Adventuring by rail in Britain

Here in Britain we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, with sand and shingle beaches, rolling hills, verdant woodland, and pastoral farmland to be enjoyed. Walking and cycling are all excellent ways to explore the countryside, but you truly can’t beat a trip on one of Britain’s most famous and best loved scenic rail journeys to truly soak in the serene, picturesque surroundings.

Whether you are a locomotive enthusiast or simply want to cross a famous rail journey off your bucket list, you’ll be spoiled for choice when looking at heritage rail routes in Britain.

ACME Whistles has long been associated with rail and locomotion and to this day, you can spot our locomotive whistles being used by rail staff up and down the country. The ACME Thunderer is the most popular among conductors and railway guards because it has a distinct, shrill call that makes it easily heard over the hectic sounds of the railway. A commemorative engraved whistle bearing the name of the train operating company is the perfect gift to yourself or a loved one as a memento of your special trip.

Night Riviera Sleeper

If you long to wake up in a place with wide, open beaches, crisp surf and sea air then a trip on the Night Riviera Sleeper route will give you all this and more. The route connects Paddington Station in London with some of the loveliest coastal towns along the south west coast and Cornwall.

On board, there are lots of excellent facilities such as showers to make your journey a comfortable one, and there is a choice of private one or two bed compartments, or shared rooms if you prefer. The route is operated by the Great Western Railway and we have a beautifully crafted ACME Thunderer bearing the initials of this iconic line.

Coastal Culture Trail

Lovers of the sea and the arts will find that the Coastal Culture Trail will hit all the right notes. Operated by Southern Railway, this 18km route is a shorter one but it gives you the chance to experience three award winning art galleries and almost 20km of beautiful British coastline. Keep your tickets and order a Southern Railway ACME Thunderer as a reminder of your experience.

This route is child friendly and perfect for families, and there is something for everyone as you will get to enjoy a range of independent shops, hotels and eateries along the way. This route gives you access to the Towner Eastbourne gallery, the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, and Hastings Contemporary gallery along the East Sussex coastline.

The Caledonian Sleeper

Rather than being a single train, the Caledonian Sleeper is the name of a collection of routes that travel between London and Scotland, stopping at different locations north of Hadrian’s Wall. The train is divided into two, with one part, The Lowlander, delivering travellers directly to Edinburgh and Glasgow from London Euston. The Highlander section continues onward past these destinations, covering Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen.

There are other places you can board along the way, including Crewe, Preston and Carlisle, so this is a good route for people to start outside of London too. Commemorate your trip with one of our personalised locomotive whistles, beautifully finished and engraved.

All our locomotive whistles are lovingly made in our Birmingham factory, and make beautiful, lasting gifts that are perfect for any occasion. The Thunderer is a locomotive classic but it is also widely used in the sporting world, as well as in schools, the aviation industry, and as a general service or safety whistle.