Throughout the history of rail travel, special excursion trains have been run to take people to the seaside. Sometimes for their summer holidays, but often just for a day out. Armed with buckets and spades, flasks and sandwiches, families would pack into the carriages and be transported from their inland home station down to their nearest seaside resort for a day of sun, surf and family fun on the beach. Then at the end of the day, the train would take them all home again.

Well, you can now follow in the footsteps of those families of times gone by and be transported by heritage DMU to the newly created beach at Swanwick Junction.

When you have built and destroyed your sand castles; sunned yourself on your beach towel; devoured your beach picnic and had your picture taken with your head popping through an amusing portrait, take some time out to visit the various museums, demonstration signal box, country park, buffet and childrens’ playground at Swanwick Junction before returning by train to Butterley Station.

…and don’t forget to pack the sun cream.