The Railway Touring Company
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The Railway Touring Company · Day excursion
The Cheshireman
Steam-hauled day excursion from Cleethorpes to Chester via Hope Valley
The Railway Touring Company's Cheshireman is a one-day steam train excursion running on 28 March 2026 from Cleethorpes to Chester. The outward journey, hauled by the LMS Stanier Class Black 5 No. 45407, departs Cleethorpes and picks up passengers at five intermediate stations before heading southeast toward Sheffield. From there, the route climbs through the lengthy Dore and Totley Tunnel into the scenic Hope Valley, where dramatic Peak District hills border the line on both sides. The train then crosses the Cheshire Plain to arrive in Chester, where you have nearly four hours to explore the historic city and its Roman walls. The return to Cleethorpes is diesel-hauled, also via the Hope Valley. Three service tiers are available: Standard Class with a reserved seat, First Class adding morning and afternoon tea service, and Premier Dining with a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board. This excursion suits heritage railway enthusiasts, history lovers, photographers drawn to steam locomotives and Peak District scenery, and travellers seeking a leisurely day out with quality dining.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure is listed: 28 March 2026. Confirm availability with The Railway Touring Company before planning your travel.
Day by day
- Day 1
The Cheshireman
Saturday 28 March 2026. Cleethorpes to Chester and return via Doncaster, Sheffield and the Hope Valley line, outward steam hauled by No. 45407, with nearly four hours to explore Chester before a diesel-hauled return.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1LMS Stanier Class Black 5 No. 45407 departs Cleethorpes under steam, passing through the lengthy Dore and Totley Tunnel into the scenic Hope Valley with Peak District hills on either side
- Day 1Nearly four hours in Chester to walk the Roman walls and explore the historic city before the diesel-hauled return journey
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price?
- Yes. Standard Class from GBP 120 includes a reserved seat, usually at a table for four. First Class (from GBP 225) adds morning tea or coffee with breakfast roll and afternoon tea service. Premier Dining (from GBP 335) includes full English breakfast and a four-course dinner, silver-served at your seat.
- Which trains operate this excursion?
- The outward journey from Cleethorpes to Chester is steam-hauled by LMS Stanier Class Black 5 No. 45407. The return from Chester to Cleethorpes is diesel-hauled, both via the Hope Valley line.
- Where can I board?
- Passengers may join at Cleethorpes, Grimsby Town, Barnetby, Scunthorpe, Crowle, or Hatfield & Stainforth.
- How long is the visit to Chester?
- You have nearly four hours to explore Chester before the diesel-hauled return journey begins.
- What is the route?
- The outward journey travels from Cleethorpes through Doncaster and Sheffield, then through the Dore and Totley Tunnel into the Hope Valley. The train then heads through the Peak District and across the Cheshire Plain to Chester. The return follows the Hope Valley line back to Cleethorpes.
