3 minute read
The Hadrian
Saturday 14th October 2023
Breathtaking landscape and nostalgic steam locomotive haulage combine in one of our most exciting and varied tours by special train. Our train will be hauled from York to Carlisle and from Carlisle to Darlington by steam locomotive No.60103 Flying Scotsman, celebrating its Centenary Year in 2023. Passengers will experience the magnificent and world famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, travel on the 183-year old Tyne Valley Line, and speed along the East Coast Main Line.
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Our train leaves Derby, diesel hauled, early in the morning and stops to pick up more passengers at Long Eaton, Beeston, Ilkeston, Alfreton and Chesterfield. We continue through Barrow Hill and Church Fenton to York, where we change locomotives, with steam locomotive No.60103 Flying Scotsman replacing the diesel locomotive on our train for the onward journey, via Leeds, over the spectacular Settle to Carlisle Railway. Between Hellifield and Carlisle there is scarcely a level mile but our powerful steam locomotive will negotiate the 78 miles of rising and falling gradients in truly classic style. Settle Junction marks the beginning of one of Britain’s most arduous climbs, a total of 15 miles, mainly at a gradient of 1 in 100. This will be a tough test for our locomotive, which we will see – and hear – working very hard! We cross the breathtaking Ribblehead Viaduct, high above the valley floor, and enter Blea Moor Tunnel. The route runs high above valleys, and over numerous viaducts to Dent, the highest main line station open in England. We make the final climb to Ais Gill Summit, all 1,169 feet of it, the dramatic peak of our journey! We descend through the valley at Mallerstang and then drop down through Kirkby Stephen to Lazenby, where our steam locomotive pauses to take on water. We can expect a fast run downhill from Lazenby along the Eden Valley to Carlisle, where we arrive at around 14:00. There will be time to explore the ‘Border’ city with its many attractions that include the castle, cathedral, Tullie House Museum, the pedestrianised English Street and the Lanes Shopping Centre. We leave Carlisle at around 16:00 and take the scenic Tyne Valley Line towards Newcastleupon-Tyne. The Newcastle & Carlisle Railway opened this line in June 1838 and it runs eastwards, following the river Tyne just a few miles south of Hadrian’s Wall. We pass through Wylam, the birthplace of railway engineer George Stephenson, before we join the East Coast Main Line at Low Fell. We can expect some fast running as we head south through Durham to Darlington, where reluctantly, we shall have to say farewell to Flying Scotsman. Our diesel locomotive will now continue to York, home to the National Railway Museum, and back to our outward stations before arriving in Derby late evening. Approximate Timings Outward Return Derby 06:00 23:00 Long Eaton 06:15 22:50 Beeston 06:30 22:30 Ilkeston 06:50 21:55 Alfreton 07:05 21:40 Chesterfield 07:25 21:25 Carlisle 13:50 16:00
There are three classes available:
Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
