West Coast Railways

West Coast Railways presents… The Unmissable : Merchant of Avon Steam Train Steam out of the Midlands this summer for some spectacular days out to stunning destinations. From only £16 return
Join us on The Merchant of Avon Steam train, in vintage carriages on a memorable steam journey to Stratford upon Avon or Birmingham.
... You have a choice of tours with a variety of departure points, with adult return prices from only £16!. Why not join us this summer on our Steam special – book your seats today.
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Thanks for your comments John and great photo.

Still time to book - final few seats! The Stratford Flyer II Departs – Thursday 16 May 2019 From Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Thirsk and York.
... Stratford Upon Avon is a popular destination with lots to see and do. A charming medieval centre with timber-framed buildings and lots of independent shops makes for a lovely afternoon visit.
Book your seat today!
https://bit.ly/2DVlJ77
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We are so glad you enjoyed your day on the Dalesman. Hope to see you again soon.

Thanks for sharing David. Princess Elizabeth on the Dalesman.

Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

Tomorrow we see the return of the Dalesman for 2019. We hope you all have a great day and we would love to see your photos....

Seats still available....The Stratford Flyer I Train Departs – Wednesday 8 May 2019
From Southport, Burscough, Parbold and Wigan
... Take a trip to the birth place of William Shakespeare, Stratford Upon Avon. This is a popular destination for our travellers. A charming town with lots to see and do. Tickets from £79. Book your seats today! https://bit.ly/2TjqpIN
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Jacobite Cream Teas - they look delicious! You can add these to your existing booking or if you give us a call we can add this for you. First class passengers only. New orders need to be added no later than up to 4 working days before travel.

And we are off....The first 2019 Jacobite journey starts today. We hope you all have a great trip and we would love to see you pictures.

Thanks for sharing Colin

Happy to help!

A great double header shot by John Bamber!

We still have a few seats available on our Dalesman trip on the 30th April from York, Normanton, Wakefield Kirkgate, Wakefield Westgate, Leeds (Central Station) and Skipton. Book your seats today!

Some fantastic shots shared by Kallum Buckley on Twitter Riley & Son E Ltd Locomotive Engineers
https://twitter.com/ChellumEvans/status/1 117293951978020865

The Citadel - Manchester to Carlisle. Thanks for sharing Graham. We would love to see your pictures. Riley & Son E Ltd Locomotive Engineers

The Citadel Steam Special this Saturday 13 April 2019 From Manchester Victoria and Bolton to Carlisle.
Passing through Lostock, Chorley, Hellifield.... Preston on the way back. This trip will be double headed with two Black 5's being used from the pool of three.

Wowsers!! .... Me and the children travelled on the santa special on the 3rd of December.... it was Magical.... Santa was lovely and his Elves were an added bonus.... they kept us entertained with jokes and Christmas carols..... the extra treats were lovely too .... ☕️ 🥧 🍷 🌭 🎄 and The catering staff could not have been more hospitable.... Thank you West Coastal Railways .... you helped me get into the Christmas Spirit and we can’t wait till next year.... 🎅🏻🚂 merry Christmas to you all xx

Went on the Santa Express today had a fantastic time the afternoon was very well organised and we even had the snowy hills which gave it more of a christmas feel all the staff were brill.

The treats the kids were supplied with were brill well worth the money will definitely book again next year if I am off work.

The only downside was we walked a long way through the train to visit Santa's grotto which was nice but santa was still busy going through the train.

I think it would have been better for Mr and Mrs Claus to stay in the grotto and take the family's to them where they could take better pics and get there presents but we loved our day �

We went on the Santa train yesterday 3 rd Dec) and from the very start at the railway station it was fantastic very festive and all the workers were so friendly and nothing was to much trouble. The entertainment was fabulous and Santa was so lovely with the children. The elves deserve a special mention as they kept us entertained the whole time. Well worth a visit. Well done west coast and thank you x

We went on the Santa Express (3/12) It was amazing....from pulling in at Lancaster Station, where the elves were all waiting at the doors and shouting merry Christmas and shaking their bells, that moment there made it Christmassy. The journey was great, the elves stopped to talk to us and nothing was too much trouble. Our Sons face was a priceless...the moment Santa came on board too. Chief Elf was entertaining and all the elves stopped and talked to everyone. A fab day from start to finish, thank you for making it memorable. Can’t wait for next year. xx

We travelled on the Santa express today and it was a truly lovely and festive experience. I had a tear in my eye when the steam train arrived at the station full of elves, it really was magical. The entertainment was fab and kept the little ones entertained whilst we enjoyed hotpot mulled wine and beautiful views. We are all feeling very christmassy now. This is a lovely Xmas memory we will never forget, thank you xx

We traveled on the Conway Valley explorer yesterday. what a wonderful experience, the staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough for you. Appox 140 people boarded at Dumfries so I hope it encourages many more trips to start from there. We opted for the Premier Dining which was well worth the money and the staff and the meals were first class. A truly wonderful day.

Was on the trip to Llandudno on 7th May and had a great time. Went for the fine dinning and can't fault anything about the experience. The food was excellent the staff friendly and couldn't do enough. A special mention to David who went the extra mile for the lady sat with us. Her friend had been taken ill in Llandudno and had to be taken to hospital so the lady had to come back on her own. Dave rang around to find her a taxi to take her home, contacted the ladies family to find out any news and staff at Retford met her off the train and saw her to her Taxi. Can't praise all the staff more highly. Just a point to note can you have a look at the air conditioning in the pullman coaches. It was red hot day and the coach was sweltering and no air con' and windows are sealed. But all in all a great time had.

The Santa train was such an enjoyable and magical day out. The journey was fabulous, the staff were very friendly and Santa was brilliant with the kids. A great deal of thought and effort has gone into the whole experience from the arrival of the train with cheering elves to the food, gifts, activities and a licensed bar for the adults 😀

Would highly recommend and great value for money.

Last Tuesday my husband and I took his mother on the Dalesman -Chester to Carlisle- to celebrate her 92nd Birthday. The whole experience from start to finish was just wonderful and the fantastic staff made such a fuss of my mother in law. She is in a wheelchair and each time we got off the train the staff were there to help before we even got out of our chairs. The friendly and jovial staff certainly made her birthday a very special day. Thank you so much.

I was nervous about the journey, not really knowing what to expect. The journey from Leeds to Scarborough was faultless. Well worth paying to go first class. The seats were really comfy. The service from Georgina(Treacle) and Nichola was lovely, they must have been exhausted from such a long day, but it didn’t show, please let them know they are superstars. The stewards and staff talked to passengers about the train and the route ect.

I have always wanted to travel the Settle to Carlisle line in steam.

I traveled, first class, with my mum.

The train was amazing. The coach was very comfortable. It is a long day but the staff were fantastic. They remained friendly, helpful and brilliant all day.

We can not fault anything and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to all for an amazing experience

Had a wonderful day. Countryside was spectacular and the food was excellent and so much of it. All served with a good bottle of wine on the house. Staff were friendly and very efficient and the elves played their part well. I will certainly go again. Thank you all for a lovely trip.

We went on the trip to Paignton on 26th July 2018. Lovely trip going to Paignton, service and food absolutely excellent, staff

Very very good. Nice day except very hot. But on the train coming home,no air conditioning and the ar inside the carriage

got hotter and hotter. They did try to help by getting bottle of water to us from Bristol. Unfortunately the water was warm

It spoiled what had been a good day.

Thought that the experience of first class travel and premier dining was an experience to be had. However I felt disappointed as the evening meal was spread out. Starters as soon as we got back on board at 5 then over an hours wait for the main course which was cold. The service of the main course was very haphazard. The seats were uncomfortable to be sat that long from Yorkshire to Wales. The breakfast was good and staff very friendly and helpful. I would recommend the experience of the trip but ticket only as the premier dining is not worth the cost.

I travelled with my Mum from Derby to Swanage by vintage diesel. The manager on the train gave excellent customer service under somewhat difficult circumstances. However after a distance both our carriage's toilets wouldn't flush, they filled up with waste and started to smell, and in a rain storm water poured in through the window seals. This lack of maintenance made me worry about the safety of the carriage.

My family and I had a lovely time on the Jacobite train in early June. Unfortunately my daughter left a small bag of Harry Potter merchandise behind. To have this returned to me having, offered to pay, has been like missions impossible! I was asked to drive back to fort William from Central Scotland! Deeply disappointed with the after service - very clear they have had our money! Meanwhile I have a very upset 10 year old! I’m Keen to speak to Mr Smith the owner on this matter!

Can't actually speak for an actual journey as we won't be going on one, although it seems my dad will still be paying!! He booked it as a treat for my birthday, but if he'd known how long the actual day was he wouldn't have booked it! The departure or return times where not advertised at the time of booking and he still hasn't been notified! I happened to look on the website preparing to arrange transport to the station we depart from and noticed them then! There is no way i would be able to travel on such a long journey myself anyway but dad being diabetic and needing sort his medication out it would be far too much for him! Trying to contact someone about this is proving nigh on impossible! Like I said if we had known in time to cancel for a full refund then we would have but we didn't know the full facts! As far as I am concerned they have falsely advertised this by not providing the information required to make a decision on the suitability of each trip for individuals wanting to go!

Anyone thinking of going on 30th aug THE CONWY VALLEY EXPLORER 2 premier dining contact me for 2 tickets at reduced price!!!

Would probably be a lovely day out in nice weather but on a rainy day, you cannot see out the windows because they steam up really badly, to the extent that you cannot actually see the views at all. The floor inside is wooden and very slippery if it has been raining as people track water in on their shoes etc. All in all not a good place to take anyone with poor vision or mobility issues.

I was very much looking forward to finding out more about the Settle Carlisle & Cumbrian Coast Pullman, only to call up, navigate their phone system then get disconnected because their staff were busy. Twice. Ok, that happens. But the shock was the horrendously expensive call cost - they use 0844 number on their promo material and website, but don't warn you of the cost, which I sent and looked up on the web, approx (25p/min). These are hidden charges. It really looks like they intend to profit from your enquiry or booking. Very shoddy to take advantage of potential customers like that. Good to see they have a normal phone number on FB though. They need to make that consistent then on their website and flyers.



I am now seriously considering taking my business elsewhere. Shame, I was really looking forward to booking a table for 4, first class, full dining, in April.