Clare Campbell, in the Daily Mail, about her and her 19 year-old daughter's Past Time Rail trip with her train-loving husband and son:

“….. Even the women in our party were taking an interest. Some strange bonding was taking place: it was rather like being trapped in the Big Brother house …” “… Later, as the lamps came on and the waiters began to lay the table for dinner, I felt very much at home. Steam billowed behind us in the night sky as we sped towards Paddington. I caught Maria's eye and she scribbled something quickly on a paper napkin and passed it over, ‘I hate to admit it – but I really loved it' What greater praise can there be?….”

Steve Nikols writing in the Heartland Evening News Friday June 21st 2002
“Thanks to the expertise of Lichfield-based railtour operators Past-Time Rail, enthusiasts and travel aficionados can nowadays savour a nostalgic trip down memory lane aboard a number of steam specials which transport people back to an era when life was a lot less manic and fraught…… While faithfully recreating all the excitement and atmosphere of a journey back in time, Past-Time Rail also successfully combine the luxuries of 21st century travel and passengers are treated as equally important regardless of status – Premier Dining, First or Second Class……. With dusk descending, travellers took one last opportunity to ‘pop' a quick photograph and bid farewell to their faithful friend for a day which had proved just the ticket!”

Edward Stephens Travel Editor of the Birmingham Evening Mail Tuesday May 14th 2002
“ On the face of it a day trip to Cornwall from the Midlands seems like an ambitious, not to mention tiring venture. But what if that 500 mile round trip to visit the spectactular Eden Project could be done in armchair comfort, enjoying some of the picturesque scnerey in Britain while someone does the driving? And if, while the countryside and coast drift by, you enjoy a hearty English breakfast followed just before reaching journey's end with a light lunch doesn't the whole thing sound more appealing? Well that's the experience that I have just enjoyed with Past-Time Rail of Lichfield. And while the train took the strain tiring it definitely was not. This train journey is all about relaxation and good food, not to mention the very friendly staff from Past-Time…… a fitting end to a trip which had been superbly organised from start to finish. A day out to remember”

Andrew Merrell writing in the Gloucester Citizen:
“The carriages were old British Rail rolling stock, the kind when space was not at such a premium. There was plenty of leg room, the seats were like comfy armchairs, windows framed by tie-back curtains and the floors were carpeted…….. Apart from the rat-ta-tat tat of the train on rails, the only sound was that of quiet conversation and the rustle of newspapers…….. I realised that for many the trip was as much about travelling on the train as it was setting foot in the Eden Project…….. I didn't touch my book and barely read the newspaper, there was so much to see…………Our return train trip was equally efficient and the on-board service was again faultless”

Linda Strange writing in The Journal:
“As soon as we took our seats I knew we were in for a treat: the table was set for breakfast with a snowy white tablecloth, gleaming cutlery and coffee cup just waiting for its first brew…….. it was a fascinating journey, full of old stations, fantastic bridges, cows grazing amid the buttercups …… Reclining in our seats with coffee and mints, the Tiffany lamp lighting our way as we disappeared under tunnels, we reflected on a superb day out and decided the train journey had been as much of a star as our destination.”


Comments taken from various e-mails and letters received from passengers include:

P.T. Dann of Maldon, Essex “My wife and I would like to express of thanks for the wonderful day we had yesterday. A most professionaly conducted tour, food 1st class served by very nice staff, seating most comfortable”

L.B. Bryant of Colchester, Essex “I can only describe the trip as EXCELLENT!!!!”

C. French “ We have watched the Eden Project take shape on television programmes and never thought we would get there and back in a day and so put the possibility out of our minds. You provided us with the opportunity to go. We enjoyed the rail journey as much as Eden, the service we received was very professional and friendly and we would like to thank your staff for that, everything seemed to go like clockwork and everyone we spoke to said the same.”

J. Lovell “I would like to compliment all your staff from the engine crew to the on board staff who made our trip so memorable. Their friendliness and willingness to answer all of our no doubt tedious questions, was all too rare these days!……. I remain, a convert back to steam”

S. Stroud “This was the second mainline steam trip we had traveled on, & must say the whole days was run like a well oiled machine & would like to convey our praises to both yourselves & EWS & the owners of the finely turned out ‘pair of Halls'. Well done.”

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