'You don’t see this in other countries': Step back in time as luxury train comes to the Black Country

The sun was out and the mood was cheerful as rail passengers and enthusiasts came to a Black Country railway station for a ride on one of Britain’s most luxurious trains.

Couples, families and friends came dressed up and ready for a luxury day out on Saturday (September 5) as they arrived at Willenhall Station to await the 7.31am train to Carlisle, having paid for tickets to ride the Northern Belle.

The train, which was voted the fifth greatest in the world by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine last year, was stopping at Willenhall as part of the journey through the Black Country and Staffordshire on its way to the Settle-Carlisle line.

More than 30 passengers were at the station, having paid between £595 and £800 for tickets with the promise of luxurious surroundings and high-quality food and drink along with the picturesque views of the scenery during the day.

Among those looking forward to the splendour of the Northern Belle was John Dews, who had booked onto the train with his wife Sue, daughter Rhianneth and son-in-law Jason, and said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He said: “It’s the first time we’ve done this and it’s a gift to our children, plus it’s something that we’ve always wanted to do, so when the chance came up, we decided to do it.

“It’s been cancelled twice before, because it has to slot in with the other train systems and they haven’t been able to fit it in yet, so hopefully we’ll get there today.”

Rhianneth said: “I’m looking forward to the food as there’s going to be some nice meals and it’s great to have some family time and experience being able to go up to the countryside and have a nice weekend to chill out.

“I think the line we’re going on helps as well as it really adds to the ambience of it, plus you’re being treated and looked after really well, so it’s good to be luxurious for the day.”

Jim Bytheway, dressed up for the day, said he had been inspired by a documentary about the train.

He said: “I know it’s one of the top five most luxurious train journeys and I saw a Channel 5 documentary about it, so I think that’s what inspired me to come and do this.

“It’s a shame it’s not a steam engine because of the rules around emissions, but it’s still going to be a fine day out with the vintage and the fine dining, so I’m excited.”

Another couple dressed up and ready for the day out were Gary and Anne Woolridge, with Anne saying it had been on her list of things to do.

She said: “It’s just a bucket list thing for me and something I’ve always wanted to do and I love the glamour behind it.

“What attracted me to this was the menu and the food offering and drinks, but it was just the whole experience as well of going out on the train and having nothing to do except stare out of the window and enjoy the view.

“It’s lovely, to be honest, and just feels like a step back in time.”

The train arrived just after 7.34am, with staff laying out red carpets at the entrances to the carriages and welcoming passengers in with a smile.

Inside, the carriages were adorned with light and luxurious materials and each table was set for the six-course meal, with staff on hand to pour a welcome glass of champagne before departure from the station.

As well as those waiting to ride the train, there were also people who had come to Willenhall to get photos of the train and see it for themselves.

They included Deniz Ozbicak from Bilston, who had come down with her mum Susan to see it.

She said: “It’s nice to see a train like this coming through the new station at Willenhall, particularly a heritage train, as not many of them come to the West Midlands and it’s nice to bring people together.

“It’s something I would love to do one day and I think it’s really important to keep these heritage engines going to preserve history for future enthusiasts.

“You don’t see this type of preservation in other countries and it means a lot to people as they’ve got a soul and they’ve got stories to tell.”