The Chester Yuletide Express

With Christmas in the air, why not travel on the ‘Chester Yuletide Express’ and join in the festivities as we make a nostalgic steam hauled journey to the historic and popular City of Chester. Our train will be steam hauled by LMS Black ‘5’ 45407 from Mill Hill to Chester.

Leaving Mill Hill early in the morning, the ‘Chester Yuletide Express’ will make its way northwards and pick up at St Albans, the Roman city of Verulamium. We follow the former Midland Railway’s main line through to Luton, where we shall make a further stop. The gradient falls away now through Ampthill Tunnel all the way to our next stop at Bedford. A few miles away from Bedford, the line encounters a sharp incline to Sharnbrook Summit and this will test our locomotive fully with its heavy load. We speed through Wellingborough and approach Kettering, where we leave the main line to Leicester and head through Corby to Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies.
 

Our final pick up point is Leicester, where we head for the West Coast Main Line at Nuneaton where, on this occasion, we shall use the new flyover here. A steep climb takes the ‘Chester Yuletide Express’ over Stockingford Summit and onwards to Water Orton, where we shall leave the direct line to Birmingham and take to Sutton Park line to Walsall. We thread our way through the West Midlands to join the Stafford line at Bushbury Junction. The straight alignment northwards will allow our locomotive a chance to stretch its legs as we head for Stafford.
The WCML is joined for the run over Whitmore Summit to the railway town of Crewe, where a pause will be made to take on water supplies.

It is now only a short distance to our destination of the City of Chester.
 

The town supports all the major shops of a large city and will be in full festive mood on the run up to Christmas. This Roman town retains many of its antiquities, including an amplitheatre and the most complete city walls in Britain. There is a castle and pleasant walks along the River Dee.
In the city centre are the historic timber Rows, with covered shops of black and white timber, unique in this country. The centre of the city is dominated by the sandstone Cathedral and the famous Eastgate Clock on the wall’s arch.
 

Back at the station, we have to say goodbye to our steam locomotive as you rejoin your comfortable train and return to Mill Hill, diesel hauled, hopefully pleased with your shopping or sightseeing day with a festive seasonal flavour. To finish off your day in true Christmas style, look out for a visit from Santa and his Elves who will be making a festive appearance during the course of the journey!

• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)