|
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.
On 27 June there will be three optional excursions
a) Day Trip to the Isles of Scilly
Steam Dreams have hired the The Scillonian III ferry for the day. The Scillonian III will depart from Penzance Quay between 09.15 - 09.30. If you are staying in a hotel booked through Steam Dreams, a coach will pick you up and return you to your hotel at the end of the day. If you have made your own accommodation arrangements you will need to make your own way to the ferry departure point or to one of the Steam Dreams hotels. The Scillonian III will arrive at St Mary's between 12.15 and 12.30. Passengers can then spend the day as they wish either on St Mary’s or travelling to other islands. Most of the shops on St Mary’s will be open and there will be boat trips available as well. The ferry will depart from St Mary's at 16.30 to return to the mainland. Price £79 (children £59) to include coach and ferry to the Isles of Scilly. b) Bodmin and Wenford RailwayA 13 mile steam hauled trip round the whole of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway starting from and returning to Bodmin General. The Bodmin & Wenford are also offering us tours of the engine shed and workshops which are not normally open to the public. Price £29.50 including coach. c) Eden ProjectA visit to the world famous Eden Project with 4 hours to explore the gardens and Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes. Price £35 Adults, £31.50 for over 60s and Children £27. The price includes coach
Please telephone the bookings office to book any of these excurison.
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
From Bristol we will take a run from London via Bath to Swindon, where the Great Western Railway’s locomotive works built our two locomotives and many others before heading into the Thames Valley passing through Reading, the famous Sonning Cutting, once again across Brunel’s Maidenhead Bridge and into London Paddington station.
Prices per person for this trip are; Standard Class; £249.00, First Class; £349.00, Premier Dining; £449.00, Pullman Style; £575.00
To book your place on this ultimate steam trip click here .
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 THIS 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 THIS 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.
|
Steam Dreams 01483 209888
