Luxury Northern Belle train to roll out red carpet for passengers boarding at Walsall Station this spring

The Northern Belle will be hauled into Walsall Station at around 7.20am on April 26 as part of a picturesque trip over the Settle-Carlisle line. 

Anyone wishing to board the steam-hauled locomotive must be in their Sunday best for the trip, as jeans, T-shirts and trainers are 'frowned upon' by bosses of the 1930s Pullman-style train, which once formed part of the iconic Orient Express set-up.

“Most of our passengers like to dress up for the occasion,” explained a spokesperson for the Northern Belle, “and we do encourage that.

“After all, this isn’t any ordinary train – the Belle is a throwback to the golden days of rail travel when nothing was too good for the pampered passenger.”

The train will be pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive when it leaves Walsall Station at 7.30am. 

Passengers will be served a three-course brunch with champagne as it heads for Carnforth in Lancashire where historic steam engine Tangmere will take over.

This giant locomotive, named after second world war hero Douglas Bader’s RAF base, used to haul crack express trains from London to the South Coast.

Then after a stopover in Carlisle, a six-course banquet with more champagne and wine will be served during the journey to Settle.

The same trip through the Yorkshire Dales and over the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct featured on Channel 5’s “The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys.

Actor Bill Nighy told viewers that the Northern Belle was “the Grand Dame of luxury travel”.

He added: “Our plush grand tour has been the experience of a lifetime.” 

This will be the train’s only trip from Walsall during 2025, however there will be a lunch and champagne afternoon tea excursion before then from Birmingham on March 12.

Fares start at £365. For more details and to book, visit www.northernbelle.co.uk.