The Route

The route will be via the West Coast Main Line from Watford Junction to Carstairs, turning off via Mildcalder Junction to Edinburgh. We will be picking up at some of the smaller stations that don't usually see an 'Inter-City' service, before heading north through Crewe, Preston and Carlisle into Scotland. The train will take in a mixture of contrasts, from the Trent Valley, north of Crewe over the Cheshire Plain, through the North West and through the Lake District. The into the lowlands of Scotland before arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station.

The train starts from Watford Junction, a standard pick-up point for West Coast expresses heading out of London Euston. Handy as a hub for the M25 catchment traffic, the station also acts as an interchange for the London Overground service that serve the smaller '3rd rail' stations into London Euston.

The train calls at stations along the southern part of the WCML that doesn't usually see 'Inter-City' services. So stations such as Hemel Hempstead, Berkhampsted, Tring and Leighton Buzzard will see their first locomotive hauled blue and grey stock since the early 1990s when the last MkI 'Cobbler' commuter sets operated. The train then passes through Hanslope Junction via the Northampton loop to call at Northampton. The train rejoins the main line at Rugby where we pick up and then we carry on down the Trent Valley route towards Stafford, calling at our last pick up, Nuneaton. After that, it's right away to Edinburgh!

The train heads via Stafford and Crewe to open up along the Cheshire Plain. At Weaver Junction, where the Liverpool line turns off to the left, we head straight through towards Warrington Bank Quay. We will be travelling on the second part of the the WCML to be electrified, completed in 1974 - and just what the Class 87 hauling our train, was built for. 

Passing Wigan and Preston, the train heads into the Lake District. As we pass through Lancaster and Oxenholme (change here for Kendall and Windermere) the train heads into the picturesque and beautiful Lune Valley. The first brown tints of autumn should be visible on the hills which should make the vista even more beautiful.

The highlight of the route for some will undoubtedly be the climbs to Shap and Beattock summits. So, coming out of the Lune Valley, the train passes through Tebay and into the 4 mile, 1-in-75 climb to Shap summit. The curvature of the route on the climb only exacerbates the amount of effort that needed to be put in in steam days to get over the summit. Again, it was one of the reasons why the route was electrified.

Then its downhill into Carlisle, the Border City, to then cross over the border into Scotland on the long, flat straight, over the Solway Firth and into the foothills of the lowlands of Scotland. After passing through Lockerbie, the next 70 odd miles between Lockerbie to Carstairs are the longest stretch on a main line without a station in this sparsely populated area. However it does include the unbroken 10 mile climb from the site of Beattock station to Beattock Summit, 1016 ft above sea level.

We slow for Carstairs Junction, take the avoiding line past the station and onto the 'branch' to Edinburgh. Arriving through Haymarket and through the tunnels into Princes Street Gardens, we arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station.

Timings

Pick up stations are Watford Junction (depart 05.30, return 23.40 ), Hemel Hempstead (depart 05.45, return 23.25), Berkhampsted (depart 05.50 return 23.20),  Tring (depart 06.00, return 23.10), Leighton Buzzard (depart 06.10, return 22.50), Milton Keynes Central (depart 06.25, return 22.45), Northampton (depart 06.45, return 22.25), Rugby (depart 07.05, return 22.05), Nuneaton (depart 07.20, return 21.45), EDINBURGH (arrive 12.00, depart 17.00).

Please note that these timings are approximate and when validated timings are received from Network Rail, we will post actual timings. 

The Locomotive and Rolling Stock

The locomotive will be the AC Loco Group's Class 87, No. 87002. The stock will be formed of the Cargo-D MkIII first class vehicles for Premier Dining and first class travel. MkII vehicles are provided for Standard Class accommodation. All seats are seated around a table in a bay of four (bays of two in Premier Dining & First are available).

Fares

Premier Dining is £149, First Class £84 (£64 for juniors aged 10 and under) and Standard Class £57 (£37 for juniors aged 10 or under). We are sorry we cannot offer discounts for dining for juniors.

Tables are laid out in bays of 4 seats and bays of 2 seats. If you wish a table for two in Premier or First, a supplement of £15 per person is payable to secure this facility.

We do offer discounts. In First Class and Standard Class we offer a group booking discount of 10% for 4 adults or 2 adults and up to 3 children. In Premier Dining we offer a table for four at £576.

Catering

First Class passengers benefit from two rounds of coffee/tea and biscuits per journey. Orders for the buffet bar can also be taken by the stewards who will bring your order to your seat. Payment will be taken per order.

There is also a buffet car open to First and Standard Class passengers on board the train, serving coffee, tea, hot and cold snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, sandwiches and confectionery. There is also a bar serving regional real ales available.

The Menu

If you wish to partake of Premier Dining, the menu below will be made available on the day but we can cater for any special dietary requirements you might have. Please let us know when booking if you have any special dietary and vegetarian requirements.

GREAT BRITISH BREAKFAST

Chilled Fresh Orange Juice followed by a choice of

A Medley of Fresh Melon and Natural Yoghurt drizzled with Honey and sprinkled with Toasted Almonds

or

A Half of Fresh Grapefruit

or

A selection of Cereals: Cornflakes, Muesli, Special K

or

Porridge Oats and Cream

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The Bread Basket

White and Wholemeal Toast, Croissants, Pain au Chocolate and Morning Rolls together with a selection of Marmalade, Fruit Preserves, Honey and Marmite

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Grilled Back Bacon, Pork Sausage, Grilled Tomato, Fried Free Range Hen’s Egg, Fried Bread and Baked Flat Field Mushroom served with Baked Beans and Bubble and Squeak

or

Grilled Kipper Fillets

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Second serving of The Bread Basket

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English Breakfast Tea and Colonial Coffee Service throughout the serving of breakfast

4-COURSE DINNER

Starter: Broccoli and Stilton Soup or Hot Smoked Sweet Cured Mackerel on a Bed of Beet Root Salad with Horseradish Mayonnaise

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Main: Slowly Braised Welsh Lamb Shank presented on Haggis with a Whisky and Mint sauce served with a Rosti Potato

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Dessert: Chocolate Box – an all-butter Shortbread Base topped with an Indulgent Dark Chocolate Mousse surrounding a Buttery, Salted Caramel Cream Centre enriched with Butter and Cream

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Cheese: A Selection of Fine British Cheeses served with Savoury Biscuits, Celery, Grapes and Onion Chutney

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Tea and Coffee service with After-Dinner Mints and Chocolates