The North Wales Coast Express

Exactly 40 years since British Railways ran its last steam hauled trains, the Railway Touring Company are proud to present the North Wales Coast Express. This will be a regular summer steam service from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead. We have a pool of three steam locomotives, all Pacifics and restored to top operating condition for hauling these trains. They are 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 60009 Union of South Africa and 71000 Duke of Gloucester.

Our train departs Liverpool Lime Street station around 10:00, steam hauled by a magnificent Pacific locomotive. It will be an atmospheric departure from this terminus, up through the deep cutting to Edge Hill.
Soon we make our first stop to pick up passengers at Broad Green station, which has a large car park. Our next calling points are Warrington Bank Quay, Frodsham and Chester.

On leaving Chester, we pass through the Roman walls, cross the River Dee and soon after enter Wales. We run alongside the Dee Estuary and the Irish Sea passing through Prestatyn and Rhyl, a coastline known for its stunning beaches. At Colwyn Bay we have a fantastic view of the ‘Great Orme’ - Orme is a Viking name, one of the meanings of which is ‘Serpent’ and the limestone headland on the Creuddyn Peninsula is thought to have reminded early sailors of a giant sea serpent!

Customers can leave the train at Llandudno Junction and spend the day in Llandudno if they wish. Regular service trains run between the Junction and Llandudno. Should you choose to continue with us however, we will depart as soon as the locomotive has taken water. We will cross the Conwy Harbour Bridge over the Conwy Estuary with more views of the Great Orme.

We will call at Conwy Station to set down further passengers who wish to visit this picturesque town.

We now run very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through the little seaside resorts of Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan. Soon we arrive in Bangor.
At Bangor you can either continue with our steam train into Anglesey and onto Holyhead where you will have time to explore the town, or you can take one of two optional excursions from Bangor.

Our train departs Holyhead at around 16:30 and we will call to collect passengers at Bangor, Conwy, Llandudno Junction and Colwyn Bay.
We call to set down passengers at Chester, Frodsham, Warrington Bank Quay and Broad Green before finalling steaming in to Liverpool Lime Street.

• 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 for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)