The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express from London — Railway Touring Company

The Railway Touring Company, based in King's Lynn, Norfolk, sells this version of The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express as a winter day out from London Euston. The operator says the train travels north from London behind an electric locomotive, steam takes over at Carnforth for a circular journey via Shap to Carlisle and back over the Settle & Carlisle Railway, and the electric locomotive takes over again at Preston for the fast run back to London. The operator sells the same excursion from other starting points as separate trips; this series covers the London departures.

The train leaves Euston with electric traction and calls to pick up passengers at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton and Crewe, with Preston as the final joining point. At Carnforth it changes to a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool. The steam locomotive then climbs towards Grayrigg, passes through the Lune Gorge to Tebay and takes on the ascent of Shap, with gradients as steep as 1 in 75, before descending through Penrith to Carlisle, where there are around two hours to explore.

In the afternoon the steam-hauled train joins the Settle & Carlisle Railway, climbs through the Eden Valley with a water stop at Appleby, passes Kirkby Stephen and Ais Gill, the line's highest point at 1,169 feet above sea level, and crosses the Ribblehead Viaduct with views towards the Yorkshire Three Peaks. It runs on through Settle, Hellifield and Clitheroe to Preston, where the steam locomotive leaves the train and electric traction returns it to Euston via Wigan, Warrington and Crewe.

The locomotive is announced, not promised: the operator says the steam locomotive comes from the Carnforth pool, does not name it, and its terms say the organisers reserve the right to substitute a different steam locomotive or, in exceptional circumstances, a diesel locomotive, with no refund for changes to the advertised locomotive.

A long day trip with an early-morning departure from London Euston and a late-evening return (timings are approximate). Steam hauls the train only between Carnforth and Preston, with electric traction for the rest. Time is allowed in Carlisle. Each passenger has a reserved seat. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner on the return journey; First Class includes tea or coffee with a bacon or breakfast roll and a later service of tea or coffee with a sweet treat. In winter the operator says frost or snow adds to the atmosphere on the Settle & Carlisle section, and warns the carriages, although heated, can be cold.

Boards at London Euston station, Euston Road, London; the train also calls at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston. Tickets are booked online with the operator, by phone or by post form. Seats are reserved and a booking is taken as acceptance of the operator's conditions, which allow a change of locomotive without refund. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement. Vegetarian options are offered; other dietary requests cannot be met.