Steam trains are a big part of British rail history and are loved by many people, who jump at the chance to hop on board on the rare occasion that they do just that.
From Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express to more recently Francis Bourgeois on TikTok, there is a lot of love and obsession about trains.
So what’s better than a magical journey on a steam train that takes passengers from Essex all the way to Cardiff?
Well, that’s exactly what’s been announced by Steam Dreams Rail Company for next year.
Starting in April 2025, the train journey will give passengers a unique chance to travel through the English countryside and into the heart of Wales.
The trip will depart from Southend Central on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The train will stop at Leigh-on-Sea before heading to London.
After leaving London, passengers will pass through stunning parts of the UK, including the Cotswolds, and travel through historic towns like Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath.
The train will then arrive in Cardiff, where passengers will have two-and-a-half hours to explore the Welsh capital.
The service will be powered by the iconic 70000 Britannia locomotive, a British Railways Standard class 7 engine, alternatively known as the Britannia class (BR).
Completed in January 1951 the locomotive was built for express passenger services between London and Norwich.
The BR Standard classes were designed by drawing on the best qualities from several previous locomotives to create an efficient engine that was produced with lower maintenance costs and weight saving measures to enable it to work across a wider geography.
Britannia has two cylinders, six driving wheels and a firebox of 42ft with most of the motion situated on the outside of the frames for ease of maintenance. Whilst limited to 75mph the locomotive is capable of reaching speeds up to 100mph.
A spokesperson for Steam Dreams described the journey as “a fascinating adventure across the country through time.”
Day-trippers will travel in vintage train carriages, including Pullman coaches, and can choose from two classes. Tickets range from £220 to £425, with packages including a Champagne cocktail and a multi-course breakfast.
The train will leave Cardiff at 5pm and return to Southend by 10.50pm.
