Only hours left to help fundraiser and take a trip on a legendary saloon

Revolution Trains has said that its  ‘Sweet Caroline’ rail tour is on track for Wednesday 11 May 2022 — and there are only a few hours left to enter the fundraiser and have a chance to ride on this legendary saloon.

Only one seat is available, and entries close at 12pm Wednesday, 4 May.

But the successful winner will take a single seat that is up for grabs on the never-to-be-repeated rail tour.

The saloon was named after a member of Network Rail staff who lost their life to cancer. In recognition of this, Revolution Trains will donate all funds raised from the auction to Cancer Research UK.

The experience

975205 Caroline is unique in being equipped with a control desk for a pushing locomotive. This allows guests to ride in a comfortable saloon environment while looking out of the large front-facing windows alongside the driver. Revolution Trains says no other vehicle on the network offers this — an unrivalled opportunity for any rail enthusiast.

Full catering will be provided onboard.

The winner will also receive an exclusive goody bag with a selection of mementoes of the day.

Route and traction

Caroline will be propelled by 37418 “An Comunn Gaidhealach”. 

The route will see Caroline taken through Burton-on-Trent onto the West Coast Main Line at Lichfield to Crewe before heading along the freight-only route through Middlewich to Northwich. 

The tour will then head through Hale and Altrincham before heading east towards the Peak District. The tour will head across to Edale and the Hope Valley line before coming off down towards Chesterfield. From Chesterfield, Caroline will head south passing Toton before arriving back at Derby.

Enter

Revolution Trains says it is asking for sealed bids by email by midday (12pm BST) on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Send the team an email with your bid and the highest bid will be selected after the deadline.

To enter, send an email with your bid to: charity@revolutiontrains.com (you should receive an automatic reply as confirmation that your bid has been received).

Minimum bid £100 and the amount to be transferred to Revolution Trains by 5 May 2022.

Revolution Trains thanks Network Rail and LORAM for their help in arranging this special day.

Main image Phil Sangwell – edited (cropped) and used under CC2.0 licence (see original photo here and Phil’s albums here).

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