East Lancashire Railway Dining With Dinstinction Red Rose Diner review
The golden age of steam, a bygone era of travel from the mid-1800s, stirs the emotions like no other.
How lucky, then, are we here in East Lancashire to be blessed with a true heritage steam railway, moreso one that provides the chance to dine in true nostalgic fashion.
I was welcomed on board the East Lancashire Railway with my partner and four friends earlier this month to celebrate a double 50th birthday and sample the ELR’s superb Dining With Distinction Red Rose Diner.
The experience was exactly as we expected – an unforgettable, wistful, journey of elegance through the beautiful Lancashire countryside.
Boarding our traditional Pullman-style carriage at the ELR’s flagship Victorian-style station at Bury, our party travelled from there to Rawtenstall and back through the Irwell Valley and Ramsbottom, a figurative journey through time.
After gathering on the platform, suited and booted, we were directed to our carriage where a warm glow from soft lights and stylishly upholstered seats awaited us, accompanied by a chilled glass of prosecco.
It was not long before the comforting hoot of the train’s horn sounded and we were on our way, chugging along the tracks.
The Dining With Distinction experience allows guests to choose from various four-course set menus on different dates.
On our trip, the first course served to us by the pleasant waiting-on staff was a tasty roasted chicken and smoked bacon salad with croutons and chive crème fraiche.
It was a chilly November evening when we dined, and so the next course was a welcome addition as bowls of piping hot spiced parsnip and cauliflower soup with toasted cumin seeds proved just the ticket.
Drinks are available on board, or for a small corkage fee, you can also bring on your own, which we did.
On to the main, and a generous serving of Aberdeen Angus sirloin of beef with Portobello mushroom was served up, along with horseradish pomme puree and a peppercorn and brandy sauce.
Dessert was a delectable strawberry and prosecco cheesecake with red fruit coulis and fresh cream. Tea or coffee with a dinner chocolate rounded off our superb meal and experience.
I would heartily recommend any of the ELR dining experiences, which also include themed nights. For more information visit https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/experiences/dining-experiences/