Tickets selling fast as unique steam train day-trip sets off from Southend this year
TICKETS are selling fast ahead of a unique steam train day-trip setting off from Southend to Wales this year.
Steam Dreams Rail Co are set to take passengers from Shoebury, Southend Central and Leigh all the way to the Welsh capital - Cardiff.
A vintage diesel will stop at the stations across the c2c line in Essex to pick up passengers before skirting London, where the steam locomotive joins for the rest of the journey.
The train will steam out through the suburbs along the Thames Valley, following the Great Western Main Line, pass through pretty Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath on its way to the Severn Tunnel. From there, it will emerge to its final destination in Cardiff.
It will depart from the first stop in Shoebury at 6.45am, finally arriving at Cardiff at 1.45pm before leaving the Welsh capital at 5pm and arriving back at 11pm.
A Steam Dreams spokesman says: "This unique tour offers a fascinating adventure across country through time as we traverse England by steam, travelling past the country's rich tapestry of rolling scenery and feats of railway engineering, to visit the Welsh capital.
"Spread between an ancient fort and an ultramodern waterfront, compact Cardiff provides an vibrant mix of old and new."
Steam Dreams' website shows there is "limited availability" for the trip on Wednesday, April 16, as tickets are selling fast.
Passengers will travel in vintage train carriages such as Pullman coaches, and can choose between two classes with packages which include the Steam Dreams signature Champagne cocktail and a multi-course breakfast.
With prices ranging from £220 to £425 depending on the class, customers can book their tickets at steamdreams.co.uk/book.
The scheduled locomotive is the 70000 Britannia, however, it cannot be guaranteed and may be substituted for a different engine.
In one of her most important roles, Britannia hauled The Royal Train from Preston to Wakefield in January 2012.
For many years Britannia's cab roof was painted white to commemorate her pulling the funeral train of King George VI from Sandringham to London in 1952.
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