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 are used?

A Class 86 blue electric locomotive hauls the train from London Euston to Carnforth and from Preston back to London Euston. A steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool operates the circular route over Shap to Carlisle and back via the Settle & Carlisle Railway.

What is included in each class?

Standard (from GBP 120) is a reserved seat, usually at a table for four. First (from GBP 225) adds morning tea or coffee with a bacon and breakfast roll, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury followed by a scone. Premier Dining (from GBP 335) includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board and silver-served.

When does this trip run?

One departure is confirmed for October 2026. The operator describes it as the final Cumbrian Mountain Express of the 2026 season.

The train departs from London Euston and picks up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, and Crewe. It then continues to Preston, Lancaster, and Carnforth. The return journey ends at Warrington and London Euston.

The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip

The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Steam day trip from London over Shap and Settle & Carlisle Railway

The Railway Touring Company's final Cumbrian Mountain Express for 2026 is a one-day round-trip from London Euston to Carlisle and back, combining two of the finest rail routes in northern England. The journey departs from London on a blue Class 86 electric locomotive, calling at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, and Crewe before reaching Carnforth, where a steam locomotive takes over. From there, the train climbs through the Northern Fells to Shap, with a gradient of 1 in 75, then descends to Penrith and Carlisle. After around two hours exploring Carlisle, including its castle, cathedral, and museum, the return leg follows the celebrated Settle & Carlisle Railway, passing over Ribblehead Viaduct with views across Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, before the Class 86 resumes from Preston to London. Three dining options are offered, from seating only to a full breakfast and four-course dinner. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, photographers attracted to fell-country landscapes, and history enthusiasts keen to explore Carlisle's heritage.

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 confirmed: October 2026. This is stated as the final Cumbrian Mountain Express of the 2026 season.
A reserved seat in Standard Class is usually at a table for four; solo or couple travellers may share the table with others.
Tables for two in Premier Dining and First Class are available only as an optional extra at GBP 50 per person, subject to availability.

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 1Steam locomotive climbs to Shap (gradient 1 in 75) through the Northern Fells, descending past Penrith to Carlisle.
Day 1Return journey traverses the Settle & Carlisle Railway, passing over Ribblehead Viaduct with views across the Fells.

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 are used?: A Class 86 blue electric locomotive hauls the train from London Euston to Carnforth and from Preston back to London Euston. A steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool operates the circular route over Shap to Carlisle and back via the Settle & Carlisle Railway.
What is included in each class?: Standard (from GBP 120) is a reserved seat, usually at a table for four. First (from GBP 225) adds morning tea or coffee with a bacon and breakfast roll, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury followed by a scone. Premier Dining (from GBP 335) includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board and silver-served.
When does this trip run?: One departure is confirmed for October 2026. The operator describes it as the final Cumbrian Mountain Express of the 2026 season.
Where can I board?: The train departs from London Euston and picks up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, and Crewe. It then continues to Preston, Lancaster, and Carnforth. The return journey ends at Warrington and London Euston.

Similar journeys

The Railway Touring Company