The Flying Scotsman

A MEMORABLE day out aboard Britain’s most luxurious train being hauled from Crewe this summer by the world’s most famous steam locomotive has almost sold out – despite places costing £300 each.

Only 20 tickets are left for the “Spirit of Travel” lunch when the Flying Scotsman pulls Northern Belle’s seven 1930s-style Pullman carriages on a four-hour round trip to Carnforth on Saturday July 20.

Jeanette Snape, managing director of Nantwich-based Northern Belle, said: “We knew this would be popular but were amazed at how quickly tickets sold.

“All 300 places on a trip that same evening from Manchester have already sold out and we only have a handful left from Crewe. Anybody wanting to go needs to contact us immediately.”

The Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph and the first to run non-stop from London to Edinburgh before being withdrawn from service by British Rail in 1963.

The Northern Belle train is Britain’s equivalent of the iconic Orient Express and harks back to the golden days of 1930s rail travel when nothing was too good for passengers.

Diners settle into plush armchairs, surrounded by exquisite marquetry and tapestries, while eating meals prepared by the on-board chef off the finest china and sipping wine from cut-glass goblets.

Both the special trains will be steam-hauled along one leg of the return journey to Carnforth, station, which has now been carefully restored to the state when 1940s classic weepie Brief Encounter was filmed there.

Passengers will have the chance to dance on the platform to the train’s resident band before puckering up under the iconic station clock where Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson stole an illicit kiss in the movie.

Jeanette said: “These should both be wonderful trips. What could be better than travelling on one of the world’s most luxurious trains while being hauled by the world’s most famous locomotives?

“Throw in a delicious meal followed by a snog under the Brief Encounter clock at Carnforth and it all adds up to a never-to-be-forgotten day!”

The Northern Belle will also operate from Crewe this month to Bristol on Friday May 17, to the Chelsea Flower Show the following week on May 24, and to the Western Lakes on May 31. Then on June 20 there is a top hat and tails trip to Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot.

For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk or phone 01270 899681.