A PRESTON travel firm is turning back the clock to the days of the steam-hauled excursion train.

On July 22 the 11-coach Fishwick Fellsman will roll into Preston Station to pick up passengers for a round trip to Carlisle and hauling the train will be a 132-ton former Southern Railway West Country Class steam locomotive named Taw Valley.

Tony Aldam, of John Fishwick and Sons Travel, said: "Most steam excursions originate in the South of England so we thought we would organise one for people in Lancashire. We have run several diesel-hauled excursions but this will be our steam debut." The train will start from Blackpool North Station and call at Poulton, Preston and Blackburn to pick up passengers who have booked in advance. The northbound run will be over the scenic Settle-Carlisle line and, after passengers have enjoyed three-and-a half-hours in the Border city, Taw Valley and its train will return south on the West Coast mainline. At Preston the steam locomotive will be detached to return to its base at Bury on the East Lancashire Railway while the train is diesel-hauled back to Blackpool.

During the journey passengers will be treated to the sound of a steam loco working hard as Taw Valley tackles two of the steepest mainline gradients in Britain -- the 20-mile climb to the Settle-Carlisle line's summit at Ais Gill which is 1,169 feet above sea level, and the final 10 miles to the 916 feet high summit at Shap on the West Coast mainline.

Exact timings have still to be finalised but the company is aiming for an 8.30am departure from Blackpool with the train calling at Poulton at around 8.40am, Preston, 9.10am, and Blackburn, 9.45am. A Premier Class First Class ticket, including full English breakfast on the outward journey and dinner on the return run, costs £99. First Class non-dining costs £62 and Standard Class tickets are priced at £49 for adults and £35 for children. Bookings can be made by calling (01772) 421207.