The Royal Duchy — Railway Touring Company

The Railway Touring Company, based in King's Lynn, Norfolk, sells The Royal Duchy as a series of summer day trips by steam train from Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton and Taunton to Devon and Cornwall. The route runs along the sea wall at Dawlish, crosses Brunel's Saltash Bridge into Cornwall and, in the operator's words, passes through some of the most varied and exciting scenery in the country.

The operator says the train leaves Bristol Temple Meads steam hauled and picks up more passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Soon after Taunton the locomotive tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit; the train stops at Exeter St David's for the locomotive to take on water and for more passengers, then follows the Exe Estuary to Dawlish and Teignmouth. After Newton Abbot it climbs to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, drops to Totnes and climbs Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth.

Passengers may alight at Plymouth, where the operator says there are over five hours to explore the city, or stay aboard to Par, where there is a break of more than three hours and buses, at no extra charge, take passengers to Fowey or to Charlestown. The locomotive turns and services at St Blazey, and the train returns steam hauled, stopping at Plymouth to collect those who alighted, then Exeter, Taunton and Yatton on the way back to Bristol.

The locomotive is announced, not promised. The operator does not name the engine, says the images on its site do not show the locomotive scheduled to haul the service, and its terms say the organisers reserve the right to substitute a different steam locomotive or, in exceptional circumstances, a diesel locomotive, with no refund for changes to the advertised locomotive.

A long day trip with a morning departure from Bristol Temple Meads and a late-evening return (timings are approximate). Passengers choose between Plymouth, with more than five hours to explore, and Par, with a break of more than three hours and a free bus to Fowey or Charlestown. Each passenger has a reserved seat. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner on the return journey; First Class includes tea or coffee with a bacon or breakfast roll and a later service of tea or coffee with a sweet treat. The operator's terms say that in extreme heat steam haulage may be replaced by diesel.

Boards at Bristol Temple Meads station, Temple Gate, Bristol; the train also calls at Yatton, Taunton, Exeter St David's, Plymouth and Par. Tickets are booked online with the operator, by phone or by post form. Seats are reserved and a booking is taken as acceptance of the operator's conditions, which allow a change of locomotive without refund. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement. Vegetarian options are offered; other dietary requests cannot be met.