What an exciting day I had with the kids when Flying Scotsman rolled into Carlisle last Sunday.
Carlisle’s Railway Heritage
Carlisle is a historic city, and has been an important settlement from Roman times right through to the modern period. Unfortunately, its historical landmarks are not as well-preserved as those of York or Chester, for example, but signs of the city’s heritage are evident everywhere, not least in the iconic Citadel Railway Station.
Completed in 1848, the Citadel Station was the city’s main station, and was one of three then serving Carlisle, in the heyday of railway travel. The others (at Crown Street and London Road) have long since closed.
At its peak, the station served a total of seven railway companies, and it remains an important interchange to this day, serving the West Coast Mainline as well as branch lines to Newcastle and the North East, Barrow-in-Furness, Southwest Scotland and of course the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway.
Flying Scotsman at Carlisle

Perhaps the best known, and certainly one of the best loved locomotives in the world, Flying Scotsman returned to steam following an extensive restoration in 2016. It has visited Carlisle several times on various steam tours since then. The latest was the Manchester-Carlisle service of 27 November 2021. Only a day after Storm Arwen had battered the North of England, many doubted it would make the journey, but my kids didn’t doubt it for one moment. We managed to capture the magic of its departure on Video (thanks to Benji for the commentary):
I’m sure your sons really enjoyed seeing the train.Ricky the Cat was interested or confused by the video. 😀
I think cats like trains?
Strictly an indoor cat–I think he was interested in the sounds. Of course, a toy train set would be lots of fun to a cat. 😀
Or possibly terrifying! 😅
True! 😀
brilliant vid
Thanks! Where the camera wobbles a bit is me getting scared of the steam 😅
I hope he told you off!
#BloodyParents 🤣
🤣
What a spectacular trip and we’ll preserved train . Hard to imagine the history and age.. can wait to see Benji’s his video but I don’t dare wake the sleeping cat and hubby! How fun was this!!!💕
Haha I have found myself in that position often: secret blogging 😅
Not you.. 🤣🤣🤣 Oh my it’s beautiful and LOUD.. good think I refrained!!! love the reflections of everyone.. pristine … and the little tables with lights inside!! 👏👏
Benji must have been in train heaven😂
He really was: went in the cab and everything!
Wow, he would love that!
I love trains, having lived by railroad tracks as a child. Your sons were right to share the excitement. (K)
My kids would love to live by the railroad tracks!
I can’t believe my mother was so nonchalant about it. It’s true the freight trains only came by a couple times a day, but still…
Quite nice. As I recall, don’t you have some history in Carlisle? A wedding perhaps?
Yes – family connections!
What a delightful post! Thank you, Ingrid for sharing your family outing with us.
Loved the video, Benji, you seem very knowledgable about steam trains and are an enthusiastic tour guide! 🙂 The walking tours look so appealing! What beautiful countryside.
Have a fantastic weekend!
I am glad you enjoyed this post Cheryl 😊 hope you are having a wonderful weekend too!
How fun for all of you! An experience your boys will probably always remember. Thanks for sharing your special video. 🚂
What fun, I do believe I’ve had a ride on the same train … great documentation!
Wow, that must have been a great experience!
I lived in London for about a year and had some great experiences travelling about 🙂
It sounds as though you made the most of it 😊
absolutely, we are so isolated in oz I was away for 18 months the first time 🙂
I can imagine if I visited oz I would have to do the same!
true there is so much to see here 🙂