A festive day out from York to Edinburgh via the Tyne Valley, steam hauled over Beattock Summit.
The Railway Touring Company's Edinburgh Christmas Market train leaves York behind a diesel and runs up the East Coast Main Line to Northallerton and Durham, then over the Tyne to Newcastle and west along the Tyne Valley via Hexham to Carlisle, following the course of Hadrian's Wall.
At Carlisle a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool takes over for the run north through Lockerbie and over Beattock Summit to Edinburgh, where there is time for the Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens. Steam works the return to Carlisle, and a diesel takes the train back via Newcastle and Durham to York.
Durham Cathedral and the Tyne bridges are on the right heading north, and Hadrian's Wall country is on the right heading west up the Tyne Valley.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
| Date | From | Traction | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 21 Nov 2026 07:00 |
York Approximate timings. |
Diesel to Carlisle, steam from the Carnforth pool to Edinburgh | See operator |
| Sat 19 Dec 2026 07:00 |
York Approximate timings. |
Diesel to Carlisle, steam from the Carnforth pool to Edinburgh | See operator |
At Carlisle, in both directions.
York, with further pick-ups at Durham and Newcastle.
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.