A CREWE-BASED railway charity is to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a steam rail tour to Windsor.

The Railway Benefit Fund is partnering with Locomotive Services Limited to run the charter from Crewe on Friday, June 3, during the four-day celebrations for the monarch's 70th anniversary on the throne.

The Royal Charter will be hauled by the steam locomotive 70000 Britannia, which was once owned by the charity's president, music producer Pete Waterman.

It will pick up passengers at Stafford and Nuneaton before heading to Windsor.

Passengers onboard the train will be able to enjoy first class comforts including Pullman Dining, which includes a breakfast, four-course dinner, a glass of champagne and half a bottle of wine per person.

The event has been organised by the RBF, which supports current, former and retired railway staff from its offices on Nantwich Road.

Locomotive Services Limited, also based in Crewe, is supporting the tour and all money raised will go to the charity.

The 70000 Britannia, built in Crewe in 1952, was the first British Railways standard locomotive to be built and the first of 55 locomotives of the Britannia class.

advertisement

Mr Waterman owned it from 2000 to 2006 when she was stored at his workshops at the Crewe Heritage Centre.

He said: "What better way to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee than a luxury steam experience to Windsor, while raising money for charity. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event which I am incredibly excited to be attending myself."

More information on The Royal Charter and the link to purchase tickets can be found on the RBF website.