People tend to love stream trains and there’s no doubt that everybody loves fish and chips so the idea of combining the two – especially at what is classed as the ‘world’s oldest railway’ – was always going to be a winner.
This double treat is available this spring at Tanfield Railway in County Durham, following on from similar previous trips which have won praise from happy passengers. Tickets are now on sale for the next date of March 29 which invites train fans to step on board vintage carriages dating from the 1880s to the 1930s which will be pulled by a steam locomotive on a scenic journey that will stop mid-way to pick up that all-important meal.
The trips are being run by heritage events company Fox & Edwards in collaboration with the historic Tanfield Railway, which this year celebrates its 300-year anniversary and from where the train will leave its Andrew’s House station for a 55-minute loop journey. These are described as trips back in time and an opportunity to enjoy ‘varied views along the line, make great memories and tuck into a tasty fish and chips accompaniment’.
The train will steam along to its stop-off point for food collection and there is a choice when booking to swap the fish option for sausage or cheese patty to have with chips instead. Passengers also will receive a drink and a flapjack or large biscuit.
They will return to the Stanley base of the heritage railway, which also runs into Gateshead, in time to explore its engine shed, which is said to be one of the oldest in the world, as well as its carriage shed museum. There are a mix of departure times, starting at 11.50am while there are also later ones, with the last at 6pm.
Travellers can take their dogs along with them too, as long as they don’t sit on seats. Its organiser Fox & Edwards has received a flurry of reviews from passengers booking its events, with comments including “it was nice to have a bit of nostalgia from childhood memories” and “lovely relaxing day out”.
One man wrote on Facebook of a previous trip: “Enjoyed the steam train at Tanfield Railway. Fish and chips along the way. Excellent day out. Staff were amazing. Our dog loved it.” And on Trip Advisor one reviewer described the fish and chip ride, booked on an earlier date last September, as an “excellent train journey”.
The review said: “The organisers did a really good good ensuring everything ran on schedule. Great railway experience, such a joy to seen the enthusiastic volunteers making the journey extra special”. It added: “The fish and chips were ok too!”
General reviews for Tanfield Railway’s programme of train trips have included praise for staff in helping to make access easy for an elderly passenger who struggled with walking, with this combining to make for “a fantastic day out”. The reviewer was also keen to book again, this time to try an on-board afternoon tea option “as it looked amazing”.
For more about the railway’s events, which as previously reported have included an afternoon tea on board a carriage used in 1970 film The Railway Children, see here. Other upcoming fish and chip train trip dates, after March 29, are April 6, 13 and 26 plus June 15, with more set to follow.
Tickets cost £60 for two and £22.50 for a child aged three to 11 years. There’s also a family ticket, for two adults and two children, for £95. An option for couple to upgrade seats to a private table is also available on some trains for £15. To book see here.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/durham-steam-train-offer-passengers-31184203
