Pullman dining, walking and tweed

My idea was to create a little space for old (and possibly fictional) England in the hustle bustle of modern life; to take people to a romantic setting and let them think romantic thoughts. The weekend took some serious organising (for 26 people) but definitely repaid the effort.

Doing a little active dog-sitting at the end of 2006 I discovered that The North Yorkshire Moors Railway did Pullman dining services along their line from Grosmont to Whitby. My initial thought was a sort of late night Orient/Dracula Express but the time of year and the service pattern made this difficult. Instead I opted for an old-world tweed and frocks affair with a kind of Hound of the Baskervilles hotel theme.

Groups of us from Leeds, Manchester, Leamington Spa, Oxford, Milton Keynes and London converged on the small village of Goathland on Saturday Feb 24th 2007. I'm not sure they knew what had hit them. Everyone had made such a splendid effort either by simply dressing smartly or by going grossly over the top with tweed, plaid and wool in all its forms.

We took the train regular steam service from Goathland station to Grosmont, swapped platforms, and joined the Pullman service. I had specially reserved Car 79. This ornate, Pullman dining car was built in 1928 for the Queen of Scots service and features lovely brass fittings, four seat dining tables and wooden paneling with flower motifs - it is magnificent.

I had been expecting some slightly 'school dinners' food and service but both the staff and the food were fantastic. There aren't many people who can serve soup on a moving steam train these days. The beef was moist and tender, the vegetables beautifully fresh and the wine selection was good.

The scenery outside is lovely and well worth the trip even without the food. We arrived at Pickering after our starter and main course and stepped onto the platform while the engine was uncoupled and turned around.

We took advantage of the break to smoke our pipes and cigars and generally to ponce about in tweed.

Coffees, desserts and further intoxicating beverages were served on the return journey to Grosmont.