Express Steam

In November 1965, Clun Castle hauled the Farewell to Steam special out of London Paddington, marking the end of Western Region steam under British Railways.

60 years on, and as our final special train to celebrate Railway 200, we will recreate this train, following the route the original special took as closely as possible all those years ago.

The Cathedrals Express heads to the North East and the Cathedral city of Newcastle upon Tyne, a city with a rich history dating back to the 2^nd century AD, with the station itself being formally opened by Queen Victoria 175 years ago.

This train will be steam hauled up the West Coast Mainline to Chester and then by diesel to Llandudno, where passengers can alight for the town’s annual transport festival.

The Llandudno Transport Festival is the largest in Wales and one of the UK’s best-loved events, held in conjunction with the Victorian Extravaganza.

The Cathedrals Express will depart from Birmingham and head to Swansea via Chepstow, allowing travellers a more scenic journey as the route follows the Western banks of River Severn. The train will be hauled by guest locomotive 45596 ‘Bahamas’.

A returning favourite, The Whistling Ghost, sees this steam hauled express head south to the West Country, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy an early Summer Saturday on the way to the Somerset seaside town of Minehead.

This train will be steam hauled up the West Coast Mainline to Chester and then by diesel to Llandudno, where passengers can alight for the town’s annual transport festival.

The Llandudno Transport Festival is the largest in Wales and one of the UK’s best-loved events, held in conjunction with the Victorian Extravaganza.

New for 2024! On Saturday 16th November we head up the West Coast Mainline, branching off to Blackpool to visit the famous seaside town and their world-famous illuminations. In order to allow you to enjoy the best experience of the illuminations, we will return from Blackpool after dark and expect to arrive back in Birmingham in the late evening.

Named after a short-lived British Railways Western Region Express at the end of steam, we are reviving this express for an exciting mainline steam experience. The Mayflower will leave from Birmingham, diesel hauled, to our pick-up stations through to Bristol and then will run double headed unassisted over the Devon Banks to Plymouth.

Starting from Birmingham New Street our Castle class locomotive offers a very special day out as we wind our way through the urban sprawl of the Midlands that opens out

In addition to its famous Christmas market around Stonegate and the Shambles, the ever popular city of York has many attractions for the day visitor.

This Autumn we return to Carlisle, a 2,000 year old city with plenty of history to discover. While the city is famous for Hadrian’s Wall, there is much more besides including the Cathedral, Castle and several museums and galleries, all for you to explore.

Travel to the historic city of York, with the afternoon free to stroll down the famous ‘Shambles’, marveling at York Minster or visiting the admission-free Railway Museum.

A steam experience thorough the Welsh Borders to pause at Hereford and then onto the historic city of Cardiff.

Experience the nostalgic sight and sound of our record-breaking steam locomotives. Travel in our authentic 1960s vintage Pullman restaurant cars, First or Tourist classes all with large picture windows to enjoy the views. Book Now!