The Locomotive & Carriage Institution

founded 1911

Friday 25th September 2009

Evening Cruise on The River Thames

On the World's Last Sea-going Paddle Steamer - P.S. Waverley

BOOKINGS CLOSING - LAST BOOKINGS TO ARRIVE BY 7th SEPTEMBER

Join us for an evening cruise on the River Thames in style - aboard a steam-powered paddle steamer. Departing from Tower Millennium Pier next to the Tower of London, we will pass through Tower Bridge, which will open especially to let us through, steam past the rapidly-expanding developments on the Docklands Peninsular, the Cutty Sark and historic Greenwich, the O2 Arena and the Thames Barrier and on to within site of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. On the way we will see Docklands and London flood-lit at night whilst a jazz band will play in the bar.

The Waverley was built in 1947 for the London North Eastern Railway, transferring to the British Transport Commission upon nationalisation in 1948. Waverley’s early years saw her mainly used as a summer steamer on the Upper Firth of Clyde. However in 1973, by now the final steamer on the Clyde, she was finally taken out of service following increasing breakdowns. In 1974 she was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1.

On board there is extensive open deck space, lounges, a fully-licensed bar, restaurant, tea room and good views of her gleaming triple-expansion steam engine.