The Railway Touring Company
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The Railway Touring Company · Steam day trip
The Cumbrian Coast Express
Steam day trip London to Ravenglass via Cumbrian Coast line.
The Railway Touring Company's Cumbrian Coast Express is a one-day steam excursion that departs London Euston and travels north to Ravenglass in northwest England. The first leg runs behind a Class 86 electric locomotive along the West Coast Main Line, stopping at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe, and Preston, before reaching Carnforth. There, steam locomotive No.34067 Tangmere takes over for the scenic journey along the Cumbrian Coast line, crossing two Victorian-era viaducts: the Kent Viaduct at Arnside and the Leven Viaduct near Ulverston. The route follows the western edge of the Lake District, offering views of the Cumbrian Fells and the exposed coastline. At Ravenglass, passengers enjoy a private charter on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, which is celebrating 150 years of operation, or an optional excursion to Muncaster Castle. The return journey to London is made behind the Class 86 electric locomotive. Three dining tiers are available: Standard (reserved seating), First Class (morning and afternoon services), and Premier Dining (full breakfast and four-course dinner on board).
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure is published, in June 2026; confirm availability before planning.
Day by day
- Day 1rail
The Cumbrian Coast Express
Electric-hauled from London Euston via Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe to Preston and Carnforth, where steam locomotive No.34067 Tangmere takes over along the Cumbrian Coast to Ravenglass for a private charter on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway or an optional visit to Muncaster Castle, before returning behind a blue Class 86 electric locomotive to London Euston.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Steam locomotive No.34067 Tangmere takes over at Carnforth for the run along the Cumbrian Coast line to Ravenglass.
- Day 1The train crosses the Kent Viaduct at Arnside and the Leven Viaduct near Ulverston, engineered structures on the exposed Cumbrian coastline.
- Day 1Private charter on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a heritage narrow-gauge line marking 150 years of operation.
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The fare covers the electric-hauled journey from London Euston to Carnforth, the steam-hauled run to Ravenglass on the Cumbrian Coast line, and the return to London behind a Class 86 electric locomotive.
- What meals are included?
- Standard reserved seats include no meal service. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon and breakfast roll, a sweet treat, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury and scone with butter and jam. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver-served at your seat.
- What is the private charter at Ravenglass?
- The Railway Touring Company arranges a private charter on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage line. Passengers may instead choose an optional visit to Muncaster Castle.
- How long is the day trip?
- The itinerary departs London Euston in the morning and returns the same day.
- Which locomotives are used?
- A blue Class 86 electric locomotive hauls the train from London Euston to Carnforth and back from Carnforth to London. Steam locomotive No.34067 Tangmere operates the Cumbrian Coast line from Carnforth to Ravenglass.
