A wonderful experience that I can also definitely recommend!
Back in 2009, I completed 30 years service with my employer and, by way of a long service award, was offered the opportunity to experience the
VSOE▸ British Pullman on one of its Surrey Hills round trips behind 35028 Clan Line. An opportunity snapped up. This was 'just' a four hour Victoria to Victoria via Guildford and Reigate rather than a full day excusion. It took place on Valentines Day, so was themed accordingly. We didn't get the red carpet treatment at Victoria - and indeed had to run the gauntlet of paperazzi, tourists and enthusiasts on the platform. This is my report back to our company magazine of our 'match day experience'.....
So.....the weekend started with a ^phone call from my brother, with whom we were to be staying (at Ampthill), saying that they^d had a fresh fall of snow overnight and to be careful driving down the lane. Undaunted, we set out along the A303. Just before the first watering hole (for our newly acquired puppy), yours truly was heard to bellow ^<expletive deleted>, I^ve forgotten my suit^. Not wanting to return home (by then a three hour round trip), we calmly called into my son^s at Basingstoke and just borrowed his identical suit.
Anyway, the rest of the journey ^ including the toboggan run leading down to my brother^s ^ completed without further incident.
Saturday morning dawns and the snow still very much in evidence, so it was a walk to the top of the lane for a taxi to the station and a trouble free First Capital Connect trip to St Pancras. Yours truly turns to Her Ladyship and says ^just a quick, simple trip down the Victoria Line to Victoria^. Oops ^ Victoria line closed completely due to engineering works ^ so, having negotiated the hoards trying to board the tube at St Pancras, a slow trundle around the Circle Line instead. We arrived just as the spotless Pullman coaches were being shunted into the station and, upon check-in, found that Pullman car ^Gwen^ was to be our residence for the duration of the four hour trip.
A quick trip to the end of the platform (or rather a fight through the paperazzi, tourists and railway enthusiasts) to inspect our motive power, Merchant Navy Pacific, 35028 Clan Line, and then we boarded to be greeted by our Steward with a glass of Pink Champagne for each of us.
The five course meal commenced just 15 minutes into the journey as we turned north, passing Earls Court and Olympia towards Acton and Brentford (NOT a particularly romantic setting!). First course being a Medley of Inverawe Smoked Halibut and Trout served with a Watercress Mayonnaise. The journey continued at a very sedate 25 mph through the delights of Hounslow, Staines, Egham and Chertsey towards Woking, during which time we enjoyed course number 2 ^Strawberry and Champagne soup^ being simultaneously serenaded by a duo playing the flute and violin.
The third (and main) course ^ Breast of Corn-fed chicken served a smoked bacon and truffle mousse...... - was served between Woking and Guildford and the champagne continued to flow. A brief watering stop for the locomotive followed as we turned east underneath the North Downs. At this point, Her Ladyship was asked to pose for a 'quick shadow portrait' prepared by a young lady using just a pair of scissors and some black paper!
Turning north at Redhill and passing such delights as Purley and South Croydon, we tucked into Somerset Camembert and Oxford Stilton with Caramelised Figs. As we crossed Wandsworth Common, we were tucking into a Yin and Yang of Chocolate with a Berry Compote and Pink Champagne Sorbet, with Columbian Coffee served just as we crossed back over the Thames. It was at this point that Her Ladyship was presented with a single red rose and complimentary chocolates.
At the post-match interview, Her Ladyship was heard to say ^what a truly fantastic experience^! All I can add is that it is definitely recommended assuming you can raise a second mortgage to pay for it or, as in my case, complete many years service for 'The Company'.
