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DEPARTS:

  • Southend Central /
  • Leigh-on-Sea /
  • Barking /
  • Milton Keynes Central

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

Our journey begins at Southend Central railway station, where our liveried steward welcomes you aboard the sumptuous vintage carriages. The train will stop at stations across Essex to pick up passengers before skirting London, where our steam locomotive joins us. From here, it takes us on an express run along the West Coast Main Line, through the suburbs and out into Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

We pass beautiful countryside as the railway traverses the more rural parts of Cheshire, before arriving in the lovely city of Chester, where the Tudor streets come alive with festive splendour.

This journey is steam hauled from West London to Chester on the outward journey.

Destinations

Chester Christmas Market

Chester’s handsome Tudor‑and‑Victorian heart is the perfect setting for its magical Christmas Market. Around 80 traders surround an iconic 90‑ft sparkling tree in the square by the town hall, offering unique locally made produce, handmade crafts and festive stocking fillers. More shopping opportunities await in the city’s unique 700‑year‑old Rows – a series of two‑level galleried arcades home to an array of independent shops and boutiques.

Once you’ve found the perfect gifts, don’t miss Chester’s other attractions, including the most complete city walls in Britain and a 1,000‑year‑old cathedral featuring some of Europe’s finest medieval carvings.

SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE

Classes of travel

Pullman Dining

FROM £465
  

Indulge in an exquisite on-board culinary journey, where impeccable service, attention to detail, and ever-changing views combine to create an experience unlike any other.

Inspired by the regions we steam through, our menus are crafted using the finest locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Guests are seated in plush armchair-style seats at elegantly dressed tables for two or four, adorned with crisp white linens, fine china, sparkling glassware, fresh flowers, and plump cushions – evoking the grandeur of a more refined era.

On a full-day journey, guests will be welcomed on board with a chilled Champagne Bellini, followed by a multi-course breakfast. On the return journey, they are greeted with a glass of Champagne and canapés followed by a four-course evening meal, complemented by half a bottle of wine per person.

First Class

FROM £245
 (non-dining) 

A sanctuary for those seeking a refined, leisurely experience without formal on-board dining. First Class offers an unparalleled journey into the past aboard elegantly restored carriages, with spacious, cushioned seating arranged around tables for two or four.

Experience classic travel in our First Class carriages, where vintage charm meets modern comfort. Elegant interiors, attentive service and picture windows framing picturesque landscapes make every moment a memory to treasure.

First Class allows guests to bring their own picnic while enjoying complimentary tea and coffee, and a welcome celebratory drink served by our stewards.

Additional drinks and snacks may be purchased to enjoy at your seat, or you can add a traditional Afternoon Tea to your booking (supplement applies) for a touch of indulgence.

TRAVEL TIMINGS*

Boarding Stations

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

STATIONDEPARTSRETURNS
Southend Central 06.35 22.50
Leigh-on-Sea 06.40 22.40
Barking 07.20 21.50
Milton Keynes Central 09.15 20.30
Destinations

The following destination stations are available on this journey

STATIONARRIVESDEPARTS
Chester 14.00 17.20

PLEASE NOTE *

All Timings shown above are approximate and may be subject to change.

Scheduled locomotive

Duke of Gloucester

71000

71000, Duke of Gloucester is a British Railways Standard Class 8P built at Crewe works in 1954.

Designed by Robert Riddles to work the heavy express trains between Euston and Scotland, Duke of Gloucester was a prototype for the BR Standard Class 8 express passenger locomotives but was the only one of the class ever to be built.

Previously, Riddle’s Britannia class 7 had been highly successful and the Standard Class 8 was intended to be an enlarged version of the Britannia class, with a three-cylinder layout instead of two worked by the more steam efficient Caprotti valve gear. However, certain design and construction errors meant the locomotive failed to achieve its expected performance in service and in 1962, after only 8 years of operation, Duke of Gloucester was withdrawn for scrap.

Sent to Barry scrapyard it languished until rescued by the Duke of Gloucester Steam Locomotive Trust in 1974. A thirteen year restoration project began, during which time the initial faults were corrected to transform the locomotive into the free steaming, powerful engine it was designed to be.

After being withdrawn from service 2012 the Duke has been through a long extensive overhaul before its return to hauling trips on the mainline in 2024.

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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