Look out for the Northern Belle next month in Telford

A steam locomotive that once hauled crack expresses like The Golden Arrow and the Bournemouth Belle will take passengers from Telford and Shrewsbury on a trip over the spectacular Settle-Carlisle line next month.

Tangmere, a former British Railways Battle of Britain class engine named after RAF hero Douglas Bader’s wartime base, will team up with the Northern Belle’s 1930s Pullman-style carriages for the slap-up journey.

And it will be luxury all the way from the moment passengers are handed their first glass of champagne after boarding over a red carpet laid on the station platform.

First, they will tuck into a three-course brunch as the train heads north, hauled by a vintage diesel engine before Tangmere takes over at Carnforth in Lancashire.

Then, after a stop to see the sights in the border city of Carlisle, there will be more champagne and caviar before a lavish six-course dinner with wine is served during the journey through 14 tunnels and over 22 bridges, including the 24-arch, quarter-mile-long Ribblehead Viaduct, on the way to Settle.

A Northern Belle spokesman said: “This is one of our most popular trips – a steam-hauled journey through the Yorkshire Dales over the Settle-Carlisle is just the ticket. It’s really something special.

“But don’t miss the train – it won’t be back in Shropshire again until next April!”

The Northern Belle will depart from Telford Central at 7.14am on Saturday, November 16, before calling at Shrewsbury at 8.10. It will then pick up more passengers at Wrexham at 8.40 and Chester at 9.25.

It is scheduled to arrive back in Shrewsbury at 9pm and Telford at 9.40.

Fares on the Northern Belle start at £295. For more details and to book, see www.northernbelle.co.uk