All aboard the Gashead express for Bristol Rovers trip to Norwich City

Bristol Rovers fans will enjoy a direct train to Norwich for the club's League One clash next month, in what could be a return of the "football special".

The supporters' club has chartered a train exclusively for Pirates fans for the long away trip to Carrow Road on October 3.

For less than £50, they will be able to travel in first-class style on the nine-carriage train run by DB Schenker, previously known as English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS).

Up to 370 Gasheads will be able to get on board and enjoy the buffet service, although no alcohol will be allowed.

Specially chartered trains were a fixture of English football in the 1970s and 1980s, although they often had a bad name due to violence.

But, as scheduling is now decided by privately-owned operators who will not run unprofitable services or do not have spare carriages, "football specials" have become rare in the lower leagues.

The Supporters' club commercial chairman Clive Farquhar said: "It's the first time we've run a train since the early Nineties, apart from when we went to Wembley a few seasons ago for the play-off final.

"If we do find the take up is sufficient, we will look at whether we can run trains to other league games. We've run trains successfully for the big games, but for the run-of-the-mill matches it can be difficult."

The supporters' club is hoping to have one steward per carriage, all of which are of first-class standard.

Pick-up points will be at Weston-super-Mare, Bristol Temple Meads, Stapleton Road and Parkway.

Departure times are to be confirmed, but it is hoped the train will arrive at Norwich's main station – only half a mile from the ground – by 1.30pm at the latest.

The exact route is still to be finalised, but it will bypass London and go direct to Norwich. Tickets are £45 for supporters' club members and £48 for non members. With high petrol prices, it is likely to cost less than a tank of fuel.

"The supporters' club is a non-profit organisation and we've worked hard to find an operator and pitch the price at a level the fans should be able to afford," added Mr Farquhar, 45, who has been a Rovers fan since he was a boy. "It should be a very pleasurable way to get to the game."

British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Inspector Kevin Marshall said: "We support such chartered trains, which are a key tactic in assisting large numbers of fans to travel from A to B.

"BTP works closely with train operating companies, and football clubs that organise chartered trains, to manage fans as they travel on the rail system and we welcome any means of transport that ensures fans both arrive at, and leave the match, safely."

Tickets are available at the Memorial Stadium on match days or from Pirate Leisure (0117 909 6648) or the Kingswood club shop (0117 961 1772).