The Railway Touring Company
The Cumbrian Mountain Express
Steam day trip from London over Shap to Carlisle via Settle line
1 dayfrom $161
100% rail
The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip
The Cumbrian Mountain Express
Steam day trip London to Carlisle via Shap and Settle & Carlisle Railway
The Railway Touring Company's Cumbrian Mountain Express is a one-day steam excursion designed for rail enthusiasts and those seeking a circular journey through the English Lake District fells. Departing from London Euston, passengers travel north by electric locomotive to Carnforth in Lancashire, where steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere takes control. The steam engine climbs the steep 1 in 75 gradient at Shap, passing through the Lune Gorge and ascending to Penrith before descending into Carlisle, where travellers have two hours to walk around the city and visit its castle and cathedral. The return follows the celebrated Settle & Carlisle Railway, with views across the Fells to Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, and passes over the Ribblehead Viaduct before electric power resumes at Preston for the final journey to London. Three fare classes offer different levels of on-board catering, from reserved seating to full dining service.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure is currently listed: March 2026. Confirm availability and dates with The Railway Touring Company before booking.
- Premier Dining and First Class include meals; Standard fares do not (food and beverages available for purchase on board).
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 steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere 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 No. 34067 Tangmere takes over at Carnforth and climbs the 1 in 75 gradient at Shap through the Lune Gorge to reach Carlisle.
- Day 1The return passes over Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle Railway, with views of the surrounding Fells.
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. The price covers all rail travel from London Euston to Carlisle and back via the Settle & Carlisle Railway.
- What trains are used?
- A Class 86 electric locomotive hauls passengers from London Euston to Carnforth and from Preston back to London. Steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere operates the circular route from Carnforth via Shap to Carlisle and back via the Settle & Carlisle Railway to Preston.
- Is the trip guided or independent?
- It is an escorted day excursion run by The Railway Touring Company. Passengers have around two hours to explore Carlisle independently.
- What meals are included?
- Standard fares include no meal. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a breakfast roll and muffin, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury and scone. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner, freshly prepared and silver served at your seat.
- When does the trip depart and return?
- The trip departs from London Euston on a single spring date in March 2026. Confirm the exact departure and return times with The Railway Touring Company.
