The Mayflower — Vintage Trains

Vintage Trains, a registered charity based at Tyseley in Birmingham, sells The Mayflower as a single-day return from Birmingham Snow Hill to Plymouth. The operator takes the name from a short-lived British Railways Western Region express at the end of the steam era and describes this revival as the closest thing it runs to recreating mainline steam in full force.

The headline is two Castle Class locomotives, Clun Castle and Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, working double-headed and entirely unassisted on a single train over the South Devon banks and along the sea wall at Dawlish. The operator says the train is diesel-hauled from Birmingham to Bristol, where the two steam locomotives attach to the front and take over for the haul south, and that the run from Bristol to Plymouth and back is steam-hauled, unassisted by diesel.

The train calls at Birmingham Snow Hill, Stourbridge Junction, Droitwich Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads on the way to Plymouth. Seating has picture windows and a buffet car, with bacon rolls and afternoon tea available to pre-order. First Class is served in the operator's 1960s coaches with a light breakfast and afternoon tea at the seat; Pullman Dining, in one of its original Pullman cars, includes a full English breakfast and a four-course evening dinner.

The locomotives are announced, not promised. The operator's terms say every effort is made to run the advertised locomotive, but that it reserves the right to change locomotives, and that a diesel may replace or assist a steam locomotive in cases such as locomotive failure, network restrictions, adverse weather or high fire risk, with no refund or compensation.

A very long day out: an early-morning departure from Birmingham Snow Hill, a long run to Plymouth with diesel to Bristol and steam beyond, and a return after midnight (timings are approximate). The operator states a buffet car on board, with bacon rolls and afternoon tea available to pre-order. Children's fares apply on certain trains; the operator does not allow children under 3 in Pullman.

Boards at Birmingham Snow Hill station, Birmingham, with pick-ups at Stourbridge Junction, Droitwich Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads. The operator says its published prices include a booking fee. Children's buggies are permitted; pets and bicycles are not. The operator has limited wheelchair facilities and no disability-friendly toilets: its Pullman coaches cannot take passengers confined to a wheelchair, and a maximum of two can be accommodated in the Buffet Coach by calling the booking office first. Meals are from a set menu with vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options on request at least 7 days before the tour. Refunds depend on how far ahead you cancel, and if the operator cancels or moves the date it offers a transfer, a full refund or a credit note.