Full steam ahead from Preston

BRITAIN’S poshest train will make its first visit of 2026 to Preston next week for a steam-hauled trip over the spectacular Settle-Carlisle line.

Champagne-sipping passengers are paying more than £500 to travel on the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle.

But despite the high prices, only a few seats are left on the train, which was once part of the iconic Orient Express group.

A spokesman said: “The 73-mile route between Carlisle and Settle through the Yorkshire Dales and over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the most picturesque in the world.

“So the trip is always very popular, especially when hauled by an historic steam locomotive from days gone by.

“But if you can’t get aboard next week, we will be repeating the journey in May, June and September.”

Passengers will be handed their first glass of champagne after boarding the Northern Belle over a red carpet at 10.30am on Saturday, April 25. 

A slap-up three-course brunch will be served during the journey to Carlisle, where there will be time to explore the city’s medieval castle or magnificent cathedral.

Then during the evening there will be more champagne on the train before passengers tuck into a sumptuous six-course banquet with fine wines during the journey home. 

The train is scheduled to arrive back in Preston at 8pm.

The trip over the Settle-Carlisle line recently featured on Channel 5’s “The World’s Most Scenic Railways” programme when narrator Bill Nighy described the Northern Belle as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel”.

And last year the train was voted the fifth best in the world by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine. 

The Northern Belle will repeat the journey from Preston on Saturday, May 30, June 13 and September 12. There will also be several trips from the city to Edinburgh, with the chance to visit the late Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Fares start at £445. For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk