Regular Summer Steam Railtours


 RETURN TO THE HOMEPAGE                                                                                                                                                                                                                              RAILWAY BRITAIN


THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS


These are a regular series of mainline steam excursions from London operated throughout the year by Steam Dreams. The trips are designed to take the passenger through some of England's loveliest countryside to a chosen cathedral city or seaside resort. Steam Dreams is the only carbon neutral mainline steam excursion operator and is proud of this committment to ensure that its steam excursions do not damage the environment. Steam Dreams offers these "The Cathedral Express" mainline steam excursions to a variety of destinations including:

Bath and Bristol
Cambridge
Canterbury
Cheltenham
Chester
Chichester and Glorious Goodwood
Exeter
Gloucester
Lincoln
Minehead
Oxford
Salisbury
Warwick and Stratford upon Avon
Wells via Cranmore
York

Railtour Operator:

Steam Dreams
www.steamdreams.co.uk


2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based in London) includes:

SR 34067 Tangmere
LMS 6233 Duchess of Sutherland


THE BRITISH PULLMAN


The historic and luxurious VSOE British Pullman hauled by steam locomotive is one of the ultimate travel experiences. Orient Express operate a regular series of steam hauled VSOE British Pullman excursions throughout the year to a variety of destinations departing from London Victoria  including:


Bath

Bristol

Southampton Eastern Docks (for Portsmouth, Beaulieu National Motor Museum and the New Forest National Park)

Oxford (for Blenheim Palace and Waddesdon Manor)

Rye (for the Historic Gardens of Great Dixter and Hole Park)

Tonbridge / Ashford (for Penshurst Place & Gardens)


Railtour Operator:


Orient Express

www.orient-express.com


2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based in London) includes:

SR 35028 Clan Line

LUNCH FROM LONDON

The "Lunch From London" is a circular round trip with lunch on board the historic and luxurious VSOE British Pullman hauled by steam locomotive. It is one of the ultimate dining experiences. Orient Express operated a regular series of steam hauled VSOE "Lunch From London" British Pullman excursions throughout the year on a variety of circular routes through the lovely English countryside departing from London Victoria.


Railtour Operator:


Orient Express

www.orient-express.com


2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based in London) includes:

SR 35028 Clan Line


REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY WEST COAST RAILWAY COMPANY:


The Jacobite
Fort William to Mallaig

The Jacobite is described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. It departs from Fort William near the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis), and heads along the famous West Highland Line. En route it visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station (Arisaig), then passes by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain (Loch Morar), and the shortest river in Britain (RIver Morar) and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe (Loch Nevis) and our destination of Mallaig. Mallaig is the gateway to the Isle of Skye via the Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries. You also cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking the beautiful Loch Shiel. This steam excursion is a wonderful way to enjoy the West Highlands and their outstanding natural beauty.

Railtour Operator:

West Coast Railway Company
www.westcoastrailway.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Fort William) includes:

LNER K1 62005
LMS Black Five 45321
LMS Black Five 45407

The Scarborough Spa Express
York to Scarborough Spa

The Scarborough Spa Express runs from the historic city of York to the delightful seaside resort of Scarborough via Knaresborough, Harrogate, Leeds and York.

Railtour Operator:

West Coast Railway Company
www.westcoastrailway.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at York) includes:

SR 30777 Sir Lamiel
LMS 5690 Leander
SR 850 Lord Nelson

The Cambrian
Machynlleth to Porthmadog & Pwhelli

The Cambrian departs from the small Welsh market town of Machynlleth before joining the scenic Cambrian Coast Line to the former slate shipping village, Porthmadog every day, Monday to Friday and on to Pwllheli on a Wednesday and Friday only. This is a magnificent steam excursion and allows you to enjoy the beautiful Cardigan Bay and the mountains of Snowdonia.
 
Railtour Operator:

West Coast Railway Company
www.westcoastrailway.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Machynlleth) includes:

BR 76079

The Settle-Carlisle Venturer
York to Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle Line

The Settle-Carlisle Venturer departs the historic city of York and heads to Carlisle via the majestic Settle & Carlisle Line.

Railtour Operator:

West Coast Railway Company
www.westcoastrailway.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at York) includes:

SR 30777 Sir Lamiel
LMS 5690 Leander
SR 850 Lord Nelson
LMS Black Five 45231

REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY PAST TIME RAIL:

The Torbay Express
Bristol Temple Meads to Paignton & Kingswear (for Dartmouth)

The Torbay Express departs from Bristol Temple Meads and takes the spectacular coastal route to Torquay, and then via the metals of the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, stops at Paignton and Kingswear (for Dartmouth) to set down passengers for an afternoon on the South Devon Riviera. It is a very scenic journey as you speed across the flat Somerset levels to Taunton, charge through the Blackdown Hills and the Exe Valley to Exeter, the Exe and Teign estuaries, then alongside the sea-wall from Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth, and on the final lap, through the delightful wooded estate once owned by Agatha Christie, and down into the old riverside terminus station at Kingswear.

 Railtour Operator:

Past Time Rail
www.past-timerail.co.uk
 
2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based in Bristol) includes:

GWR 6024 King Edward I
GWR 5029 Nunney Castle
SR 34067 Tangmere

 The Cotton Mill Express
Manchester Victoria to Blackburn

(The train runs outwards via Stalybridge, Diggle, Huddersfield, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Burnley, and returns to Manchester Victoria via Darwen and Bolton).

The Cotton Mill Express is Manchester's first regular steam hauled passenger train for over 40 years and departs from Manchester Victoria. Threading together many of Lancashire and Yorkshire’s former cotton and textile mills on a breathtaking 100-mile circular route, the ‘Cotton Mill Express’ embraces some of the most wild and rugged hill country the Pennines has to offer.

Railtour Operator:

Past Time Rail
www.past-timerail.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based in Bury) includes:

BR 76079
LMS Black Five 45407

REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY VINTAGE TRAINS:

The Shakespeare Express
Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford upon Avon

The Shakespeare Express runs on Summer Sundays through the delightful Warwickshire countryside.... Shakespeare's County..... between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. You can join the train at either Birmingham, Henley in Arden or Stratford upon Avon.

Railtour Operator:

Vintage Trains
www.vintagetrains.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Tyseley) includes:

GWR 4965 Rood Ashton Hall

REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY THE NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY:

The Whitby Endeavour
Pickering & Grosmont to Whitby

The NYMR Whitby Endeavour operates throughout the season and on weekdays throughout the year and on Sundays in summer.

Railtour Operator:

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway
www.nymr.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Grosmont) includes:

LNER K4 61994 The Great Marquess

REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY KINGFISHER RAILTOURS:

The Dalesman
Hellifield to Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle Line

The Dalesman departs from Hellifield at approximately 11 am before joining the world-famous Settle-Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction. The Dalesman is the only steam train ride over the world-famous Settle-Carlisle Line that you can join locally. There is the option of either approximately 4 hours in Appleby or 2 hours in Carlisle.

Railtour Operator:

Kingfisher Railtours
www.kingfisherrailtours.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Carnforth) includes:

SR 30777 Sir Lamiel
LMS 5690 Leander
LMS 8F 45151
LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman
BR 70013 Oliver Cromwell

The Cumbrian Coast Fellsman
Carnforth to Ravenglass

The Cumbrian Coast Fellsman departs Carnforth before joining the Cumbrian Coast Line via Grange over Sands to Ravenglass for the delightful Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a 15 inch gauge line that runs for 7 miles up unspoilt Eskdale into the Lakeland Mountains at Dalegarth, or a visit to Muncaster Castle.

Railtour Operator:

Kingfisher Railtours
www.kingfisherrailtours.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Carnforth) includes:

SR 30777 Sir Lamiel
LMS 5690 Leander
LMS 8F 45151
LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman
BR 70013 Oliver Cromwell

REGULAR SUMMER MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSIONS OPERATED BY THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY:

The North Wales Coast Express

Liverpool to Holyhead

The North Wales Coast Express departs from Liverpool before running via Warrington and Chester to join the scenic North Wales Line to Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Holyhead. This is a magnificent steam excursion and allows you to enjoy the beautiful North Wales Coast and the mountains of Snowdonia.

Railtour Operator:

The Railway Touring Company
www.railwaytouring.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Crewe) includes:

LMS 6201 Princess Elizabeth
LNER 60009 Union of South Africa

The Scarborough Flyer
Crewe, Warrington & Manchester to Scarborough

the Scarborough Flyer will steam out of Crewe and head north along the West Coast main line. further passengers at Warrington we leave the West Coast main line at Earlestown and head for Manchester Victoria. From here the train immediately climbs Miles Platting Bank. You continue through Stalybridge with its famous buffet, on the climb to Standedge tunnel, through the Pennines, one of the longest in the UK. From the tunnel the train drops down to pick up further customers at Huddersfield, then joins the Old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to Wakefield Kirkgate. The train heads through Castleford to York. York is a fascinating city to visit at any time of the year, with a huge variety of places to see, such as the Minster, The Shambles, the Jorvik Centre and the superb National Railway Museum. Open topped buses leave from York Railway Station for tours around the city.

On leaving York, the train takes the Scarborough line immediately crossing the River Ouse with views of the Minster. There should be a fast run along the Vale of York before slowing for the curves to follow the river past Kirkham Abbey. Soon the train passes through Malton continuing from here through Seamer to Scarborough. Scarborough is the most popular seaside resort in Yorkshire and perhaps the whole East Coast. It has everything you would expect from an established seaside resort, with two stunning bays, the North Bay and South Bay.

Railtour Operator:

The Railway Touring Company
www.railwaytouring.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Crewe) includes:

LMS 6201 Princess Elizabeth
LNER 60009 Union of South Africa

The Cumbrian Mountain Express
Liverpool or Crewe to Carlisle via Shap and returning via the Settle & Carlisle Line

The Cumbrian Mountain Express departs from either Liverpool or Crewe before joining the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth where the engine takes water. The train  then ascends the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg, then travels through the beautiful Lune Valley, gaining speed for the ascent of Shap. After crossing the Fells of Cumbria the train descends to Penrith, then head onwards towards Carlisle. The train allows for a three hour visit in this border city allowing the opportunity to visit the castle, the cathedral, the museum or visit the shops and have a drink. On the return journey the train sets off along the Settle and Carlisle line, probably the most well known and beautiful stretch of railway line in the country.

The climb begins soon after leaving Carlisle, stopping to take water at Appleby. Leaving here the train passes Kirkby Stephen and reachs the highest railway summit in England, Ais Gill at 1,169 feet above sea level. The train passes over high viaducts, including the famous Ribblehead, through tunnels and see Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The train should have a fast run out of the hills, through Settle, until it arrives at Long Preston where the locomotive takes water. From here there is a fast run back to our starting point in Liverpool or Crewe via Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn.

Railtour Operator:

The Railway Touring Company
www.railwaytouring.co.uk

2008 Steam Locomotive Pool (based at Crewe) includes:

LMS 6201 Princess Elizabeth
LNER 60009 Union of South Africa



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