The CITADEL Circle – 25-07-2026

125 Group are pleased to announce that we will be taking our HST to Carlisle on Saturday 25th July 2026.

Working with our good friends at Retro Railtours, who will manage all aspects of the bookings on our behalf, “The Citadel Circle” will operate as follows (ALL TIMINGS ARE APPROXIMATE UNTIL CONFIRMED BY NETWORK RAIL):

Outbound –

Departs Manchester Victoria – 0700

Crewe – 0815

Stoke-on-Trent – 0850

Derby – 0930

Chesterfield – 0950

Sheffield – 1010

York – 1110

Carlisle – 1330

Return –

Departs Carlisle – 1600

Crewe – 1800

Stoke-on-Trent – 1840

Derby – 1930

Chesterfield – 1950

Sheffield – 2010

Wakefield Kirkgate – 2040

Manchester Victoria – 2145

The train will then travel north on the East Coast Main Line and should demonstrate its full speed capability before taking the spur from Low Fell to Norwood Junction for a more leisurely run across the Tyne Valley via Haltwhistle to Carlisle for a break.

The return will be via the West Coast mainline direct to Crewe (with connections for Manchester available – these are NOT included in the fare), before completing the circle for everyone by retracing our steps to set down at Stoke, Derby Chesterfield and Sheffield. Our final set down will be at Manchester Victoria.

First Class and Standard class seating will be available on board and a counter service buffet serving hot and cold food and drinks will be available throughout.

The following fares are available:

We look forward to welcoming you aboard “The Citadel Circle” on the 25th July.

The Master Cutler – Friday 15th March 2024

Interior image of a 125 Group MK3 coach

125 Group, in conjunction with Retro Railtours, RailAdventure and Chiltern Railways are pleased to be supporting this tour by providing a rake of MK3 coaches to work with RailAdventure power cars from Sheffield to London Marylebone station as part of the stations 125th Anniversary celebrations.

This is a rare opportunity to travel into London Marylebone by HST! Information including timings, pricing and planned route can be found on the Retro Railtours website here.