P.ublished 22nd April 2026
lifestyle
Full Steam Ahead For Scarborough's 400th Anniversary
![Chuffing lovely day out … the Scarborough Spa Express crosses the River Ouse at York on the way to the seaside
Photo: Langton Photography]()
Chuffing lovely day out … the Scarborough Spa Express crosses the River Ouse at York on the way to the seaside
Photo: Langton Photography
Five special steam trains will run across Yorkshire this summer to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Scarborough being crowned a spa town.
Three of the trains will start at Carnforth on the West Coast and pick up passengers at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Woodlesford, Church Fenton and York.
The other two will set out from Lancaster and call at Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate, Castleford and York.
Passengers travel in refurbished vintage British Rail carriages from the 1950s – some of which featured in the Harry Potter movies.
![On track for the seaside … historic steam locomotive Galatea hauls the Scarborough Spa Express
Photo: Richard Sutcliffe]()
On track for the seaside … historic steam locomotive Galatea hauls the Scarborough Spa Express
Photo: Richard Sutcliffe
All five trains will be hauled by a heritage steam engine like crimson-painted Galatea, Scots Guardsman or Oliver Cromwell, which pulled Britain’s last scheduled steam service in the 1950s.
A spokesman for West Coast Railways said: “This promises to be absolutely wonderful day out in one of Britain’s favourite seaside resorts.
“Premier first class passengers will be able to sip a complementary Bucks Fizz and tuck into a full traditional English breakfast during the outward journey.
“And then to round off a great day there will be champagne served back on the train followed by a slap-up dinner with wine on the way home in the evening.”
The trips from Carnforth will run on June 17, July 29 and August 19. The Lancaster trips are scheduled for July 15 and September 2
Fares on the train start at £93 for adults and £45 for children. For more details and to book, see
www.westcoastrailways.co.uk.