This fabulous tour provides the perfect opportunity for passengers in the West Midlands to sample a truly spectacular railway journey. One of Britain’s best, the breathtaking Settle–Carlisle line combines superb scenery with impressive Victorian engineering. Our powerful steam locomotive, former BR Britannia Pacific 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ will haul our train from Crewe to Carlisle via the West Coast Main line over Shap and will return on the Settle–Carlisle Railway.

Leaving Leicester early in the morning we run diesel hauled to Crewe via East Midlands Parkway and Stoke-on-Trent to meet up with ‘Oliver Cromwell’. The old fellow will be given an early opportunity to reach his maximum speed along the West Coast Main Line as we head north through Warrington and Wigan to Preston to collect further passengers.

With luck we’ll have a fast run along the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth where our locomotive takes on water. We’ll climb the first severe gradient up to Grayrigg then travel through the beautiful Lune Valley, gaining speed for the ascent up Shap. There’s always a chance we’ll beat these gradients’ record times, so hang on to your hats! After crossing the Cumbrian Fells we descend to Penrith then head for Carlisle. We stay in this border city for nearly three hours, giving you the chance to visit the castle, cathedral, museum and shops, or find a comfy bar.

The climb up to the Settle–Carlisle line begins here, along one of the best known and best loved stretches of railway line in the UK. We take on water at Appleby before climbing past scenic Kirby Stephen towards the highest railway summit in England, Ais Gill, 1169 feet above sea level.
We pass over high viaducts including the famous Ribblehead, through tunnels and past the cloudy heads of Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

We should have a fast run out of the hills through to Settle where we stop to take on water.
From Settle we steam through Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn, taking the direct line to Wigan*.
(*Customers for Preston change at Wigan)

• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.

A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)