Newly-restored steam locomotives will depart from the district for the famous Settle to Carlisle rail journey this summer.

Heritage rail operator the Railway Touring Company is running a Sunday steam series aboard The Waverley, departing from Shipley, Keighley and Skipton.

New additions to the pool of historic locomotives are the No. 45699 Galatea, a 1936-built loco withdrawn in 1964 and later rescued from a scrapyard.

Built at Crewe for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) it was named after HMS Galatea. After nationalisation in 1948, it was re-numbered 45699 by British Railways and in August, 1953 was derailed, ending up on its side.

The loco emerged from restoration earlier this year. Also taking the Settle to Carlisle journey is the No. 46115 Scots Guardsman, which played a starring role in Night Mail, the famous GPO documentary accompanied by poetry by WH Auden and a score by Benjamin Britten.

The route takes in the Ribblehead Viaduct, England’s highest railway station at Dent, magnificent views of the Three Peaks and a climb to Ais Gill Summit at 1,169 feet.

Nigel Dobbing, managing director of The Railway Touring Company, said: “We are very excited to have recruited No 5699 Galatea for The Waverley service this summer.

“This 77-year-old locomotive is a welcome addition to our ranks and, combined with our vintage rail coaches, will give passengers a memorable taste of the golden age of rail travel.”

The Waverley steam service across the Settle to Carlisle runs from Sunday, July 21 to Sunday, August 25, departing from Leeds, Shipley, Keighley and Skipton.

For more information ring (01553) 661500 or visit railwaytouring.co.uk.