Special High Speed Train tour for cancer charity

Great Western Railway is to provide a special, one-off charter train from London to Buckfastleigh and Heathfield to help treat people suffering from prostate cancer.

The special High Speed Train tour of the South Devon Railway is open to all members of the public and will depart from London Paddington at 0715 on Saturday 10 October, arriving back into London at 20.40 after stopping in Buckfastleigh. An optional extra trip, designed for people in the vicinity but open for all, will then travel from Buckfastleigh to Heathfield and return, before the train returns to London via Heathfield.

The service will call at Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Exeter St David’s Buckfastleigh and Heathfield before returning to London.

On arrival at Buckfastleigh passengers will de-train, with a range of activities provided for them to choose from including: steam train rides, tours of the workshops and museum and much more.

An optional extra trip, designed for people in the vicinity but open for all, will then travel from Buckfastleigh to Heathfield and return, before the train returns to London via Heathfield.

A comprehensive catering service will be available including real ales and freshly cooked local food from the on board chef.

On board the service passengers will have the opportunity to meet Sir Kenneth Grange; one of the designers of the original Intercity 125 High Speed Train and a founding father of Pentagram, the design company undertaking the current Great Western Railway rebrand.

Standard class return fares between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads are £75, or £50 from Taunton or Exeter St David’s.  The special fare from Buckfastleigh is £25 and which will be donated to South Devon Railway and the Devon Diesel Society.  

All proceeds from the service will be donated to First Devon and Exeter Prostrate Cancer Fund, a fund established by GWR Area Operations Manager Geoff Fidler to raise money for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital following treatment for prostate cancer. The charity aims to raise £20,000 for a portable scanner for the hospital.

For further details, train times and bookings please see www.branchline.org.uk/events.php. Payment by cheque and card is available. For booking enquiries please email blsfgw@gmail.comand any general enquires email kev.adlam@branchline.org.uk.