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 (31 May 2026)
Steam day trip from Bristol to Devon and Cornwall along the Dawlish sea wall
The Railway Touring Company's The Royal Duchy is a one-day steam excursion departing Bristol Temple Meads on 31 May 2026, hauled by the locomotive No. 34028 Eddystone. The route covers some of southern England's most varied railway terrain, departing Bristol and climbing to Whiteball Summit before descending to the Devon coast. A highlight is the coastal run along the sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, followed by steep grades at Dainton Tunnel and Rattery Bank. The train reaches Plymouth with over five hours of free time to visit the Hoe, the Barbican, or the National Marine Aquarium. After Plymouth, the journey continues into Cornwall, crossing Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge before arriving at Par, from which free buses run to Fowey or Charlestown. Three fare classes are offered: Standard Class with reserved seating, First Class with breakfast and afternoon tea, and Premier Dining with a full English breakfast and four-course dinner prepared on board. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples (with optional tables for two), food enthusiasts, and photographers drawn to steam heritage and engineering landmarks.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure listed: 31 May 2026; confirm availability before booking
- The itinerary description is incomplete in the operator's materials; request a full schedule before travel
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 working port and home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre. 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.
Questions travellers ask
- What is the train and who operates it?
- The Royal Duchy is operated by The Railway Touring Company. It is steam hauled by locomotive No. 34028 Eddystone.
- Where does the train depart and what is the route?
- The train departs Bristol Temple Meads, picking up additional passengers at Yatton and Taunton. It travels to Devon and Cornwall, passing through Exeter St. Davids, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, then crossing Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall and stopping at Par, Fowey, and Charlestown.
- What is included in each fare class?
- Standard Class (from £149) includes a reserved seat at a table for four. First Class (from £249) adds morning tea or coffee with a breakfast roll and a muffin, plus afternoon tea with a savoury and a scone with butter and jam. Premier Dining (from £349) includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver-served at your seat.
- How much free time is there in Plymouth?
- The Railway Touring Company provides over five hours free time in Plymouth to explore the Hoe, the Barbican, and the National Marine Aquarium.
- What happens after Par?
- Free bus connections are provided from Par to Fowey or the Charlestown Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre.
