TWO "unique" luxury steam train day-trips will be setting off from Southend this year.

Steam Dreams Rail Company operates multiple sell-out steam train journeys from Southend every year.

Day-trippers will travel in vintage train carriages such as Pullman coaches, and can choose between three classes with packages which include the Steam Dreams signature Champagne cocktail and a multi-course breakfast.

So far this year, two journeys have been announced for rail enthusiasts across south Essex - with standard class seating on one trip already sold out. 

The first Steam Dreams day-trip of the year will be from Shoebury to The Bluebell and Sheffield Park with the scheduled Royal Scot locomotive.

The Bluebell Railway is the world’s first preserved standard gauge heritage railway line which takes passengers from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park, cutting through the beautiful Sussex Weald.

Passengers will be picked up from Shoebury at 6.45am on Tuesday, April 9, stopping off at Southend Central and Leigh before heading to Sheffield Park. Day-trippers will return to the south Essex stations before 11pm that night.

Standard class has been sold out for this trip already, but first class and Pullman dining tickets are still available.

 

If steam train fans are unable to make this trip, they will get another chance when the Royal Scot is set to take passengers on a "fascinating" journey from Southend Central to Chester.

The trip will set off from Southend Central at 6.55am on Thursday, August 8, stopping off at Leigh before arriving at Chester for 2pm. Passengers will be returning to the south Essex city again at 10.50pm.

It will take daytrippers on an express run along the West Coast Main Line, through the suburbs and out into Warwickshire and Staffordshire, where it will pass through "beautiful" countryside as the railway traverses more rural parts.

Prices for these experiences start from £175 per person, with the top price for Pullman style dining costing from £410.