Luxury seaside trip on Carnforth train goes ahead despite strikes
and live on Freeview channel 276
More than 200 passengers who had paid nearly £400 to travel to Scarborough this Friday faced disappointment after thousands of rail workers voted to strike on Thursday and Saturday.
For it looked like it would be impossible to get the 1930s Pullman-style train and its crew from Carnforth to the starting point in Coventry ready for the breakfast time start.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut after Network Rail planners worked out a special route for the Belle, the 30 staff agreed to travel by coach, minibus, car and taxi and stay overnight in hotels so the trip could go ahead.
Grateful boss David Pitts said: “They have been terrific – they didn’t just go the extra mile, they went the extra 500 miles to Coventry, Scarborough, back to Coventry and then home again.
“We are very proud of them and the way they were determined not to let our passengers down.”
However, a steam-hauled journey by the Northern Belle over the spectacular Settle-Carlisle line on Saturday has had to be cancelled because of the strike.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Pitts said: “It is a shame that we have had to call off the trip especially after all those we had to cancel during the Covid pandemic.
“But with the rail network virtually closing down on Sunday we really had no choice.”