SUMMER steam rail journey dates have been confirmed from York along the world famous Settle and Carlisle line.

Organised by heritage rail specialists The Railway Touring Company, The Waverley is scheduled to run on Sunday, July 10, August 7, 14 and 21 and September 4 from York, Leeds, Shipley, Keighley and Skipton.

Each of ‘The Waverleys’ takes around 400 passengers for a day out packed with rail nostalgia and stunning scenery as these steam trains make the journey across the dramatic Settle & Carlisle Line with its challengingly steep climbs – 15 miles of which are a gradient of 1 in 100, many viaducts including the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, and views of the imposing Three Peaks.

‘The Waverley’ will head by diesel to Hellifield where it will be joined by an historic steam locomotive for the Settle to Carlisle stretch and back. The locomotives for each of the dates are not confirmed yet, but they will be drawn from the pool of historic locos based at Carnforth, which includes: 45690 Leander built in 1936; 1945-built 35108 British India Line; and 1927-built 46115 Scots Guardsman.

Along its journey ‘The Waverley’ will steam through England’s highest train station at Dent; climb 1,169 feet to reach Ais Gill Summit; use around 12000 gallons of water; and be powered by around eight tonnes of coal.

Heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company is celebrating 25 years of organising steam days out. Even though British Railways ran its final regular steam-hauled passenger service on the mainline in 1968, fascination with steam is as strong today as ever, say The Railway Touring Company.

“The Waverley is a great family day out reliving the golden age of rail travel,” said The Railway Touring Company’s MD Kelly Osborne. “It is always thrilling to see these magnificent British designed and built steam locos in action and the Settle & Carlisle route certainly puts them through their paces.”

The Railway Touring Company says that the safety of passengers, stewards and on train crew are a priority - you can find their Covid-19 safety procedures on their website.