The Royal Windsor Steam Express – 61306 Mayflower
Ever since I was a child I have been obsessed with trains (thank you Thomas the Tank Engine) and I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of going on a steam train and so when the opportunity arose to go on 61306 Mayflower, one of two surviving B1 Class locomotives, I was ecstatic.
To go into a little bit of history about the B1 Class locomotives – they were originally designed as mixed traffic locomotives capable of hauling express passenger trains as well as freight traffic and they worked across most of the UK rail network from East Anglia to Scotland.
Mayflower was built in 1948 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow and acquired the number 61306 by British Railways. She was first allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens Depot followed by a stint at Hull Dairycotes Depot before being finally transferred to Low Moor Depot, Bradford. She was the last B1 in service, her final trip was hauling the ‘Yorkshire Pullman’ from Leeds in September 1967.
She was acquired by Steam Dreams owner David Buck in 2014 and she returned to the mainline in 2015 before being withdrawn for an extensive overhaul. Resplendent in the early British Railways apple green livery as she was originally given when delivered in 1948 she returned to full mainline operation in early 2019. This was the first regular steam-operated service from Waterloo for 52 years!
Mayflower has two cylinders, 6 driving wheels, a firebox grate area of 30 square feet and can operate at 75mph.
BOOK A STAY IN WINDSOR HERE
Day trips on The Royal Windsor Steam Express
If you are looking for inspiration for days out this summer I highly recommend booking a day trip to Windsor with The Royal Windsor Steam Express. You will be travelling in the charming 61306 Mayflower and departure is from London Victoria every Tuesday until Tuesday 14 September 2021.
You can choose from several different types of carriages on board the Mayflower from the Pullman Style Dining, Premier, and Premium Standard. The Pullman Style Dining and Premier carriages provides a la carte dining where as in the Premium Standard there isn’t an a la carte option but you can still purchase snacks and drinks throughout your journey. There is also the option of ordering hot and cold food from the cart. Alternatively you can always pack and take on your own picnic for your journey if travelling in a Premium Standard carriage.
I loved watching the scenes as we whizzed towards Windsor. You can even spot a few of London’s famous landmarks en-route including Chelsea Bridge, The Royal Hospital and Battersea Power Station.
Arrival is at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, which was designed by William Tite for London & South Western Railway as a royal station and Windsor Castle is a short walk away.
You are free to spend as much time as you like in Windsor and then take a modern train service back. For your return journey there are lots of frequent and regular services (two services per hour at 23 minutes and 53 minutes past each hour) from Windsor & Eton Riverside station back to London Waterloo. It takes just under an hour which is really convenient. You can buy the return tickets at Windsor & Eton Riverside station on the day.
We decided to have a walk around Windsor before heading back to London as it was a gorgeous day.
It is quite a fabulous experience to do whether you are a couple, family or as a fun experience with friends.
For all tours and to book your steam train journey visit their website here: Steam Dreams Rail Co
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