The Valentines White Rose — Railway Touring Company

The Railway Touring Company, based in King's Lynn, Norfolk, sells The Valentines White Rose as a special main-line steam train from London King's Cross to the historic city of York. The operator pitches it to couples, friends and steam enthusiasts alike.

The train leaves King's Cross in the morning hauled by a steam locomotive and follows the East Coast Main Line, the route of express trains such as the Flying Scotsman, up through Gasworks Tunnel and Finsbury Park, calling at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough to pick up more passengers. It then leaves the East Coast Main Line at Werrington Junction for Spalding, takes the Sleaford line, heads west towards Lincoln and steams through Doncaster to an early-afternoon arrival in York.

The operator says there is plenty of time to explore York: its historic streets, the Shambles, York Minster, the National Railway Museum, the city walls and its museums, cafés and shops. The train leaves York late in the afternoon and retraces the outward route, setting down passengers at the same stations before returning to King's Cross in the evening.

Four classes are sold: Premier Dining, First Class, Standard First and Standard Class. A licensed bar runs on the train and a buffet car serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.

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: an early morning departure from King's Cross, a stop in York in the afternoon and a late-evening return (timings are approximate). 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. Dress for a vintage train in winter: the operator warns that the carriages, although heated, can be cold.

Boards at London King's Cross station, Euston Road, London; the train also calls at Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Spalding. 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. Wheelchairs cannot be boarded while occupied; see the FAQ for what the operator can carry.