If you fancy a ride on a steam train, why not go the whole hog and spend several days aboard? Here are five steam tours courtesy of Great Rail Journeys.  

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the UK’s longest heritage railway lines, running through the North York Moors National Park and connecting the picturesque market town of Pickering and the village of Grosmont. Carefully restored carriages are hauled by diesel and steam locomotives along the picturesque route, which features what is said to be of the oldest railway tunnels in the world. The six-day Classic Yorkshire tour departs between 7 May and 15 October, from £455 per person.Jacobite Steam TrainThe Jacobite Steam Train was introduced in 1984. Today, four beautifully restored steam locomotives take turns to make the 82-mile return trip from Fort William to Mallaig. The Nine-day tour departs been 20 April and 8 October 2017, from £1,185 per person.Ffestiniog RailwayThe Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Line runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, traversing the Snowdonia National Park and passing through the valleys of the Welsh Highland. The six-day Railways and Castles of Wales tour departs between 21 April and 6 October, from £645 per person. Isle of Man Steam RailwayLinking the island capital of Douglas with Port Erin is the narrow gauge Isle of Man Steam Railway. The 24.6km line passes through idyllic countryside and along spectacular southern coastlines. The six-day tour departs between 19 April and 18 October, from £645 per person. Strathspey Steam RailwayThis classic journey aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway takes a 20-mile round trip through Scotland’s magnificent Highland scenery. Beginning at Aviemore, it continues against the backdrop of the Cairngorms National Park, finishing at Boat of Garten. The five-day Highland Adventure tour departs between 13 April and 2 October, from £535 per person. 

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN