Flying Scotsman southern tours are fully booked up
NO sooner did last month’s issue of Heritage Railway go to press, Steam Dreams was able to announce that all three trips hauled by No. 60103 Flying Scotsman had been fully booked.
The trains – Paddington to Oxford on March 13, London Victoria to Canterbury on March 17 and London Victoria to Salisbury on March 24
– will also see the 4-6-2 heading local circular tours after reaching each destination.
The trip to Canterbury was believed to be the first time that the A3 Pacific will have visited the historic cathedral city.
As previously reported, the three trains will be the last duties that the A3 will work before being withdrawn in April for its heavy overhaul. How heavy remains to be seen, for if a boiler lift is required, the engine could be out of traffic until autumn at least, before it stages a comeback in time for major centenary celebrations planned by its owner, the National Railway Museum, for 2023.
January’s withdrawal of Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 Tornado for a new boiler fitting (see pages 44-49) will see the main line bereft of two popular 4-6-2s, although the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is forecasting a midsummer return to steam.
Steam Dreams owner and chairman David Buck said he was happy with the manner in which 2021 had turned out, especially with the public’s response to the tour promoter’s latest venture, Tuesday Santa specials, and evening diners that made their debuts in December.
More 2022 plans
“We will expand the programme for these trains at the end of this year,”David said.
All of those tours were worked by his B1 4-6-0 No.63106 Mayflower, which will undoubtedly figure again this December. The B1 is booked to head a trip from London Victoria to Bath on April 5, calling at Staines and Ascot.
On April 9, Steam Dreams will run its own version of a ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’. The trip begins at Euston, calling at Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe. Steam comes on at Carnforth, with motive power from West Coast Railways to head for Carlisle via Shap, and returning via the Settle and Carlisle line.
The fully-booked Southend-Oxford trip takes place on May 19, the train stopping at Shoeburyness and Barking.
June 16 will see the ‘Capital Express’ head to Edinburgh from London.
David said that several exciting trips are being arranged for the coming months, and they are based on new destinations. Keep checking Heritage Railway for updates.
Meanwhile, the Steam Dreams new online gift shop at https:// steamdreamsshop.co.uk is now open, selling a mix of merchandise including mugs, Steam Dreams badges, cut-out versions of Mayflower, fridge magnets and a Windsor bear.