Heads will turn at Cambridge station this December when ‘giant of steam’ 1930s-built 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley pays a visit as it hauls The Christmas White Rose special train to festive York for the day.

Heritage rail tour operator The Railway Touring Company has announced two Christmas steam specials from Cambridge - The Christmas White Rose on Saturday, December 11, and The Christmas Fenman to London Kings Cross on Sunday, December 12.

Courtesy of The Railway Touring Company we have a pair of premier dining tickets for The Christmas White Rose for the lucky winner of our Christmas Steam Competition. Departing from Cambridge, Ely, March or Peterborough on Saturday, December 11, our winner and guest will enjoy a full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at their seats on board.

A4 Pacific 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley is one of a class of 35 Pacifics built by the London & North Eastern Railway between 1935 and 1938, which also included famous Mallard, which achieved a staggering 126 mph in 1938, a world speed record for steam traction still unbeaten today.

With Sir Nigel at its head the vintage carriages of The Christmas White Rose will cruise northwards, at speeds just a little less than Mallard’s, to York where travellers from Cambridgeshire will have the afternoon to enjoy the ancient city’s festive atmosphere, explore the shops along the Shambles, visit the magnificent Minster or one of York’s many museums, perhaps, the National Railway Museum.

Younger Christmas White Rose passengers will be treated to a visit from Father Christmas, accompanied by his elves, with presents for all the children.

Tickets for The Christmas White Rose to York include standard �79 (family �215), first class �109 (family �295) and premier dining �179 (family �550). Fares for The Christmas Fenman to Kings Cross are �49 (family �130) for standard, �79 (family �210) for first and �139 (family �420) for premier dining.

Call The Railway Touring Company on 01553 661500 or visit www.railwaytouring.co.uk.