The Mancunian

The Mancunian is a steam hauled train running from Manchester to Llandudno and Holyhead. It provides an excellent opportunity for passengers from Manchester and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line.

Our train leaves Manchester Victoria in the morning, steam hauled by locomotive No. 45212, and then makes its way through Heaton Chapel to our next pick up station at Stockport. We then continue via Altrincham and Northwich to Chester, where our locomotive stops for water. On leaving Chester, we pass through the ancient city walls and cross the river Dee into Wales. We steam alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula. We pass through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its fine beaches. We stop at Llandudno Junction where we pause to set down passengers wishing to spend time at the nearby popular seaside resort of Llandudno, just a short journey down the branch line by service train.

From Llandudno Junction we continue westwards along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the Conwy estuary on Robert Stephenson’s Tubular railway bridge, with Edward 1’s castle overlooking the town and bridge. The railway line runs very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey. Our train crosses the Menai Strait on the Britannia Bridge and enters the Isle of Anglesey. We now run across the Island through Valley to enter the sea port of Holyhead, where there will be time to visit the town or marina whilst our steam locomotive is turned and serviced for the return journey.

Our train leaves Holyhead, steam hauled late afternoon, and stops at Llandudno Junction to pick up passengers who opted to disembark there. It continues via Chester and Stockport to Manchester Victoria, stopping at the same stations as on the outward journey, to set down passengers.

On Board Catering

Destinations Route