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War by Timetable
The opening moves of the First World War saw trains taking thousands of men to the front. When the war became static along the Western Front, trains became the lifeline to the trenches, whether for men, food, supplies or ammunition. Join us on this fascinating tour as we look at the role of trains in WW1, and travel on three different steam railways connected to the war.
Tour Includes
- 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- Specialist Battlefield Guide
- Local joining points
- Travel on three different steam railways
- Entry and rides at all train museums
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Itinerary
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Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in northern France for a four-night stay.
We begin with a visit to the Steam Railway of the Three Valleys at Treignes in Belgium. Here we have a specially arranged journey, where a WW1 period steam train will pull the wagons we travel in. There will be time to take photos of the train as well as ride in its carriages, and we will also visit the train museum here.
In the afternoon, we travel to La Capelle to visit the memorial marking the spot where German parliamentarians crossed the French lines seeking an Armistice in November 1918. We then examine the Retreat From Mons in this area of northern France, visiting the British battlefield at Etreux, including the cemetery, and seeing where the French fought at Guise.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Today we examine the role of trains in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and we visit Heilly Station Cemetery to look at the use of trains in the treatment and evacuation of wounded during the Great War. We then visit the site of Somme railheads near Dernancourt, and look at a typical route to the front line for the men who came here in 1916.
After lunch, we visit the ‘Petit Train of the Haut Somme’. This museum, and working railway, runs on ground used in WW1 and we travel in a period steam train across the battlefield area. We also have time to see the museum which includes much WW1 material.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
We continue to look at the Somme railways today, and travel to Pont-Remy Station, which was the main entry point to the Somme battlefields for the majority of soldiers who served there in 1916. This iconic station once echoed to the sound of thousands of men beginning their march to the front.
From here, we look at trains behind the lines with a visit to the Steam Railway at the Bay of the Somme, and ride on a WW1 period train across the Somme estuary.
After lunch, we visit Le Crotoy Cemetery to examine the story of men ‘Shot at Dawn’, before looking at the role of the Chinese Labour Corps, seeing the Chinese Cemetery at Noyelles.
Includes Breakfast
Key Visits
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Hotel Ibis St. Quentin Basilique.Reviews
4.4 Out of 5 ( 7 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
4.6 / 5
Value for Money
4.3 / 5
Kenneth Hobbs, 10 months ago
Overall pretty good, a few things awry which leger had no control over like the building site at the front of the hotel.
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Arthur Wood, 10 months ago
Staff were very help full. the guide knew his stuff.
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colin, 10 months ago
The guide & itinerary are great. The transport is good although I had to catch my feeder at 2.30am. Lack of an evening meal, especially after paying a very high single supplement, means value for money is only 3 stars. Lack of evening meal also means it's sometimes awkward finding a place to eat if we return to the hotel late after a long day of visiting cemeteries, museums, etc.
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Happy with Landsend, 10 months ago
An excellent tour, most interesting with a very knowledgeable guide and great bus crew. Highly recommended!
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WHS, 11 months ago
Fascinating coach tour of the vital role of railways in the Great War in the Somme area. Leger Battlefields Tour leader Gary Ashley was outstanding in a subject I'd never previously considered. Three steam railway rides too and lots of interesting history. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.
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Michael Turner, 11 months ago
With an excellent guide, whose knowledge extended far beyond the simple railway subject, this tour was made interesting to those tourists whose knowledge of railways and their use was minimal. This tour could possibly be extended to cover another railway related location within the tour region, or perhaps another matching tour organised in a different part of the WW1/WW2 battlefields as a linked or follow on tour. I would take the same tour again to catch up on the bits I missed as there was so much of interest to me. Furthermore, please pass on my thanks to Gary(our guide), Kevin and Mark(our drivers) for a very enjoyable week.
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