Belle of a trip on Britain's poshest train

A RED carpet will be laid over the platform of Manchester Victoria Station on March 1 when one of the world’s poshest trains sets out on its first trip on 2025.

The Northern Belle – once described by actor Bill Nighy as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” – will take passengers on a champagne lunch trip over the picturesque Settle-Carlisle railway line.

They will tuck into a seven-course banquet with champagne and wine while travelling through the Yorkshire Dales and over the spectacular 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct.

The 1930s Pullman-style train, which used to form part of the iconic Orient Express group, even boasts its own resident band while an on-board conjuror adds an extra touch of magic to the journey.

One of the seven individually-decorated carriages used to form part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train and is said to include what was the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, from where she would wave through the window while sipping gin and tonics.

The train, hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive, will depart at 10am before picking up more passengers from Bolton.

Then four weeks later it will be back in the city when it will be pulled by a steam locomotive over the same same spectacular route.

Hundreds of trainspotters and railway enthusiasts are expected to turn out to photograph the occasion.

A spokesman said: “We like to think we’ll not only be taking passengers on a trip through some beautiful countryside, but will also be transporting them back to the golden days of rail travel.

“A time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers.”

Other Northern Belle trips from Manchester during 2025 include the Chelsea Flower Show in May, Ladies Day at Royal Ascot in June, and a Fireworks Dinner in November.

Fares start at £365. For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk