Stockport steam enthusiasts are in for a treat this August, as the Cumbrian Mountain Express calls at the town as part of a grand northern railway tour. 

The train will take Stopfordians far from the familiar climes of the Pennine foothills, all the way to Carlisle, Settle, and more, straddling the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales along the way. 

Passengers can expect historic towns, remarkable scenery - including the three peaks of Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough - as well as a gallop over the famous Ribblehead viaduct. 

The trip takes place on 26 August, when the train will pick up passengers from Stockport and a handful of other stations (initially pulled by a diesel locomotive) before heading to Carnforth. Here, a steam locomotive will pull the train up the steep gradient to Grayrigg, through the beautiful Lune Gorge to Tebay, across the Cumbrian Fells to Penrith, and then head for Carlisle. 

After two hours in the ancient border town of Carlisle, the train will join the legendary Settle & Carlisle railway, and incorporate Appleby, scenic Kirkby Stephen, towards the highest railway summit in England at Ais Gill. 

The journey continues from Hellifield through Clitheroe and Blackburn to Preston, where the steam locomotive departs. From Preston, the train will take the West Coast Mainline, the Manchester line, and then onward to Crewe, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey to set down passengers.

A number of different passenger classes are available. The first is 'premium dining', which includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner, so you can enjoy this remarkable journey in style and comfort. 

First class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin, and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with scones and savoury snacks. 

Standard class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

The full list of stops and times can be found below. 

Outward

• 07.00 - Crewe
• 07.30 - Wilmslow
• 07.55 - Stockport
• 09.00 - Manchester Victoria
• 09.30 - Bolton
• 10.15 - Preston 
• 12.45 - Carlisle

Return

• 14.25 - Carlisle
• 18.45 - Preston
• 19.30 - Bolton 
• 20.00 - Manchester Victoria
• 20.40 - Stockport
• 20.55 - Wilmslow
• 21.35 - Crewe

Find more information and book HERE.

(Cumbrian Mountain Express image by ARG Flickr, licensed under CC Attribution 2.0 Generic)

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