THE last chance to ride on a mainline steam train in Merseyside and Cheshire could take place next month.

The two steam locomotive-hauled charter trains on Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2 could be the final excursions from Liverpool due to accelerated timetables for the newly electrified services.

It is difficult to fit in steam trains on the mainline as they take longer to get up speed.

Nigel Dobbing, managing director of Railway Touring Company, which organises the trains, said: "This could be the last chance to travel on the steam trains which are so special to Liverpool and the north west as it's where the world's first passenger trains started in 1840.

"I urge people to take the chance while they can to experience what it's like as these magnificent locomotives blast their way out of Lime Street to Edge Hill in a fury of smoke and sound. There's nothing like it.”

Last year, no mainline steam train excursions ran from Liverpool through the north west due to the fire risk caused by sparks from the locomotives setting alight the dry line side vegetation.

The final two runs of this year will be scenic return trips on the Settle and Carlisle Railway and along the North Wales coast.

On August 1, the most powerful steam locomotive in Britain, No 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, built at Crewe in 1938 and formerly based at Liverpool Edge Hill depot to haul premier London trains, will head the Cumbrian Mountain Express.

Early birds can join the train at Runcorn at 5.48.

On August 2, Jubilee class No 45690 Leander, built at Crewe in 1936, will take the North Wales Coast Express, from Liverpool Lime Street at 10.31am to Llandudno.

For more details and bookings call 01553 661500 or visit railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/