Barnsley author's Finn-tastic boost for luxury train
Top-selling Barnsley author Milly Johnson’s latest novel has boosted the popularity of a luxury British train across Scandinavia and the Baltics.
Puzzled bosses of the Northern Belle couldn’t work out why they suddenly began getting inquiries from prospective passengers in Finland, Latvia and Sweden.
Then Milly, who was inspired to write her “Ring Out the Bells” book after travelling on the 1930s Pullman-style train, revealed it had just been published in those countries.
“It’s been a Finn-tastic response,” said a Northern Belle spokesman. “Thanks Milly for your novel way of making our lovely train famous all around the world!
“Perhaps we will have to start issuing our onboard staff with Finnish, Latvian and Swedish dictionaries.”
Milly’s book tells the story of seven people marooned on a luxury train called the Yorkshire Belle after a blizzard blocks the track.
One British reviewer said: “This beautifully-written tale captures the true meaning of connection, kindness and finding light when the world feels dark.”
Milly paid tribute to the Northern Belle, which is owned by Huddersfield businessman David Pitts, in the “Acknowledgments” at the end of her novel, saying: “This beautiful train was on my doorstep.
“A special thank you to owner David Pitts, who is rightly proud of his gorgeous train.
“Dining on the Northern Belle is one of the loveliest experiences – it’s like stepping back in time. It’s the closest I’ve ever felt to being a queen. You should treat yourself.”
But she’s not the only celebrity to sing the train’s praises. Top actor Bill Nighy described it as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when it featured on a Channel 5 TV programme.
The train even has its own band to serenade passengers while an onboard conjuror adds an extra touch of magic as he wanders through the carriages.
Last year it was voted into the top five of the world’s most luxurious trains by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine.
The Northern Belle will make several journeys from Yorkshire this year.
On May 2 there will be a slap-up excursion to Edinburgh from Swinton and Doncaster, with the chance to visit the late Queen’s former Royal Yacht Britannia.
Then in November there will be similar trips from Shefield and Doncaster. For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk.