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1975-80, at Uni in Bristol, a cheap way to travel the nation was by British Rail Tours, Mystery Tours and Specials. For 5 pounds you'd get a days outing on a Saturday/Sunday to some fantastic rides covering some lines, loops and curves not usually used. You'd normally get to spend 3-5 hours at the destination, for a lookaround/shop/bite to eat. (no catering on board)
I recall a Heart of Wales Special - Bristol-Swansea-Shrewsbury-Newport-Bristol; Bristol-Edinburgh; Bristol-Lincoln (around Sheffield-Retford- Gainsborough Lea Road); Bristol-Nottingham; Bristol Canterbury West; Newport- Weymouth (not such a surprise) Newport-York (a better surprise) Bristol-Exmouth (via Yeovil Pen Mill-Junction and a reversal at St James Park) and an exceptional Bristol-Norwich (via New Street-Leicester-and Ely Loop).
Was this just a Bristol/Newport thing, or did other areas do the same at such a cheap price? I remember that they were very popular and in fact the Bristol-Edinburgh was sold out on the first day of sale, over the counter at Temple Meads, even though the departure was somewhere around 5 am and we didn't return until 5am on the Sunday.
I'd be happy to hear of other BR Tours of the time that may have been out of the way and unusual.
I recall a Heart of Wales Special - Bristol-Swansea-Shrewsbury-Newport-Bristol; Bristol-Edinburgh; Bristol-Lincoln (around Sheffield-Retford- Gainsborough Lea Road); Bristol-Nottingham; Bristol Canterbury West; Newport- Weymouth (not such a surprise) Newport-York (a better surprise) Bristol-Exmouth (via Yeovil Pen Mill-Junction and a reversal at St James Park) and an exceptional Bristol-Norwich (via New Street-Leicester-and Ely Loop).
Was this just a Bristol/Newport thing, or did other areas do the same at such a cheap price? I remember that they were very popular and in fact the Bristol-Edinburgh was sold out on the first day of sale, over the counter at Temple Meads, even though the departure was somewhere around 5 am and we didn't return until 5am on the Sunday.
I'd be happy to hear of other BR Tours of the time that may have been out of the way and unusual.