The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Our final Cumbrian Mountain Express for 2026 provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Autumn steam haulage over the Northern Fells, including the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway and the challenging climb to Shap Summit. We enjoy a high-speed journey from London along the West Coast Main Line to Preston, hauled by our vintage blue Class 86 electric locomotive. From Preston, steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere takes over for a magnificent circular journey north via the Settle & Carlisle Railway to Carlisle and back south over Shap to Carnforth. Our blue electric locomotive then returns us to London.

We leave London Euston with electric traction and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton can join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north along the WCML to Preston, our final pick-up point, where our steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere takes over.

Leaving Preston steam hauled, we head towards Hellifield, where our locomotive will stop to take on water. After departing Hellifield, we begin one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, with some 15 miles of climbing, much of it at a gradient of 1 in 100.

Once through Settle, there are magnificent views across the Fells towards the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, before entering Blea Moor Tunnel. We continue through Dentdale and pass Dent, the highest operational main-line station in England, travelling through tunnels and across numerous lofty viaducts as we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit, at 1,169 feet above sea level.

From Ais Gill, we travel high above Mallerstang before descending through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby and continuing north towards Carlisle.

At Carlisle there will be around two hours to explore this historic Border city, with attractions including Carlisle Castle, the Cathedral and Tullie, as well as the city centre shops, cafés and restaurants.

Our train leaves Carlisle in the late afternoon, still steam hauled by No. 34067 Tangmere. Heading south along the West Coast Main Line, we pass Penrith before beginning the long and demanding ascent through the Cumbrian Fells towards Shap Summit.

After cresting Shap, we descend past the railway community of Tebay and through the beautiful Lune Gorge. Our steam locomotive then faces another stiff climb towards Grayrigg, providing a further opportunity to hear Tangmere working hard over this famous stretch of the West Coast Main Line.

We continue south to Carnforth, where we say goodbye to our steam locomotive. Our vintage blue Class 86 electric locomotive then couples to the train for the journey home.



Leaving Carnforth, we head south to Preston and continue via Wigan and Warrington to Crewe. From there, a fast run along the West Coast Main Line to London is expected. We stop at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers, bringing our final Cumbrian Mountain Express of 2026 to a close.

On Board Catering