We would like to hear your comments. Please email any thoughts, experiences or ideas you may have regarding our Tours to mailto:contact@torbayexpress.co.uk?subject=Our Comments regarding Torbay Express and we will publish them here.

Karen & Andy Searle - 24 September 2012

My husand and I treated ourselves to the Premier dining on the Torbay Express on Sunday 16h September to celebrate our Silver Wedding anniversary.   What a treat it was, the staff were great, very enthusiastic and attentive and really made the journey especially enjoyable.  The lovely breakfast on the way down with a nice glass of Champagne, and then on the home journey, the four course dinner was very tasty. And as the Steward said 'Once you have travelled in style with us, you will not want to travel any other way again'.  How right she was!

We look forward to booking again for next year.  Thank you for a brilliant day out.

Karen and Andy Serle.

Sue K - 24 September 2012

My friend and I travelled on the Torbay Express to Kingswear on Sunday 16th September. It was our first time, and we splashed out and travelled first class. I can only say that it was worth every penny! It was so exciting to travel on a steam train, and a real treat to be looked after so well by all the staff. I loved everything about the day: the beautifully presented table that had been prepared for our arrival, waving back to all the people who were waiting with cameras all along the route, the beautiful scenery we passed through, the time we spent in Dartmouth, the cream tea on our return trip and - the icing on the cake - leaving the train at the end of a very happy day with the flowers from our table, courtesy of a lovely lady called Becki.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who was involved in making the day so special. I can't wait to do it all again!

With best wishes,

Sue K, Bristol

Martina H - 17 September 2012

My friend (Gillian) invited me to be her guest on a trip on the Torbay Express yesterday (Sunday 16 September 2012 - Bristol Temple Meads to Dartmouth and back).....we were in Premier class and had a really wonderful time! All the staff were extremely kind and helpful, and the food was excellent! the actual experience of riding on the train was very exciting....we were able to get up close to the engine during the break at Taunton, and it was such fun to see so many people along the route waving as the train went past! Our time in Dartmouth was a real pleasure, and we would just like to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank you to everyone who was involved in making this trip such a happy occasion. A beautiful memory!

many thanks

Martina H, Bristol

Karen & Iain McLaren - 7 August 2012

Once again Iain and I enjoyed a fabulous day out on the Torbay Express (5 August). We would like to thank the team for their kindness, excellent service and never ending enthusiasm the whole day. The food again was superb, cooked beautifully by 'The Frying Scotsman' catering staff: the chef and his team prepared food equally, and in our eyes, better than top restaurant standards and served to us by wonderfully friendly and attentive stewards.

The 'Duke' performed magnificently storming up Exeter to Whiteball with no effort at all, wonderful engine, a credit to those who maintain it so lovingly.

Thank you all once again you made our anniversary celebrations complete and look forward to our next trip.

Karen & Iain McLaren

P & M Gadd - 31 July 2012

I'm writing on behalf of both my husband and I, to express our thanks for a wonderful trip on the Torbay Express (Britannia 70000) on Sunday 1st July 2012.

We couldn't have asked for a better day, the sun was shining and the arrival of the Britannia 70000 was warmly recieved by one and all. She looked wonderful and was a testament to the team that had undoubtedly spent hours getting her prepared for the trip.

Everyone on board was very pleasant and helpful and please pass on our compliments and congratulations to the "Frying Scotsman" team who perfomed magnificently throughout the day; the meals and service were exceptional.

The tickets were purchased by our son and daughter and their families for our 50th Wedding Annniversay, a truly wonderful gift.

The whole day was a fantastic experience and one that we will remember for a very long time.

Kind regards

Pete and Mary Gadd

Mr H, Christchurch - 11 July 2012

I enjoyed my trip on the Diamond Jubilee Express to Windsor in June so much I have booked again to go on the Dreamiong Spires Express to Oxford for my birthday in UAgust. It was an excellent day out and the staff were friendly and helpful.

 

I am looking forward to travelling again next month.

 

W. H, Christchurch

Mandy S - 2 December 2011

My Mum and I travelled First Class on the Bath Spa Express on Wednesday 30 November from Poole to Bath Spa and I would like to say thank you and how much we enjoyed the day.   The food was excellent , as was the waiter/waitress service on board - we were really looked after!   The steam engine was very impressive and it was lovely to see it running again on our railways.

Thank you again and see you next year!

Mandy S

J M & S G - 30 September 2011

My friend and I travelled on the ' Bath Spa Express' to Bath on Wednesday Sept. 28th and we had to write to say what a wonderful day we had.

The staff were all efficient, courteous and helpful. The food was excellent and served with great care. The tables were beautifully set and the fresh flowers were the icing on the cake, I'm still enjoying ours now.

All in all it had the hallmarks of beloved Palmair, who we miss very much, and with whom we travelled many times.

The weather was a bonus, of course, but I'm sure we would still be writing this same letter.

We were amazed at how many photographers there were all along the route until it was too dark for the cameras.

Thank you, again, for a superb day to remember.

J. M & S. G

Pat & Trevor K - 3rd October 2011

I am writing on behalf of my husband and I to express our great thanks for the wonderful day excursion we enjoyed on Sunday, 18th September, on (the Torbay Express) No. 6024 King Edward 1 along the old GWR line from Bristol to Kingswear. It was one of the most delightful days out we have had in years, and we are so grateful for all the massive amount of effort put into its planning and organisation. Everyone involved was courteous, helpful and good natured, which added hugely to our happines as passengers.

The meals were first rate and delicious (I don't know how the Frying Scotsman team managed to produce such a brilliant result from a very small galley - their efforts were very much appreciated by everyone on board).

We are in our seventies, and most of our childhood journeys were on steam trains, so it was truly magical to experience travelling on a 'proper' train again - diesels just aren't quite the same are they?!

A thousand thanks for giving two old age pensioners an unforgettably wonderful day out.

Pat and Trevor K 

Steve & Betsy H - 12th July 2011

We just wanted to say a big thank you for a lovely day on the Torbay Express (Sunday, 10^th July). Tornado was superb. The crew were very friendly & helpful – it was great to be waited on! We were asked if we could suggest any improvements, but all we can say is don’t change a thing. Even the weather was prefect and we enjoyed every moment.

Steve & Betsy H from Wiltshire

Helen H - 17 June 2011

R Barry - 12 June 2011

My girl friend and I joined your tour on Sunday 12th of June. She had treated me for my birthday, Premier Class as I love steam, and have always wanted to have a day being wined and dined aboard a steam pulled train.

I must say that the service was fantastic, the food was a delight and the staff were commendable on every level. The day had been very much looked forward to by us and we feel that it was well worth the money and that everything was organized exceptionally well.

We know locomotive 71000 Duke of Gloucester was failed on the return journey at Tiverton, and as we were very grateful for the kind gesture of the credit vouchers, but we do feel that it was unnecessary, since no one was to blame. I personally commend the fact that some one took the difficult decision to fail her when they did. We both understand that she is a vintage machine and must be preserved for future generations; I would rather wait for recovery than have the possibility of extensive damage being caused that would have resulted in a lengthy and costly repair.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the staff aboard that day, they were professional from start to finish - not only did they greet us with a smile at the start of the day, they served us exceptionally well, and were happy to answer questions, taking the time to talk to us on a one-to-one basis. Nothing was too much for them to the point that even under difficult circumstances they still managed to hide the fact that they were probably tired and continued giving great service, making sure we were comfortable and well. On the return to Temple Meads station bade us farewell with a smile and a hand shake.

We shall most definitely be joining you again, although I'm unsure if we can this year. I have also been taking great pleasure in recommending the Torbay Express to friends and family who are looking for a memorable day out.

Thank you for a truly fantastic day. We hope to join you again soon.

R Barry 

Karen and Iain McLaren - 5 June 2011

We had our first trip on the Torbay Express last year (22 August) and were absolutely enthralled with the whole experience; our comments are on the site still.

We went again on the first trip this year and were overjoyed to find that the experience was every bit as good as last time plus the Premier Dining Coaches had been fully refurbished and are even plusher than before. The excellent Frying Scotsman Catering Team were also sporting very smart dress white tunics for the evening meal; the level of service and the quality of the food was again simply superb.

On this latest trip we were hauled by the Duke of Gloucester, beautifully prepared and shining. What an experience, having our sumptuous meals listening to the wonderful engine exhaust crackle symphony when accelerating away. And like our experience previously, when hauled by ‘King Edward 1’, the ‘Duke’s’ support crew could not have been more friendly or helpful.

We are already planning for a second outing this year and intend to have many more trips in the future.

The Mills of Bristol - 5 June 2011

Just to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip to Dartmouth (on the Torbay Express) with you on 5th June. The tickets were bought for my dad's 80th birthday and it couldn't have been better.

The organisation was superb, the staff friendly and efficient (they must have walked miles back and forth through the carriages!) The setting was wonderful, like a film set with the smooth, white table cloths, the flowers and the table lights. It was really like travelling back in time, you could almost imagine Poirot or Marple riding along with us.

The engine, The Duke of Gloucester cut a magnificennt sight through the countryside, everyone came out to look and wave. All in all it was a wonderful day, thank you. I would recommend the trip to anyone.

From
The Mills of Bristol.

Karen and Iain McLaren - Friday August 27th 2010
Having heard a colleague from work describing her experience of fine dining on the Torbay Express as brilliant we decided to make the trip ourselves and what a joy, she was wrong it wasn’t just brilliant it was absolutely wonderful.
On arriving at Temple Meads we were met by the most helpful and friendly staff and train crew that anyone could ever wish to meet.

The table settings were a picture and the food sublime as was the service and attention; terrific.
I would not alter a thing on the experience, great breakfast and the quality of the dinner was simply superb, really good starter, melt in the mouth roast beef and a proper pudding, washed down with a bottle of wine after the champagne on re-boarding; life does not get any better.

Seeing the enthusiasm of all those lined up along the route waving and smiling at King Edward 1 and the rake of coaches was a picture, diners are really made to feel that they are something special.  Long may the service continue.

Our trip was money well spent and we are already looking towards a repeat of the trip next year.
Thanks to all at Torbay Express

Jonathan and Melissa of Surrey - Friday August 27th 2010
To everyone at Torbay Express,
We travelled with you on the Torbay Express on Sunday 22nd August and were just contacting you to let you know we had a fantastic day out. The service was exceptional and all the staff were very friendly, always making sure we had everything we needed and happy to answer any questions.

The carriages were really well laid out and it was the touches such as the white linen, flowers and napkins made into crowns and fan shapes just made it even more special. The food was very tasty, full compliments to the chefs. The breakfast was delicious and really filled us up for the day at Kingswear and Dartmouth. The ride behind King Edward I was really smooth and much faster than we thought it would be. Even though the weather was a mixed bag, the experience of travelling by steam could not be spoilt and the dinner on the way back was also delicious, hearty food, with a beautiful apple crumble to finish!

The whole experience really made our holiday to the South West and was a very special day out. We certainly took back plenty of souveniers from the train and Kingswear and we look forward to travelling with you on the Torbay Express again next year. Should it be hauled by King Edward I so much the better! To anyone thinking of booking on the Torbay Express, you won't be disappointed, it's a fabulous day out and well worth the money.
We are happy to be quoted on the website/ literature. Once again many thanks,

Mr Chris Hall of Frocester - Thursday June 10th 2010
I just wanted to thank you and all of your colleagues for the wonderful day that we had on Sunday (6 June).  You may recall that I took my parents on the Torbay Express, choosing the Premier Dining option and the harbour cruise - it was very good to meet you on the day.  It was superb!  My parents were, I think, quite overwhelmed by the day - stepping into the beautifully presented carriage with white linen etc is quite an experience, and the standard was kept up throughout.  For me, whatever expectations I might have had were thoroughly exceeded, in particular on three counts:

- the amazing organisation, for which I think it's clear we have you to thank in large part;
- the speed on the main lines: I had assumed that we'd be pootling along at 40-50: to hurtle along at a proper main line speed was really something (especially as yesterday it took five hours to get from Stonehouse to Paddington on an HST - signal failure at Didcot so we diverted via Westbury!).  Terrific to overtake cars and lorries on the M5.  My Dad noted how exceedingly well-maintained the locomotove is - no steam coming from where it shouldn't come from.

- the quality and presentation of the Premier Dining set-up.
Also, to be honest, although £175 seems quite expensive if you're paying for three people (!), I think it's terrific value for money both in absolute terms and especially compared with (for example) the £124 I paid yesterday to get very slowly to Paddington and back, second class with no catering (and frequently having to stand, on the Kemble line).  Fares from Bristol are even more alarming.

I discovered Pathfinder Tours / the Torbay Express as a result of a recommendation from a friend.  Another friend is now almost certainly going to send grandparents on a similar tour, as a result of my recommendation.
You asked for feedback on any niggles: so there was just one, very minor, and it's not at all an unusual problem.  You'd kindly informed the Frying Scotsman folks of my Dad's food allergies (which are really very severe so it's important to make sure he steers clear of certain things), and they knew about it, but not too surprisingly when it came to serving they'd forgotten again.  They dealt with it excellently, of course, and there was no problem in the end.

So - many thanks again.  I'm very impressed.  Very happy to be quoted or whatever, if that would help

Mr Stephen J Gould of Shepperton - Tuesday June 1st 2010
I travelled with you on the Torbay Express on Sunday from Bristol, just wanted to say what a great day it was, great running by the loco, very pleased it was steam all the way there & back as there have been a few problems recently with main line steam services.  Timings were very  good too.

I wish you a successful season for the Torbay express and  hope to do it again with you next year.

Mr Andrew Tucker - Friday June 4th 2010
I would like to thank all involved with the running of the Torbay Express on Sunday 30th May.
My wife bought tickets for my  60th birthday present.  We had a fabulous time, excellent service and brilliant weather.  Being hauled by a King class (6024 King Edward I) was the real icing on the cake.  The whole day was one to remember for all the right reasons.