THREE special steam-hauled excursion trains will run from Woodlesford to Scarborough this summer to mark the 400thanniversary of the seaside resort becoming a spa.
Passengers will sip champagne as they travel in refurbished British Railways 1950s carriages, some of which were featured in the blockbusting Harry Potter movies.
The Scarborough Spa Express will set out from Skipton for its first journey on Wednesday, June 17, before calling at Keighley, Shipley and Woodlesford with further trips on July 29 and August 19.
A spokesman said:
“This is going to be one the loveliest days out this summer – a nostalgic railway journey across some of the country’s most beautiful countryside to a traditional seaside resort.
“Premier first class passengers will be able to sip a complementary Bucks Fizz and tuck into a full traditional English breakfast during the outward journey.
“Then maybe a stroll along the promenade and perhaps a fish ’n’ chips lunch before lazing away the afternoon in a deckchair on the beach.
“Finally, to round off a great day there will be champagne back on the train followed by a slap-up four-course dinner with wine served on the way home in the evening.”
Passengers who don’t wish to travel all the way to Scarborough can instead leave the train at York, to visit the historic city’s sights.
It is not yet known which steam engine will pull thre Dalesman. One possibility is Scots Guardsman, a Royal Scot class locomotive which used to haul the Waverley and Thames-Clyde expresses through Skipton.
Other possibles include include crimson painted Jubilee class Galatea, Tangmere, which used to pull the Bournemouth Belle and Atlantic Coast expresses from London Waterloo, or Oliver Cromwell, which operated British Rail’s last scheduled steam service.
Fares on the train start at £93 (£45 for children). For more details, see www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/scarborough-spa-express.
