Golden Eagle Luxury Trains founder Tim Littler marks the 60th anniversary of his first ever rail tour as he journeyed on the Waverley Special from Manchester to Edinburgh with 350 passengers at age 15.
The train travelled north via Wigan and Carlisle, before joining the legendary Waverley Route; the dramatic cross-border line running through the Scottish borders to Edinburgh Waverley.
In 1966, this was a bold and increasingly rare choice of route. Regular passenger services were in decline, and closure was looming. For enthusiasts, travelling the Waverley Route was both scenic and symbolic, a chance to experience one of Britain’s great main lines before it disappeared into history.
This was the twilight of the age of steam trains, with the end of mainline steam fast approaching (and eventually concluding in 1968). Journeys like the Waverley Special offered some of the last authentic opportunities to experience long-distance steam haulage on Britain’s main lines. For many onboard, it was not just a rail tour, but a farewell. For Littler, it was the beginning of an outstanding career connecting travellers with spectacular and historic destinations by rail.
To deliver the journey, Littler’s coordination with British Rail, attention to timings, passenger logistics, and an understanding of what travellers valued most have now defined his life’s work allowing guests to appreciate rail travel as an experience, not merely a form of transport.
In 1989, from his hometown of Altrincham, Tim founded Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, originally trading as GW Travel. What began as a specialist rail operator evolved into a globally respected luxury train company, renowned for ambitious routes, cultural depth, and exceptional service. It features three generations with Tim’s daughter, Jo and grandson, James in key roles within the business.
Littler and James share an especially close working relationship, now developing many of Golden Eagle’s most celebrated journeys together, including the epic Paris-Istanbul route and new for 2026, The Grand Silk Road. These modern itineraries echo the same spirit that defined the Waverley Special: curiosity, passion, care and the belief that the journey itself should be unforgettable.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains packages are fully inclusive of private ensuite rail accommodation, all exquisite meals and drinks, personal cabin attendant service, fully guided off-train excursions, all gratuities and transfers, plus premium hotels pre and post tour and a UK registered medical doctor on board.
