Trainspotters flock to see first scheduled steam services in decades as part of celebrations to mark reopening of line

Trainspotters have lined the route of one of Britain’s most spectacular railways as a steam train delivered passengers on the Settle to Carlisle line on scheduled services for the first time in decades.

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Twelve services operated by Northern this week between Appleby and Skipton will be pulled by a new steam engine, Tornado, as part of celebrations to mark the reopening of the line after landslides.

The line shows off the best of the Yorkshire Dales, passing over the engineering triumph of the Ribblehead viaduct before entering Cumbria’s Eden valley.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A man holds his ticket for the steam train journey. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Among those on board was Graeme Bunker, operations direction of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a charity which raised £3m to build the Tornado.

It was a magical journey, he said. “I always say it’s like travelling in a time machine back to an era where people still needed to get from A to B on time but in a more relaxing way. We travelled through some really stunning scenery, and because there was no mobile reception there was no fiddling with iPads or iPhones and nothing to do but look out of the window and just enjoy it.”

Travelling by steam train these days is usually an expensive treat reserved for special, one-off journeys. But tickets on the scheduled 08.25 from Appleby to Skipton service cost the same as they would if serviced by modern diesel engines: £17 for the whole 70-mile journey, less with a railcard.

Bunker said Tuesday’s four timetabled journeys were the first for almost 50 years on which passengers could just buy a normal ticket. Though many of the 2,000 passengers lucky enough to get a seat were railway enthusiasts, some had no idea they’d be travelling by steam rather than diesel. “I spoke to one lady who had just bought a ticket from Appleby because she needed to go to Skipton. She was rather surprised to find herself on a steam train,” he said.

Normally tickets to ride on the Tornado on a special chartered service cost between £50 and £100, according to Bunker.

The locomotive itself was largely crowdfunded by supporters who could covenant the monthly equivalent of the price of a pint of beer per week – when the fundraising campaign began, back in 1990, that was just £1.25 a pint.

The new engine, built in Darlington, is based on a design by Arthur H Peppercorn, the last chief mechanical engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway. It has been updated to meet modern safety requirements, fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics.



The original fleet of 49 Peppercorn-designed locomotives were scrapped in the 1960s as diesel replaced steam. The line closed between the Cumbrian towns of Appleby and Carlisle last February after a 500,000-tonne landslip at Eden Brow, caused by heavy rain, forced users to suffer the misery of a replacement bus service.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive will run two return journeys each day until Thursday between Appleby and Skipton. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Almost all of the steam-powered services were sold out across three days this week, Northern said. It advised customers to check the National Rail inquiries website for ticket availability.

There were still some reservable seats available for the 5.15pm Skipton to Appleby services on some days, the rail operator said. But all services remain popular and there are no guarantees any customers will be able to board Tornado without a reservation. No standing is permitted.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The £3m Tornado sets off. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Paul Barnfield, regional director at Northern, said on Tuesday: “It is great to see so many people supporting this historic venture. We always knew that the first timetabled steam services in the UK for 50 years would be extremely popular, but the demand for tickets has been phenomenal.

“Those who have pre-booked reservations will be guaranteed their place on the relevant service, but for those who have unreserved standard tickets access to the services will be on a first come, first served basis. We strongly advise those who want to travel to arrive early as there will be a formal queuing process in place.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Almost all of the steam-powered services are sold out across three days this week. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

• This article was amended on 17 February 2017 to clarify that Tornado is the new locomotive’s name, not its type; it is a Peppercorn Class A1.