The Royal Duchy (30 August 2026)

The Royal Duchy

Our train leaves Bristol Temple Meads steam hauled 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.