DMU Railtours
DMUs were surprisingly popular on railtours, particularly those that focused on the line travelled and not the motive power, as DMUs allowed access to many routes that a conventional loco-hauled tour couldn't easily manage.
This is not a definitive list of DMU railtours, simply a gallery of some of those tours. For a more detailed railtour site see the Six Bells Junction website.
Details of the regular "Quaintonian" trains that ran to the Buckingham Railway Centre have their own pages.
If you have any photographs that could be added here please get in touch.
1960 - 1964
23rd April 1960 - Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Area
A SLS tour from Derby using a three-car Cravens set.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At New Hucknall Colliery. Paul Redmond.
10/09/60 - Carlisle Goods Lines
A Railway Enthusiasts' Club tour from Carlisle Citadel using a two-car Derby Lightweight.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Carlisle area goods shed. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Carlisle area goods shed. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1st July 1961 - Tenth South Wales Rail Tour
An SLS tour from Port Talbot General with part of the journey on a Swindon Cross-Country DMU.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Garth Tonmawr. Peter Brabham Collection.
September 1961 - Unknown
An excursion from Morpeth that traveled the Wansbeck Valley line to Reedsmouth, possibly further, using a four-car Derby and four-car Met-Camm sets.
At Reedsmouth. Kevin Lane Collection.
22nd October 1961 - Farewell to the Corwen Line
A Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) tour from Chester General using three two-car Class 108s.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Chester General. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Chester General. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Chester General Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Coed Talon. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Dyserth. Stuart Mackay Collection.
15th September 1962 - South Wales Rail Tour, Swansea Area No.1
A Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) tour that started at Aberavon Town. It took a Class 120 to Swansea Eastern Depot, Colbren Junction, Ynysygeinon Junction, Brynamman East and Upper Bank amongst other places.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Colbren Junction. Steve Davies Collection.
Waiting to leave Colbren Junction. Robert Thomas.
At Brynamman East. Robert Thomas.
At Upper Bank. Robert Thomas.
At Clydach-on-Tawe (Midland). Robert Thomas.
At Brynamman East. Stuart Mackay Collection.
29th September 1962 - Derbyshire Branch Lines
A RCTS tour that originated at Nottingham Victoria that toured branches in the area using a 2-car and 3-car Cravens set.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
The tour in Wirksworth station. Stuart Mackay Collection.
21st September 1963 - Swansea District (Part 2) Rail Tour
A SLS (Midland Area) tour from Neath General using a three-car Swindon Cross-Country DMU.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
The tour at Garnant station. Norman Thomas courtesy S V Blencowe collection.
The stop at Gwaen Cae Gurwen. Norman Thomas courtesy S V Blencowe collection.
At Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. It subsequently failed to gain traction on the gradient leading to Abernant Colliery despite the efforts of passengers to push. Robert Thomas.
At Garnant. Robert Thomas.
At Neath before the tour began. Stuart Mackay Collection.
6th September 1964 - West Riding Rail Tour
A tour organised by the West Riding branch of the R.C.T.S. that began at Bradford Exchange. Originally planned to be steam hauled, a three-car 110 and two-car 101 was used instead.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
E51499, thought to be taken at the stop at Meltham goods yard. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Bradford City Goods station, 51848 closest. Stuart Mackay Collection.
E51848 at Thornton. Walter Burt Collection.
26th September 1964 - Newport Area Tour
A SLS tour from Newport around local branches using a 3-car Class 120.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Blaenavon High Level. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Blaenavon High Level. Monmouthshire Railway Society.
At Newport Dock Street. Monmouthshire Railway Society.
10th October 1964 - Hull Docks Rail Tour
A RCTS tour from Hull Paragon using a four-car BRC&W unit.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Alexander Dock, Hull, with E50577 closest. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
The tour at Hull Victoria Crossing. Stuart Mackay Collection.