Days out by train…just the best!
This is how train trips should be. Relaxing, a reserved seat for everyone, table service and lots of legroom. If you book on a luxury train journey today, the chances are it’ll be onboard a Pullman-style carriage. Fully restored with love, care and attention from skilled craftsmen and women, it’s all about the Belle Epoque of train excursions, with brass luggage racks, comfortable armchair seating, table lamps, and intricate marquetry adorning the walls.
Can you remember the last time a smartly dressed train steward welcomed you aboard the train? Have you ever been served a meal at your table that has been dressed with starched white linen and proper cutlery? It’s certainly a nod to the good old days of the railways before that Dr Beeching got his hands on them. By the 1950s, the sound of steam had given way to the chug of diesel and the final nail in the coffin was the pesky motor car, which put paid to the profitability of the trains.
Day train trips on heritage railways
Luckily, the country is filled with enough train lovers and enthusiasts that we have lots of heritage railways to keep the steam locos and wagons rolling. Mainline, branch line, narrow gauge, standard gauge - all sorts of railways have been saved from becoming overgrown and forgotten.
Many of our railway experiences are hosted by such railway associations. Mostly made up of volunteers, you’ll never meet such a passionate group of people who are always welcoming to visitors. Be it the station master, the signal man or the driver, they all play an important role on their railways - and many of our train experiences let you join in as a crew member for the day.
Whether you want to lap up the luxury of these trains as a passenger, or prefer to literally roll your sleeves up and get stuck in (that coal won’t shovel itself into the furnace after all!), our train days out are fantastic fun for all. Make it a family affair and have a meal out on the move, visit the works sheds where restorations are underway, or just enjoy a simple cream tea watching the trains trundle past. Simply superb.
Browse our train experiences
So as you can see, this section is a great place to start of you’re looking for the perfect gifts for train lovers. Rather than sitting trackside with a flask of tea, why not upgrade to a proper day out on the train with a round trip along some Britain’s finest and best-loved heritage railways? Or how about really making a day of it and getting dressed up for an exquisite Pullman train experience?
Have a little look at this Pullman afternoon tea experience video for an idea of our days out by train.
