The Blackpool Steam Express

Join us on this special train to the Fylde Coast and the vibrant seaside resort of Blackpool. We have a high speed journey down the West Coast Main Line, hauled by a blue Class 86 electric locomotive as far as Crewe. Here, we will attach our steam locomotive for a direct run via Preston to Blackpool. We return from Blackpool steam hauled to Preston, and then via Manchester back as far as Crewe, and then onwards by electric traction to London Euston.

We leave London Eustonin the morning with electric traction and speed north along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). We stop to pick up passengers at Milton Keynes, Rugby (where passengers from Northampton join by service train), Nuneaton and Crewe, where we change motive power to a steam locomotive chosen from the Carnforth based locomotives. We continue north along the WCML through Warrington Bank Quay and on to Preston.

From Preston, we will join the line to Blackpool North, recently electrified to serve local trains and also to allow through trains to and from London. We will head westwards across The Fylde and pass through Kirkham, the junction for the Blackpool South branch. We will take the Blackpool North line and pass through Poulton-le-Fylde station, where there should be by now views of the famous 518ft tall tower at Blackpool.

Time will be available to visit the town and some of its attractions, including the Tower, the Winter Gardens, Madame Tussauds, the three piers or join us on an inclusive vintage tram ride which will be available for passengers. Shops are also nearby along with many restaurants and pubs to cater for all tastes. 

After a refreshing break, we will return from Blackpool North through Preston to Wigan North Western, where we will take a diversion away from the WCML to run via Eccles towards Manchester. We pass through Manchester Piccadilly station and then take the line through Styal at Slade Lane Jct towards Wilmslow and then on to Crewe to set down passengers.

At Crewe, we say goodbye to our steam locomotive before continuing to London with our blue electric locomotive, stopping as outward to set down passengers.

On Board Catering

Destinations Route