Faultless From Start to Finish – Volvo Joe

I originally booked this trip on the Fellsman railtour for my mother’s 70th birthday to travel earlier in the year, but with the COVID lockdown we weren’t able to travel until September. This was obviously well beyond the company’s control and Saphos kept us informed as the dates were moved. Their COVID safe procedures were very comprehensive while not being intrusive and explained in advance in a booklet sent out with the tickets. They were particularly helpful when I asked if we could transfer to a later tour as my Mother had had to shield over lockdown and was concerned about it being too much for her to manage at the time, having not left the house for the best part of 3 months. The day itself was nothing short of magical. Hauled by Royal Scot from Crewe over the Settle to Carlisle line to Carlisle in beautifully restored and immaculately clean heritage carriages and as part of the Premiere Dining package the food was plentiful and absolutely delicious. Helpful and friendly staff completed the picture, Erica and Amy our stewardesses for the day ensuring that we never ran out of tea and coffee! All in all, a day out I would recommend (and have been recommending) to anyone. Even if you don’t particularly have a keen interest in railways the outstanding food, comfortable surroundings and ever changing scenery makes it a day out that everyone can enjoy. Certainly my Mother enjoyed it immensely and beamed from ear to ear all day. I will very likely be travelling again with Saphos very soon as when I showed my photographs of the day to my partner – she wanted to go too. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.