The Spirit of Summer Lunch

DEPARTS:

London Paddington

Experience the heyday of rail travel as you settle in for an enchanting journey on board our vintage steam train with its exquisite marquetery, sumptuous interiors and impeccable service. This captivating lunchtime adventure showcases the charm of the Chiltern Hills as they burst into life for the season, featuring picturesque landscapes teeming with vibrant flora and fauna, and the dynamic beauty of distant dreaming spires.

Our journey begins under the overall roof of Brunel’s London Paddington station, where our liveried stewards warmly welcome you aboard the opulent vintage carriages. As you sink into your cushioned seat and the train glides along the Thames Valley and towards the Dreaming Spires of Oxford, let the rhythmic chug of the engine and the scenic vistas beyond the windows transport you to a world of nostalgia and comfort, creating cherished memories with every moment onboard. We’ll return to London Paddington via the rolling countryside and ancient woodland of the scenic Chiltern Hills.

SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE

Classes of travel

Pullman Dining

FROM £265

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.

Guests will be welcomed on board with a glass of Champagne and canapés, followed by a three course lunch, accompanied by a half bottle of wine per person and concluding with coffee and petit fours.

First Class

FROM £145

(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.

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

STATION	DEPARTS	RETURNS
London Paddington	10.15	14.30

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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