Historic steam trains make special appearance at Carlisle

The SR Battle of Britain Class 34067 Tangmere departed at roughly 3pm from Carlisle with passengers who were treated to champagne and a deluxe riding experience that harked back to a different era.

The special train, which had sold out, picked up passengers at Hull, York, and Wakefield Kirkgate on its way to Carlisle.

The service had a touch of pristine class, with carpets laid out before the step up to the carriage, and staff members in fancy uniforms greeting passengers before they were served with champagne (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

A heritage diesel - a Class 47/57 - hauled the train from Hull to Carnforth, where steam locomotive 34067 'Tangmere' took over for the journey to Carlisle and then over the scenic Settle to Carlisle route.

At Hellifield, north of Skipton, a diesel loco replaced the steam engine for the trip back to Hull.

The tour, which is named the Settle and Carlisle Steam Special, was promoted by Northern Belle and operated by West Coast Railways.

'Tangmere' is a Battle of Britain class locomotive, completed at the Southern Railway’s Brighton works in September 1947.

Another steam train, The Lakelander, began in the Midlands before calling at stations in Cheshire and Lancashire, and went north via the West Coast Main Line to Carlisle.

The Lakelander at Carlisle (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

The service was steam hauled from Preston by a preserved locomotive chosen from a pool made up of the famous LMS Royal Scot Class, No.46100 Royal Scot, West Country Class, No. 34046 Braunton or Britannia Pacific Class, No 70000 Britannia.

Old and new, as the Lakelander sits beside a modern TPE-operated service to Manchester (Image: Ollie Rawlinson)

After arriving in Carlisle, it left at around 3.30pm, returning via the coastal route heading to Carnforth via the Furness Line.