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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.
Price history
Across 4 checks, this price has held at £120 every time.
Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.
One reading is held out of the price above and this history: a supplement. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.
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
- How much does it cost?
- From £120 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $162 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
- 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.
