Corporate Hospitality

The Cathedrals Express can offer corporate hospitality on any of the trains in our current timetable. We can cater for parties, large or small, business meetings, team building away-days, etc. A complete carriage can be booked for 31 or 48 people in Premier Dining, First Class compartments take 6 people and luxury picnic hampers included if desired. As a general rule we offer a 10% discount for groups of over 20 persons and special prices are also offered for complete coaches for 31 or 48 in Premier Dining, 42 in First Class or 64 in Standard class.

As well as Premier Dining and Luxury Picnic Hampers, special menus can be organised on request ? canap?s, sandwiches, finger buffets or other can be considered ? prices negotiable.

Train Chartering

We can offer the opportunity of a corporate charter train at any time of year. Destinations, routes and timings can be tailored to suit. The more flexibility that can be allowed when planning the route and timings, the more easily a charter can be accommodated. A charter train needs to be planned at least six months ahead and a commitment has to be made to go ahead at least four months in advance.

Maximum numbers for a charter train are in the region of 250 in full dining or up to around 400 if mixed between some dining and some with picnic hampers. Alternatively everyone could be served cocktails and canap?s throughout the train.

The train could run under a special title nominated by the charter company and a unique and authentic headboard would be on the front of the train on the day - and can also be taken away for a gift or raffle prize.

Weddings

One of the more unusual decisions my wife and I made, a little over a year ago, was to hold our wedding reception on a Steam Dreams Cathedrals Express train.

Following the wedding service in Weybridge we had to make haste to Chertsey station, the water stop, for the run to Salisbury on Dec.11th 2001. From this moment everything seemed to be magical. Canadian Pacific announced its arrival at Chertsey full of puffing pride and energy. Our wedding party had to board the ?iron horse? three carriages in front of our dedicated ?reception lounge?. As we walked through the train everybody seemed to burst into spontaneous applause and extend their congratulations to us. Our carriage was beautifully appointed with Christmas decorations. The atmosphere was one of excitement and expectation. Within minutes our party was enjoying a glass of champagne and the luxurious breakfast. All too quickly we arrived in Salisbury and found ourselves in prime seats in the heart of the magnificent cathedral. We were entertained to a specially laid on carol service and then a blessing service dedicated to my wife and me in the Chapel dominated by the hugely impressive stained glass window.

Our return journey continued this wonderfully surreal experience and on its delightfully ?easy-paced? route to Waterloo we had more than enough time to appreciate a sumptuous five course dinner, elegantly served by the Cathedrals Express staff and accompanied by fine wines and champagne.This special day was also my wife's birthday and we felt it was a charming gesture when Steam Dreams brought in a fantastic birthday cake which was, of course, greeted with a rousing rendition of ?Happy Birthday?.

My wife and I will never forget our wedding day and, in particular, the way it was so relaxing, so different and so pleasant. Without hesitation we would both wholeheartedly commend to other couples spending a special occasion on the Cathedrals Express.

Duncan Baldwin