The places that you can enjoy a nostalgic steam train trip are becoming few and far between these days. One with a truly beautiful setting to travel through is the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway in the Lake District, Cumbria, England.
This branch line is approaching its 140th anniversary and is run by a group of train enthusiast volunteers and a small number of staff.
Beyond attracting the usual steam train enthusiasts and young children who love anything to do with steam railway engines because of their devotion to Thomas the Tank Engine, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway offers something very special for the real steam train lover. You can be a steam locomotive driver for the day here – either on your own or with as many as three friends. Once you’ve booked in for a day, all you need to bring is your own overalls, boots and waterproofs. Otherwise everything is provided – including breakfast and a railway man’s lunch and hot cups of tea along the way. In all you’ll do four round trips from Haverthwaite to Lakeside and you’ll learn how to stoke the fire, and oil and clean the engine.
Of course, you’ll have to get there under your own steam (excuse the pun), and the best way to reach the Lake District is by car. That way, you have freedom to travel where you want while you’re there, without having to fit your day around a public transport timetable. Whatever you drive, you’ll be looking to get the best mileage with today’s inflated oil prices. The civic 2012 range is soon to be available in the UK and all the models have improved fuel efficiency. Although drivers in the States can purchase a Civic Hybrid, the Honda Civic models in the UK do not include the hybrid. For the time being, Honda hybrid fans in the UK are restricted to a choice between the hybrid Insight, Jazz or CR-Z.