The Spirit of Summer Lunch — Steam Dreams

Steam Dreams, a private steam-train operator based near Guildford, sells The Spirit of Summer Lunch as a circular day excursion that starts and ends beneath the overall roof of Brunel's London Paddington station. The operator says the journey is steam-hauled throughout, in vintage carriages with marquetry and liveried stewards.

The train glides along the Thames Valley towards the "Dreaming Spires" of Oxford and returns to Paddington through the rolling countryside and ancient woodland of the Chiltern Hills, which the operator presents as bursting into life for the season.

Two classes are sold. Pullman Dining is a seated meal service at tables dressed with linen and china: a welcome glass of Champagne with canapés, a three-course lunch, a half bottle of wine per person, then coffee and petit fours. First Class is non-dining: passengers may bring their own picnic, are given complimentary tea and coffee and a welcome celebratory drink, can buy more drinks and snacks at their seat, and may add a traditional Afternoon Tea for a supplement.

The locomotive is announced, not promised. The operator names a pool of steam locomotives from its own collection and says the engine for the trip is "still to be confirmed". It adds that whichever locomotive is rostered "cannot be guaranteed and may be substituted for a different engine". Its FAQ says that on very rare occasions a diesel has been used as a last resort, in circumstances such as steam bans due to fire risk, drought or unexpected mechanical failures.

A half-day circular round trip with morning boarding at Paddington and an early-afternoon return (timings are approximate). In Pullman Dining the custom is to dress smartly and the operator asks for no sportswear; there is no official dress code elsewhere. Temperatures on board vary because modern climate control is not in use, so the operator advises layers. Children are welcome in First Class; Pullman Dining is reserved for adults and children aged 12 and over.

Boards at London Paddington station, Praed Street, London. All trips are return and the return journey is included; the operator never sells a one-way service. The heritage carriages do not allow wheelchair boarding and the operator asks guests with mobility needs to contact it before booking. Lavatories are at each end of every carriage. Own food and drink may be taken in First Class but not in Pullman Dining. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and pescatarian meals are catered for in Pullman Dining as standard, and must be requested at least 14 days before travel. Tables for two can be booked instead of a shared table for four; the direction of seating cannot be guaranteed. Travel documents are sent by post or email about 5 to 7 days before departure, and an electronic ticket on a phone is accepted.