Regular steam services returned to a British main line route this summer with the launch by Steam Dreams of The Cathedrals Express every Wednesday from London Victoria to Canterbury and back, with two runs from Waterloo to Salisbury in August and September.
So successful has the operation been that six more weekly trips have been scheduled, extending the service into November. Steam Dreams’ Operations Director Gill Trousdale says that ’we originally budgeted to make a considerable loss in the first year while we tested the market. In fact, by the time of our fifth train, we had almost reached break-even on a week-by-week basis.’ Plans being investigated for 2001 include a service from London to Gloucester.
The Cathedrals Express has first and second class seats, and full dining service is available. Traction consists of a preserved West Country class Pacific that normally operates on the Mid-Hants Railway between Alton and Alresford.
Details from info@steamdreams.co.uk
