Now in its third year The Coronation is the ultimate weekend of high speed steam as Sir Nigel Gresley's legendary A4 pacifics take us from London to Edinburgh.

The 2010 trip will feature A4 haulage throughout between London and Edinburgh, with, it is hoped, 60019 Bittern hauling the train in to Scotland. The locomotive has not been in Scotland since it finished its career there with British Railways in the late 1960s and it adds an additional sense of occasion to the already magnificent spectacle of crossing the Royal Border Bridge and the arrival in the heart of Scotland's capital city at Waverley station.

The train will depart from London as before around 0730hrs from Kings Cross and will head for York where there will be a break of around three hours. The train will depart from York around 1400hrs and will arrive into Edinburgh around 2000hrs. Additionally this year will be a pick up point at Stevenage which has been added by popular request.
 
On the middle day we will be planning another optional tour out from Edinburgh where we head for Ayr via the hilly Shotts route. For more information or to book click here.

Our return journey on Monday 17th May will depart Edinburgh around 0915hrs and after a two hour break in York should arrive back into London around 2100hrs.
 
The Coronation is the ultimate in long distance high speed steam and recreates the magic of days gone by when almost all travel between the two capitals was by train. Don't miss this opportunity to join in with one of the highlights of the year.

To book your place on this ultimate steam trip click here.

You also have the option to book the London to York or  York to Edinburgh leg of the trip on the 15th and returning on the 17th.

Below are hotel options should you wish to book a hotel through Steam Dreams.  We have booked all hotels on a Bed & Breakfast basis and coach transfer to/from Waverley Station is included on the day of arrival and departure.Please note that the prices for all hotels quoted are per person per stay and cover the two nights. For details of hotel accommodation available for booking through Steam Dreams in York please contact the booking office.

Heriot Watt - 2* Single Accommodation

The Heriot Watt is one of the halls of residence of the University and is situated in a very quiet and peaceful park-like setting approximately 25 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh. Buses run about every ten minutes right from the university into town. An evening meal each night can be included at the Heriot Watt for a supplement of £30.  Please tick the DB&B box if you require this option.

Prices £100 ppps B&B, £130 ppps DB&B.  All accommodation is ensuite. 

Carlton Hotel - 4*

Ideally located on the Royal Mile, minutes from Princes Street and the legendary Edinburgh castle, the Carlton is a centrally located luxury hotel with spacious rooms and excellent facilities.

Prices: Ensuite Double or Twin £180 ppps B&B.  Ensuite Single £244 ppps B&B.

Premier Travel Inn - 3*

Situated in Haymarket next to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

There are twin and double rooms available and ten single rooms.

Prices Ensuite Twin/Double £113 ppps B&B, Ensuite Singles £185 ppps B&B.

Apex Hotel - 3*

Situated in the heart of the capital, the Apex Waterloo Place hotel is located at the east end of Edinburgh's famous Princes Street, just one minute from Waverley station and close to Edinburgh's shopping and tourist attractions.

Prices: Double/Twin £175 ppps B&B. B&B. All rooms are ensuite. Please note that all single rooms are now sold out at this hotel.

Please call our booking office if you wish to make a reservation

Approximate timings:

London 0820,  Stevenage 0900,   York, 1230- 1530, Edinburgh 2100

Edinburgh 0900, York 1430-1700, Stevenage 2100, London 2130

 Please note that these are estimated timings and are subject to change. Detailed timings will be posted/emailed to you with your tickets approx one week before travel.

Fares London to Edinburgh 

Standard    £249

First Class  £349

Premier Dining £449

Pullman    £575

Fares York to Edinburgh

Standard    £135

First Class  £189.50

Premier Dining £249.50

Pullman   £299

2010 marks the 175th anniversary of the creation of the Great Western Railway, possibly the most famous rail route in Great Britain, and known all over the world. To celebrate this anniversary Steam Dreams will be operating a fabulous tour to Cornwall along the entire length of the Great Western Railway from London Paddington. We will pass such major landmarks as Brunel’s Maidenhead Bridge and the Sea Wall near Dawlish as well as departing from the magnificent terminus that is Brunel’s Paddington.

Our tour will leave from London behind the pride of the Great Western, King Class loco 6024 King Edward 1st, and will head via Reading and Castle Cary to Exeter. At Exeter there will be a break of two to three hours to visit the city before rejoining the train.

Nunney Castle heading a Bristolian railtour
the loco will feature on the Cornish Riviera Express in 2010 © Geoff Plumb

From Exeter two locomotives will be heading our train due to the severe gradients encountered over the South Devon section of route, originally part of Brunel’s experimental atmospheric railway. King Edward 1st will be joined by 5029 Nunney Castle for the journey through Devon and on into Cornwall.

Once across the Tamar via Brunel’s unique bridge we enter Cornwall with its fabulous countryside viewed from the many viaducts marking this route. We pass through Truro with its Cathedral dominating the City before arriving at our destination of Penzance.

a) Day Trip to the Isles of Scilly

Price £79 (children £59) to include coach and ferry to the Isles of Scilly.

b) Bodmin and Wenford Railway

Price £29.50 including coach.

c) Eden Project

Price £35 Adults, £31.50 for over 60s and Children £27. The price includes coach.

*These excursions should be booked through the office.

You may also wish to organise your own itinerary for the 27th before rejoining us for the return journey on Monday 28th June.

Our return journey is planned to feature both of our locomotives throughout the journey from Penzance to London Paddington. This time the journey will be via Bristol and will include the original section of the Great Western Main Line via Brunel’s famous Box Tunnel. To enable our locomotives to be serviced mid journey there will be a break of around two to three hours in Bristol on our return journey.

© Ben Jervis

Hotels

We have organised a number of options for hotels, should you wish to book your accommodation through Steam Dreams. We have booked all hotels on a Bed & Breakfast basis and coach transfer to/from Penzance Station is included.

Tregenna Castle, St Ives 3*
A castellated hotel set in 72 acres of ground with stunning views over St Ives which is a 10 minute walk downhill. All rooms are en suite and there is also a choice of restaurants, bar and an indoor swimming pool.

Twin rooms only (all double and single rooms have now sold out). Prices £130 ppps B&B, £160 ppps DB&B. www.tregenna-castle.co.uk

Treloyan Manor, St Ives
Situated almost opposite the Tregenna Castle, the Treloyan Manor is a large 19th Century Manor House set in beautiful grounds. We have taken over the whole hotel and there is a bar and comfortable sitting room. Please note there is no lift.

Please note all ensuite rooms are now sold out at this hotel. Singles with shared bathroom are available at the prices below.

Prices: Shared Facilities £124 ppps B&B, £138 ppps DB&B.

Premier Inn, Helston & Hayle
These comfortable and good quality Premier Inns are both well furnished and with restaurants and bars. All rooms are en suite.

There are twin and double rooms available and 4 single rooms in each hotel. Prices Twin/Double £126 ppps B&B, Singles £190 ppps B&B

Queens Hotel, Penzance 3*
ALL ROOMS HAVE NOW BEEN SOLD AT THE QUEENS HOTEL.

Pedn-Olva Hotel, St Ives 4*
This stunning, luxurious hotel sits on the sea front in St Ives and has unrivalled views. The hotel has a restaurant and bar. Please note there are no lifts.

ALL ROOMS HAVE NOW BEEN SOLD AT PEDN-OLVA HOTEL.

If you have any questions regarding the hotels, please call the reservations office on 01483 209 888 during office hours Monday to Friday 9 am - 5.30 pm.