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Celebrating 27 years in 2025 this well-established UK based company offer “general interest rail, nature and culture” and a separate programme of “enthusiast” holidays from the UK using rail travel as a theme. Comfort, enjoyment, leisurely days and friendship are the secrets of their success. They specialise in countries and areas not covered by other operators. The company is one of the only rail holiday companies which are both ATOL & ABTA bonded.
The majority of PTG’s trips are for people who want to see the culture and scenery of the destination country, travelling by train and staying at great hotels. Destinations include UK, Spain, Portugal (Douro Valley), Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Slovenia (and Lake Bled), the Baltic States, Scandinavia, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica, and Montenegro. Long haul destinations include USA, Alaska, Canada, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peru and Mexico. There are 40 destinations to choose from.
PTG also has a trip to the Harz Mountains which also takes in Berlin, Dresden and Wuppertal; a narrow-gauge steam in the Balkans and Romania tour is also coming together. Steam in Denmark and Northern Germany is another one that will appeal for steam enthusiasts as well as their regular tour to Western States of the USA Rail and Parks in October. Again PTG expect to run a “Union Pacific Big Boy” photography tour once Union Pacific announce their plans for 2025.
For more modern rail enthusiasts there are several tours planned. The first, at the end of January is a 5-day charter around Spain formed of vintage carriages hauled by a vintage 318/321 Alco locomotives. Starting in Madrid it gives a rare chance for loco hauled travel to various destinations in the south. A good excuse to escape the mid-winter cold in the UK for the warmer temperatures. In March there is a repeat of the hugely successful 2023 tour of Cambodia , with a loco hauled charter train covering all rail lines in Cambodia including freight branches and yards. Our “Clear Cambodia” trip also aims to see all items on railway stock in the country – another excuse to escape to warmer climes. Next up is a long weekend loco hauled charter to rare lines in Hungary in late May. In September it is a return to Peru covering both rare lines on the national network – some with private charter train. In the autumn a plan is taking shape for a loco hauled charter train taking in the re-opened Beira-Alta line and the new Evora to Elvas “International” line.
A unique attraction of PTG is that anyone booking a holiday is given a completely free customer day out on a special steam hauled charter train covering the full 80-mile round trip on the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways in North Wales – usually features three different locomotives. The 2025 trip is on Sunday 8 June.
Some of PTG’s profit is used for rail preservation schemes in the UK. As well as Class 50 locomotives 50021 and 50026, PTG paid the bulk of the cost for the Ty Dŵr heritage project on the Talyllyn Railway – to restore the Railway’s original locomotive watering point between Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. PTG plan to support other heritage projects on North Wales steam lines in 2025 and beyond.
For a free copy of their colour brochure see their advert in this magazine or contact PTG Tours on 01235 611558 or visit their web site at www.ptg.co.uk.
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