Tommy Robinson and Holly Valance were recently photographed travelling together on a private rail journey aboard the train commonly referred to as the Chairman’s Set. Their appearance on the train drew attention not because the journey itself was unusual, but because such a high-profile pair were seen relaxing together on a charter that rarely appears in the public eye. Laurence Fox was also reported to have joined the trip, with the images showing the group in a lounge-style carriage rather than a standard passenger environment.

The Chairman’s Set is the personal train of businessman Jeremy Hosking, who is both a committed rail enthusiast and a major figure in Britain’s heritage-rail scene. The train is formed from refurbished former sleeper coaches and carries a classic mid-20th-century British Rail colour scheme, giving it a distinctive heritage appearance. Its interiors feature sofas, wide seating areas and a more relaxed layout than modern rolling stock, making it suited to private social journeys such as the one shown in the photographs.

Hosking is also well known for his political involvement, particularly his financial support for Reform UK. Over recent years he has been among the party’s most prominent donors, contributing substantial funding to its campaigns and helping to support its organisational growth. His backing has given him a visible role in Reform’s wider network, which in turn brings added attention whenever public figures linked to political or cultural debate appear on his private train.

Because of this connection, Robinson and Valance’s presence onboard has raised eyebrows among some rail observers. While the trip appears to have been a personal social outing, the association between the train’s owner and Reform — combined with the public profiles of some of the guests — has led to questions about how the train is being used and the kind of company it attracts. For some, the heritage-rail setting feels at odds with the headlines that have followed.

This has prompted quiet discussion within parts of the railway-enthusiast community, where there is traditionally a strong emphasis on shared interest rather than political alignment. For those who view heritage rail as something apolitical and community-minded, seeing divisive public figures travelling aboard a well-known private train can sit uneasily, with some feeling it risks drawing unnecessary attention into a space usually defined by preservation and history.

Locomotive Services Limited (LSL), the charter-train business with which Hosking is closely associated, adds another layer of context. While the Chairman’s Set is a private train and not a standard LSL passenger offering, some enthusiasts worry that the reputational overlap may grow if high-profile, politically charged passengers continue to appear in connection with Hosking’s rail interests. For now, though, the episode primarily highlights how a single private railway journey can spill into wider public debate simply because of who steps on board.

Image: Laurence Fox