Tickets go on sale at 10am this Friday as demand surges for the High Speed Sonnet
A rail experience created by a company with strong roots in Weardale and County Durham has been propelled into the national spotlight after being named by The Telegraph as one of the 10 most exciting new train journeys launching in the UK in 2026.
The feature, published this week, has triggered a surge of interest in the High Speed Sonnet, a one-off luxury rail journey created by Excursions By Rail, with hundreds of passengers already signed up to the waitlist ahead of tickets going on sale at 10am this Friday.
Industry insiders expect the journey to sell out rapidly, following the national coverage and the growing reputation of Excursions By Rail for delivering distinctive, high-quality rail experiences.
Despite the national attention, the company behind the journey has its origins firmly in the North East, with close ties to Weardale and a track record of using the region’s rail heritage as a platform for ambitious, nationally recognised projects.
The High Speed Sonnet has been designed as a single, carefully curated experience, combining iconic rolling stock, a meticulously planned route and a premium onboard atmosphere aimed at creating something genuinely unforgettable.
Luke Holmes, Founder & CEO of Excursions By Rail, said:
“The response over the last 24 hours has been extraordinary. Being recognised by The Telegraph has taken interest to another level, and we’re already seeing demand far beyond what we can accommodate.
“This is a one-off journey. Once it sells out, that’s it — and at the current rate, we expect that to happen very quickly.”
Excursions By Rail confirmed that tickets will be released in limited numbers at 10am on Friday.
The company says the success of the High Speed Sonnet reflects a growing appetite for premium rail travel experiences and demonstrates how projects rooted in the North East can capture attention on a national stage.
Passengers hoping to secure seats are being urged to act quickly when sales open.
Tickets on sale: Friday at 10am
Waitlist now open: www.excursionsbyrail.co.uk
