belle II’ on May 27 will be the company’s first tour for 2023, and the Hanson & Hall Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer has been requested for the trip from Huddersfield to Paignton.
With a start of about 06.00, the excursion will call at Stalybridge, Reddish South, Stockport, Wilmslow and Crewe, and is expected to arrive in Paignton at about12.30.
Passengers can alight at the set-down points of Exeter or Torquay, but those continuing to Paignton will have roughly four hours to explore or maybe take a trip on the heritage steam line to Kingswear. Return from Paignton is at at about 16.30, with a projected arrival time back in Huddersfield of 23.50.
Ticket prices are £119 adult standard, £99 child, or in first class £169 adult and £149 child. The train will feature a bar serving hand-pulled real ales, and hot snacks will also be on sale.