The Waverley

This summer the Railway Touring Company is operating a series of steam hauled trains from York, Leeds and the Aire Valley over the spectacular Settle–Carlisle line, probably the most famous rail route in the UK. We have four very powerful express locomotives for these trains, representing the advances and achievements of UK steam power between 1930 and the 1950s.

Our train will set out from York at 09:00 gaining immediate high speeds along the long, flat, straight stretch to Church Fenton. Here our train takes the Leeds route, where we stop to pick up customers.

From Leeds to Carlisle there’s scarcely a level mile; 113 miles of ups and downs! Our train follows the Aire Valley, calling to pick up more customers at Shipley, Keighley and Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales, through beautiful countryside. After taking water we come to Settle Junction, the start of one of the UK’s most arduous climbs, totalling 15 miles, mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. A tough test for our locomotive which we will see - and hear - working very hard!

Crossing the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct high above the valley floor, the line ends at Blea Moor Tunnel with stunning views of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. From there we run high above valleys, over bridges and through more dramatic tunnels to the highest station in England, Dent. Then, the dramatic peak of our journey, we take the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1169 feet of it! Travelling high above the valley at Mallerstang, we then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Appleby where our locomotive takes water and where we will spend the afternoon in this historic and very pretty place.

Customers continuing to Carlisle will enjoy a swift downhill run through the Eden Valley, arriving at 14:25. We will have three hours in Carlisle, plenty of time to explore this ancient border city. On departure we climb almost continually for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill, tackling gradients as steep as 1 in 100. Our locomotive will take water at Appleby and pick up the people who spent the afternoon there. From Ais Gill our engine takes a breather as it rushes back down the hill. After stopping for water our train continues to our setting down points at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley and Leeds, before arriving in York arriving at about 21:45.

Steam Locomotive Pool

• Royal Scot 4-6-0 – 46115 Scots Guardsman
• Jubilee 4-6-0 – 5690 Leander
• Black 5 4-6-0 – 45305
• Black 5 4-6-0 – 45231 Sherwood Forester

• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast and a 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)