Description

On the 20th July 1995 the second ‘Tour of Hope’ set out from Liverpool on a marathon journey covering some 2,000 miles and visiting ten major centres raising funds for the Roy Castle Cause for Hope Foundation. The tour with Class 47 haulage throughout raised a staggering ‘2.6 million towards the construction of a world research centre into lung cancer. That centre, to be built in Liverpool, along with the charity that supports its construction are all inspired by the remarkable courage of Roy Castle, who in his final weeks fought the disease and travelled with the inaugural 1994 train. This video is a fitting tribute to Roy’s courage and to those who made the 1995 Tour of Hope the success it was.

The story starts at Crewe where Rail Express Systems prepare the locomotives that will haul the train. (Including 47798 Prince William, 47786 Roy Castle, 47785 The Statesman and green 47519). The train is made up of the Statesman luxury Pullman charter fleet and the Railfilms LMS styled Club Saloon along with support from the Waterman Railways AU5 vehicle. The operation of this special train was organised and managed by the Statesman with the much appreciated involvement of Rail Express Systems.

A series of cameras capture the train as it travels around the country providing a very comprehensive coverage of a very special event, including aerial and footplate sequences. Finally on the 23rd July the train, sponsored by Littlewoods, makes its triumphant entrance into London Victoria, – journey’s end, after some 2,000 miles of travel.

‘Much of the camera work is breathtaking.. Superb commentary.’ (Rail Magazine)