‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ dates are announced for the New Year

THE Railway Touring Company has announced the 2023 dates for its popular Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express, with the first four being Saturday, January 21 and 28, Saturday, February 11, and Saturday, March 18.

The first tour on January 21 is from Manchester Victoria dieselhauled, to collect passengers at Bolton and Preston on route to Carnforth to pick up one of the Carnforth steam locomotives.

The tour then continues over the West Coast Main Line for a two-hour stop in Carlisle. Upon leaving Carlisle, the trip will take the Settle and Carlisle line through to Hellifield for water before heading for Clitheroe and Preston. Having swapped the steam for diesel at Preston, the tour continues back to Bolton and finally Manchester Victoria.

The other three tours all follow the same format, with a blue Class 86 electric locomotive taking the train from London Euston north, picking up at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston. The excursion then continues through to Carnforth via Lancaster to swap the Class 86 for a steam locomotive.

Similar to the first tour, the steam locomotive takes the train for a two-hour stop at Carlisle before heading over the Settle and Carlisle route to Hellifield, Clitheroe and Preston, where steam is detached in favour of the Class 86 again.

Passing through Wigan and Werrington on route to the first set-down point of Crewe, the Class 86 then runs fast to London, setting down passengers on route.

All four tours have the option for premier dining, first class and standard class, and pave the way for further Cambrian Mountain Expresses during the rest of 2023.

For details, visit www. railwaytouring.net/uk-2023