The Waverley

This summer series of excursion trains provide an opportunity for passengers from York, Castleford, Woodlesford and the Aire Valley to travel over the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway, probably the most famous railway route in Britain. These day trips revive the nostalgic former days of heritage travel by train through magnificent scenery was an experience to savour.

We leave York, hauled by a Class 37 locomotive and head for Church Fenton where we take a direct route to Castleford. We stop to pick up more passengers at Castleford, Woodlesford, Keighley, and Skipton. There will be a short stop at Hellifield for before we join the famous Settle & Carlisle Railway at Settle Junction. Here begins one of the most arduous climbs on Britain’s railway network, a total of 15 miles mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100.

Once through Settle station, there are magnificent views across the Fells to the Pennine Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. We pass through Dent Dale and the highest open station in England at Dent, travelling through tunnels and crossing valleys on numerous lofty viaducts, as we make the final ascent to Ais Gill Summit (1,169 feet). We travel high above the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, to Lazenby.

We continue to Carlisle and passengers will have about two hours to explore the Border City, possibly visiting the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum or the Lanes Shopping Centre.

Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey late afternoon and climbs almost continuously for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We continue to stops at Skipton, Keighley, Woodlesford, Castleford and York, to set down passengers.

*Updated 14/07/26

On Board Catering