Northern Belle 2026

The regular list of fully booked or limited availability with RTC’s day trips says otherwise. That’s not forgetting their extensive world tours programme; your evaluation of them heading in a downward trajectory just doesn’t hold water.

 

I'm going on the number of tours they cancel and the number of empty seats I see on some of their regular UK tours. I do agree with you though re foreign offerings on which I've travelled a few times - They are much more successful from an enthusiast point of view.

 

Is the train tomorrow scheduled to be steam hauled? Reason for asking is that 'Tangmere' was reportedly the requested loco for the S&C 150 train on Monday so is it likely to be used twice in 48 hours? Maybe 5407 on one?

Edit: NB steam looks like on at Carlisle then southbound S&C to Preston 23/5.

 

I've heard that it's 45407 on the Belle tomorrow, and Tangmere on Monday, because the S&C Dev Co actually requested Tangmere for some reason. A Black 5 on Monday would have been far more appropriate for an S&C 150 special.

 

Thanks. Couldn't agree more!
At the time the S&C train was booked I suspect the "choice" was Hobson's....

 

Well around 300 arrived here on Swanage on a virtually full train on Wednesday, an extra standard coach has been added to the ACE tomorrow, and is still fully booked, the Royal Duchy next weekend has only 3 seats left (in dining) according to the website.
The NB is a totally different market (as is Statesman which is always diesel, or Belmond).
Just because the market was once mainly enthusiasts, many who will now have died or too ill to travel, before you get to the economic situation for many, does not mean it is now, the market evolves.
Using your logic airlines would not be flying long haul flights with flat beds in Business and First, and we would not have "jam them in" low cost carriers.
Anyway what is wrong with what you call "Corporate jolly and Sunday lunch type customers". If that is where the money is chase it.
Mr H obviously thinks it is a good market otherwise The Chairmans Train would not be up for hire or Belmond adding that Brighton Belle car to the back of their trips.

 

I don't disagree with what you say about corporate, Sunday lunch or Belmond users. I've aleady said that in terms of doing what they aim for they successfully hit that brand of target audience.

However my point about the decline in enthusiast support for such tours remains. A diesel pushing up hill and even down dale puts off many enthusiasts and it has been those supporters who have always been repeat passengers.

Make money from the well heeled by all means because revenue is increasingly needed. Just don't neglect those who have been core patrons over long periods of time and should still be catered for.

 

45407 seen charging through Stockber.

 

Making a fine sight and sound, Ian Riley's Class 5 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' works the return 'Northern Belle' through Kirkby Stephen and onwards eventually to Darlington with Mick Rawlings driving, Cameron Overend on the shovel
and Steve Adams Guard

 

45407 with Northern Belle at Forton

 

Another view of 45407 at Kirkby Stephen, this time from the footbridge stairs.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/55289297459/in/photostream/

 

45407 on Smardale Curve on 23/5/2026

David Price