Enthusiasts urged to be sensible as 'Britain's most luxurious train' steams through Clitheroe this weekend

Enthusiastic crowds turned out last year to photograph Flying Scotsman pulling the Northern Belle’s 1930s-style Pullman carriages but a spokesman for the company said: “Because of Covid-19, we are asking people to act responsibly on Saturday.

“We fully understand people wanting to see the train but the safety of our passengers, staff and the general public comes first. That is why we are appealing to people to remember the 2metre rule and act responsibly.

“There have been reports from other parts of the country of people crowding on to station platforms to photograph steam-hauled heritage trains like the Northern Belle and we don’t want that to happen here.”

Crimson-painted Princess Elizabeth cost just £11,675 when it was built at Crewe in 1933 and named after the then seven-year-old queen-to-be. Later it was to pull the Royal Train while she was aboard.

And in 1936 it broke the world speed record for a long-distance passenger train, maintaining an average 70.15mph while hauling eight carriages for more than 400 miles.

The Northern Belle’s Pullman carriages once formed part of the iconic Orient Express train. Each is named after a historic castle or stately home and features hand-woven tapestries, marquetry and mosaics.

Passengers will tuck into a champagne brunch as they travel over the picturesque Settle to Carlisle line on Saturday morning before being served a slap-up five-course meal as they return via Carnforth and Lancaster in the afternoon.

For more details about the Northern Belle phone 01270 899681 or see www.northernbelle.co.uk.