The Railway Benefit Fund is again holding its annual auction of once-in-a-lifetime railway experiences that money can’t buy.

Designed to excite both train enthusiasts and rail fans, the auction will give supporters the chance to bid for a selection of unparalleled experiences.

These range from going behind the scenes at a railway depot to travelling to iconic landmarks.

Every auction bid placed will directly contribute to The Railway Benefit Fund’s mission to support railway workers and their families throughout the country in times of hardship.

A target of £25,000 has been set to be raised by the auction, with the selection of experiences including:

• A tour of the Britannic Explorer and British Pullman at Stewarts Lane depot in Battersea, London, to explore the luxurious carriages and find out about how their timeless elegance is maintained.
• A ride in the cab of a Chiltern Railways Class 168 diesel multiple unit from London to Oxford to get a driver’s eye view of the line.
• Experience a session on a simulator for a Class 66 diesel locomotive, and take a tour of the depot where Class 66 freight locomotives are maintained.

The auction opened today, Monday, 2nd June, with bids placed online at https://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/auction2025. Anyone bidding should visit the site regularly, as more unique experiences will be added throughout the auction.

Further donations of experiences are welcome, and organisations wishing to donate an experience to the auction should contact [email protected].

The Railway Benefit Fund is one of the charities that will benefit from August’s ‘The Greatest Gathering’ being held at Alstoms Works in Derby.

The Railway Benefit Fund

The Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is a charity founded in 1858, providing support by financial grants, confidential advice, online tools, and a legal helpline to anyone who is working or has ever worked in the railway industry, including passenger, freight, infrastructure, supply chain, and ancillary services.

“This year’s Auction of Rail Experiences promises an extraordinary selection of opportunities for railway enthusiasts to connect with their passion while making a tangible difference to the lives of railway people and their families. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of those who donate experiences and the enthusiasm of those who bid”.

 Suzy Powell, Head of Fundraising