Steam train trip recommendations?

[Alex@POD]

I want to take my OH on a steam train journey, as this is something she has wanted to do for ages. This will be for her birthday, so I am looking for somewhere nice to go, probably just for 1 day. I would like to go first class too, might as well do it properly.

I have looked at several websites, in Wales, in Scotland, in the Lake District... All very nice an appealing (although getting to the Highlands is a trip in itself), but has anyone been on any such trip that they can recommend?

Budget would be up to £250 for two, ideally including some food along the way. This can either be at the train's destination before heading back, or even better, on the train itself.

I am in Harrogate, so unless the drive is going to be very nice, I would like to keep it within 2h-2h30 drive away.

Thanks!

[NailedOn]

The Severn Valley Railway is a gem, and a decent day out. Full size, decent carriages and a long track.
http://www.svr.co.uk/

[egor110]

Try the west somerset railway, catch train from bishops lydeard down to dunster stay overnight and back the next day.
http://www.wsra.org.uk/

[davepoth]

There's always the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is only an hour away. They do food on the train too.

http://www.nymr.co.uk/food-and-drink/pullman-diner...

[RichB]

If you want first class or indeed Pullman which ends in a city then you could look at mainline steam excursions. Something like The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express perhaps. Take a look at this web site, it has every steam excursion scheduled for the year. http://www.uksteam.info/tours/

Edited by RichB on Monday 23 January 23:29

[egor110]

The budgets £250 for 2 people , that won't get you the pullman on a rail tour.
What time of year did you want to do it? Feb-March the west somerset railway do a journey to a place called snowdrop valley , pretty sure this will earn you some brownie points.

http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/section.php...

Edited by egor110 on Monday 23 January 23:39

[Amateurish]

NailedOn said:

The Severn Valley Railway is a gem, and a decent day out. Full size, decent carriages and a long track.
http://www.svr.co.uk/

+1

And they do dining trains

[Alex@POD]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll have a good look through those later.

egor110 said:

The budgets £250 for 2 people , that won't get you the pullman on a rail tour.
What time of year did you want to do it? Feb-March the west somerset railway do a journey to a place called snowdrop valley , pretty sure this will earn you some brownie points.

Ideally end of March or April will be good, as her birthday is early in March but our calendar is quite busy! Although if it's on a weekday, anytime in March is good...

As for brownie points, that's easy, a bag of Haribo will do!

[egor110]

If you visit march 17-18 or 22-25 it's the spring gala:
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/section.php...

[a boardman]

have you had a look at
http://www.statesmanrail.com/

[Alex@POD]

Thanks again for all the advice guys, I have decided for this in the end, as it's quite close (Skipton is only 20 minutes away) and seems to fit the bill quite well! And as is usually the way with me (and probably why I'm always skint), to hell with the budget!

We will have around two hours in Carlisle, any personal recommendations? Google is a great help, but as I've never been to Carlisle I don't want to rely on it too much...

[miniman]

Alex@POD said:

Thanks again for all the advice guys, I have decided for this in the end, as it's quite close (Skipton is only 20 minutes away) and seems to fit the bill quite well! And as is usually the way with me (and probably why I'm always skint), to hell with the budget!

We will have around two hours in Carlisle, any personal recommendations? Google is a great help, but as I've never been to Carlisle I don't want to rely on it too much...

Perfect choice IMHO. Steam train over Ribblehead viaduct


Ribblehead Viaduct by Stuntman Mike, on Flickr