The Royal Duchy

Join us on this very special tour from London, Slough, Reading and Newbury to the Royal Duchy of Cornwall. We will be steam hauled from Westbury to Penzance by 6024 King Edward 1st and 5029 Nunney Castle. This superb combination should ensure an impressive pace over the South Devon and Cornish Banks.

Our train departs London Paddington at around 07:00 hauled by a modern diesel locomotive.
We will call to pick up further customers at Slough, Reading, Newbury and Westbury.
On leaving Reading you can sit back and enjoy the lovely scenery of the Berkshire and Hampshire route.
 

At Westbury we exchange our diesel locomotive for 6024 King Edward 1st and 5029 Nunney Castle which together will double head our train to Penzance. We steam westward out of Westbury and negotiate Brewham Bank through Somerset’s green and undulating countryside.
 

Soon we arrive at Taunton and following a short water stop, our two steam locomotives will be fully extended as they tackle the climb to Whiteball Summit on the border of Somerset and Devon. There is another short break for our locomotives to take water at Exeter St David’s station where you can disembark to take photographs should you wish to.
 

On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary with its picturesque fishing boat views, and run on to the sea wall near Dawlish, one of the most famous and superb stretches of railway in Britain. At times you almost feel like you are floating, as the train races through tunnels and rock cuttings right on the edge of the sea all the way to Newton Abbott. From here the King and Nunney Castle will be able to demonstrate their true power as they tackle some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First is the difficult climb of Dainton Bank up to Dainton Tunnel before dropping down to Totnes. Here starts the equally difficult climb of Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. After Plymouth we cross over the Tamar River on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge.
 

Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside, over high slender viaducts and through short tunnels flashing refreshing views through your carriage windows. Soon we arrive at Penzance where there are almost three hours to explore the town.
 

We will be leaving our two steam locomotives at Penzance and a diesel will take us back to London Paddington setting down customers at all the outward station stops.

• 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)