Birmingham steam train journey serving food from a 120 year old menu

Passengers traveling on a special commemorative steam train from Birmingham this weekend will be treated to the same lunch menu as when the service first ran 120 years ago. In a nostalgic nod to 1904, the Great Western will offer a “lunch menu” that speaks of yesteryear.

The train will be pulled by the historic Clun Castle steam locomotive, which used to haul crack express trains between the Midlands and the South West of England. Three hundred people are paying up to £450 each for the two-day trip, which leaves Birmingham Snow Hill Station on Friday 10 May for Bristol and Plymouth before returning via London Paddington.

Tomato cream soup will be served, followed by a main course of cold ham, cold ox tongue, Russian salad and potato salad. Dessert will include a choice of melba with fruit or cheese and crackers, followed by coffee.

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Organizers say the menu is a “faithful reproduction” of what was served when the train first ran on May 9, 1904. Nowadays, it is owned by Tyseley-based Vintage Trains, which will also operate , the Mersey Express steamed from Birmingham. in Liverpool on Saturday 1 June. Ticket prices start from £129. Find out more and book on the Vintage Trains website.

A spokesman for Vintage Trains, which organized the sold-out trip, said of the lunch menu: “Mention British Rail catering these days and people automatically think of a stale cheese sandwich served with a cup of warm tea in -a chipped cup.

“But the food was actually pretty good in Pullman class and we’re sure none of our passengers will be disappointed.”