Northern Belle: 19/9, 3/10 & 17/10/20 + 16 & 17/12/20

Just had an email about four trips with Lizzie through the autumn.

More on their website:

Vhttps://northernbelle.co.uk/trip/princess-elizabeth-spirit-of-travel-lunch/684?passengers=&promo=

Passenger numbers limited to accommodate Covid

Peter on a damp midsummer evening in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

 

It should actually say 'from 29 August' .

 

"Then the Northern Belle drops down to Garside"!

I take it they mean Garsdale, or could it be Selside?

 

The ads thrust at me here when I log on are now offering me the Northern Belle. From the thumbnail pic, it seems they now use an FS (Italy) 940 class 2-8-2T. My goodness, must get my booking in ASAP!

 

940.030 - be interesting to see that over Shap rather than parked on a roundabout in Torino!

 

No, it's Seldale!

I also think that strange things have been happening behind lockdown doors recently - who would have thought that rebuilding Princess Elizabeth into an Italian tank replica would happen!

 

From Bergamo she’s?

 

Also I’m sure Hellifield is a nice place to live but it’s neither a town or pretty

 

But Hellifield does have an excellent cafe on the station

Sent from my SM-A105FN using Tapatalk

 

True.

 

Unfortunately it’s the top end trips where the money is made. I’m constantly amazed that people will pay £395 for a slow jaunt around Surrey on the Belmond but I’m very pleased they do. I’ve been in it ( no champagne lunch, just pie & chips in the support coach) and the passengers seem to be a cross section from the wealthy to those who have saved up all year for that special trip.

 

If I was paying that money the last thing I would want to see is a pair surgical masks and gloves on the waiting service.

 

I was very kindly offered two free tickets for one of these trains when Flying Scotsman was the regular motive power. The food was absolutely first rate, but as you say, it's not very exciting performance-wise apart from the section from Shalford to Redhill, especially the climb to Gomshall. I enjoyed the experience but certainly would want a more exciting itinerary if was to pay the full whack. Indeed, I did go on a UKRT run to Canterbury & back with Clan Line and the pullmans in 2017. A much more interesting itinerary with some lively running and it cost less than one of Belmond's Surrey Hills jaunts! (I hasten to add that I come very much in the "saving up for a special trip" rather than the "wealthy" category!)

 

The Belmond route is mostly cutting across the very intensive and complex electric suburban network so there is really no scope for high speed running until you get past Woking. From MNLPS perspective, it’s the bread and butter business and a doddle, engine not over taxed and never more than 30 miles from home. I agree about the trips around Kent, a MN complete with Golden Arrow regalia on a set of Pullmans running partly on the route of the original train, what could be better?

 

Does anybody have timings for the Northern Belle on Saturday 29th? I can't find anything on RTT. I just happen to be in Appleby area that day.

 

Cancelled according to several sources including Railway Herald.

 

Thanks. I was unsure because it's still listed on the Northern Belle website.

 

Yes, I'd thought that too! Very odd.

 

. . . and they still appear to be taking bookings! However, they aren't answering their bookings/enquiries telephone number.