The Edinburgh Express Returns With InterCity 125 Luxury Rail Journey From County Durham To Scotland’s Capital In 2026

Excursions by Rail will operate The Edinburgh Express on Saturday, 7 November 2026, with direct services from County Durham to Edinburgh, operated by an InterCity 125 High-Speed Train. Passengers will be able to call at stations on the Weardale line and through the Durham Dales to Edinburgh where they will have the opportunity for independent travel and sightseeing in the ancient capital of Scotland.

Excursions by Rail, part of the Holdham Group, is operator of The Edinburgh Express and Bishop Trains is the marketing partner. The 2025 Summer season scheduled services sold out quickly, creating a desire for additional services for the 2026 season. With the additional experience, Excursions by Rail will provide a Premium Dining service for select excursions in 2026.

A Rare Direct Rail Journey Linking Weardale Heritage Routes With Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Express has been designed as more than a simple train trip. It offers passengers the opportunity to experience the journey itself as a major part of the travel experience. The service begins on the heritage railway routes of Weardale before connecting with the wider UK rail network. This type of direct charter operation provides a rare opportunity for passengers from smaller County Durham communities to reach Edinburgh through a dedicated train service.

The InterCity 125 High-Speed Train will form the centrepiece of the journey. The train became one of Britain’s most recognisable long-distance rail designs after transforming passenger travel across the country and remains strongly associated with fast, comfortable rail journeys. The outward journey will begin early in the morning, allowing passengers to experience the changing landscapes of northern England and southern Scotland throughout the day.

Outward Journey Schedule

Station	Departure Time
Stanhope	07:02
Frosterley	07:13
Wolsingham	07:27
Witton-le-Wear	07:47
Bishop Auckland West	08:17
Shildon	09:07
Darlington	09:33
Eaglescliffe	09:49
Durham	10:33
Chester-le-Street	10:48
Newcastle	10:59
Edinburgh Waverley	12:56 arrival

The route provides passengers with views of County Durham countryside before continuing through major northern locations and towards the Scottish Borders. The journey also passes areas connected with Britain’s railway heritage, including sections associated with the historic Stockton and Darlington Railway route.

Edinburgh Welcomes Day Visitors With Five Hours Of Independent Exploration

After arriving at Edinburgh Waverley at 12:56, passengers will have almost five hours of free time to discover Scotland’s capital city independently. The excursion provides an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore Edinburgh’s historic attractions, cultural landmarks and shopping districts during the early festive season.

Travellers can choose from a range of activities during their stay, including:

• Visiting Edinburgh Castle and discovering centuries of Scottish history
• Walking along the famous Royal Mile connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Exploring the National Museum of Scotland
• Enjoying early Christmas shopping experiences on Princes Street
• Visiting the modern St James Quarter shopping and dining destination

Edinburgh Waverley’s central location allows passengers to easily access many of the city’s major attractions on foot, making the limited free time practical for visitors arriving on a day excursion. The city’s combination of historic architecture, cultural attractions and seasonal atmosphere makes it a strong destination choice for a dedicated rail day trip.

Premium Dining Experience Adds Luxury Touch To The Edinburgh Express

For 2026, Excursions by Rail has introduced an enhanced Premium Dining service for passengers choosing First Class accommodation. The upgraded experience has been designed to recreate the tradition of luxury railway hospitality while adding modern comfort and convenience.

First Class passengers will receive:

• Dedicated first-class carriage seating
• A full cooked breakfast served at their seats during the outward journey
• A three-course luxury dining experience during the return journey
• Complimentary refreshments and onboard hosted service

The evening return journey provides passengers with the opportunity to enjoy a restaurant-style dining experience while travelling through northern landscapes towards County Durham. Standard Class passengers will also enjoy reserved seating throughout the journey, with access to an onboard trolley service offering refreshments, hot drinks, snacks and other travel essentials.

Onboard Experience Comparison

Class	Features
First Class Premium Dining	Dedicated seating, cooked breakfast, three-course evening meal, refreshments and hosted service
Standard Class	Comfortable reserved seating, trolley service with snacks and drinks

Optional upgrades, including pre-bookable dining experiences such as Traditional Afternoon Tea and Prosecco Afternoon Tea, provide additional choices for passengers looking for a more personalised journey.

Scenic Route Highlights Showcase Britain’s Railway Heritage

The Edinburgh Express offers passengers a combination of railway history and scenic travel as the train moves from County Durham towards Scotland. One of the highlights of the journey is the connection with Shildon and Darlington, areas closely linked with the development of early railway innovation. The Stockton and Darlington Railway played a significant role in railway history and remains an important part of Britain’s transport heritage.

Further north, passengers can enjoy views across Northumberland landscapes before travelling towards the Scottish Borders. The route features countryside views, coastal scenery and historic railway structures, including the famous crossing towards Scotland. The journey also provides opportunities to experience changing landscapes, from the rural surroundings of County Durham to the dramatic scenery approaching Edinburgh. For railway enthusiasts, the combination of a heritage-linked route and an InterCity 125 train creates a distinctive travel experience that differs from regular scheduled services.

Return Journey Completes A Full Day Rail Experience

After exploring Edinburgh, passengers will return to Edinburgh Waverley for the southbound journey.

Return Journey Schedule

Station	Time
Edinburgh Waverley	16:51 departure
Newcastle	18:43
Chester-le-Street	18:54
Durham	19:03
Eaglescliffe	20:03
Darlington	20:22
Shildon	20:47
Bishop Auckland West	21:20
Witton-le-Wear	21:45
Wolsingham	22:06
Frosterley	22:19
Stanhope	22:30 arrival

The full-day itinerary allows passengers to enjoy Edinburgh without overnight accommodation while still experiencing a premium rail journey.

Excursions By Rail Expands Specialist Railway Tourism Opportunities

The Edinburgh Express represents the continued growth of specialist railway tourism in the UK, where travellers increasingly seek unique journeys that combine transport, heritage and destination experiences. Unlike conventional train services, charter excursions allow operators to create carefully designed routes that focus on the complete passenger experience. These journeys often combine historic trains, unusual routes, hospitality services and access to destinations through specially arranged schedules.

Excursions by Rail has developed a programme of specialist rail experiences connecting passengers with destinations across Britain. The return of The Edinburgh Express highlights continued interest in themed railway journeys that transform travel time into a memorable part of the holiday experience.

Booking Details For The Edinburgh Express 2026 Rail Excursion

The Edinburgh Express tickets can be purchased through Excursions by Rail’s official agencies. Seat allocations can be made by customers via the booking website, by telephone, (01388 661394) or in person at Bishop Trains (located at Bishop Auckland railway station).

Departures from Durham and Weardale stations will be available on 7th November 2026, to transport passengers to Edinburgh Waverley where they will have the rest of the day to visit this historic city. The Edinburgh Express provides travelers with the opportunity to take the famous InterCity 125 train in first class seating and enjoy a dining car experience all while keeping the integrity of travel to and from Scotland with the comforts of train travel.