Steam Leaflets for 2018

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Thursday 3 May Our journey begins at London St Pancras

in steam on both standard and narrow gauges. After a day steaming through rural Meetjesland we return to St Niklaas. (B,D) DAY 4 Sunday 6 May Today begins locally at the Dendermonde-Puurs Railway. The society has preserved a 14km section of line running alongside the picturesque River Scheldt since 1977. We embark on a specially chartered steam journey along the line from Puurs to Baasrode, where it is possible to visit the society’s workshops. This afternoon we continue by train to the gorgeous city of Gent, where we cruise the city’s waterways and enjoy a farewell evening meal in a local restaurant. (B,D) DAY 5 Monday 7 May After a little free time this morning to sightsee in St Niklaas which boasts Belgium’s largest market square, we travel by train to Brussels Midi, where we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras international. (B)

International, travelling by Eurostar to Brussels Midi. Here we change trains for St Niklaas, where we spend four nights at the centrally located Ibis Hotel. This evening we visit a local brewery for a tour and tasting of their beers before our first dinner together in a local restaurant. (D) DAY 2 Friday 4 May Today we explore the now peaceful region of Ypres and Passchendaele, which saw so much of the front line fighting in the First World War. During the day we visit the fascinating Hooge Crater Museum near what became known as “Hellfire Corner”. Later we head behind the lines to Poperinge, where reinforcements arrived, soldiers convalesced and equipment was stored, visiting Talbot House, an ‘Everyman’s Club’ where soldiers of all ranks could relax away from the horrors of the front line. Visits to two cemeteries of gargantuan proportions offer a poignant insight into the sacrifice of a generation. Tyne Cot is the largest commonwealth cemetery and Langemark is the stark resting place of vast numbers of German soldiers. After a little free time in attractive Ypres, with its beautifully rebuilt Cloth Hall, we have dinner together before we end the day by paying our respects at the moving Last Post at the Menin Gate, played every day by the town’s volunteer fire brigade to commemorate those who fell. (B,D) DAY 3 Saturday 5 May Although steam was shelved in this part of Belgium in 1966, since the 1990s a group of pioneers have gradually restored the lines and abandoned railway buildings around Maldegem, plus a number of locomotives, both steam and diesel. What exists now is the largest collection of steam locomotives in Flanders, which operate on the standard gauge line to Eeklo, 10 km away, on the former line towards Gent. In the other direction, a shorter narrow gauge track has been preserved on the former line towards Bruges. During Maldegem’s World War I themed Steam Festival it is expected to have 6 or 7 locos

(B) = Breakfast included, (D) = Dinner included

HOTEL

Ibis Hotel St Niklaas The Ibis Hotel is situated in the historic heart of St Niklaas within walking distance of all the Market Square and station. Its facilities include a popular and welcoming bar. The modern rooms are equipped with television, telephone and hairdryer.

FARE

5 days by train From London St Pancras International Single Room Supplement £135 4 nights’ bed, breakfast evening meal Eurostar and rail travel to St Niklaas and return All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Fare based upon sharing a twin-bedded en-suite room; single rooms available for a supplement. GUARANTEED FARE – No currency surcharge Extra Benefits Rewarding Your Loyalty The vast majority of our customers are either repeat bookings or recommendations. Recognising this, Railtrail is the only rail holiday company with a Loyalty Rewards Scheme. For every pound spent you will receive Loyalty Rewards Points on return from your holiday, which can then be used as a discount on future bookings. Loyalty Points remain valid for 3 years after your return from your holiday. And should you recommend Railtrail to someone not already on our database, then when they travel on their first tour your Railtrail Rewards Loyalty account will also be credited with the same number of points they receive. £699

Maldegem Steam Festival

Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason. Your acceptance of this is a condition of your booking.

To book visit: www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323 Standard Railtrail Tours Ltd. booking conditions apply to this tour, as detailed in our Escorted Holidays by Train brochure; copies available upon request.