The Cumbrian Mountain Express

This not to be missed tour allows passengers in the West Midlands to sample one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the British Isles, the Settle to Carlisle line. Superb scenery and the breathtaking heavy engineering of the line, 6233 Duchess of Sutherland will take our train from Hellifield to Carlisle via the Settle and Carlisle line, returning via the West Coast Main line over Shap to Preston.

Leaving Worcester Shrub Hill early in the morning, we run diesel-hauled to Crewe via Kidderminster and Birmingham New Street before continuing through Wolverhampton and Stafford to meet up with Duchess of Sutherland at Hellifield. On departure from Hellifield the spectacular scenery starts to appear as our locomotive makes a steady climb through Settle, with the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside dominating the landscape shortly after. The line has twenty major viaducts and fourteen tunnels, cumulating with the lines most spectacular engineering feat, the massive 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct.

After passing through Blea Moor Tunnel, reputedly to be haunted, the line runs high along the edge of Dent Dale where there are spectacular views of the valley below. Beyond Dent station, the highest main line station in England at 1150 ft above sea level, we enter Garsdale and speed onwards to Ais Gill Summit, standing at 1169 ft. Running along the slopes of Mallerstang Edge on a descending gradient, we pass through Kirkby Stephen and reach the market town of Appleby, where Duchess of Sutherland will take water. There will be a brief opportunity to stretch your legs before we leave for the final part of the journey through the Eden Valley to Carlisle.

The locomotive will be serviced and turned during our stay and you will have time to visit the historic border town of Carlisle where there are numerous shops, restaurants, a castle and a cathedral to explore.

We will take the West Coast Main Line through Penrith on the edge of the Lake District and Duchess of Sutherland will climb steadily to the summit at Shap. The impressive Lune Gorge leads to Oxenholme where we will pause for a while in the goods loop to take on water. The final run with Duchess of Sutherland will see a fast run through Lancaster and on to Preston, where our steam locomotive will be exchanged for a modern diesel locomotive for the journey back to Worcester.

• 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)