The Somerset Explorer - GWR HST on West Somerset Railway (Paddington to Minehead) - 13 May 2017

[whole diary]

[PhilWakely]

Not sure if this has been posted here [mods, please delete/move/leave as appropriate]

[Brucey]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), Visit Somerset and Buses of Somerset invite you to a special charity event to celebrate the life and work of Bob Smart, the former chairman of Visit Somerset who sadly passed away last year. Bob was the driving force in helping visitors and residents to explore the wonders of Somerset by highlighting tourism, heritage and realising projects to increase Somerset’s profile. We at GWR will always be thankful for the strong relationship Bob built with us at GWR and the work he did.

On Saturday 13 May 2017 "The Somerset Explorer" will offer three separate options for the traveller, ranging from a fun filled land cruise across Somerset to a classic train journey from London Paddington to Minehead via Frome. The special service will be formed by a pair of 1976 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) Powercars hauling our classic MK3 carriages and will run via Frome on the outward journey before returning to London Paddington via Weston Super Mare.

Whilst On-board there will opportunities to explore the wonders of Somerset and you will be able to purchase souvenirs of the day and the Great Western buffet car will be open selling a full range of items.

All profits from the day will be donated to the Weston Hospice. On the return journey, there will be a presentation at Weston-super-Mare prior to departure.

The ticketing seems somewhat complex, but range from £30.00 to £100.00.

Standard round trip without discount is £66.50.  Apparently some Facebook groups have been given discount codes.

It's worth noting that First Group (bus or train) employees can taken themselves and up to 3 guests at the discounted rate of £33.25 each.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwr-somerset-explorer-tickets-31443529443

[John R]

"Classic" Mark 3 carriages.  But then again, I saw reference to the veteran Kylie Minogue recently.  Must be getting old...

[bobm]

Just don't.

I got on the bus this morning and, after I avoided the priority seats, a young child piped up to her mother "why doesn't that old man sit in the seats you said we couldn't!"

Well really!

[John R]

What's interesting if you read the details is the reference to a connecting service at 0836 from Swindon via Trowbridge.  Is Grahame's long held wish to get the 0849 brought forward about to come true?

[PhilWakely]

The special service will be formed by a pair of 1976 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) Powercars hauling our classic MK3 carriages

The requested formation is 43002+LA15(or LA16)+43185 - which for the uninitiated amongst us is essentially the two 'retro liveried' power cars sandwiching one of the green sets, but this is of course subject to availability (remembering the Tarka^▸ (Branch line from Barnstaple to Exeter) Explorer last year which ended up with a 'normal' FGW^▸ (First Great Western) blue set instead of the original green set as requested).

[John R]

What's interesting if you read the details is the reference to a connecting service at 0836 from Swindon via Trowbridge.  Is Grahame's long held wish to get the 0849 brought forward about to come true?

Unfortunately I've answered my own question. It's a Saturday, so the timing is as the current timetable. Oh well, never mind.

[grahame]

URL ... may have missed above?

http://www.125group.org.uk/gwr-charity-hst-to-minehead/

Will be posting more about the TransWilts connection / opportunities for an unusual day out.

[Busboy W1]

Found a discount code on Spotted:Didcot LTM6.50 which seems legit.

[Western Pathfinder]

Found a discount code on Spotted:Didcot LTM6.50 which seems legit.

That's a shame after all it's a fund raising trip !.

[RobT]

Plenty of seats still available.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwr-somerset-explorer-tickets-31443529443?aff=eac2

[grahame]

Found a discount code on Spotted:Didcot LTM6.50 which seems legit.

That's a shame after all it's a fund raising trip !.

Promotion going out for TransWilts to this train after the weekend promo of through Swindon - Salisbury opportunities has finished!

[rogerw]

Whilst there are over 100 tickets left for the whole journey, the part fares from Frome are showing only 5 available.

Edit - Now only 4. I've just bought one

[grahame]

Whilst there are over 100 tickets left for the whole journey, the part fares from Frome are showing only 5 available.

Edit - Now only 4. I've just bought one

Promotion at https://www.facebook.com/graham.ellis.5055/posts/10155262443007094 ... muted until I get confirmation that there's enough tickets from Frome to satisfy demand.

[rogerw]

Now showing more tickets from Frome, 30 plus 14 for groups of 4 or more