Cumbrian Mountain Express

The Cumbrian Mountain Express (CME) is a special train chartered by The Railway Touring Company. It runs fortnightly throughout the summer months.

The train, initially hauled by heritage diesel or electric loco, departs from London Euston and heads down the West Coast Main Line. A steam locomotive would take over at Crewe, Preston or Carnforth and haul the train over the famous Shap Fell to Carlisle.

The return journey is usually by the spectacular Settle and Carlisle line, with the heritage diesel or electric loco taking over at Farrington Junction near Preston.

Royal Scot class 46115 'Scots Guardsman' thundering through Oxenholme station

LMS Royal Scot class 6P/7P 4-6-0 no 46115 Scots Guardsman thundering through Oxenholme station with the CME 20th May 2017.


The Cumbrian Mountain Express (CME) is a special train chartered by The Railway Touring Company. It runs fortnightly throughout the summer months.

The train, initially hauled by heritage diesel or electric loco, departs from London Euston and heads down the West Coast Main Line. A steam locomotive would take over at Crewe, Preston or Carnforth and haul the train over the famous Shap Fell to Carlisle.

The return journey is usually by the spectacular Settle and Carlisle line, with the heritage diesel or electric loco taking over at Farrington Junction near Preston.

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Royal Scot class 46115 'Scots Guardsman' powering past Shap Wells

46115 Scots Guardsman powering past Shap Wells just one mile from Shap Summit on the 22 April 2017 CME.


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Jubilee Class 45690 'Leander' passing Greenholme

LMS Jubilee Class 6P 4-6-0 no 45690 Leander hauling the CME, on 6th August 2016, through Greenholme on the ascent to Shap Summit.


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Coronation Class 'Duchess of Sutherland' passing Scout Green

LMS Coronation Class 8P 4-6-2 no 46233 Duchess of Sutherland on the CME, 23rd July  2016, passing Scout Green on the way up Shap Fell.


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'Duchess of Sutherland' speeding through Oxenhope

Duchess of Sutherland working the CME, on 23rd July 2016, and speeding effortlessly through Oxenholme on the return journey to Crewe.


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'Duchess of Sutherland' passing Euxton

Duchess of Sutherland on the CME, on 23rd July 2016, passing Euxton very slowly on the return to Crewe having been held back to allow a local train ahead.


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'Duchess of Sutherland' at Preston station is passed by Jubilee 'Galatea'

Duchess of Sutherland at Preston station working the CME, on 2 April 2016, to Crewe is passed by Jubilee Class Galatea working light back to its base at Steamtown, Carnforth.


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Duchess of Sutherland leaving Preston for Crewe

Duchess of Sutherland leaving Preston station working the return CME, on 2 April 2016, to Crewe.