Luxury railtour operator Belmond has announced that it has sold its Northern Belle railtour business to West Coast Railways' Chairman David Smith and his business partner David Pitts. It looks like the remaining 2017 programme will remain operating with DRS, with the Northern Belle rake based at the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster. Details of the 2018 programme are to be announced, and it remains to be seen if the Northern Belle will be based at Carnforth and run with West Coast Railways' traction next year.

For more information see Huudersfield Daily Examiner: 'Why Huddersfield businessman has bought his own train'