Luxury train makes rare visit to Rochdale

One of the world’s most luxurious trains will pay a rare visit to Rochdale next month to take champagne-sipping passengers on a slap-up gourmet lunch journey through the Lancashire and Yorkshire countryside.

A red carpet will be laid across the platform as the Northern Belle, a 1930s Pullman-style train that was once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, pulls into the station hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive.

And after nibbling Royal Siberian caviar, passengers will tuck into a new seven-course menu devised by a chef who has prepared meals for VIPs like Madonna, Rod Stewart and Princess Diana.

Brian Clark, 51, who lives in Sowerby Bridge, and recently joined the train as Director of Food and Beverages, has worked in top hotels and restaurants around the globe.

The six-hour trip on Friday, April 18, will be the only visit to the town this year by the train, which actor Bill Nighy described as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when it featured on Channel 5’s “The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys” programme.

It even has its own onboard musicians, who serenade passengers while they dine, and a conjuror who wanders from table to table to add an extra touch of magic to the occasion.

Passengers, who are paying £365 for tickets, are expected to dress up for the occasion. A spokesman said: “We like to think we are transporting them back to the golden days of rail travel.

“So jeans, T-shirts and trainers would certainly be frowned upon. Dressing up is half the fun. Most gentlemen choose to wear a smart suit and tie, while the ladies like to show off their beautiful dresses.”

The train, which will be hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive, is scheduled to leave Manchester Victoria at 12.20pm before calling at Rochdale at 12.40. It will then pick up more passengers at Hebden Bridge at 1pm and Brighouse at 1.20.

Although this will be the Northern Belle’s only visit to Rochdale this year, the train will make several trips from Manchester, including steam-hauled journeys over the picturesque Settle-Carlisle line.

It will also take passengers from the city to Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot and the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as a special Fireworks Dinner in November.

For more details and to book, see www.northernbelle.co.uk