# Event Details

- **Event Name**: The GOSH Ness Monster
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 08:15 am – Sun, 24 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm (+01:00)
- **Event Description**: Take a Hastings DEMU to Scotland?... it will never happen, they said!

Well, with thanks to GBRf and Hastings Diesels Limited (HDL), we are pleased to present this exciting opportunity to travel on the Hastings DEMU on an exploration from the Southern extremities of Tonbridge, all the way to Inverness, and back again! A first-time visit of a Hastings DEMU unit to Scotland... it's going to be an experience that will stay with you forever.

And in true BLS Style, we will be covering a number of loops and items of rare track, which we are sure a Hastings unit has never frequented before.

The Hastings DEMUs are from a class of 23 diesel-electric trains built in the late 1950s to replace steam-hauled stock operating between London and Hastings via Tunbridge Wells. The six-coach units, incorporating diesel generators at each end, were unique in having especially narrow bodies which enabled them to pass through the unusually narrow tunnels on the Hastings line. We are very lucky to still be able to travel on one of these beautifully maintained units, after they were finally withdrawn in 1986.

With a number of convenient boarding points from Tonbridge, all the way up the WCML, you are sure to be able to join us for this fantastic weekend away. We will have numerous photo stop opportunities as we head North to enable you to capture that unique and priceless photo, and make sure you wave at the numerous photographers who will be out to see this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After our trip up the WCML, covering a number of rare and sought after loops, we expect to arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening on your first night, allowing time for some socialising with friends, or to explore this spectacular City. On Saturday, you have time for breakfast before we leave the rather unusual platform 0 at Haymarket for our scenic journey to Inverness, via the Highland Main Line. Inverness, a large city on Scotland’s northeast coast, where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, is the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, and, of course, the home of the Loch Ness Monster! You will have a couple of hours' break here to enjoy the crisp, clear Scottish air and maybe a meal and drink in one of the many local restaurants and pubs near the station.

We leave Inverness around 15.00, heading for Haymarket, but this time via Elgin, Keith and Aberdeen, before heading south along the spectacular coastline, finally crossing both the Tay and Forth Bridges, arriving back into Haymarket for more time at leisure in Edinburgh.

Sunday is of course our day to head home, but again, you will have time for breakfast before joining us at Edinburgh Waverley this time for our run via the WCML, crossing London via Kensington Olympia and finally arriving at Tonbridge in the late evening. As you would expect, and to keep out of the way of a significant number of faster services, we will cover a number of rare loops and crossovers on our route south.

We are working in partnership with the fantastic team at HDL, who will provide their famous buffet service and souvenir sales stand.

There will be a charity raffle each day supporting our amazing good cause.

The Buffet car, accessible to passengers in DEMU 1013 will be open throughout for the sale of hot and cold food & drink at reasonable prices. In addition, a mini-counter service will operate from one of the van ends in DEMU 1001.

Standard Plus guarantees a seat in a DMBS vehicle, so you are in prime position to hear the English Electric engine working hard!

And for those of you that love a good table, convenient for your maps, snacks and well-earned refreshing drinks, we will be delighted to confirm that table seating will be allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

This charter will be raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

All times and routing are indicative until confirmed by Network Rail. Final routing and timings are usually confirmed by Network Rail five days before travel and will be enclosed with your e-ticket.

Day One - Friday:

Tonbridge (PU 08:12) - Bromley South (PU 08:42) - Kensington Olympia (PU 09:19) - Up and Dn SW Goods - Acton Lane Reception No 1 - Watford Junction (PU 10:15) - Milton Keynes Central (PU 11:00) - Northampton Down Goods - Rugby P6 (PU 11:30) - Up & Dn Through Siding - Nuneaton (PU 11:50) - Stafford (PU 12:45) - Crewe Up & Dn Loop - Warrington Bank Quay - Wigan North Western (PU 13:50) - Preston - Lancaster - Grayrigg DPL - Penrith P3 - Carlisle (PU 15:45 / 20 minute photo stop) - Lockerbie DPL - Beattock Summit DPL - Carstairs - Slateford - Edinburgh (SD 19:30)


Day Two - Saturday:
Haymarket P0 (PU 08:00) - Haymarket North Goods Loop - Inverkeithing - Kirkcaldy - Ladybank - Perth P4 (South) - Perth UPL - Pitlochry - Kingussie - Aviemore (20-minute photo stop) - Inverness (2 hour break) - Elgin - Keith - Aberdeen (20-minute photo stop) - Craiginches Loop No 2 - Dundee Up Through - Tay Bridge - Ladybank - Kirkcaldy - Forth Bridge - Haymarket P0 (SD 20:00)


Day Three - Sunday:
Edinburgh (PU 09:00) - Haymarket - Carstairs - Carlisle (SD 10:45 / 20-minute photo stop) - Penrith - Lancaster - Preston Up Goods - Wigan North Western (SD 12:30) - Warrington Bank Quay - Crewe Up & Dn Loop - Stafford (SD 13:45) - Nuneaton (SD 14:45) - Rugby (SD 15:15) - Northampton Reception line - Milton Keynes Central P2 (SD 16:30) - Bletchley Relief No 2 - Tring P4 - Watford Junction (SD 18:00) - Acton Lane Reception No 2 - Kensington Olympia (SD 19:30) - Bromley South (SD 20:30) - Tonbridge (SD 22:00)


A few important details:
The train is formed of 6 car unit 201013 and 3 car unit 201001 coupled together to make a 9 car train. There is no access between the 2 units. The 3 car unit has a mini-buffet offering hot and cold drinks and light snacks only. The full range of food/drink including hot food is only available from the buffet car in the 6 car unit.

The earliest bookers will be allocated to the 6 car unit (unless you specifically wish to request the 3 car unit in your booking notes) and later bookers allocated to the 3 car unit. If you want to be able to have the opportunity to purchase hot food on the train then don't delay booking.

The same applies to motor coach bookings with earliest bookers being allocated to a motor coach in the 6 car unit with later bookers allocated a motor coach in the 3 car unit.

Only about half of the seats in the train have tables, first come first served to earliest bookers. You will be allocated a specific seat for the duration of the journey over all 3 days.

This fixture will initially open for bookings from Branch Line Society Members only to give them first priority on seating. If you are not already a member, you can join online via the link on the BLS website homepage for as little as £12 per year. After approximately 1-2 weeks we will then accept bookings from non-members.

The seven original Hastings coaches in this train are narrower than normal coaches. The former 4-CEP and 4-BIG trailer coaches in the centre of the 6 car unit are of the standard width. Please add a note to your booking if you would prefer to be seated in one of these two coaches, first come first served.

Please state where you intend to join on Friday and alight on Sunday (this is for coach stewarding purposes and can be changed subsequently by notification).

The prices shown below are exclusive of accommodation. Passengers will be required to arrange their own overnight accommodation.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/sheffield/the-gosh-ness-monster/200029985914045
- **Event Categories**: Sports, Nonprofit, Workshops, Business, Photography, Entertainment
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Sheffield
- **state**: EN
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: 6th Floor, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, S1 2FN Sheffield, United Kingdom
- **lat**: 53.37797
- **long**: -1.46991
- **full address**: 6th Floor, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, S1 2FN Sheffield, United Kingdom, 150 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2, United Kingdom

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: The GOSH Ness Monster
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/a912eebdd207763f2c210b94de6eabf12aaafefb0cc893ab46e91acb735481f5-rimg-w1024-h768-dcd5d7d6-gmir?v=1777117064

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is The GOSH Ness Monster being held?
  - **A:** The GOSH Ness Monster takes place on Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 08:15 am to Sun, 24 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm at 6th Floor, Derwent House, 150 Arundel Gate, S1 2FN Sheffield, United Kingdom, 150 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2, United Kingdom.
- **Q**: Who is organizing The GOSH Ness Monster?
  - **A:** The GOSH Ness Monster is organized by Branch Line Society.

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