Famous locomotive Great Britain XVIII will be passing through the North East at the end of its week long trip across the UK
15:30, 21 Apr 2026Updated 15:44, 21 Apr 2026
The Great Britain XVIII train(Image: Railway Touring Company)
We know from the response to our story on it on Monday that there are a lot of you excited about the prospect of seeing a famous steam train pass through the North East this week. And with full timings now confirmed, we can tell you approximately where and when you should be able to see the Great Britain XVIII pass by this weekend.
Passengers on board the Great Britain XVIII, some of who will have paid close to £5,000 for the most luxurious packages, began what is being billed as an ‘unforgettable railway adventure’ from London’s Paddington station on Saturday, heading down to Penzance, before Sunday’s leg took it north, over the Welsh marshes and onto Chester.
On Monday the Great Britain VIII’s route included a run over the world famous Settle & Carlisle line, passing through areas of Manchester like Hale, Altrincham, Stockport and Hazel Grove and onto Carlisle. From there, on Tuesday, passengers were due be taken up to the Scottish Highlands and on Wednesday and Thursday the route will include the likes of Fort William, Perth and Aberdeen.
It’s on Friday, April 24, that the train will head into Northumberland, on the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh. And that is when it gets exciting for train enthusiasts in the North East, as there will be a number of locations to keep your eyes on, on both Friday and Saturday to try and catch a glimpse of the steam train.
From Edinburgh, the Great Britain XIII will head down to Newcastle, where it will stay at Central Station on Friday night, before then heading to York via Darlington on Saturday morning. Approximate times and places to watch out for it from Berwick to Darlington across the two days. have now been released and they are:
Friday, April 24
Berwick-upon-Tweed – 4,.54pm
Tweedmouth – 4.58pm
Belford L.C. – 5.34pm
Alnmouth – 5.51pm
Wooden Gate Jn. 5.55-6.15pm
Morpeth North Jn – 6.36pm
Morpeth Loop (service stops for 0assing train) – 6.37-6.54pm
Morpeth – 6.55pm
Benton Nth Jn – 7.08pm
Heaton Sth. Jn. – 7.12pm
Newcastle – arrives 7.15pm
Saturday, April 25
Newcastle – leaves 9.05am
KIng Edward Bridge – 9.07am
Birtley Jn – 9.11am
Durham – 9.22am
Tursdale Jn – 9.28am
Ferryhill Sth Jn – 9.30am
Darlington – 9.39am
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