How much does it cost?

From £875 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,182 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel from your home station to Blackpool is included, along with all five named heritage railway journeys in the itinerary.

Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

The Holiday Inn in Blackpool, for all four nights of the tour.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included for four nights; evening meals are not included in the price.

Which heritage railways are included?

Five: the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the Ribble Steam Railway, the East Lancashire Railway, and the West Lancashire Light Railway.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in September 2026.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

North West Steam Adventure 2026

Five-day steam heritage railway tour from Blackpool to five named lines

Railtrail Tours' North West Steam Adventure is a 5-day escorted tour based at the Holiday Inn in Blackpool, with day trips to five named heritage railways. Day 1 includes free time to see the Blackpool illuminations. Day 2 rides the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, known as 'the Ratty,' with its museum, then the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and a cruise across Lake Windermere to Ambleside. Day 3 combines an exclusive vintage tram charter from Blackpool to Fleetwood with the Ribble Steam Railway's Autumn Steam Gala, featuring five locomotives in action. Day 4 rides the East Lancashire Railway through the Irwell Valley to Bury, visits the Bury Transport Museum, and finishes on the narrow-gauge West Lancashire Light Railway. A Railtrail Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, and the operator rates the activity level as Moderate. The trip suits travelers who want a concentrated tour of North West England's heritage railways from a single hotel base.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is listed, in September 2026, so date flexibility is limited.
Unlike some of Railtrail's other UK tours, this price includes breakfast only; evening meals are not included.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Holiday Inn, Blackpool
Blackpool
Journey from your home station to Blackpool and check in to the Holiday Inn for a four-night stay; free time to see the illuminations.
Day 2railovernight: Holiday Inn, Blackpool
Ravenglass & Eskdale / Lakeside & Haverthwaite
Return steam journey on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway ('the Ratty') including the museum, then steam on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and a cruise across Lake Windermere to Ambleside.
Day 3railovernight: Holiday Inn, Blackpool
Blackpool Tram Charter & Ribble Steam Railway Gala
Exclusive vintage tram tour from Blackpool to Fleetwood, then the Ribble Steam Railway's Autumn Steam Gala with five locomotives in action, demonstration goods trains and workshops.
Day 4railovernight: Holiday Inn, Blackpool
East Lancashire Railway & West Lancashire Light Railway
Steam journey on the East Lancashire Railway through the Irwell Valley to Bury, visiting the Bury Transport Museum, then the narrow-gauge West Lancashire Light Railway.
Day 5
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Blackpool and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Free time in Blackpool to see the illuminations.
Day 2A return steam journey on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway ('the Ratty'), then the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and a cruise across Lake Windermere to Ambleside.
Day 3An exclusive vintage tram tour from Blackpool to Fleetwood, then the Ribble Steam Railway's Autumn Steam Gala with five locomotives in action.
Day 4Steam journey on the East Lancashire Railway through the Irwell Valley to Bury, then the narrow-gauge West Lancashire Light Railway.

Included

4 nights bed & breakfast
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £875 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,182 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel from your home station to Blackpool is included, along with all five named heritage railway journeys in the itinerary.
Is it escorted?: Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
What hotel is used?: The Holiday Inn in Blackpool, for all four nights of the tour.
What meals are included?: Breakfast is included for four nights; evening meals are not included in the price.
Which heritage railways are included?: Five: the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the Ribble Steam Railway, the East Lancashire Railway, and the West Lancashire Light Railway.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in September 2026.