Darlington-built loco rescues luxury train Northern Belle

Former British Rail express engine Princess Elizabeth should have pulled the Northern Belle over the picturesque Settle-Carlisle line on Saturday.

But the crimson-painted 88-year-old loco has been shunted off into a siding after blowing her top with a crack in her boiler plate.

Bosses feared they might have to cancel the champagne trip from Newcastle, Durham, Darlington and York.

Read more: Pictures as Darlington-built Tornado steams through County Durham

Yorkshire businessman David Pitts, who bought the Northern Belle’s 1930s-style Pullman carriages from the iconic Orient Express group, said: “Things looked grim.

"We had around 300 guests booked on Saturday’s train and we didn’t want to let them down by cancelling.

“Fortunately we have managed to arrange for the magnificent Tornado locomotive to take over so nobody will be disappointed.”

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Passengers will be served a three-course brunch while the train travels to Carnforth where Tornado, Britain’s newest steam loco, will be coupled up.

Then after spending free time in Carlisle, they will get a five-course dinner with wine as they meander through the Yorkshire Dales to Settle.

The luxurious Northern Belle

The Northern Belle will be back in the region on November 26 for a Christmas shopping and sight-seeing trip to Lincoln then in December for a Christmas lunch special.

For details see northernbelle.co.uk

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