LNER London & North Eastern Railway Steam Locomotive Class A4 4467 Wild Swan at Kings Cross in June 1938
At 8 pm on an overcast Friday evening in June 1938, the Northern Belle is seen leaving Kings Cross, heading for Scotland on a week long tour. This remarkable train ran only in the month of June in the years 1933-9 and offered a first class touring experience for the lucky travellers on board. As may be expected, the train was always fully subscribed as it offered incredible value for money. The itinery varied but invariably involved Scotland, and very often the West Highland line. The tour would end with a Thursday evening departure from Edinburgh Waverley arriving at Kings Cross the following morning. The train was made up of sleeping cars for the night travel and first class ex-Flying Scotsman stock for daytime touring. This popular train was usually seen off by a posse of well-wishers standing on the Kings Cross platform. Prestige LNER trains such as this were brought to an end at the outbreak of war and never ran again.