The response to our first tour to the UK (2002) was spectacular. The guests are still raving about it a year and a half later. (Who could forget crystal & linen service aboard a 15" gauge dining car?!) And many people who read the articles in GSQ have commented that they would love to go if there is another trip. Well here it is! [Full Brochure]      The stops have been pulled out. The tour is two days longer and even better than last time. You'll be visiting railways from 7.5" gauge to standard gauge, with an emphasis on 10.25" to 15". From the famous Romney Hythe & Dymchurch near the cliffs of Dover in the south, to the beautiful scenery of the north's Lake District where the Ravenglass & Eskdale runs through tree covered hills. You'll be seeing the best miniature railways in England and Wales.

One of the highlights of the trip will be the opportunity to run some of the steam and diesel engines that you've reading about for so long.      Our guests have often commented that during these opportunities a GSQ Tour makes memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.      In this photo Karl Hovantiz (right) is getting ready to take the throttle (regulator!) of River Esk on the Ravenglass & Eskdale. This 15" gauge steamer is running on a 110 year-old chassis. The one digging for coal is the well known and well respected Peter vanZellar of RER. He gave the group the red carpet treatment.

There will also be many opportunities to do interesting non-railroad tours and sightseeing. One example will be the historic Audley End House (across the street from Audley End Min. Ry.). Construction of this historic manor began in the early 1600's.      There will also be the historic Nineteenth century village at Ironbridge, the botanical gardens at Exbury, a Medieval banquet, and optional side trips to castles and the like.      We anticipate even more women in attendance during this tour than any of our previous trips.

During the Tour you'll see a very wide variety of equipment . . . even a surprising amount of American prototypes will be represented.      From quaint narrow gauge engines (both models and the real thing) to big mainline brutes there will be something for everyone.

For more information on this Tour you may download the Tour 2004 Brochure (596K, pdf ) If you would like to read the articles about our previous Tour you may download: Tour 2002 Article Part 1 (1.2M, pdf ) Tour 2002 Article Part 2 (3.3M, pdf ) All three of the above documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Here are links to around half the locations you'll be visiting on the tour:

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch (15", New Romney, Kent)
Perrygrove Railway (15", Coleford, UK)
Audley End Min. Rly (10 1/4", Saffron Walden, Essex)
Audley End House This will be a wonderful stop for the ladies.
Ruislip Lido (12", Ruislip, Northwest London, UK)
Fairbourne & Barmouth Steam Railway  (12 1/4", Fairbourne, Gwynedd, Wales)
Bressingham Steam Museum (15", Bressingham, UK)
Exmoor Steam Railway (12 1/4", Bratton Fleming, Devon) --Photos from a visit by Paul Sharpe.
Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway  (15", Cleethorpes, Lincoln, UK)
Exbury Gardens Steam Railway (12 1/4", Exbury, Hampshire) Trains and a world class botanical garden!
Welsh Highland (24", Caernarfon, Wales)
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway  (15", Ravenglass, Cumbria, UK)
Lynton Lynmouth Cliff Railway (Lynmouth, North Devon)
Rhyl Miniature Railway (15", Rhyl, North Wales, UK)
Windermere Steam Boat Museum (Windermere, Cumbria)
Stapleford Miniature Railway (10 1/4", Leics, UK)
Windmill Farm Railway (15", Buscough, Lancashire, UK)
Ironbridge This spectacular working historic village will be a favorite of the men and the women.
Sherwood Forest Steam Railway (15", Sherwood Forest Farm Park)
National Railway Museum (York, Yorkshire)