The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express offers a wonderful winter day out, combining a high-speed journey along the West Coast Main Line with the unforgettable experience of steam over the Cumbrian Fells and the spectacular Settle & Carlisle Railway. We travel north from London behind our blue Class 86 electric locomotive before steam takes over at Carnforth for a magnificent circular journey via Shap to Carlisle and back over the Settle & Carlisle line. At Preston, our Class 86 takes over again for the fast run back to London.

We depart London Euston with electric traction and head north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML), calling to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe. We continue north to Preston, our final joining point, before travelling through Lancaster to Carnforth, where we change to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool.

Leaving Carnforth, our steam locomotive faces the challenging climb towards Grayrigg before we travel through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay and gather momentum for the famous ascent of Shap. With gradients as steep as 1 in 75, this section has long held a special place in railway history. In the days of steam, banking locomotives from Tebay were often used to assist heavy trains over the summit.

After crossing the Cumbrian Fells, we descend through Penrith and continue to Carlisle. Around two hours will be available to explore this historic Border city, with attractions including Carlisle Castle, its impressive cathedral and Tullie House Museum, as well as shops and places for refreshments.

In the afternoon, our steam-hauled train leaves Carlisle and joins the legendary Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of Britain’s best-loved and most spectacular railway routes. We soon begin climbing through the Eden Valley, pausing at Appleby for our locomotive to take on water.

The climb continues through Kirkby Stephen towards Ais Gill, the highest point on the Settle & Carlisle Railway at 1,169 feet above sea level. From here, the railway passes through a dramatic landscape of sweeping fells, tunnels and impressive viaducts, including the world-famous Ribblehead Viaduct. There are magnificent views towards the Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, with winter frost or snow adding to the atmosphere.

Descending from the Pennines, we travel through Settle, Hellifield and Clitheroe to Preston, where we bid farewell to our steam locomotive.



Our blue Class 86 electric locomotive takes over for the journey south, passing through Wigan and Warrington to Crewe before a fast run along the West Coast Main Line. We call at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers before returning to London Euston, bringing a memorable winter journey to a close.

Classes and Fares

Approximate timings shown

Destinations Route