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.
1989
15th April 1989 - The Orwell Docker
A BLS tour from Cambridge using two two-car Class 101 sets. The tour was repeated in May and December.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
54351 closest at Ipswich Docks. Adrian Nicholls.
54405 closest at Felixstowe Container Terminal. Adrian Nicholls.
At Fen Drayton. Adrian Nicholls.
At Felixstowe Beach station. Adrian Nicholls.
At Ipswich Dock sidings. Walter Burt.
23rd April 1989 - Notts & North Derbyshire Railtour
Organised by The Institution of Mining Engineers, this tour from Derby used an eight-car formation using a Class 114 (T227), 116 (T319) and 117 (T303).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
53019 leads at Welbeck Colliery. Robert Chilton.
At Derby. Andrew Walker.
13th May 1989 - The Bronte Flyer
A CMRC (Chester Model Railway Club?) charter from Chester to Keighley using two two-car sets, one being Class 108 CH256.
After arrival at Keighley. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
20th August 1989 - The Trawsfynydd Flyer
Organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours, this was a loco-hauled tour from Euston that switched to a seven-car DMU at Chester due to weight restrictions on the Conway Valley line and Trawsfynydd branch.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Bleanau Ffestiniog on the return working. Adrian Nicholls.
Waiting to leave Llandudno Junction on the outward journey. Robert Thomas.
8th October 1989 - The North Yorkshire Railtour
An Institute of Mining Engineers tour from Sheffield Midland using Class 114 set T023 and two suburban sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
Preparing for departure at Sheffield Midland. Adrian Nicholls.
14th October 1989 - The Robeston Rumbler
A Monmouthshire Railway Society tour from Newport using two Class 108s (S942 + S945).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Haverfordwest, 52044 closest. Adrian Nicholls.
At Haverfordwest, 53643 closest. Adrian Nicholls.
At Cynheidre, 53643 closest. Rob Paterson.
At Fishguard Harbour. Rob Paterson.
15/10/89 - South Yorkshire Railtour
A Institute of Mining Engineers from Sheffield using a Class 114 (T027) and two Class 117s (T309 + T304).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Sheffield. Stuart Mackay Collection.
26/11/89 - North Midland Railtour
An Institute of Mining Engineers tour from Derby using 4-car set T410 and 3-car T315.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Avenue Coking Plant. Rob Paterson.