2 minute read
The Worcester Christmas Express
Wednesday 14th December 2022
Why not join us for a classic day out by steam train that combines exciting main line running, varied landscapes, and the special atmosphere of Worcester at Christmas time? The Worcester Christmas Express will be steam hauled from Cambridge to Worcester and from Worcester as far as Leicester on the return by Princess Coronation Class locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland.
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Our day out begins in the morning when we leave Cambridge Station, steam hauled. We stop to pick up more passengers at Ely and March, before continuing to Peterborough, our final pick up point. We now follow the scenic cross country line through Stamford, a town of outstanding architectural and historic interest that is of national importance. The town has over 600 listed buildings, more than half of the total for the County of Lincolnshire. We continue westwards and pass Rutland Water towards Oakham, the small county town of Rutland. Entering Leicestershire, we run through Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies, and head for Leicester. We follow the main line to London St Pancras for a while as far as Wigston Junction, where we branch off on the Nuneaton and Birmingham line. Crossing the West Coast main line, we now head towards Birmingham, although we will bypass the city by means of the Grand Junction line from Stetchford Junction to Perry Barr. We will follow the Handsworth Loop line through to Soho East Junction, where we will join the Stour Valley line briefly to Galton Junction. Here we join the ‘Jewellery Line’ and head through the heart of the Black Country for Stourbridge Junction and Kidderminster, where there are glimpses of the Severn Valley Railway. We soon pass through the spa town of Droitwich as we approach Worcester, where there will be time to visit the attractions in the city centre. After servicing and turning our steam locomotive, we will make our way back to our earlier calling points to set down passengers. We will be diesel hauled from Leicester on the return leg back to Cambridge. Approximate Timings Outward Return Cambridge 08:00 22:00 Ely 08:30 21:35 March 09:00 21:10 Peterborough 09:25 20:45 Worcester 13:15 16:30
There are three classes available:
Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
