It’s full steam ahead for a chartered steam train to bring passengers from Bradford to Carlisle in May.
Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company is running the steam charter train, The West Yorkshireman on Saturday, May 31 to mark three special events – Bradford’s year as City of Culture, Rail 200 celebrating 200 years of passenger rail and the Settle Carlisle line’s 150th anniversary.
The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company has requested the iconic LMS 7P Scots Guardsman engine to power their charter train which will pull out of Bradford Forster Square, with pick-ups at Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton and Settle.
Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company deputy chairman, John Moorhouse said: “This is a very special year for the Settle Carlisle line, marking the 150th anniversary of the line opening.
“It is also a very important year for the rail industry as we celebrate Rail200, the 200th anniversary of passenger rail.
“With Bradford also celebrating being the City of Culture, we wanted to mark these events in a special way – and what could be more spectacular than a steam engine pulling out of Bradford to take in the views along the Settle Carlisle line?
“Passengers will have the opportunity to explore the historic landmarks in Carlisle, including Carlisle Castle, the Cathedral and Tullie House Museum before returning to the train for another scenic route home via the West Coast Main Line and the Bentham Line.
“This is the first time we have run a charter train from West Yorkshire, and we want to provide a unique opportunity to communities in this area of our line to experience the power of steam and celebrate our railway history and culture.”
The Settle Carlisle line has been named the most scenic in Europe by the Lonely Planet travel publishers. Now, passengers have the opportunity to travel either in Premier Dining, First Class or Standard class, on heritage carriages through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria Lakeland countryside.
