Looking for a scenic steam train ride

[totallyunforgetable]

Looking to take my elderly parents on a scenic steam train ride. Did one last the views were really disappointing. Unfortunately has to be maximum 1.5 hours from Nottingham area so thinking Derbyshire or Yorkshire maybe. Looking for countryside views/ lakes est.. not really to bothered about food or drinks happy to take a nice picnic.

here you go - steam trains in Rushcliff country park

https://www.gcrn.co.uk/route

also this one
www.e-v-r.com/

Have you done the North Yorkshire Moors Railway op? It goes from Pickering out to whitby
https://www.nymr.co.uk/

Keighley and Worth Valley railway? Although I'm not sure on travel time.

https://kwvr.co.uk/

The Haworth area is very scenic and there's the Bronte connection but it might be a struggle if they have mobility issues as steep and cobbled.

Also not a steam train as far as I'm aware but the Hope Valley line runs from Sheffield to Manchester through the Peak District and has great views so you could take a trip to Manchester for lunch out and back from Sheffield, or somewhere a couple of stops along the line where you can park easily. I think you can get day rover type tickets where you can get off at the stops for an hour for a wander around before getting on the next train.

I couldn’t believe it the first time I went on that line!

The Ecclesbourne Heritage Line runs from Duffield - direct trains from Nottingham to Duffield. Said to have good views

Thank you for all the suggestions I think the Pickering to Whitby would be a really good one. I’d love to do the Hope valley line through to Manchester but my parents aren’t into citys/ shops.

Has anyone does the derwent valley line near Matlock? It’s only an hour and a half return journey but would be very local to me.

I was just going to suggest this. There is something really special about Goathland and Grosmont

Fort William to Mallaig on the Jacobite Steam train over the Glenfinnan viaduct.

Sorry scrap that! Just read the OP properly....🤦‍♀️

North Yorkshire Moors Railway ticks all your boxes. And you can get amazing fish and chips at Whitby !

https://svr.co.uk/plan-your-visit/

Through the Shropshire countryside

Another vote for the Severn Valley Railway.

I did the fort William one before we had children so at least 10 years ago but still one of my favourite days, the view at the stop off half way unbelievable.

I’d love to take them to Scotland to experience it but my Dads 80’and not it the best of health but he used to love being out it the countryside.

Settle to Carlisle sometimes has steam trains .

Severn Valley Railway? Starting at Kidderminster.

One for another time is the West Somerset Railway. It runs from Bishops Lydeard near Taunton to Minehead with stops at Watchet and Dunster to name a few.

I’ve done the EVR and the peak rail journey you mention above. They are both lovely but relatively short, though you could get off the EVR and have some lunch in Wirksworth before coming back.
We’ve also done the North Yorkshire Moors Grosmont to Whitby before. It’s more expensive but a great journey. Like a PP said, you can go & get fish & chips in Whitby & have a potter round. Prob only about 2 hours from Nottingham so not too much furter. If you go avoid the peak times if possible as Whitby is incredibly busy and it gets a bit stressful!

Was coming on to recommend this!

Another one to consider would be the Keighley & Worth Valley railway. The scenery isn't spectacular but the little stations, in period style, are lovely and you can break your journey at Haworth which is a lovely little town with lots of Bronte heritage. They have a 1940s weekend every May where people dress up in costume, which is fun https://kwvr.co.uk/events/1940sweekend/

Maybe not great views but I saw an advert the other day for the Flying Scotsman doing a short trip from Nottingham, tickets started at £30 so reasonable prices. Just putting it out there as it’s such an iconic train.