Special train doing Settle-Carlisle through Lancashire?

[ian1944]

A programme on Channel 4 this evening featured a posh (white linen tablecloth, cocktails, etc) train on the S & C. The accompanying blurb referred to scenic Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria being traversed. I know that Lancashire had an eastern expansion some time ago, gaining Barnoldswick for example, but does it really have part of the route?

 

[randyrippley]

Only it it went via Clitheroe, or more likely reversed at Hellifield to get to Carnforth

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Think the train shown was the (Saphos Trains Ltd) "Settle and Carlisle Fellsman" which in 2023 is scheduled to operate four times during the year and normally starts out from Crewe at 0700 with pick-ups at Chester, Frodsham, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Euxton Balshaw Lane, Blackburn and Clitheroe, before accessing the Settle & Carlisle line at or shortly after 1030 and arriving in due course in Carlisle at around 1315.

Return from Carlisle is at 1545, arriving back in Crewe at 2200.

Pullman Dining (if not already sold out for 2023) was available at £350 per person (plus £40 per person for two "guaranteed" window seats) so whilst expensive, it's still cheaper than an Anytime First Class return in the other direction, from Crewe to, say, Watford Junction.

 

[ian1944]

Right, scenic Lancashire will be the bit near Hoghton and between Blackburn and Hellifield, but no part of Cheshire is thought worthy of the description. I didn't look up the details, just assumed that it started at Leeds or Skipton.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Right, scenic Lancashire will be the bit near Hoghton and between Blackburn and Hellifield, but no part of Cheshire is thought worthy of the description. I didn't look up the details, just assumed that it started at Leeds or Skipton.

Not sure that the TV production company showed much, or indeed any, of the initial or end part of the six hour (each way) journey through Cheshire.

Was only an hour's programme after all!

In any event, is the railway through Crewe / Frodsham / Warrington Bank Quay all that scenic?

 

[30907]

Right, scenic Lancashire will be the bit near Hoghton and between Blackburn and Hellifield, but no part of Cheshire is thought worthy of the description. I didn't look up the details, just assumed that it started at Leeds or Skipton.

The route through Clitheroe has been in regular use for these specials for years - indeed more so than the route via Skipton (certainly on weekdays). One factor is the presence of the steam depot at Carnforth and the whole West Coast Railway Co operation there.