Enjoy a memorable day on board our vintage steam hauled train, running on selected Saturdays through the summer from various departure stations. We travel around the Cumbrian Coast, probably the most stunningly beautiful scenic coastal line in England through an area steeped in cultural and maritime history with spectacular views of the Lake District Mountains and over the wide panoramic expanse of Morecambe Bay and Irish Sea as we journey to Ravenglass, where there is the opportunity to ride the legendary Ravenglass & Eskdale miniature Railway into the Lakeland Fells, visit the beautiful gardens at Muncaster Castle, or, continue to historic Whitehaven.

The steam locomotive may vary on each train and will be chosen from the pool of engines based at Carnforth including: LMS Stanier Class 8F 48151 – LMS Jubilee Class 45690 ‘Leander’ – LMS Stanier Black Five 44932. 

The train is diesel hauled to Carnforth where our historic and beautifully restored engine will be waiting our arrival, then through clouds of steam, we depart past the ‘Brief Encounter’ Refreshment Room made famous as the location for David Leans classic 1945 movie, after picking up speed we pass Silverdale and cross the first of the two spectacular viaducts over the River Leven at Arnside with stunning views across Morecambe Bay. As we continue through the Victorian resort of Grange-over-Sands and on towards Ulverston our engine has to work hard to climb Lindal Bank. Turning inland across the Furness peninsula the views to the Irish Sea on the left and the Lakeland Mountains to the right are truly spectacular before our arrival at the pretty coastal hamlet of Ravenglass around 12.40. Sitting on the shore of a natural haven on the River Esk estuary where the Lake District National Park meets the Irish Sea there are beach and woodland walks to enjoy or perhaps visit the Roman Bath House. Our steam hauled train returns from Ravenglass in the late afternoon at around 16.30 and we re-trace the outward journey to Carnforth where a more modern diesel engine will be waiting to take us homeward. 

You may choose to spend the afternoon exploring the natural charms of Ravenglass, or join one of our three optional excursions at specially discounted prices, which should be pre-booked at the same time as the main tour as seating is limited: 

The delightful 15” narrow gauge railway runs for 7 miles through spectacular Lake District scenery to Dalegarth and our train will be hauled by one of the little steam engines dating back to 1894 over the steep gradients and up unspoilt Miterdale to Eskdale, situated at the foot of England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, where there is the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Fells with riverside walks beside tumbling waterfalls before our miniature train returns to Ravenglass. Adults: £7.00 Children :( 5 to 15 years) £4.00

A road coach shuttle service will take you on the short journey to the spectacular and imposing Muncaster Castle, dating from the 13th century with its dramatic backdrop of the glorious Lakeland Fells, time will be available to explore the beautiful Gardens and Owlery (the Castle itself is closed on Saturdays except 29 May when there will be free admission for our passengers). The Owl Centre cares for one of the largest collections in the world with over 45 species and holds regular flying displays. Adults: £7.00 Children: (5 to 15 years) £4.00

Continue along the coast on board a scheduled Northern Rail service at a specially discounted fare (advance booking only) for the 30 minute journey to visit the elegant Georgian town of Whitehaven with its ancient port & marina and historic links with North America. A visit to the interactive Beacon visitors centre located on five floors, providing fascinating insights into the history of this busy port is not to be missed. If shopping is your thing then Saturday is market day. Adults & Children: £2.50

We have 3 different classes of travel available on board our train, but whichever you choose remember to book early in order to avoid disappointment: 

Standard Class - Reserved seating is arranged in groups of 4 around a table with bookings for 2 seated side by side in open carriages - a buffet bar is available throughout most of the journey for the purchase of hot & cold beverages, snacks and alcoholic drinks. It is in order to bring on board your own hamper and picnics for consumption on or off the train should you so desire.

Adult: £69 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £59)
Child (15 yrs & under): £59 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £49)
Party of 4: £260 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £220)
Family of 4 ticket (combination of adults & children): £236 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £215)

First Class - Reserved seating is arranged in groups of 4 or 2 around a table in open carriages with additional legroom, wide seats and panoramic windows. A buffet bar is available throughout most of the journey for the purchase of hot & cold beverages, snacks and alcoholic drinks. It is in order to bring on board your own hamper and picnics for consumption on or off the train should you so desire.

Adult: £99 (from Lancaster & Carnforth £89)
Child (15 yrs & under): £89 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £79)
Party of 4: £380 (from Lancaster & Carnforth: £340)
Guaranteed window tables for 2 are available at a supplement of £15 per person  

Premier Dining - Reserved seating is arranged in groups of 4 or 2 around a table in 1st class open carriages with additional legroom, wide seats and panoramic windows. A full English breakfast and three course dinner will be prepared on board by our chefs and silver served at your reserved seat. * Please note Premier dining is not available from Carnforth.

Adult & Children: £155
Party of 4: £604
Guaranteed window tables for 2 are available at a supplement of £15 per person 

Our Partner, The Statesman will also be runing the Fellman trip later in the season. Details to be confirmed - Check back soon.

Please note there are multiple dates for this trip.

Saturday 29th May 2010

Hull (07.45/21.50)
Brough (08.05/21.30)
Gilberdyke (08.15/21.20)
Selby (08.25/21.05)
Garforth (08.50/20.40)
Leeds (09.00/20.30)
Shipley (09.15/20.15)
Keighley (09.30/20.00)
Skipton (09.45/19.45)
Long Preston (10.05/19.25) Carnforth (11.15/18.20)

Saturday 19th June 2010 (Fathers Day)

Birmingham International (06.20/23.10)
Tame Bridge Parkway (06.40/22.50)
Stafford (07.05/22.30)
Stoke-on-Trent (07.30/22.05) Macclesfield (08.00/21.35) Stockport (08.20/21.15) Manchester Victoria (08.50/20.30)
Bolton (09.20/20.00)
Chorley (09.40/19.40)
Preston (10.00/19.20)
Lancaster (10.30/19.00) Carnforth (11.15/18.20)

Saturday 17th July

Leicester (06.00/23.30) Loughborough (06.20/23.15)
East Midlands Parkway (06.30/23.05)
Derby (06.50/22.45)
Belper (07.00/22.35)
Chesterfield (07.20/22.15) Stockport (08.20/21.15) Manchester Victoria (08.50/20.30)
Bolton (09.20/20.00)
Chorley (09.40/19.40)
Preston (10.00/19.20)
Lancaster (10.30/19.00) Carnforth (11.15/18.20)

Saturday 7th August 2010

Newport (06.15/23.05) Abergavenny (06.35/22.40) Hereford (07.00/22.15) Leominster (07.15/22.00)
Ludlow (07.25/21.50)
Church Stretton (07.35/21.40) Shrewsbury (08.05/21.15) Whitchurch (08.35/20.50)
Crewe (09.00/20.20)
Warrington (09.20/20.00)
Wigan (09.40/19.40)
Preston (10.00/19.20)
Carnforth (11.15/18.20)

Group discounts are available for bookings of 15 or more – call reservations for details

0845 310 2458