UK Railtours has confirmed a weekend of English Electric Class 37 action on 11 and 12 December 2026, with two special excursions offering enthusiasts the chance to enjoy classic locomotive-hauled travel across East Anglia, London and Kent.
Rail enthusiasts have two opportunities to enjoy Class 37 mainline action this December, with UK Railtours confirming traction arrangements and timings for The Anglian Adventurer and The Canterbury Christmas Cantata.
The back-to-back charters will take place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December 2026, offering a weekend of classic Type 3 locomotive performance, including running over the East Coast Main Line, Great Eastern Main Line and routes through the Kentish hills.
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A pair of English Electric Class 37 locomotives will provide the motive power, courtesy of Europhoenix (EPR) and the Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC)/Swietelsky.
Operating partner Rail Adventure will handle the train operations, with a rake of Mark 2 coaching stock supplied by Eastern Rail Services (ERS).
Onboard catering for both excursions will be provided by The Railway Diners, with a fully stocked buffet car offering hot meals, seasonal snacks and drinks.
Friday 11 December: The Anglian Adventurer
The first excursion, The Anglian Adventurer, will serve as a positioning movement ahead of Saturday’s Kent tour, while offering passengers an opportunity to experience Class 37 running across East Anglia and the East Coast Main Line.
The locomotives will operate in a top-and-tail formation over a route designed to maximise mainline mileage.
The train is scheduled to depart Great Yarmouth at 9.35am, travelling via Reedham to Norwich, where it is due at 10.15am.
From Norwich, the train will head west towards Ely before traversing the Soham branch to Bury St Edmunds.
It will then rejoin the Great Eastern Main Line north of Stowmarket, continuing through Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford.
Arrival at London Liverpool Street is scheduled for 2.10pm.
Following a short break, the train will depart Liverpool Street at 2.40pm, travelling via Bethnal Green and Seven Sisters.
The onward journey will offer set-downs at Broxbourne, Cambridge North, Ely and Peterborough.
From Peterborough, the train will continue north via Sleaford and Lincoln, eventually terminating at Newark Northgate at 7.17pm.
UK Railtours describes the itinerary as an opportunity to experience classic Class 37 performance over a varied selection of mainline routes.
The Anglian Adventurer fares:
- Standard Class: from £89.
- First Class Non-Dining: from £129.
The tour is scheduled to run on Friday 11 December 2026.
Saturday 12 December: The Canterbury Christmas Cantata
The second excursion, The Canterbury Christmas Cantata, follows the cancellation of an originally planned October trip.
UK Railtours has retained the proposed Class 37 traction for the rescheduled excursion, with the two locomotives operating double-headed on Eastern Rail Services Mark 2 coaching stock.
The train will depart Peterborough at 6.33am, collecting passengers along the East Coast Main Line before crossing London via Kensington Olympia.
It will then continue through Kent towards Canterbury, arriving at Canterbury East at 10.52am.
Passengers choosing to spend the day in Canterbury will have approximately six hours to explore the city and enjoy its Christmas Market.
For railway enthusiasts seeking additional locomotive-hauled mileage, UK Railtours is also offering a separate optional excursion during the Canterbury stop.
The Festive Tractor Trek – additional Class 37 mileage
The optional Festive Tractor Trek will give enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy an extended circular journey through Kent.
Priced at £30 as an add-on to the main excursion, the mini-tour will take passengers via Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Tonbridge and the North Kent coast before returning to Canterbury West.
The confirmed timings for the optional trip are 11.05am to 3.39pm.
This additional journey offers passengers the opportunity to experience more of the Class 37s in action, while those not taking the mini-tour can spend their time in Canterbury.
Return journey to Peterborough
The main return excursion will depart Canterbury West at 4.57pm, travelling via Ashford, Maidstone East and London before rejoining the East Coast Main Line.
The train is scheduled to arrive back at Peterborough at 9.17pm.
The Canterbury Christmas Cantata fares:
- Standard Class: from £129.
- Junior Standard Class: from £109.
- First Class Non-Dining: from £229.
- Optional Festive Tractor Trek: £30 extra.
At the time of the announcement, UK Railtours described Standard Class availability as “Good”, while First Class availability was “Limited”.
Passengers are advised to check the operator’s website for the latest availability before booking.
Confirmed dates and timings
The Anglian Adventurer – Friday 11 December 2026
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Great Yarmouth departure | 09.35 |
| Norwich | 10.15 |
| London Liverpool Street arrival | 14.10 |
| London Liverpool Street departure | 14.40 |
| Newark Northgate arrival | 19.17 |
The route includes Reedham, Ely, the Soham branch, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, Bethnal Green, Seven Sisters, Broxbourne, Cambridge North, Peterborough, Sleaford and Lincoln.
The Canterbury Christmas Cantata – Saturday 12 December 2026
| Location or activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Peterborough departure | 06.33 |
| Canterbury East arrival | 10.52 |
| Optional Festive Tractor Trek | 11.05–15.39 |
| Canterbury West departure | 16.57 |
| Peterborough arrival | 21.17 |
The main tour travels via the East Coast Main Line and Kensington Olympia to Canterbury, returning via Ashford, Maidstone East and London.
The optional Festive Tractor Trek takes in Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Tonbridge and the North Kent coast.
Booking information
Bookings and further details are available directly through UK Railtours.
The Anglian Adventurer:
The Canterbury Christmas Cantata:
Telephone enquiries: 01438 715050
Main website: www.ukrailtours.com
The two excursions promise a weekend of classic Class 37 locomotive-hauled travel, combining unusual routes, mainline mileage and a festive visit to Canterbury.
