The Railway Touring Company
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The Railway Touring Company · Steam train day trip
The Edinburgh Flyer
Steam day trip from York to Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line
The Railway Touring Company's Edinburgh Flyer is a single-day steam excursion for travellers who want to experience a working heritage railway at speed without an overnight stay. The train, hauled by No. 34067 Tangmere, departs York in the morning and travels north along the East Coast Main Line through Durham and Newcastle. As the train climbs through Morpeth, you will see the Northumberland coast, including views of Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Island. The journey's centrepiece is the crossing of the 28-arch Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-on-Tweed, designed by Robert Stephenson, which carries the train into Scotland. After reaching Edinburgh, you have time to walk into the city centre near Princes Street Gardens while the locomotive is serviced. The return journey follows the same route southbound. Three class options are available, from Standard Class (reserved seating) to Premier Dining (full breakfast and four-course dinner prepared on board).
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure is currently published: April 2026. Confirm availability before planning.
Day by day
- Day 1
The Edinburgh Flyer
Steam hauled by No. 34067 Tangmere from York down the East Coast Main Line to Northallerton (maximum speed on the straight alignment), then Durham and Newcastle to pick up passengers. North through Morpeth, with coastal views of Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Island through Northumberland. Crosses the 28-arch Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-on-Tweed (designed by Robert Stephenson) into Scotland, climbs to Grantshouse (1 in 190/200) through the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh. Time to explore the city's attractions near Princes Street Gardens, including the Palace of Holyrood, the Castle on the Royal Mile, galleries and museums, while the locomotive is serviced. Steam hauled return retracing the outward route, including the southbound climb to Grantshouse (1 in 96 for over four miles), setting down at Newcastle, Durham and York.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere reaches maximum speed on the straight alignment to Northallerton.
- Day 1The train crosses the 28-arch Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-on-Tweed, designed by Robert Stephenson, into Scotland.
- Day 1Northbound passage through Morpeth provides coastal views of Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Island.
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train journey included in the price?
- Yes. The Railway Touring Company's price includes your seat and steam locomotive travel from York to Edinburgh and return. Meals are included in First Class and Premier Dining; Standard Class does not include food or beverages.
- Which trains are used?
- Steam locomotive No. 34067 Tangmere hauls the train at speed in both directions.
- How long is the trip?
- It is a single-day excursion departing York and returning the same day, with time in Edinburgh to explore.
- What are the class options?
- Standard Class offers a reserved seat at a table for four (adult £115). First Class includes morning tea or coffee with breakfast and an afternoon tea service (adult £225). Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner, silver-served at your seat (adult £329).
- Can I get a table for two?
- Tables for two are available in Premier Dining or First Class for a supplement of £50 per person, subject to availability.
