War by Timetable


About the tour: War by Timetable


Tour Introduction

The opening moves of the First World War saw trains taking thousands of men to the front. When the war became static along the Western Front, trains became the lifeline to the trenches, whether for men, food, supplies or ammunition. Join us on this fascinating tour as we look at the role of trains in WW1, and travel on three different steam railways connected to the war.

Tour Includes


  • 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • Specialist Battlefield Guide
  • Local joining points
  • Travel on three different steam railways
  • Entry and rides at all train museums
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Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -

  1. Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
  2. Send payments via online banking.
  3. Send payments via cheque.
  4. Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.

Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Local departure by coach, then to our hotel in northern France for a four-night stay.

Day 2 - Stream Train Museum & Old Contemptibles

We begin with a visit to the Steam Railway of the Three Valleys at Treignes in Belgium. Here we have a specially arranged journey, where a WW1 period steam train will pull the wagons we travel in. There will be time to take photos of the train as well as ride in its carriages, and we will also visit the train museum here.

In the afternoon, we travel to La Capelle to visit the memorial marking the spot where German parliamentarians crossed the French lines seeking an Armistice in November 1918. We then examine the Retreat From Mons in this area of northern France, visiting the British battlefield at Etreux, including the cemetery, and seeing where the French fought at Guise.

Included meals: Breakfast

Steam Train Museum, Tregnies

Steam Train Museum, Treignes (5)

Key Visits

  • Steam Train Museum, Treignes
  • Steam Trains, Treignes
  • Etreux British Cemetery
  • La Capelle Armistice Memorial

Day 3 - Somme Steam Train & Somme Battlefields

Today we examine the role of trains in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and we visit Heilly Station Cemetery to look at the use of trains in the treatment and evacuation of wounded during the Great War. We then visit the site of Somme railheads near Dernancourt, and look at a typical route to the front line for the men who came here in 1916.

After lunch, we visit the ‘Petit Train of the Haut Somme’. This museum, and working railway, runs on ground used in WW1 and we travel in a period steam train across the battlefield area. We also have time to see the museum which includes much WW1 material.

Included meals: Breakfast

Petit Train of the Somme

Petit Train of the Somme (3)

Key Visits

  • Heilly Station Cemetery
  • Petit Train of the Somme

Day 4 - Bay of the Somme Steam Railway - Behind The Lines

We continue to look at the Somme railways today, and travel to Pont-Remy Station, which was the main entry point to the Somme battlefields for the majority of soldiers who served there in 1916. This iconic station once echoed to the sound of thousands of men beginning their march to the front.

From here, we look at trains behind the lines with a visit to the Steam Railway at the Bay of the Somme, and ride on a WW1 period train across the Somme estuary.

After lunch, we visit Le Crotoy Cemetery to examine the story of men ‘Shot at Dawn’, before looking at the role of the Chinese Labour Corps, seeing the Chinese Cemetery at Noyelles.

Included meals: Breakfast

Bay of the Somme Railway

Bay of the Somme Railway (4)

Key Visits

  • Chinese Cemetery, Noyelles
  • Bay of the Somme Railway
  • Le Crotoy Military Cemetery

Day 5

Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Specialist Battlefield Guides

All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.

Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.

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Hotel

You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Hotel Ibis St. Quentin Basilique.

Travel Options

All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.
In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.
alcohol can only be taken on board our vehicles at the discretion of your driver.

When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.

Travel Extras

With an overnight stay or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...

Join coach at Interchange

Join your tour coach at the interchange.

On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.

Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.

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