A POSH train described by actor Bill Nighy as “the Grand Duchess of luxury travel” will make a rare red carpet trip from Llandudno next Friday (September 10).

The Northern Belle, with its distinctive umber and cream 1950s-style Pullman carriages, regularly brings parties of day-trippers to the town.

But this is the first time this year the train, once part of the Orient Express group, has picked up passengers from the town.

Rhythm of the train. The Northern Belles resident musicians

Rhythm of the train. The Northern Belle's resident musicians

It will take guests for a champagne day out in York with its Roman and Viking history and fascinating railway museumor on to Scarborough on the East Coast.

A spokesman said: “We are used to bringing our guests to enjoy a break in Llandudno and so it is nice to give local people a chance to also enjoy a trip on our luxury train.”

Passengers will be handed a Bellini cocktail as they board over a red carpet at 7.15am on Friday before the train calls at Chester at 8am.

They will then tuck into a three-course brunch during the journey to Yorkshire.

Northern Belle (Permission granted for photographs)

Northern Belle (Permission granted for photographs)

Later there will be another champagne reception on board before a sumptuous five-course dinner is served during the journey back home.

The train even has its own resident musicians and to make the day more magical, a conjurer wanders from table to table doing amazing tricks.

Earlier this year the train featured on Channel 5’s “Most Scenic Railway Journeys” programme when Bill Nighy called it “the Grand Duchess of luxury travel”.

He said following a televised journey over the Settle-Carlisle line: “Our plush grand tour has been the experience of a lifetime.”

The train is set to arrive back in Llandudno at 10.15pm. The fare is £315. For more details of this and other trips, phone 01270 899681 or see Fo

For more details visit: www.northernbelle.co.uk