The Branch Line Society has announced details of its upcoming rail tour, ‘The Paxman Quarrier’, scheduled to run on Sunday, 26 April 2026, in partnership with national freight operator DCRail.

Following a near-successful attempt in July 2025 to reach Tytherington Quarry, the Society has confirmed it will “go again” in 2026, with renewed optimism of completing the sought-after journey to the end of the line.

The tour also coincides with a significant milestone in British railway history: the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Class 56 locomotives to the UK.

To mark the occasion, participants will experience a high-mileage, fast-paced itinerary featuring a DCRail Class 56, expected to be its only mainline rail tour appearance of the year.

A Class 57 locomotive will haul the train into London Paddington at 8:00 am, where the Class 56 will take over for the main leg of the tour.

The route will follow the Great Western Main Line with scheduled pick-ups at Reading, Bristol Parkway, and Bristol Temple Meads.

After a short break in Bristol, the train will proceed towards Yate before branching off to the highlight of the day: Tytherington Quarry in South Gloucestershire. The quarry is a nationally significant source of limestone, producing around 1.8 million tonnes of aggregate annually.

After reversals near Bristol, the train will head north via St Philips Marsh depot before continuing through Bromsgrove, avoiding central Birmingham, and rejoining the mainline near Water Orton. The route will then continue east through Nuneaton, Leicester, and Peterborough, before concluding at London King’s Cross, with an additional set-down at Stevenage.

The itinerary includes several rare and unusual track sections, a hallmark of Branch Line Society tours. These include traversing the Rhubarb Curve, visiting Bristol East Depot, and passing through Bristol Kingsland Road. Subject to operational requirements, DCRail aims to provide a second locomotive to assist in the Bristol area, while GB Railfreight will operate the train and supply the Class 57 support locomotive.

Timings to be confirmed with Network Rail closer to the tour date. Approximate timings for ‘The Paxman Quarrier’ are as follows:

Outbound: Ealing Broadway (07:50), London Paddington (08:20), Reading (09:01), Swindon (TBC), Bristol Parkway (10:17), Bristol Temple Meads (Break 10:32-11:13), Bristol Parkway (TBC), Yate (TBC), Tytherington (TBC).

Return: Yate (TBC), Bristol Parkway (TBC), Bristol East Depot (TBC), Bristol Kingsland Road (TBC), Bristol Temple Meads (Break 14:41-15:04), Bristol West Jct (TBC), St Philips Marsh HST Depot (TBC), Bristol Parkway (TBC), Cheltenham Spa (TBC), Kings Norton Arrive/Departure Line (TBC), Landor Street Jct (TBC), Water Orton (TBC), Nuneaton (TBC), Leicester (19:30), Melton Mowbray, Peterborough (20:46), Stevenage (21:42), London Kings Cross (22:16).

Ticket Prices:

First Class (Non-Dining, table for two) £224.00

First Class (Non-Dining) £199.00

Standard Class £134.00

Under-18s benefit from a £67.00 reduction in fares.

In keeping with the Society’s charitable ethos, all profits from the tour will be donated to Martin House Hospice. Passengers can also take part in a charity raffle and enjoy onboard amenities, including a hand-pulled real ale bar and a buffet serving hot food, drinks, and snacks.