Flying Scotsman - Evening Afternoon Tea Service

Terms and Conditions

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

Postcode for Sat Nav: TA4 3RU

Bishops Lydeard Station is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway and this is where your Flying Scotsman journey begins. It is four miles from the County town of Taunton and the M5 Motorway (Junction 25).

Please be aware that there is a maximum height barrier so access to the station car park is for vehicles under 2.1 metres. We will have additional car parking facilities available in neighbouring land to the railway.

UPON ARRIVAL

Please allow adequate time for your journey to Bishops Lydeard – we expect trains to be very close to capacity if not fully booked so if you miss your train, it will be very unlikely we would be able to find you a space on another. We advise that you aim to arrive at the station 45 minutes before start time for check in and to collect your souvenir tickets. Please note that you will not be permitted into the welcome marquee until the previous service has boarded.

There is a car park at Bishops Lydeard station, where the event begins. If this is full, the road that leads to the car park has lots of on-street parking. There is a small disabled carpark next to the marquee, this can also be used to drop off passengers who are not able to walk down from the main car park. This will be sign posted. Once you have parked, follow signs for check-in which will be in the marquee.

THINGS TO LET US KNOW

We have four spaces per train for non-transferable wheelchair passengers, therefore it is essential that you call to make your booking and let us know at the time of booking that you require a space, as these will be allocated on a strict first come first served basis. If you fail to inform us of your requirement for an accessible space at the time of booking, then it is highly likely that we will not be able to facilitate your booking.

The seating plans are being arranged in advance, so please also let us know at the time of booking if you wish to travel with another group that are booking separately. We will be unable to move groups around on the day or in the lead up to the event after your booking has been made. If you have made two bookings in the same name, for the same service we will automatically put these bookings together on the plans, you do not need to notify us.

All allergens must be communicated to us at the time of booking. If you have not informed us when you book your tickets you must call us on 01643 704996 as soon as possible with this information. 

DOGS

No dogs will be permitted on our Flying Scotsman services except assistance dogs.  If you have an assistance dog you must add the dog to the notes when making your booking or call us on 01643 704996 after your booking has been made and we will add your assistance dog to your booking. 

TOILETS

There are toilets located at the top of the slope at Bishops Lydeard. 

CHECK-IN

On entering the marquee, you will need to show your digi-ticket at the check in desk, complete with the name which you booked your tickets. If you are not able to print your tickets, please make sure you have it visible on your tablet or phone. You will then be given your souvenir tickets which will contain your seat reservation, please make sure you read your seat allocation once you collect your tickets as you will need to know this before we start our boarding process.

There will be a pop-up shop and buffet in the marquee where you will be able to purchase gifts and snacks. We will have card payment facilities available, but we recommend you bring cash in case of intermittent signal for our machines. You will need to wait in the marquee until you are called to the platform by our train staff.

BUGGIES

There will be no buggies or pushchairs permitted on the train due to limited space. Please leave these in your car.

Terms and Conditions

·        If you do not wish to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, your tickets should be returned to us within 10 days of receipt for a full refund which will exclude the booking fee and any postal charges.

·        Please check your tickets upon receipt and advise us promptly of any errors. Errors cannot be rectified on the day of your visit.

·        The contract of tickets acceptance will be governed by English Law and subject to the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Flying Scotsman Trains

1. Flying Scotsman journeys during the event must be pre-booked. They are not normal service trains, so standard fares do not apply. There will be no discounts available on and for Flying Scotsman charter trains. Tickets cost £95 per person. No concessions under any circumstances. Annual Passes, ATOC cards and staff ID cards are not valid on these services.

2. Your ticket covers your return travel behind the Flying Scotsman and your catering option. This ticket IS NOT valid on any other Flying Scotsman hauled services during the day or event,

3. Tickets are strictly non-transferable. You MUST travel on the trains you are booked on. You cannot leave or join the train at intermediate stations.

4. Should Flying Scotsman fail, or not be available for operational or other reasons, we will provide an alternative steam locomotive to operate your train and will refund the difference between the special fare charge to that of a standard West Somerset Railway ‘rover’ fare. Any refunds will be made within 10 days from the date of travel.

5. We will not be responsible for any additional costs, losses or expenses resulting from cancellation of Flying Scotsman’s appearance on the train service.

6. You MUST arrive at your departure station at least 60 minutes before your selected departure time. If you miss your train, you will NOT be able to transfer to another Flying Scotsman train as seats will NOT be available.

7. Parking for visitors who have booked for Flying Scotsman hauled trains will be available at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard stations.

8. We will not take responsibility for delay or non-attendance by you, caused by bad weather, traffic conditions or any other factors that delay your arrival at either station.

9. Pets are not allowed on Flying Scotsman. Assistance dogs are, however, accepted.

10. We retain the right to alter, cancel and suspend the service for safety or other operational reasons.

11. Payments for tickets must be made, in full, at the time of booking.

12. We reserve the right to refuse any booking for reasons we consider necessary.

13. We will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to any vehicle, clothing or personal belongings during your visit. Any found lost property will be held at Minehead Information Office for 1 week, after this time items will be disposed of.

14. Only limited seating is available on the train for passengers who have restricted mobility. Wheelchair spaces can be pre-booked on a first come first serve basis by phone only.

15. Buggies and pushchairs will not be permitted to travel on Flying Scotsman. Please leave buggies and prams in your car

Customer Cancellation If you wish to cancel your booking for whatever reason, the following charges will apply: - Up to 1 month before date of travel – 50% fee - 1 month or less before travel date - 100% fee. Requests for a refund must be made in writing. We will arrange the refund based on the criteria set and you will be refunded by the same payment method as the original purchase. Refunds will be made within 28 days from receipt of the request. Application should be made to West Somerset Railway, The Railways Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG or by email to [email protected].

Should you wish to amend your booking a £5 administration charge may apply.