Classic Railway Touring Company day out from Euston: electric to Lancashire, then a steam circuit over Shap and back over the Settle to Carlisle line.
The Cumbrian Mountain Express is the best known of The Railway Touring Company's day trips. A blue Class 86 electric whisks the train from London Euston, Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe up the West Coast Main Line to Carnforth, where a steam locomotive takes over.
The steam circuit runs north through the Lune Gorge and over Shap summit to Carlisle, with about an hour and forty minutes in the city, then returns south over the Settle to Carlisle line: the Eden Valley, Appleby, Ais Gill summit at 1,169 feet, Dent, Blea Moor and the Ribblehead Viaduct beneath Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. The electric resumes at Preston for the run home.
Three classes are sold: Premier Dining with full English breakfast and a four-course dinner, First Class with refreshments and Standard.
Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Howgill Fells in the Lune Gorge are on the right.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
| Date | From | Traction | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 06:35 |
London Euston Runs as The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express. |
Class 86 electric to Carnforth, then steam | See operator |
| Sat 27 Feb 2027 06:35 |
London Euston Runs as The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express. |
Class 86 electric to Carnforth, then steam | See operator |
06:35 from Euston, returning late evening.
On some dates the train starts from Manchester Piccadilly and is steam hauled throughout.
A steam engine from the Carnforth pool is confirmed a few weeks before each date.
SteamScotland's famous steam train from Fort William to Mallaig over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, past Loch Shiel and the silver sands of Morar.
SteamCoast-to-coast Wednesday steam excursion across Lancashire and Yorkshire to York and Scarborough, with two alternative routes.
SteamWest Coast Railways' summer steam train over the Settle to Carlisle line from York or Chester, marking the route's 150th anniversary in 2026.