The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has organised a day out at the beach especially for dogs, to encourage more pet owners to try the train for their next day out. 

The ‘Beach Bark’ special train ran from Ipswich to Felixstowe, with tickets priced at just £5, offering dogs and their owners a fun walk on the beach.

There were 13 dogs on board, four of which had never been on a train before. All were very well behaved, enjoying a walk on the beach and a swim in the sea – and even receiving a goodie bag full of toys and treats provided by Spectrum Brands.

Thalia Woodgate, East Suffolk Lines CRP officer, said: “Most people don’t realise that dogs travel for free on trains, so we organised the ‘Beach Bark’ to highlight the opportunities for getting out and exploring with your four-legged friends.

“There are so many wonderful walks that start and end at rail stations on the East Suffolk Lines between Ipswich and Lowestoft and Felixstowe that are perfect for discovering somewhere new.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s customer and community engagement manager, said: “We welcome well behaved dogs on our trains and with an East Suffolk Lines ranger ticket, exploring the area is great value, allowing you to hop on and off all day and enjoy the wonderful station to station walks created by the East Suffolk Lines CRP.”

Details of walks along the East Suffolk Lines can be found at www.eastsuffolklines.co.uk/walks.

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the East Suffolk Lines CRP via their website.