Steam Dreams returns with a vengeance
UNDER new ownership, Steam Dreams ran its first tour on September 27 with the‘Lakes Express’from London Victoria behind West Country light Pacific
No. 34046 Braunton over the West Coast Main Line to Crewe.
Operated by Locomotive Services Limited, from Crewe, BR Standard 7P 4-6-2 No. 70000 Britannia took over for a run over the Settle and Carlisle line to Carlisle, and then headed down Shap to Oxenholme for a two-day leisure break in the lakes. The return was on September 30 from Carnforth, diesel-hauled to Chester and from there behind Braunton to Victoria.
For the Christmas period, Steam Dreams has compiled a programme worthy of its name. The tours are centred around London, operating over multiple days using a variety of locomotives, although trips advertised with B1 4-6-0 No. 61306 Mayflower are now expected to feature ‘Black Five’ No. 45231.
After last year’s success, the popular ‘Santa Steam Express ‘will run on December 14, 16, 19 and 21 with the B1. Three round trips take place each day from Victoria around South and West London. The times and route are yet to be finally confirmed but are likely to be around 9.30am for the morning run, returning at 11.30am; 11.45am for the early afternoon run, returning at 1.15pm; and late afternoon 2pm to 3.30pm. Modern stock will be used.
In the evenings of December 14,16, 19 and 21, Christmas dining trains will again be running, providing the perfect opportunity for festive season merriment with friends, family, and colleagues in beautifully decorated modern carriages. Passengers can enjoy a festive three-course meal or bring their own food and drink, depending on which class of travel is booked.
The dining trains depart from London Victoria at 6.15pm before making their way out across the
Surrey Hills and return at about 10pm.
Not just resting on their laurels, four tours are in the pipeline – with three to different destinations for Christmas markets and a fourth for carols.
The first on November 17 is with A4 No. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley in black departing King’s Cross at 7.25am to York, picking up at Potters Bar at 8am and Stevenage at 8.25am. Arrival in York is 1.10pm, allowing three-anda-half hours before the return at 4.40pm down the East Coast Main Line, arriving at 10pm.
As previously reported, Lincoln is the next Christmas destination on December 2, again behind No. 4498.
This time the tour starts on Great Western metals from Ealing Broadway at 9.30am and joins the East Coast Main Line at Finsbury Park to pick up at 10.15am, then Hertford North at 10.45am.
Arriving in Lincoln at about 1pm, it allows four-and-a-half hours to visit the city before departing at 5.35pm for a return to Ealing Broadway at 10pm.
The final Christmas market destination is Bath on December 5, using Braunton out of Victoria at 8.45am. It runs via Staines, picking up at 9.30am, and arrives in the Roman city at 1pm. Departing at 4.50pm, it allows nearly four hours there before heading back to Ealing Broadway at 9pm.
There will be special tour from the newly-appointed ‘city’ of Southend to Chichester for Christmas carols on December 9.
The journey starts at Shoeburyness, the end of the London, Tilbury & Southend Line, at 6.50am, picking up at Southend East at 7am and Barking at 8am before skirting around the North London line to arrive in Chichester at 1pm. There will be three-and-a-half hours there before departing at 4.30pm, returning to Shoeburyness at 10.30pm.
Timings are to be confirmed closer to the dates.