Marcus Robertson, founder of the Steam Dreams Rail Co, is stepping down to start a new company, Belle Trains.

Belle Trains will run holidays by steam in Europe and the further afield, including a delayed Kiwi Explorer.

Aimee Stevenson and Judy Brierley will also join Marcus Robertson on his new venture.

Marcus commented: ‘It has been an eventful ride over the last 25 years getting Steam Dreams going. There is no doubt that Locomotive Services Group is the perfect home for Steam Dreams UK based operations. I have known Jeremy Hosking for 20 years and the incredible stable of locomotives and restored carriages he has lovingly restored are unique. Combined with the professional management and excellent catering operation at Crewe they are able to provide an unrivalled quality experience all over Britain’s Railways.

‘We are very excited that Belle Trains will now be focusing on Overseas Holidays. We have started working on plans for tours to Germany – including the Harz Mountains – and also to Ireland in the next couple of years. At the same time we will be finalising plans to run our Covid postponed Holidays to New Zealand and the US. I am very grateful to Jeremy and his team for their support in allowing us to take on these Overseas Holidays. Steam Dreams will of course remain close to my heart.’