Steam Dreams Rail. Co Announces Christmas Market Journeys

Steam Dreams Rail Co. is delighted to announce its festive programme of day trips by steam train to some of the UK’s most beloved Christmas Markets. The majority of these magical trips will depart from London, with an opportunity to join the train at various pick-up stations en route.

The merry season begins on Thursday, 18 November with a joyful trip from London Kings Cross to the award-winning York St Nicholas Fair, York’s most popular Christmas market. Passengers will have over three hours to soak up the atmosphere set amongst charming alpine chalets, get ahead with their Christmas shopping, and discover the fine Yorkshire produce from crafters and makers showcased at the Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village.

On Tuesday, 30 November, passengers can join a special service from London Victoria to Bath for its famed Christmas Market. Cancelled in 2020, the market returns for its 20th anniversary with over 150 twinkling chalets lining the streets in the city centre.

Heading into December, Steam Dreams Rail Co. will be offering tours to Lincoln’s Christmas Market from London on Sunday, 5 December, as well as a tour from Southend and Essex to Oxford on Thursday, 9 December. Passengers will have the chance to visit either of the popular markets laden with Christmas goodies and those travelling to Oxford can join a carol service at one of the oldest surviving churches in Oxford.

On all of these tours, passengers can travel in one of three classes. Starting from £109 per person in Premium Standard where passengers are seated at tables of four, with crisp white tablecloths and complimentary tea and coffee at their seats, right up to Pullman Style Dining at £279 per person where they will enjoy a champagne breakfast or brunch on the outward journey and four course dinner on the return. All passengers travelling in Pullman Dining will be served complimentary mulled wine and mince pies.

David Buck, Chairman of Steam Dreams commented: ‘Our Christmas trips are always extremely popular and guaranteed to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. From the moment passengers step on board our festively decorated carriages, to the smell of mulled wine wafting through the air and the delicious Christmas evening meal, it is hard not to get wrapped up in the magical Steam Dreams experience of Christmas. With last year’s Christmas ‘cancelled’, there is a huge appetite for our trips this year and we have selected the best and most popular markets to give everyone the opportunity of a great day out.’

All the day trips are planned to be steam hauled by 60163 Tornado, the newest steam engine on the national network. First steamed in 2008, Tornado has since twice hauled the Royal Train, taken part in a BBC Top Gear Race with Jeremy Clarkson and had its very own documentary made for the BBC, called ‘Absolutely Chuffed’.

The season will finish with a programme of Santa Steam Express and Christmas Steam Express trips, new for 2021. The magical Santa Steam Express trips offer families a chance to meet Santa and his helpers on a vintage steam service, and the Christmas Steam Express trips will offer passengers an evening festive dining experience. The trips will depart from and return to London Victoria, hauled by B1 Mayflower, one of only two surviving B1 locomotives. More information about these tours is expected to be announced later this month.