Britain’s ‘most luxurious train’ to make first-ever red carpet visit to Rochdale

Railway enthusiasts are in for a treat this year when one of the world’s most luxurious trains makes its first-ever red carpet visit to Rochdale.

Staff will lay red carpet over the platform at Rochdale station before the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle pulls in at 11.35am on Friday 21 April.

Passengers will be welcomed with champagne before further stops at Hebden Bridge and Brighouse.

The Northern Belle will meander through the Yorkshire countryside for five hours while they tuck into a choice of either champagne afternoon tea or a seven-course spirit of travel lunch.

It is scheduled to arrive back in Rochdale at 4.35pm.

Once part of the iconic Orient Express, the Northern Belle was recently voted Britain’s most luxurious train by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast magazine.

And it was placed ninth in the world, beating other famous trains like Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer and India’s Maharajah’s Express.

It even has its own resident musicians to serenade passengers while an on-board conjuror adds a touch of magic.

A trip over the Settle-Carlisle line featured on Channel 5’s “The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys” programme when actor Bill Nighy described the train as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel.”

Fares start at £295 for passengers booking the champagne afternoon tea or £375 for lunch with fine wines.

For an extra £195 passengers can upgrade to Krug Champagne Class in the special Duart carriage, which was once part of the Royal Train, or Glamis, named after the former Queen Mother’s childhood home.

Despite the high price tag, the journey aboard the train is expected to be a sell-out.

“It’s the epitome of luxury,” said a spokesman for the Northern Belle. “Nothing is too good for our pampered passengers.

“We transport them back to the golden days of rail travel.”

Rumour has it that Duart contains what was once the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, where she liked to relax with a gin and tonic while waving regally out of the window.