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The Railway Touring Company · Steam train day trip
The Weardale Explorer - 12 September 2026
Steam and electric day trip from London to County Durham's Weardale Railway
The Railway Touring Company operates The Weardale Explorer, a single-day rail adventure departing London King's Cross and running 400 miles round trip to County Durham. The journey showcases three distinct railway eras: the modern Class 86 electric locomotive 'Les Ros' propels the train north on the East Coast Main Line to York, where a steam locomotive takes over for the branch to Shildon, the world's first railway town, and onward to Stanhope via the 18-mile Weardale Railway. The return leg swaps locomotives again, with diesel and steam power carrying passengers through Durham and Newcastle before the Class 86 returns them to London. Passengers can arrange time to explore the Shildon 'Locomotion' museum and Timothy Hackworth museum during the stop. Three fare tiers cater to different appetites: Standard Class provides a reserved seat; First Class adds morning and afternoon tea service; Premier Dining offers a full English breakfast and four-course dinner prepared on board. This trip suits repeat rail travellers drawn to heritage railways, history enthusiasts keen on railway heritage sites, and budget-conscious day-trippers seeking variety in a single outing.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one departure date is listed: 12 September 2026; confirm availability before planning.
- The itinerary packs multiple train changes, locomotive swaps, and directional reversals into a single day; it is not a simple point-to-point journey.
- Museum visits at Shildon are optional; if you skip them, your time there is limited to what the schedule allows.
Day by day
- Day 1rail
London to the Weardale Railway and back
Electric-hauled from London King's Cross to York, steam-hauled via Darlington and Shildon to Bishop Auckland and the Weardale Railway to Stanhope, diesel-hauled return to Darlington, steam-hauled via Durham and Newcastle back to York, and electric-hauled back to London.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Electric-hauled by the blue-liveried Class 86 locomotive 'Les Ros' from London King's Cross to York on the East Coast Main Line.
- Day 1Steam locomotive takes over at York for the journey via Darlington and Shildon, the world's first railway town.
- Day 1Run along the 18-mile Weardale Railway to Stanhope in County Durham.
- Day 1Reversal at Newcastle and return south via Durham on the East Coast Main Line.
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included in the price?
- Yes, all rail travel from London King's Cross and the special charter through County Durham are included. The price varies by fare tier: Standard Class from GBP 120, First Class from GBP 225, and Premier Dining from GBP 339.
- What trains are used?
- The Class 86 electric locomotive 'Les Ros' hauls the train from London to York and back. A steam locomotive takes over from York to Bishop Auckland via Darlington and Shildon, then hauls the return leg via Durham and Newcastle. A diesel locomotive operates the Weardale Railway section.
- Where does the trip start and end?
- The trip departs London King's Cross and returns to London King's Cross the same day. Passengers can also board at Potters Bar, Stevenage, or Peterborough.
- What is included in each fare tier?
- Standard Class includes a reserved seat, usually at a table for four. First Class adds morning tea or coffee with a breakfast roll, afternoon tea with a savoury and scone. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner freshly prepared and silver-served on board.
- Can I visit the museums at Shildon?
- Yes, the itinerary allows time to visit the National Railway Museum's Shildon 'Locomotion' museum and the Timothy Hackworth museum, though these visits are optional.
