British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
The Great Britain XVIII
Steam trainNationwide

The Great Britain XVIII

London Paddington → London Euston via Penzance, Chester, Carlisle, Fort William, Aberdeen and Newcastle
Either side is good Photos
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • SeasonSpring
  • RunsAnnual; 18 to 25 April 2026
  • DurationEight days, seven nights
  • TractionSteam throughout with a variety of main line locomotives (details confirmed before departure)
  • OperatorThe Railway Touring Company

The Railway Touring Company's annual eight-day steam-hauled circuit of England, Wales and Scotland with hotels included.

The Great Britain is the longest steam tour on the national network, now in its eighteenth year. The 2026 edition left London Paddington on 18 April for Penzance along Brunel's line via the Dawlish sea wall and the Royal Albert Bridge, then headed north through the Severn Tunnel and up the Welsh Marches to Chester.

Day three crossed the Settle to Carlisle line; day four ran up the West Highland line to Fort William, with an optional Jacobite-route excursion to Mallaig the following day. The train then continued to Aberdeen, back over the Tay and Forth bridges to Newcastle and finally down the Midland Main Line to London Euston.

Premier Class includes silver-served breakfasts, lunches and dinners at your seat and three or four star hotels; First Class includes morning and afternoon tea and three star hotels. Coach transfers and luggage handling are included. Restored Mark 1 and Mark 2 first class carriages are used and a different locomotive works most days.

Which side to sit

London Paddington → London Euston via Penzance, Chester, Carlisle, Fort William, Aberdeen and Newcastle

Gare Loch, Loch Long, Loch Treig and Ben Nevis are on the left, while Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and Beinn Dorain are on the right.

Either side5 sights on the left · 3 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationCarlisleDay four departure
  2. CastleDumbarton RockCastle on the volcanic plug by the Clyde
  3. StationHelensburgh Upper
  4. LochGare LochThe line runs high above the eastern shore
  5. LochLoch LongSea loch below the line towards Arrochar
  6. LochLoch LomondThe line follows the western shore to Ardlui
  7. MountainBen Lomond3,196 ft, across the loch
  8. Junction · on the lineCrianlarich
  9. StationTyndrum Upper
  10. Landmark · on the lineHorseshoe CurveThe line loops round the head of the glen on viaducts
  11. MountainBeinn Dorain3,530 ft cone above the Horseshoe Curve
  12. StationBridge of Orchy
  13. Moorland · both sidesRannoch MoorThe line floats across the moor on brushwood foundations
  14. Viaduct · on the lineRannoch ViaductNine spans at the north end of Rannoch station
  15. Summit · on the lineCorrour Summit1,350 ft, highest point on the line
  16. LochLoch TreigThe line descends along the eastern shore
  17. MountainBen NevisBritain's highest mountain, 4,413 ft, on the approach
  18. StationFort William

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

On board

  • Dining
  • Premier dining
  • First Class
  • Coach transfers
  • Multi-day

Highlights

  • Dawlish sea wall and Royal Albert Bridge
  • Settle to Carlisle line
  • West Highland line to Fort William
  • Tay and Forth bridges
  • Seven hotel nights included

Classes of travel

First ClassPremier Class

Photos of the The Great Britain XVIII

3 photos · tap to enlarge
34067 Tangmere and 70013 Oliver Cromwell on the Great Britain V
34067 Tangmere and 70013 Oliver Cromwell on the Great Britain V
70000 Britannia on the sea wall at Holcombe, south Devon
70000 Britannia on the sea wall at Holcombe, south Devon
Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar at Saltash
Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar at Saltash
Before you book: charter trains depend on locomotive availability and Network Rail engineering work. Steam can be swapped for diesel at short notice, so check the operator’s terms for what happens then. When you book, ask for a seat on the side we recommend: most operators allocate seats but will note a preference.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mallaig day included?

It is an optional extra at £275 First Class or £325 Premier.

Can I travel solo?

Yes, with a single supplement of £495 (First) or £695 (Premier).

When is the next one?

The tour runs each spring; The Railway Touring Company publishes the following year's dates after the current tour.

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