The West Highlander Steam Express

Join us for an exhilarating three day steam hauled tour around the Western Highlands of Scotland, featuring three different steam locomotives; LMS Royal Scot LNER K4 and K1. Beginning in Liverpool and picking up at Preston (with good connections from the South) and exploring the Western Highlands of Scotland, this three day tour takes in the majestic scenery of Ben Nevis, the idyllic Loch Lomond and the fabulous land and seascapes of the beautiful Mallaig line and for the first time for The Railway Touring Company the Oban Line.

Friday 3rd September 

A Royal Scot from Liverpool to Glasgow

Around 09:30 we steam out of Liverpool’s Grand Terminus “Lime Street” hauled by 46115 Scots Guardsman. It is a quick pull through the tunnel and deep cutting up to Edge Hill. We call to pick up more passengers at St Helens and Wigan before arriving at Preston. Here there are good connections from London, Birmingham, The Midlands and North of England. We depart Preston after a short water stop and head north. After Oxenholme the gradient begins to increase, providing quite a climb up to Grayrigg Summit. Passing through the scenic Lune gorge, we pass through Tebay beforecommencing our assault on dramatic Shap fell, a major obstacle in the days of steam. On arrival in Carlisle there will be a break while our steam locomotive is serviced. We cross the border into Scotland at Gretna and, after Lockerbie, face a formidable climb up to Beattock Summit before dropping down through Carstairs to the Grand Terminus of Glasgow Central.

Saturday 4th September

The spectacular West Highland Line

After an early start, around 07:00, our special steam-hauled train leaves Glasgow Queen Street and immediately begins labouring up the steep 1 in 45 climb up to Cowlairs Summit. Running close to the famous River Clyde at Craigendoran, we veer right to join the West Highland line itself. After a brief stop at Arrochar Station we witness the tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond.
After leaving Crainlarich, the Oban line branches off and we find ourselves on the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor. Loch Treig comes into view, and we travel through The Monessie Gorge. The highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis, looms above us at 4418ft as we approach Fort William around lunchtime.
Here we have a short break where you can soak up the local atmosphere. We steam out of Fort William under the shadow of Ben Nevis, bound for Mallaig. Here, we will cross the impressive Caledonian Canal at Banavie and travel across the splendid elevated curved viaduct at Glenfinnan. Get your cameras out as we cross, it’s a fabulous sight. Once across we travel through some of the most breathtaking scenery that Scotland has to offer. As the beautiful colours of glens and lochs contrast against the grey stone of Scottish castles, we see the mountains descend to meet the western shore at Mallaig. Here we have a long break, when you can take a leisurely stroll to sample the highland air, or spend some time sightseeing or shopping. Alternatively why not enjoy the excellent traditional fish and chips! On arrival back at pretty Fort William we make our way to the hotel to relax and enjoy a delicious evening meal and maybe even a wee dram or two!

Sunday 5th September

Fort William, Oban and Glasgow

At 10:00, after a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Fort William steam hauled by K4 2-6-0 61994. Climbing out of Fort William through the spectacular scenery of the Monessie Gorge, we cross Roy Bridge then tackle the steepest part of the climb up to Corour summit. This is the second highest summit on British Railways, so you could say it’s all downhill from here! Steaming through Tyndrum, we return over Rannoch Moor. After we take on water at Crainlarich. The Great Marques runs around our train and we set off for Oban tender first. Passing through Tyndrum Lower and continuing through magnificent scenery through Loch Awe and the Falls of Cruachan. Soon after passing through Taynuilt we arrive in Oban where there will be a break for lunch. We depart Oban and immediately start an awesome climb as we arrive around the mountain slope as we climb out of Oban. 61994 will be working flatout before we start our decent to Connel Ferry and Taynuilt. We continue to retrace our steps to Crainlarich where we call for water. We face another stiff climb up to Arrochar and Tarbet. Finally we return southwards through Helensborough and along the Clyde estuary, through Dumbarton and Springburn to Glasgow Queen Street. 

Monday 6th September

Journey home

We depart Glasgow Central at 09:30 hauled by 46115 Scots Guardsman Westwards on the Glasgow and South Western route through Paisley and Dalry to Newton on Ayr where we turn left on to the freight only line to Mauchline Junction there we join the Glasgow and South Western main line. Through Kirkconnel and Dumfries to Carlisle. We continue steam hauled through Carnforth and Lancaster to Preston.At Preston a diesel locomtive takes over our train fro the run back to Liverpool Lime Street.

The locomotives:

The West Highlander Steam Express will be hauled in turn by three different steam locomotives.

LMS Royal Scot 46115
Liverpool – Glasgow – Preston

LNER K4 61994 The Great Marquess
Glasgow – Fort William – Oban – Glasgow

LNER K1 2-6-0 62005
Fort William – Mallaig – Fort William

A Black V may be used on the Crainlarich – Oban – Crainlarich section if we deem it necessary.