Our team has been working hard to replace the engine and, thanks to other loco owners, the Christmas roster looks very different but just as exciting!

Thursday 1 December – London Kings Cross to Lincoln Christmas Market will now be hauled by Duchess of Sutherland

Saturday 3 December – Southend to Salisbury & Winchester – double-headed Black 5s will head the trip from West London to Salisbury and back to West London. A vintage diesel locomotive will head the train between Southend and West London in both directions.

Tuesday 6 December – Horsham to Cambridge & Ely – Duchess of Sutherland will head the train from West London to Ely on the outward journey

Saturday 10 December – London to Bath and Bristol – now to be hauled by 34046 Braunton (operating as Lord Dowding)

Wednesday 14 December – Ashford to Winchester – double-headed Black 5s Ashford to Winchester and back to West London

Saturday 17 December – London to West Somerset for Carols at Dunster and Christmas Market at Minehead station – Braunton with Raveningham Hall on West Somerset Railway

Thursday 22 December – White Cliffs Luncheon – Braunton as rostered

We thank all these locomotive owners for stepping into the breach and also wish Princess Elizabeth Support Crew well as they aim for a midsummer return.

After more than a decade away from the mainline, the world’s most famous steam locomotive, A3 Class 60103 Flying Scotsman, is returning in the spring of 2016. The Cathedrals Express was lucky enough to agree an impressive programme of luncheon, dinner and cream tea specials along with several day trips during May and June. Find out more about the programme here.

In the year that marks the 50th anniversary since the last steam-hauled Cambrian Coast Express left London for Aberystwyth and Phlhelli, Steam Dreams is giving passengers the opportunity to remember one of Britain’s most loved holiday trains. On Sunday 5 June, The Cathedrals Express will pull out of London Paddington behind B1 Class Mayflower, which will haul the first leg of a four day trip to Snowdonia and the Cambrian Coast. Passengers will stay on this stunning stretch of coastline for three nights in a choice of fabulous hotels, before returning to Paddington behind Flying Scotsman.

On Wednesday 15 June, Flying Scotsman will haul the Emerald Isle Explorer on its first leg from London to North Wales. The train will leave London Euston mid-morning and head up towards Chester and onwards for the beautiful run along the North Wales coast, where passengers will spend the night. On Day 2, passengers will bid farewell to the famous locomotive and board a ferry from Holyhead to begin a week-long steam tour of Ireland. Highlights of the trip include a visit to the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory and a visit to Belfast, taking in the impressive Giants Causeway.

Marcus Robertson, Chairman of Steam Dreams commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be running so many day trips and holidays with Flying Scotsman and it came as no surprise that a majority of tickets were snapped up within hours of going on sale. With just a handful of seats left for our steam holidays with Flying Scotsman, there’s still an opportunity to experience the excitement of travelling behind steam’s greatest celebrity.”

The Cathedrals Express offers four classes of travel from Premium Standard, where passengers are seated at tables for 4 with linen tablecloths and at seat service of complimentary tea and coffee, up to Pullman Style and Premier Dining. Passengers who opt to dine will enjoy a two or four course champagne breakfast on the outward journey and a four or five course dinner on the return – all prepared by Steam Dreams on-board Head Chef Tony Keene. The style of catering on the Cathedrals Express is to provide contemporary cuisine beautifully plated but of course served to a backdrop of lovely 1950s and 60s vintage carriages.

For further information about steam holidays with Flying Scotsman, contact the Steam Dreams Booking Office on 01483 209888 or visit www.SteamDreams.co.uk.