The Railway Touring Company
The Royal Duchy (26 July 2026)
Steam train day trip from Bristol to Devon and Cornwall coastal line.
1 dayfrom $200
100% rail
The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip
The Royal Duchy (27 September 2026)
One-day steam train excursion from Bristol to Devon and Cornwall coast
The Railway Touring Company's Royal Duchy is a one-day steam rail excursion departing Bristol Temple Meads on 27 September 2026, hauled by the historic locomotive No. 34028 Eddystone. The train picks up passengers at Yatton, Taunton, and Exeter St. Davids before heading south toward Devon and Cornwall. The route climbs steeply to Whiteball Summit and Dainton Tunnel, travels the celebrated sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, and crosses the River Tamar on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall, stopping at Par. From there, passengers can spend over five hours exploring Plymouth's the Hoe, Barbican, and National Marine Aquarium, or travel by complimentary bus to Fowey or the UNESCO World Heritage village of Charlestown. Three onboard catering tiers are offered, from Standard Class with a reserved seat to Premier Dining with a full breakfast and four-course dinner prepared on board. This trip suits history enthusiasts drawn to Victorian engineering, photographers keen to capture the sea wall and bridges, and couples seeking a day journey with optional table-for-two arrangements.
What to know before you look closer
- This is a single departure on 27 September 2026; no other dates are listed in the pack
- The itinerary description is truncated in the evidence; confirm the full sequence of stops and timings with The Railway Touring Company before booking
Day by day
- Day 1rail
The Royal Duchy
Our train leaves Bristol Temple Meads steam hauled by the iconic No. 34028 Eddystone and stops to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Almost immediately on departure from Taunton, our steam locomotive will be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. We stop at Exeter St. David's station for our locomotive to take on water and for more passengers to join the train. We leave Exeter and follow the Exe Estuary to the seaside. We then travel along the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, an experience not to be missed. After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country: the climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, a dramatic drop down to Totnes, then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. Passengers have the option to alight at Plymouth or remain on the train to Par. There will be over five hours free time to explore the historic maritime city of Plymouth, including the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium. We leave Plymouth, steam hauled, and cross the river Tamar on Brunel's masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, to enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside to Par, where there will be a break of more than three hours. Buses will take passengers from Par, at no extra charge, to visit either the picturesque seaside town of Fowey or the harbour village of Charlestown, a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 18th century as a Georgian working port, now known for its classic tall ships and use as a filming location for Poldark and Taboo. Our locomotive will turn and service at St Blazey's before we embark on our return journey, stopping at Plymouth to pick up those passengers who chose to alight there, then returning to Bristol via Exeter, Taunton and Yatton.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Steam locomotive No. 34028 Eddystone departs Bristol Temple Meads and climbs to Whiteball Summit, with the train stopping at Yatton, Taunton, and Exeter St. Davids to take on water and collect more passengers
- Day 1The train travels the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth before crossing the River Tamar on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall
- Day 1Five hours free time in Plymouth to visit the Hoe, the Barbican, and the National Marine Aquarium, or continue by bus to Fowey or the UNESCO World Heritage village of Charlestown
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The Railway Touring Company operates the entire steam train journey from Bristol Temple Meads to Par. Standard Class starts at 149 GBP, First Class at 249 GBP, and Premier Dining at 349 GBP.
- What meals are included?
- Standard Class includes a reserved seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon or breakfast roll and a sweet treat, plus afternoon tea with a savoury followed by a scone with butter and jam. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
- Which steam locomotive pulls the train?
- No. 34028 Eddystone.
- How much time do I have to explore?
- The trip includes over five hours free time in Plymouth. From there, passengers can travel by free bus connection to Fowey or the UNESCO World Heritage village of Charlestown.
- Can I reserve a table for two?
- Yes, a guaranteed table for two is available as an optional extra on Premier Dining or First Class tiers.
- When does the trip run?
- The Railway Touring Company has listed one departure on 27 September 2026. Check their website for future dates.
