July 2027 - 5 days

Register for 2027 and we will contact you when confirmed details, including dates and prices, are available.

Delve behind the scenes of rail's industrial heritage, the innovative engineering of trains and the social impact of rail travel. Based in the north-east of England, where the first steam-powered passenger train hit the tracks in 1825, this tour celebrates the engineering feats of trains in England and beyond, transforming society the world over.

Over five days, you will explore how railways evolved from industrial necessity to technological marvel, visiting iconic sites like the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shildon, which house some of the most groundbreaking engines of their time. You’ll encounter legendary locomotives including Mallard and the Shinkansen (one of only two bullet trains found outside Japan), and witness live engineering during the construction of the UK's newest steam locomotive at Darlington Locomotive Works. Your time in the north-east will culminate in a picturesque journey on board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, experiencing a part of British rail heritage.

You'll be accompanied throughout by award-winning railway engineer and writer Gareth Dennis, who will deliver a series of talks on the history and future of train travel in the UK. 

From the physics of steam propulsion to the aerodynamics of high-speed rail, this itinerary reveals the ingenuity behind rail travel. With expert talks, curator-led visits to museums and immersive experiences, you will gain a deeper appreciation of how trains shaped - and continue to shape - the world.

Whether you are a rail enthusiast or curious explorer, this short break promises inspiration, discovery and insight into the rail heritage of England and the future of train travel.

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN YORK

Welcome to York! On arrival, check in to your centrally-located hotel which will be your base for the duration of the tour. York has a profound history and association with trains and rail travel. It was in this area of England that the first passenger train, travelling from Shildon to Darlington, hit the tracks in 1825, 200 years ago, making it the perfect place from which to explore the history and innovation of trains. 

In the evening, meet your fellow guests, tour leader and accompanying expert, Gareth Dennis, for a welcome dinner followed by an introductory talk on the history of trains in England. 

DAY 2: YORK CITY TOUR AND NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM

After breakfast, you will spend the morning exploring the city of York, whose history dates back to the Romans who founded the settlement in AD 71. On your tour of the city you will visit the iconic York Minster which towers above the city, Clifford’s Tower, the largest remnant of York Castle, The Shambles and the city’s limestone walls, the longest city walls in the country. You’ll also visit what is left of the original train station, whose footprint can still be seen, and discover the secrets of the current York train station on a behind-the-scenes tour. En route, you’ll have a brief stop at the Monk Bar Model Shop, which is home to a vast array of model trains. 

After lunch, you will head to the National Railway Museum, a treasure trove of railway history and a hub for research across the nation. The museum is home to an incredible number of locomotives and tells the story of rail transport and its impact on society. Its Station Hall was recently renovated and reopened in September 2025 and is home to the collection's six royal carriages and an incredible array of rail memorabilia collected over the past 200 years. Here you will see the Shinkansen, one of only two bullet trains outside of Japan, and Mallard, the world’s fastest steam train, as well as many other impressive locomotives. While you are here, you will have a talk from a curator of the museum who will highlight the work the museum is doing to preserve England's industrial heritage. 

After a day of walking through York’s impressive history, your evening is at leisure. 

DAY 3: LOCOMOTION AND HOPETOWN DARLINGTON MUSEUM

This morning, you will board the coach to Shildon to visit Locomotion, a railway museum which is home to the largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles in Europe. It exhibits locomotives, model railways and an amazing array of industrial buildings, including coal drops, Hackworth House and Soho House. The collection tells the exciting story of the railways since the earliest days of the rail industry and includes items ranging from small personal objects to behemoths of engineering like the Advanced Passenger Train-Experimental (APT-E). It is usually home to Locomotion No. 1, the first locomotive to carry passengers on a public railway, which will likely return here after its tour celebrating 200 years of British railways in 2025. 

Afterwards, you will travel from Shildon to Darlington by train. It was on this very route that the first passenger railway using steam trains was used to transport passengers. You will mimic the journey, which connected the original coal mines on the Stockton and Darlington Railway between 1825 and 1863, on board the modern railway. 

On arrival in Darlington, you will have a short break for lunch before visiting Hopetown Darlington, a museum right in the centre of railway history, which brings to the fore the railway heritage of the area and the future of rail. It is home to a vast collection of over 30,000 objects, including locomotives, archives, art, costumes and furniture, putting a spotlight on the north-east region from the birth of the passenger railway to the late 20th century. You will be guided through the site by one of the museum’s curators. While here, you will have the chance to watch live engineering at Darlington Locomotive Works, where a team of volunteers are building the UK's newest steam locomotive, Prince of Wales. 

Afterwards, you will complete your journey along the original 1825 railway line to Eaglescliffe, from where you will return to York by coach.

In the evening, enjoy a second talk from Gareth, followed by an evening at leisure. 

DAY 4: NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY

After breakfast, you will get on the coach for a 1-hour drive to Grosmont, a peaceful village nestled in the Esk Valley in the North York Moors National Park. It is this quaint village which the North Yorkshire Moors Railway calls home. 

From Grosmont, you will embark on a train journey through the beautiful North York Moors to Pickering. On board, you will be in the private Great Western Saloon carriage, built in 1948. As you traverse this part of the Yorkshire countryside, enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch on the outward journey in the comfort of the carriage, with two luxurious seating areas and large observation windows. On the return, enjoy a selection of desserts, chocolates, teas and coffees. En route, you’ll stop at some of the beautiful heritage stations. The locomotive used on the journey is confirmed closer to the time of departure, but can be a heritage steam or diesel engine. 

After your return to Grosmont, you will make the journey back to York, where Gareth will deliver a final talk, followed by a farewell dinner together. 

DAY 5: DEPART

After breakfast, you will make your onwards journey home.