The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is delighted to announce its first railtour of 2018, on Saturday 24th February; and what finer way to start the year than enjoying a steam-hauled journey over the magnificent Settle & Carlisle Railway!
Specially for our East Anglian customers, the train departs from Cambridge, Ely, March and Peterborough with a Class 67 diesel at the head. We call also at Newark before reaching Belmont Yard, just south of Doncaster, where the diesel is detached and No. 60163 backs down on to the train.
After a final pick-up at Doncaster,
Tornado gets into her stride as we run via Hambleton Junctions and Leeds, then up the picturesque Aire Valley, passing the Worth Valley Railway at Keighley and the market town of Skipton.
At Settle Junction the real purpose of the day begins! The long gruelling climb to Blea Moor Summit includes the crossing of the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. True to her name, Tornado will roar through the glorious scenery of Dentdale, topping Ais Gill Summit before descending through Appleby to arrive at Carlisle. The station is right in the heart of the compact ‘border city’ and you will have a couple of hours in which to stretch your legs and explore.
But our steam adventure is far from over! We take our seats once more and enjoy a trip right across England at its narrowest point, west to east, taking the Low Fell Curve and arriving at Tyne Yard in Gateshead where 60163 is detached. Our Class 67 loco will have made her way from Doncaster ready for the homeward run along the East Coast Main Line. You can see full details and book
here.
In April 2017, Tornado is seen at Arksey with 'The North Briton' - Geoff Griffiths
This tour is promoted by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust with UK Railtours acting as ticket agents. All profits will go towards keeping
Tornado on the main line in future years.
All timings are provisional and intended only as a guide.
| Station |
Depart |
Arrive |
| Cambridge |
07.30 |
23.00 |
| Ely |
07.50 |
22.40 |
| March |
08.10 |
22.20 |
| Peterborough |
08.30 |
22.00 |
| Newark Northgate |
09.15 |
21.15 |
| Doncaster |
10.30 |
20.30 |