Vintage Trains 2026

A teaser - we will be operating two LNER Pacific's in 2026 Q1. The first will soon be all over social media; there are 15 short journey trains plus three UNASSISTED Shakespeare Expresses. The second is the 'newbie' over Shap, returning via S&C, UNASSISTED, in March. Bookings open tomorrow

 

Flying Scotsman tours announced, and a run over Shap and S&C with 60163 in March.

https://www.facebook.com/share/17gYXK4LN4/

We are delighted to welcome the legendary to Tyseley next year and to offer two very special travel experiences for you to choose from.

On Valentine’s Day, will haul three Valentine’s Shakespeare Expresses from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon and return, a two hour express train experience, with the option of either breakfast, afternoon tea or a three course evening dinner in our authentic luxury Pullman cars or seating in our Standard Class carriages with large picture windows by every seat.

️During Half Term, Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th, will haul five one hour train ride experiences daily, together with a unique opportunity for you and your family to take unforgettable selfies by the locomotive at Moor Street station before or after your journey.

️Tickets are strictly limited and are available on a ‘first come first served basis’ only by booking on our website vintagetrains.co.uk. Bookings open on vintagetrains.co.uk at 1pm 19th December 2025.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/vintage...97h_KufyHWhjMcH6Mg_aem_a9pghsdqDhYBU4LwhYGmJA

This Spring we return to Carlisle, a 2000 year old city with plenty of history to discover. While the city is famous for Hadrian’s Wall, there is much more besides including the Cathedral, Castle and several museums and galleries all for you to explore.

The journey will see the train make a thunderous ascent of Shap to Carlisle, before returning via the stunning and world-famous Settle & Carlisle line. Both on the outward run via Shap and the return over the Settle & Carlisle, the train will be unassisted by diesel locomotive.

We are delighted to announce that this train will be steam hauled throughout, by special guest locomotive 60163 ‘Tornado’, courtesy of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. For enthusiasts we will once again be offering the Tourist Enthusiast ticket, allowing you to sit in the first passenger carriage behind the locomotive in at least one direction.

 

Yes, been trying to get on for over an hour!

 

Been like it for a few weeks, on and off. Some days are better than others.

 

I see the Mayflower tour for this year is already on the Vintage Trains website and is due to run on the 12th of September. It is adverstied as running 'unassited by a diesel locomotive' and more importantly is due to be hauled by both Clun Castle and Earl Of Mount Edgecombe.

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-mayflower/

As of now the following seats are available:

Pullman Table for 2 | 2 People - 15
Pullman Adult - 68
Private Compartments - 4
First Class Tables for 2 | 2 People - 7
First Class Adult - 28
Standard Adult - 268
Standard Child - 268
Standard Family | Table of 4 - 67

It will be interesting to see how well these sell and if there is more demand for First Class as it seems to be popular based on previous years.

 

I wish they'd allow individual travellers to book one seat at a table for two, like RTC and others do. An additional supplement of £50 or so would seem reasonable. I mentioned this to them on all the VT tours I did last year, and again in the feedback form they email out in the days after a tour.

 

Surely for VT is a significant loss of revenue or are you suggesting that you paying the full price for two people plus £50 for the table for two for yourself?

 

I mean I buy a First Class ticket for £265 then I pay a supplement on top (say £50) for a seat at a table for two. So total paid is £315. That's what most other promoters allow you to. Then, quite often, another individual traveller will come along and do the same thing. So for that table for two VT will have been paid £630 instead of the usual price of £593. So it's a bit of extra money in the kitty for them. The supplement could be more than £50 if they wanted - it's £60 with LSL for example.

 

Surely it depends on the demand they get for tables for 2, and whether they can satisfy that?

 

The supplement is to get a seat at a table for two, it's not for sole occupancy of the table. Someone else travelling by themself can also pay the supplement for the other seat. It's very rare that I ever find myself occupying the table by myself. As to the billy no mates thing - I like to be by the window so I can watch the scenery, but I also have a bladder condition which means I need to have regular, easy access to the toilet without disturbing someone next to me by getting them out of their seat regularly. So a seat at a table for two gives me both the window seat and easy access to the aisle.

 

I understand what you mean now, yes that's not a bad idea actually. You want to sit at 1 of the two tables on a table for two and are happy to pay an additional supplement to do so.

 

But that is your opinion, others may differ as can be seen with Nathan's posts. I personally think the 'billy no mates' thing is a little unfair given that it's very common for people to travel, go on holiday or do day trips alone while also having as good of a time if not better than with others. I have done many trips alone to various places and think there is a lot to be said for the benefits of solo travelling.

 

In days of yore, my wife and I were often lucky with RTC and had a table for four to ourselves without paying any supplements, but we haven't travelled with them since the unfortunate Mk1 ban.

 

No, that's the last one I had for 60103 as well. Just had an email for the 37s over the Central Wales line so still on the list.