Northern Belle 2026

"Steam not guaranteed" is prominent on the Belle booking information, automatic refund provided of roughly £30 per passenger if the train ends up being diesel hauled.
As steam isn't necessarily the essence of the Belle it's probably easier to justify priority to an RTC job where it is more essential.

 

Still nothing in TRUST for the Belle tomorrow - maybe it's caped?

 

According to RH it's diesel hauled as no steam available.

 

It has been cancelled for some while, as I understand it due to an engineering blockade in the Wigan/Warrington area

Peter

 

Yes, RH has been updated since I looked at 10-30 this morning.

 

I did wonder about the effect of the blockade, but it's still actually listed on the NB website - https://northernbelle.co.uk/trip/settle-carlisle-steam-special/1827

Pretty safe to say it's definitely cancelled at this point.

 

Without disagreeing with the premise of your statement #66 post Alan @Big Al it is nevertheless a strange one to make in this particular thread.

 

All week it has said email for information on the list of tours page and I suspect the participants will have been told sometime back.

 

Any steam hauled Belle has a diesel on the back because the stock needs power. If you think 6201 was regularly given its head during its time on the Belle I suggest you look back at old footage. It wasn't exactly 'ex works' for one thing.
The Belle is probably the only "steam hauled" train where the motive power is a figurehead. It isn't marketed the same way as CME, Fellsman or Dalesman for example where a steam loco doing its business is intrinsic to the experience.
So I'll agree with your broader point about those other trains, but the Belle isn't an example of declining 'quality'.

 

All you say is accurate, but so is Big Al's comment. It may not be declining "quality" but it is a demonstration of WCR's declining capabilities. It's a classic case of Hobson's choice at the moment because WCR has lost the ability to have any contingency for steam tour requirements. 34028 to cover the south and 34067 the north is ok in theory, until something goes wrong.

Tomorrow's Belle is said to be cancelled due to engineering closures around Warrington. That is doubtless correct but I bet it was a huge sigh of relief in Carnforth for a convenient co-incidence allowing Tangmere to work across the Pennines.

In it's own way the Belle is a quality product in terms of ambience, style and premium dining prices but to describe it as a steam train in the same way as 6201 and other locos actually used to provide is stretching credulity to those who know the score.

The Northern Belle has been diesel only on several occasions and with a £500 plus entry level fare it deserves a more authentic experience than that suggested in the advertising. As for a £30 credit for non-steam appearance to me that seems both pitiful and a cheap way for WCR to benefit from a failed expectation by asking those credited to fork out for a second £500 attempt.

If I were looking for a steamy meal I'd sit outside the Station Tavern with pie and chips whilst 2253 goes clanking past.