How much does it cost?

From £925 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,249 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Ashford, in Standard or First Class, are included, along with rail and coach transfers throughout, though regional fare supplements may apply.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.

Which heritage railways are visited?

Five: the Bluebell Railway for its Giants of Steam event, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway, the Spa Valley Railway, and the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

All four nights at the Hampton by Hilton in Ashford.

The only departure currently listed is in October 2026, priced from GBP 925 per person, with a single price from GBP 1,200.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

South East Steam Spectacular 2026

5-day escorted Kent tour on five heritage steam railways

South East Steam Spectacular is a 5-day escorted tour from Railtrail Tours based at the Hampton by Hilton in Ashford, Kent, for all four nights. After travelling by rail from your home station, day 2 brings the Bluebell Railway's 'Giants of Steam' event, with five locomotives running an intensive service and lineside photo opportunities. Day 3 is a steam gala on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway through the Kent countryside to Dungeness, continuing to an exclusive charter and depot visit on the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway. Day 4 combines a steam run to Eridge on the Spa Valley Railway through the High Weald with a further steam journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway along the Rother Valley to Bodiam. An experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with rail and coach transfers, admissions, and one evening meal included alongside daily breakfast. This suits railway enthusiasts who want several heritage lines and steam events packed into one short, fully escorted break.

What to know before you look closer

Railtrail Tours currently lists only one departure for this tour, in October 2026.
Rail travel from your home station to Ashford is included, but regional fare supplements apply depending on where you join the tour.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Home station to Ashford
Journey from your home station to Ashford and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Hampton by Hilton Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together at the Curious Brewery.
Day 2railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Bluebell Railway 'Giants of Steam'
After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to East Grinstead for the Bluebell Railway's incredible 'Giants of Steam' event. With five steam locomotives in action, unlimited travel on the intensive train service throughout the day, brilliant photographic opportunities, and lineside entertainment, this is a fantastic celebration of steam.
Day 3railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Steam Gala and Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway
Today, our coach will take us to the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway for their fantastic Steam Gala where all available steam locomotives will be in service. We will steam through some of Kent's most picturesque countryside to Dungeness and, on our return, we alight at New Romney Station, the headquarters of the railway, where we can take time for lunch, witness the action, and explore the local history. This afternoon, we visit the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway for an exclusive steam charter on this historic railway including a run-by and a depot visit.
Day 4railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Spa Valley Railway and Kent & East Sussex Railway
After breakfast today, we travel by road to the Spa Valley Railway for a return journey through the beautiful High Weald countryside, riding behind steam to Eridge and returning behind diesel. We continue by road to Tenterden, home to the Kent & East Sussex Railway, where we enjoy a return steam journey through areas of outstanding natural beauty, following the unspoilt Rother Valley to Bodiam. On our return, we enjoy free time in the delightful town on Tenterden with its many independent shops or you can watch the later steam departure before returning to the hotel.
Day 5
Departure from Ashford
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ashford and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Bluebell Railway's 'Giants of Steam' event runs five locomotives at once, with unlimited rides on the intensive service throughout the day.
Day 3A steam gala on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, with all available locomotives in service through Kent's countryside to Dungeness.
Day 3An exclusive steam charter and depot visit on the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway.
Day 4A steam run to Eridge on the Spa Valley Railway through the High Weald countryside, returning by diesel, followed by a steam journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway along the Rother Valley to Bodiam.

Included

4 nights bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £925 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,249 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Ashford, in Standard or First Class, are included, along with rail and coach transfers throughout, though regional fare supplements may apply.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.
Which heritage railways are visited?: Five: the Bluebell Railway for its Giants of Steam event, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway, the Spa Valley Railway, and the Kent & East Sussex Railway.
Where do you stay?: All four nights at the Hampton by Hilton in Ashford.
When does it depart?: The only departure currently listed is in October 2026, priced from GBP 925 per person, with a single price from GBP 1,200.