The Coronavirus vaccine is beginning to bring infection rates in the UK down, and now, railtour operator, Northern Belle, has confirmed to RailAdvent that it is doubling to amount of steam-hauled journeys to cope with the demand.

Northern Belle owner, David Pitts, acted quickly after the roadmap announcement by Boris Johnson on the 22nd February.

The operator has now organised 6 more trips from a number of locations across the country, including a trip over the Settle and Carlisle line.

Credit: Richard Harnetty

Mr Pitts said: “The rapid roll-out of the Covid vaccine has been a shot in the arm for the whole heritage train industry and Mr Johnson’s ‘roadmap’ this week has sent ticket sales soaring.

“After kicking their heels in lockdown for so long, the British people are desperate to get out again so we have quickly arranged a whole raft of new trips to cope with the demand.”

Credit: Northern Belle

The luxury Pullman carriages will be hauled over the Settle and Carlisle line by LMS Princess No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth.

Actor Bill Nighy described the Northern Belle as “the Grand Duchess of Luxury trains” and told viewers: “Our plush grand tour has been the experience of a lifetime.”

Credit: Kallum Buckley

Steam hauled tours from Northern Belle will depart from Birmingham, Brighouse, Chester, Coventry, Crewe, Darlington, Derby, Doncaster, Durham, Glasgow, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Preston, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Stoke, Telford, Wolverhampton, York, Wakefield and Woking.

Credit: Northern Belle

Fares for each passenger, including a champagne brunch and a five-course dinner, are £390, and booking can be made via the Northern Belle website.