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westcoastrailways.co.uk · Rail Day Trip
Pendle Dalesman
Steam and diesel heritage rail day trip Manchester to Carlisle
West Coast Railways operates the Pendle Dalesman, a one-day round trip from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle on vintage heritage diesel and steam locomotives. The outward journey travels behind a vintage diesel engine from Manchester, calling at Bolton, Blackburn, and Clitheroe before reaching Hellifield, where a historic steam engine takes over for the journey's centrepiece: the Settle to Carlisle Line. This route crosses 20 viaducts and passes through 14 tunnels, including the world-renowned Ribblehead Viaduct and the climb over Blea Moor. Passengers arrive in Carlisle mid-afternoon with approximately four hours to explore the city's castle, cathedral, and museums at their own pace. The return journey retraces the Settle to Carlisle Line in beautifully restored vintage carriages. Dining tiers range from Premier Dining with a full cooked breakfast and four-course dinner to Standard Class access to the buffet carriage. This excursion suits history lovers and rail enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic day on England's most scenic railway.
What to know before you look closer
- Activities and meals in Carlisle during the break are not included and must be arranged separately.
- Standard Class and First Class passengers must purchase food from the buffet carriage; only Premier Dining includes meals.
Day by day
- Day 1
Manchester to Carlisle via Settle to Carlisle Line
Depart Manchester Victoria behind a vintage diesel engine, calling at Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe and Settle. At Hellifield, a vintage steam engine takes over for the iconic Settle to Carlisle line, crossing Ribblehead Viaduct and climbing over Blea Moor. Arrive Carlisle mid-afternoon for approximately four hours to explore the city. Return south via the Settle to Carlisle line behind a vintage diesel engine, arriving back at home stations in the evening.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The vintage steam engine takes over at Hellifield and climbs Blea Moor, crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle Line.
- Day 1Four-hour afternoon break in Carlisle to visit the castle, cathedral, or Tullie House Museum.
Included
- Rail travel in chosen class from selected departure station
- Premier Dining: full English breakfast with complimentary Buck's Fizz on outward journey; champagne and canapés followed by four-course dinner with quarter bottle of wine on return; complimentary tea or coffee on both journeys (Premier Dining class)
- Premier First Class: breakfast roll on outward leg; freshly made sandwiches, scone, jam and butter on return; complimentary tea and coffee on both journeys
- Access to buffet carriage for First Class and Standard Class passengers
Not included
- Food and beverages for First Class passengers (available to purchase from buffet)
- Food and beverages for Standard Class passengers (available to purchase from buffet)
- Activities and meals in Carlisle during the break
- Booking fee (£3.75 per ticket)
- Private table supplement (£20.00 per passenger for table for two in First Class or Dining)
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. The price from GBP 42 includes rail travel in your chosen class from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle and return.
- Which trains are used?
- A vintage diesel engine operates Manchester Victoria to Hellifield; a vintage steam engine takes over for the Settle to Carlisle Line to Carlisle. The return journey from Carlisle to Manchester uses a vintage diesel engine.
- What meals are included?
- Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast with Buck's Fizz outbound and a four-course dinner with wine on the return. Premier First Class includes a breakfast roll outbound and sandwiches with scone on return. Standard and First Class have access to a buffet carriage but meals are not included.
- How much time is there in Carlisle?
- Approximately four hours in the afternoon to explore independently.
- What is not included?
- Activities and meals in Carlisle, food purchases from the buffet carriage for First and Standard Class, booking fees, and private table supplements.
