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

The Great Northern

Birmingham New Street → Carlisle and Darlington via the Settle to Carlisle and Tyne Valley lines
Sit on the left Photos
Photo: mattbuck (category), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • SeasonAutumn
  • RunsSingle date: Saturday 26 September 2026
  • DurationFull day
  • TractionSteam (60163 Tornado) to Darlington, diesel thereafter
  • OperatorVintage Trains

Tornado hauls Vintage Trains' Great Northern from Birmingham over the Settle to Carlisle line, along the Tyne Valley to Newcastle and Darlington.

The Great Northern pairs Vintage Trains with 60163 Tornado for a long circular day. Starting at Birmingham New Street with pick-ups at Coleshill Parkway, Tamworth, Derby and Wakefield Kirkgate, the train heads through the East Midlands and Yorkshire to the Settle to Carlisle line, crossing Ribblehead and Ais Gill on the way to Carlisle.

From Carlisle it follows the Tyne Valley line through Hexham to Newcastle and then the East Coast Main Line to Darlington, Tornado's home town, where steam gives way to diesel for the run back to the Midlands.

Pullman, First Class and Standard non-dining seats are sold. Booking is through Vintage Trains, with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust linking to the tour from its own website.

Which side to sit

Birmingham New Street → Carlisle and Darlington via the Settle to Carlisle and Tyne Valley lines

Northbound over the Settle to Carlisle the left has Whernside and Dentdale, and heading south from Newcastle the Tyne bridges and Durham Cathedral are also on the left.

Sit on the left2 sights on the left · 1 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationBirmingham New Street
  2. 41mi
    StationDerbyPick-up
  3. 95mi
    StationWakefield KirkgatePick-up
  4. 131mi
    StationSkipton
  5. 141mi
    StationHellifieldJunction for the Settle to Carlisle line
  6. 149mi
    MountainPen-y-ghent2,277 ft; the first of the Three Peaks, across Ribblesdale
  7. 156mi
    Viaduct · on the lineRibblehead Viaduct24 arches, 104 ft high; seen curving ahead from the right
  8. 158mi
    Tunnel · on the lineBlea Moor Tunnel2,629 yards under the moor
  9. 161mi
    StationDentHighest main line station in England, 1,150 ft
  10. 168mi
    Summit · on the lineAis Gill Summit1,169 ft, highest point on the line
  11. 186mi
    StationApplebyEden Valley market town
  12. 217mi
    StationCarlisle
  13. 239mi
    StationHaltwhistleTyne Valley line; Hadrian's Wall country
  14. 255mi
    StationHexhamAbbey town in the Tyne Valley
  15. 278mi
    StationNewcastle
  16. 279mi
    BridgeTyne Bridges, NewcastleDownstream bridges as the train leaves south
  17. 292mi
    CathedralDurham Cathedral and CastleSeen from the viaduct heading south
  18. 314mi
    StationDarlingtonTornado's home town; diesel for the run home

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

On board

  • Dining
  • Premier dining
  • First Class

Highlights

  • Tornado haulage
  • Ribblehead Viaduct and Ais Gill
  • Tyne Valley line to Newcastle
  • Darlington, Tornado's birthplace

Classes of travel

StandardFirst ClassPullman

Photos of the The Great Northern

3 photos · tap to enlarge
60163 Tornado on the Settle to Carlisle line near Kirkby Stephen
60163 Tornado on the Settle to Carlisle line near Kirkby Stephen
Hexham station on the Tyne Valley line
Hexham station on the Tyne Valley line
60163 Tornado under construction at Darlington Locomotive Works
60163 Tornado under construction at Darlington Locomotive Works
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 Tornado steam all day?

Steam to Darlington; a diesel takes the train back to Birmingham.

Where else does Tornado run in 2026?

The Cathedrals Express to Edinburgh on 14 November and heritage line visits; see a1steam.com.

Is dining available?

Yes, in Pullman class; First and Standard are non-dining.

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