What time does the train leave and return?

Departures begin at Birmingham New Street (approx. 08:45) with returns arriving back around 20:40; specific times for each joining station are confirmed 48 hours before travel.

Is the entire trip steam-hauled?

No — the service is diesel-hauled between Birmingham and Nuneaton in both directions, with steam power from Nuneaton to Liverpool and back.

Meals are not universally included; Pullman and First Class options offer table seating where meals or service may be available—confirm inclusions at booking.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Yes—there are family tickets and Standard fares; children may particularly enjoy the steam-hauled stretch but supervise them around platforms and on-board service.

What if I need mobility assistance?

Accessibility details are not provided in the listing; contact the operator before booking to arrange assistance or accessible seating.

Steam Across the Midlands: The Cathedrals Express to Liverpool | Train | City Tour

Q: Which stations can I join from?

Passengers may join at Birmingham New Street, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, and Crewe—check your booking for exact boarding points.

Board a living page from Britain’s railway past on The Cathedrals Express to Liverpool, a full-day vintage steam excursion that departs from Birmingham and crosses the Midlands to the northwest. The route threads through towns including Nuneaton and Crewe along the West Coast Mainline before arriving at Liverpool’s historic docks on the River Mersey, giving travelers a rare blend of industrial heritage and urban waterfront culture.

The day begins at Birmingham New Street, where passengers join at multiple stations—Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford and Crewe—before the train switches from diesel haul to steam power at Nuneaton. For roughly fifteen hours round trip you ride in Pullman, First Class, or Standard seating, watching brick-built Midland towns give way to broad river horizons and the warehouses of Liverpool. The locomotive leading the line is one of the operator’s Castles, a steam engine that draws attention wherever it appears and provides a tactile link to Britain’s golden age of rail.

Key features are both mechanical and municipal: the contrast between the engineered sweep of the West Coast Mainline, the classic railway town of Crewe, and Liverpool’s regenerated waterfront with its dockside warehouses, museums, and music history. Expect urban architecture, ironwork bridges, and the broad expanse of the Mersey—elements that tell a story about maritime trade and railway engineering. The trip highlights how transport shaped modern Britain, from steam sheds and signal boxes to the revival of Liverpool’s docklands.

The itinerary leaves room to explore Liverpool for several hours between arrival and return, giving time to wander the waterfront, visit museums, or sample the city’s music and food scenes. Practical notes: timings are approximate and confirmed 48 hours before departure; check-in is advised at least 20 minutes before final departure time. Pricing tiers range from Standard to Pullman Tables and private compartments, so there are options for couples, families, and solo travelers seeking comfort or the full Pullman experience.

Why book this trip? It’s the rare chance to travel north behind a working steam locomotive on mainline track, to feel the rhythm of pistons and watch a landscape shaped by industry roll by. For rail enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who loves travel that engages both senses and story, The Cathedrals Express is a moving day trip that connects Birmingham and Liverpool with style and substance.

Onboard, staff often share commentary about the route and equipment; larger groups should book tables for meals and space. Bring a printed or digital ticket, valid ID, and a portable charger for photos. Families with young children will find Standard seating economical, while Pullman passengers enjoy table service and extra legroom. Dogs, bicycles, and special-access needs should be confirmed with the operator before booking ahead.

About Vintage Trains

Vintage Trains is a Birmingham-based heritage rail operator that runs a programme of steam- and diesel-hauled excursions, dining trips and depot tours across the UK. Founded and based at Tyseley Depot, the company preserves historic locomotives and carriages while operating scheduled special trains such as THE POLAR EXPRESS™, The Shakespeare Express and long-distance explorers to destinations including Manchester, Newcastle and North Wales.

Operating from Tyseley Depot in Birmingham, Vintage Trains offers curated day trips, festive events and themed dining experiences designed for families, rail enthusiasts and leisure travellers. Signature journeys include the festive THE POLAR EXPRESS™ family experience, seasonal Christmas market excursions, full dining services such as three-course Sunday lunches and thematic entertainment like Murder on The Shakespeare Express and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties.

Tyseley Depot tours provide behind-the-scenes access to a 1908 Great Western Railway locomotive depot, including the roundhouse, turntable and working locomotives with guided interpretation. Vintage Trains combines heritage conservation with public operations, maintaining restored rolling stock to operate authentic rail experiences.

Tickets, seating classes and catering options vary by trip; Tourist seats and Pullman dining are available on selected services. The operator runs both steam-hauled specials and diesel-hauled explorers and highlights regional routes such as the Welsh Highland Railway segment on the Welsh Highland Explorer. Vintage Trains focuses on delivering historically informed, family-friendly excursions and accessible depot tours from its Birmingham base.

Booking, safety and accessibility information are published for each trip, and advance reservations are recommended for popular seasonal services and dining experiences during peak travel periods.