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PLAN YOUR JOURNEY

DEPARTS:

  • Colchester North /
  • Ipswich /
  • Bury St Edmunds /
  • Ely

This unique tour offers a fascinating cross country adventure as we traverse England, travelling past a rich tapestry of intertwined rivers, canals and fields to visit the historic city of Chester where modern life is inextricably linked with its past. The city’s handsome Tudor-and-Victorian heart is the perfect setting for its magical Christmas Market.

Our journey begins at Colchester railway station, as our liveried steward welcomes you aboard the sumptuous vintage carriages. Our train will stop at stations across East Anglia to pick up passengers before crossing the East Coast Main Line at Peterborough, where our steam locomotive joins us. We steam across the heart of the Midlands to Nuneaton where we join the West Coast Main Line and enjoy a fast run through Staffordshire. We pass beautiful countryside as the railway traverses more rural parts of Cheshire before arriving in the lovely city of Chester, where the Tudor streets come alive with festive splendour.  We meet back at the arrival station and will welcome you back on board for our homeward journey by vintage diesel.

Destinations

Chester Christmas Market

Chester’s handsome Tudor-and-Victorian heart is the perfect setting for its magical Christmas Market. 70 traders will surround an iconic 90ft sparkling tree in the square around the town hall offering unique, locally-made produce and handmade crafts and stocking fillers. More shopping opportunities are available at the unique 700 year old Rows, a series of two-level galleried arcades offering an array of independent shops and boutiques.

Once you’ve found the perfect gifts, don’t miss our on Chester’s other attractions including the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse, and a 1000 year old Cathedral with Europe’s finest example of medieval carvings. The original Roman Walls form a two mile walkway around the city interrupted by ancient towers and gates in the form of imposing stone arches.

SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE

Classes of travel

Pullman Dining

FROM £410
  

A sumptuous culinary experience amidst opulent surroundings, where guests can relax in plush, spacious armchair seating arranged around splendidly dressed tables of two and four. Attentive service adds an ambiance of old-world charm and sophistication, transporting you to a world of nostalgia and comfort.

On a full day journey, guests will be welcomed on board with our signature Champagne cocktail, followed by a multicourse breakfast. On the return journey, wine is served alongside a seasonal ‘carte de jour’, concluding with cheese board, coffee and petit fours.

First Class

FROM £205
 (non-dining) 

First Class offers guests an unparalleled journey into the past aboard elegantly restored carriages with comfortable and spacious seating around tables of two and four.

A sanctuary for those seeking a refined and leisurely journey without dining-on-board, First Class guests are welcomed on board with Bucks Fizz and freshly brewed coffee and tea. You can sink into your seat as scenic vistas unfold beyond the windows or toast your journey in our beautifully restored Buffet Car with its polished marquetry, large picture windows and convivial atmosphere.

Premium Standard

FROM £175
 (non-dining) 

Premium Standard offers a nostalgic and authentic journey onboard a beautifully restored carriage that embodies the charm of a bygone era, with its classic decor and comfortable seating around tables for four.

Passengers can enjoy the sights and sounds of steam travel and the camaraderie of fellow travellers, whilst enjoying complimentary tea and coffee. Passengers are invited to treat themselves at our Buffer Car where they will find a selection of hot and cold snacks and a selection of wine, beer, spirits, and cold drinks available for purchase.

CONFIRMED TRAVEL TIMINGS

Boarding Stations

The following pick-up and set-down stations are available on this journey

STATIONDEPARTSRETURNS
Colchester North 07.00 00.41
Ipswich 07.20 00.16
Bury St Edmunds 07.55 23.36
Ely 08.30 22.43
Destinations

The following destination stations are available on this journey

STATIONARRIVESDEPARTS
Chester 14.19 18.04

Scheduled locomotive


Sir Nigel Gresley

60007

Sir Nigel Gresley is an A4 class locomotive built by the London & North Eastern Railway in 1937.

The locomotive is named after the company’s then Chief Mechanical Engineer. In 1935 the LNER introduced the streamlined A4 Class locomotives to improve the speed of their trains and compete with the increased competition from road transport. Initially introduced to haul the new Silver Jubilee express between London and Newcastle, the class was an instant success, with 2509 Silver Link, setting a new British speed record of 112 mph on the first press run! In 1936 this was bettered by Silver Fox, another A4 Class Locomotive, before in 1938 a further member of the class, number 4468 Mallard, set an all-time world speed record for steam traction of 126 mph.

During its working life Sir Nigel Gresley was mainly allocated to King’s Cross depot, often known as ‘Top Shed’ and worked King’s Cross to York, Leeds, Newcastle & Edinburgh expresses. In the 1960s the locomotive moved to Scotland and hauled the Edinburgh to Aberdeen trains until withdrawal in 1966.

Thirteen years earlier, in 1959 the locomotive had set a post-war world speed record of 112 mph when working a special train from Doncaster to London, and as such was ear marked for preservation. The A4 Preservation Society, now a registered Charity, the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust, successfully purchased Sir Nigel Gresley and moved the locomotive to Crewe for overhaul.

Sir Nigel Gresley has enjoyed periods of mainline activity from the 1967 onwards and the locomotive hauled its first train for Steam Dreams in 2008.

 

Whilst this locomotive is rostered for the steam hauled sections of the trip listed, it cannot be guaranteed and may be substituted for a different engine.
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