Man ‘drained his bank account’ to get onboard UK’s most luxurious …
Staff on the UK's most luxurious trains have revealed what it takes to create a journey of a lifetime- one that has seen guests 'drain their bank accounts' for a chance to enjoy the ride. While the golden age of the railways may be behind us, still to this day quietly chugging through the British countryside are a set of high end steamers and diesel trains. New TV show Britain's Most Luxurious Trains[1] focuses on a mode of luxurious transport as well as the people making sure they run on time - while keeping the flame of a British innovation burning as it did during its heyday.
The viewer is invited aboard a number of Saphos Trains as they wind their way across the country's rail network. Many of its guests are there to mark a major milestone, to treat a loved one, or to fulfil a lifelong ambition. "I remember a specific individual, a gentleman who was an army veteran who had lost a lot of his speech ability because of being in the war," Molly Gannon, train manager, told The Mirror.
"He was telling me that he had drained his bank account to go on the trip. It was his last hurrah before he left the planet."
'I did a 379-mile hike around the Lake District to find its best hidden places'[2]
A team of 23 staff make sure guests have everything they could need (Channel 4)
The first episode of the show followed a Saphos steamer as it made its way down from Crewe to Taunton in the English Rivera, as the part of Cornwall has come to be known. Onboard is mum Tracy and 20-year-old son Daniel, who has treated his parent to a ride on the extravagant train before he leaves home to head to university.
They spend their day in the classic Pullman Dining carriage car beaming as they watch the rolling English countryside slip by and enjoying the culinary delights created by Nick Allen. The executive chef swapped a 20 year career in steady, non-rolling restaurants in London and Chester, for the narrow cooking environment onboard where plates suddenly crashing to the floor are a constant hazard every time the train takes a sharp bend.
Tracy was taken on the train by her son Daniel (Channel 4)
"I design the menus on the regions we're traveling to, and there is a lot of locality with them," he told the Mirror. "We have fish from the south coast, beef from Scotland. On our cheese board we use a lot of local cheeses."
Not only does Nick whip up personalised desserts for special occasions and produce delicious looking gourmet dishes with a slimmed down team of professionals, he operates an open kitchen policy so all guests can pop by and see where the magic happens. In the first episode aspiring chef Daniel takes advantage of this and helps Nick plate up a cheese cake for his mum. All 23 staff members onboard are there to similarly "pull out all the stops" and "cater to guests' every need", Molly said.
Often this involves plotting with fiances-to-be about when to bring in a champagne after they've proposed onboard.
Saphos trains embark on a number of routes across the country (Channel 4)
Other times it simply means making sure every moment is perfect, from the point liveried stewards meet and greet guests and move them to carriage tables that are "splendidly dressed evoking elegance of a bygone era", to the showcase four-course dinner that arrives in front of them on the return trip. "One couple who came onboard had fostered kids throughout their lives, as well as having their own kids," Molly recalled. "They never got a minute to themselves and this was their first time they'd done something together in years. It was really emotional."
Due to the rare nature of some of the motors pulling the trains, including the 97-year-old Royal Scot and the Britannia - which was used to haul the funeral train of King George VI - spotters can be seen camped out with their cameras along Saphos' routes. Of all the lines the trains follow across the country, Nick is fondest of the English Rivera Express, which travels across the Blackdown Hill, down the Exe Valley, along the Jurassic Coast and beside the famous sea wall past Powderham Castle.
Guests sit down to a four course meal on the return leg (Channel 4)
"You're looking our from the kitchen and all you can see is ocean for miles and miles," he said. "We see some amazing views. You wouldn't get them if you were travelling by car."
Molly loves to head into the western Scottish Highlands to witness the sweeping scenery on the way to the fishing port of Mallaig. As you might expect, a trip onboard the Saphos trains does not come cheap, with one seat in the Pullman Dining carriage on the day long English Riviera trip costing GBP350. Standard class tickets cost GBP165 each.
You can find out more on saphostrains.com/the-train[3].
A typical day onboard a Saphos train
The Midland Pullman train up in the Highlands (Channel 4)
On a typical one day tour the day starts as you settle into your seat with a glass of chilled bucks' fizz, followed by a full English breakfast and late morning tea/coffee service with pastries prior to the arrival at the tour destination. Guests travel in a restored wood panelled vintage carriages with seating in armchair comfort at tables of four or two laid with crisp linen and fully dressed in fine crockery, fresh flowers, and glassware. Following an afternoon sightseeing break you will be welcomed aboard by the liveried steward and offered a refreshing glass of chilled champagne and selection of canapes as you relax in anticipation of the gastronomic journey ahead.
A four course seasonal dinner, created by the executive chef, will be served including the Great British cheese board, biscuits, and chutneys - all accompanied by the sommelier's choice of a half-bottle of wine per person.
The journey concludes with a service of coffee and homemade petits fours.