Is train travel included?

Yes, the from-price of GBP 120 includes rail travel from London Euston to Carlisle and back.

What trains operate this trip?

A Class 86 electric locomotive handles London Euston to Carnforth and Preston back to London Euston. A steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool covers Carnforth to Carlisle via Shap, then Carlisle to Preston via the Settle & Carlisle Railway.

What are the dining options?

Standard (GBP 120) includes a reserved seat at a table for four. First Class (from GBP 225) includes morning tea and a bacon roll, plus afternoon tea and scone. Premier Dining (from GBP 335) includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

How much time is there in Carlisle?

Around two hours to explore Carlisle, its castle and cathedral.

The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Steam day trip from London over Shap to Carlisle via Settle line

The Railway Touring Company's Cumbrian Mountain Express is a one-day steam excursion departing from London Euston, offering railway enthusiasts and heritage lovers a circular journey through England's Lake District fells. The trip blends high-speed electric locomotive haulage on the West Coast Main Line with steam power over two celebrated routes: the climb via Shap to Carlisle and the return over the Settle & Carlisle Railway, a line celebrated for its viaducts and fell-side scenery. Passengers board at London Euston and can join at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton or Crewe. The steam locomotive takes over at Carnforth and climbs to Shap before descending to Carlisle, where there are two hours to explore the castle and cathedral. The return via Ribblehead Viaduct and the Settle line offers views across Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Three tiers of on-board service are available, from standard seating to a full English breakfast and four-course dinner prepared on board.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed: August 2026.

Day by day

Day 1rail
London Euston to Carlisle over Shap, return via the Settle & Carlisle Railway
Electric-hauled from London Euston via Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston to Carnforth, where a steam locomotive takes over for the climb via Shap to Carlisle. Around two hours in Carlisle, then return via the Settle & Carlisle Railway over Ais Gill and Ribblehead to Preston, where the Class 86 electric locomotive resumes for the run back to London Euston.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The steam locomotive takes over at Carnforth and climbs Shap (a 1 in 75 gradient) through the Lune Gorge and over Grayrigg, then descends to Penrith and Carlisle.
Day 1The return journey crosses Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle Railway with views of the surrounding peaks.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes, the from-price of GBP 120 includes rail travel from London Euston to Carlisle and back.
What trains operate this trip?: A Class 86 electric locomotive handles London Euston to Carnforth and Preston back to London Euston. A steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool covers Carnforth to Carlisle via Shap, then Carlisle to Preston via the Settle & Carlisle Railway.
Where do passengers board?: The train departs London Euston and picks up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe before continuing to Preston and Carnforth.
What are the dining options?: Standard (GBP 120) includes a reserved seat at a table for four. First Class (from GBP 225) includes morning tea and a bacon roll, plus afternoon tea and scone. Premier Dining (from GBP 335) includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
How much time is there in Carlisle?: Around two hours to explore Carlisle, its castle and cathedral.

Similar journeys

The Railway Touring Company