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The year was 1933 and the shrill blast of a whistle had inaugurated another luxury train journey. Instead of a day trip, however, this was a "land cruise" that encircled Great Britain's most celebrated sights over an action-packed week. There were stylish suites for milord and milady, plush Pullman saloons and restaurant cars with warm scones. In the cocktail bar, well-dressed guests exchanged toasts and addresses. And toiling up front, with whirling wheels, was a steam locomotive emblazoned with an insignia that read "Northern Belle".
This remarkable idea was first introduced in 1933 by the London and North Eastern Railway. Liner cruising was fashionable so the idea of a "land cruise" was a natural progression.
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The first cruise was met with such success and the "Northern Belle" went on to make four cruises during its June season.
At 9pm on June 1, 1934, the "Northern Belle" left Kings Cross for the inaugural cruise of the season, the fare was £20 and sixty passengers were carried.
The train travelled north and on Sunday morning the passengers transferred to the day portion of the train, leaving at 10am for Penrith, breakfast was served en route. From Penrith the Lake District was toured by motor coach. During the evening guests rejoined the train and at 7pm departed for Carlisle and then onto Corstorphine, where the night was spent, the sleeping cars having rejoined the day coaches.
Monday morning was devoted to excursions in the Edinburgh district before travelling onto Aberdeen, arriving at 8am on Tuesday.
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Visits were made to Royal Deeside and Braemar during the morning before the train travelled on to Dalmeny and Balloch Pier. The journey up Loch Lomond was made by steamer and passengers rejoined the day coaches of the train at Ardlui for Fort William, where the night portion had been sent ahead from Balloch and was waiting for them.
In the afternoon the day coaches made a special excursion over the West Highland line from Fort William to Mallaig and back, this journey included some of the finest railway scenery in Great Britain. The Northern Belle stood overnight at Fort William, and on Thursday morning the day portion proceeded to Craigendoran, where the passengers embarked on the ss. Waverley for a sail down the Firth of Clyde and round the Kyles of Bute.
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The inaugural run of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express left Victoria on 25 May 1982. Among the celebrities was the actress Liza Minelli. |
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Meanwhile, the train ran back to Cowlairs and picked up the night coaches, which had been worked there separately from Fort William. At 12.50am on Friday morning the train left Edinburgh, a halt of two hours being made at Dunbar before the train arrived at London Kings Cross at 10.45am.
Unfortunately, the arrival of war halted such gracious train travel, seemingly forever, but that original journey of 70 years ago has been recreated. The recreation of this journey has its seeds in 1982, when American entrepreneur James Sherwood rekindled the belle epoque of rail travel as he welcomed guests on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The train's magnificent carriages and refined service had been fastidiously restored like a rediscovered old master before its museum debut.
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In keeping with its heritage, the Northern Belle's, new seven-day itinerary follows a circular route through England, Scotland and Wales, calling at great homes and castles, ancient cities and monuments.
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Castle Howard |
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