To celebrate 150 years of passenger travel on their line, the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company has chartered a steam train with heritage carriages to travel from Bradford Foster Square to the Border City of Carlisle.
Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company Ltd has commissioned the steam charter train to give people the opportunity to travel as passengers did in bygone eras – so bring your travel blankets and dress for travel on an original historic carriage, pulled by steam from the West Coast Railways’ pool of heritage carriages and engines.
Following the success of the Bradford City of Culture and Railway 200 charter trains last year, the Border City Express will again provide an opportunity for passengers to travel back to the age of steam and travel along the iconic Settle Carlisle line.
The steam train will set off from Bradford Foster Square on Saturday, October 3 via Keighley, Skipton and Settle before arriving at Carlisle Citadel Station.
The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company have requested the Battle of Britain Class ‘Tangmere’ locomotive from West Coast Railways.
Passengers will have time to explore Carlisle, with the Castle, Tullie House Museum and other attractions before the return journey via the Settle Carlisle line to Bradford.
The Settle Carlisle Railway was named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards Winner last year, placing it in the top 10 per cent of listings around the world.
For their 150th anniversary year, Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, who also provide the trolley refreshments on the regular Northern train service on the line, have chosen Riding for the Disabled as their charity of the year for 2026.
John Moorhouse, Deputy Chairman, Settle–Carlisle Railway Development Company, said:
A steam train is the perfect way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our passenger service. The line was built at the peak of the era of steam trains, and has survived threats of closure several times during its 150 years.
“We have requested the Battle of Britain Class 34067 Tangmere to head the train, which will be made up of heritage carriages. Steam haulage has been requested from Bradford Foster Square to Carlisle and return to Hellifield.
Passengers can choose from Premier Dining, First Class or Standard Class in comfortable heritage carriages as the train sweeps through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian scenery—described by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 most scenic railway journeys in Europe.
Tickets are on sale now via the Settle–Carlisle Railway Development Company website: https://settle-carlisle.co.uk/
