“Meet me under the clock right on platform 2 of Victoria Station,” he urged with burning eyes. This was supposed to be our first date and I wondered what he was up to with it. I arrived at 10:55 a.m., a few minutes early to settle down, only to find that he was already waiting, looking embarrassed, a bouquet of red roses in hand. Just as I passed out at this gesture, I heard the whistle of the steam train that clicked into place on the platform. He gently took my hand, whispered, “Your champagne breakfast awaits M’lady,” and led me to the Pullman dining car on the Royal Windsor Steam Express. Reality check. Ok, that’s the Mills and Boon version. We went to Windsor for just one day to see Her Majesty’s Castle and enjoy the historic town of Windsor. We decided to add a little romantic glamor to an otherwise mundane trip around London by traveling Pullman style aboard a steam train destined for this proper royal city. This is a new regular steam service from London’s Victoria Station that returned to the tracks in 2019 after 50 years. Our train was the Mayflower, and I had the opportunity to check their boiler room before leaving. Here tons of coal are hand shoveled into the stove to turn water into steam. ![]() At 383 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius), it’s fair to say it’s hot there. I looked at the red faces of the two men who, with a little awe, kept everything going. It was much cooler in the carriage as I walked down the wood-paneled catwalk to my comfortable armchair seat to a table draped with a white linen tablecloth. Silver cutlery, champagne flutes for two, a historical reading lamp and tied back embroidered curtains stage a bygone era or perhaps a crime thriller on the Orient Express. Champagne was served by Peter, who wore a black uniform and a big smile (no doubt) under a black mask. The orange juice and coffee. ![]() ![]() Soon the brunch came; Eggs royale; two muffins with smoked salmon topped with a poached egg, topped with hollandaise sauce and served with half a grilled tomato. Having breakfast on the tracks while listening to the whistling of steam between bites was fun. While the scenery wasn’t a great backdrop during this 58 mile journey between London Victoria Station and Windsor – what do you think of Barnes and Clapham Junction? – There were green spots closer to Windsor. What could have improved the experience? During the trip it occurred to me that I would like to dine with background music – anything classic would have enhanced the feeling of civilized escapism. Verdict:Enjoying an hour of attentive service and a Tet-a-Tet at breakfast when nothing in the world matters is definitely a first class first date or any type of date experience. How much does a Pullman style meal cost:Pullman-style meals are £ 89 per person, children £ 69. There are several levels of promotion and these can be found at https://ift.tt/3BNgzGt
Via https://globalconnekt.com/review-the-royal-windsor-steam-express-breakfast/
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