The Muncaster Express
Diesel trainNorth West England

The Muncaster Express

Manchester, Preston or Carlisle → Ravenglass
Photo: Doug Sim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • SeasonOctober half term
  • RunsTwo dates: Monday 26 and Wednesday 28 October 2026
  • DurationFull day (about 6 h at Ravenglass and Muncaster)
  • TractionVintage diesel (West Coast Railways Class 47 or 57)
  • OperatorWest Coast Railways

Halloween-themed diesel excursion to Ravenglass with entry to the Muncaster Castle family festival, running from Manchester or Carlisle.

The Muncaster Express is a family Halloween trip run by West Coast Railways in the October half term. On Monday 26 October the train starts at Manchester and picks up at Preston, Lancaster, Carnforth and Ulverston before following the Furness and Cumbrian Coast lines via Barrow to Ravenglass. On Wednesday 28 October it starts at Carlisle and calls at Penrith, Oxenholme, Carnforth and Ulverston, travelling south over Shap and round the coast the long way because of tunnel work at Whitehaven.

At Ravenglass passengers are taken by coach to Muncaster Castle for its Halloween Family Festival, with entry and a pumpkin for each child included in the ticket. On-board entertainment is provided for the journey.

The train is hauled by a heritage diesel and formed of West Coast Railways' Mark 1 and Mark 2 stock in Standard and First Class.

Which side to sit

Manchester, Preston or Carlisle → Ravenglass

The sands of Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the Irish Sea are all on the left heading round to Ravenglass.

Sit on the left3 sights on the left · 2 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationManchesterMonday 26 October start
  2. 31mi
    StationPreston
  3. 52mi
    StationLancaster
  4. 58mi
    StationCarnforth
  5. 62mi
    Viaduct · on the lineArnside ViaductAcross the Kent estuary
  6. 63mi
    CoastMorecambe BayTidal sands of the bay
  7. 65mi
    StationGrange-over-SandsPromenade and bay beside the line
  8. 70mi
    Viaduct · on the lineLeven ViaductAcross the Leven estuary
  9. 73mi
    LandmarkHoad Monument, UlverstonLighthouse-like memorial to Sir John Barrow
  10. 82mi
    StationBarrow-in-Furness
  11. 88mi
    EstuaryDuddon EstuaryThe line rounds the estuary via Foxfield
  12. 99mi
    StationMillom
  13. 101mi
    MountainBlack Combe1,970 ft fell above the coast
  14. 103mi
    CoastIrish SeaThe line runs along the shore towards Ravenglass
  15. 113mi
    StationRavenglassCoach transfer to Muncaster Castle

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

On board

  • First Class
  • Family friendly
  • Coach transfers

Highlights

  • Muncaster Castle Halloween festival entry included
  • Cumbrian Coast line via Barrow
  • Shap summit on the Carlisle date
  • Family entertainment on board

Classes of travel

StandardFirst Class
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 castle ticket included?

Yes. The fare covers the train, the coach transfer and entry to the Muncaster Halloween Family Festival.

Is it steam hauled?

No. This trip is worked by a vintage diesel locomotive.

What time is the train back?

The Manchester train returns about 21:30 and the Carlisle train about 20:45.

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