The Most Opulent Sleeper Train in Britain! The Britannic Explorer on The Northern Lakes 4 Day Tour

GBRf Class 66 No. 66748 (St Michael's Mount)
Constructed by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) at London, Ontario, Canada in 2006, 66748 is a 20-year-old Co-Co heavy diesel-electric locomotive operated by GB Railfreight (GBRf). Powered by a 3,300 hp (2,460 kW) EMD 12N-710G3B-EC 12-cylinder turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine driving GM traction motors, the 127-tonne locomotive delivers a maximum starting tractive effort of 92,000 lbf (409 kN), a maximum operational top speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), and an onboard fuel capacity of 6,400 litres (1,408 imperial gallons). The locomotive carries a bespoke Belmond Britannic Explorer luxury charter livery—an elegant midnight slate-blue finish with refined metallic detailing that produces striking light bluish-purple undertones under nighttime station floodlights. The locomotive proudly carries the name St Michael's Mount on cast bodyside nameplates. The name commemorates the iconic tidal island, medieval castle, and ancient priory off the coast of Marazion in Cornwall, celebrating one of the primary luxury touring destinations featured on Belmond's grand British itineraries.

GBRf Class 66 No. 66744 (Heart of Wales)
Built by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) at London, Ontario, Canada in 2003, 66744 is a 23-year-old Co-Co heavy diesel-electric locomotive operated by GB Railfreight (GBRf). Fitted with an identical 3,300 hp (2,460 kW) EMD 12N-710G3B-EC turbocharged power plant, 66744 provides 92,000 lbf (409 kN) of tractive effort, a top speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), and a 6,400-litre (1,408 imperial gallon) fuel capacity. Working in multiple-unit control with 66748, the pair delivers a combined output of 6,600 hp (4,920 kW) and 12,800 litres of total fuel capacity. Locomotive 66744 is presented in standard GBRf corporate livery, featuring a rich dark blue central body accented with vibrant high-visibility orange cab sides and roof, complemented by full yellow warning front ends. The locomotive carries the name Heart of Wales, honouring the picturesque rural Heart of Wales railway line which traverses the mid-Wales countryside, hills, and the Cambrian Mountains, paying tribute to the scenic Welsh touring corridors traversed by luxury rail services.

The Belmond Britannic Explorer
The train conveys the prestigious 10-carriage rake of the Belmond Britannic Explorer, comprising carriages numbered 99101, 99102, 99103, 99104, 99105, 99106, 99107, 99108, 99109, and 99110. Rebuilt and re-engineered from Mark 3 bodyshells by Assenta Rail and styled by London design house Albion Nord, this rolling five-star country house hotel ranks among the top five most luxurious trains in the world, standing alongside legendary global royalty such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, The Royal Scotsman, Japan's Seven Stars in Kyushu, and India's Maharajas' Express. Operating at the absolute pinnacle of experiential travel with fares starting from £11,000 to over £15,000 per cabin, the train accommodates an ultra-exclusive capacity of just 36 guests across 18 private suites, served by a near 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio offering white-glove butler service. The lavish interior accommodation features botanical Grand Suites and boutique private cabins located throughout coaches 99103, 99104, 99105, and 99106 (named Juniper, Valerian, and Elder), which are exquisitely appointed with double and twin beds, private lounge seating, handcrafted timber panelling, and marble en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Operating as part of Belmond's Northern Lakes rail tour—a multi-day luxury voyage celebrating England's wild northern landscapes—the train connects London Victoria with scenic destinations including the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Seen in 8K 16:9 widescreen on its exclusive Northern Lakes luxury charter from London Victoria to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, double-headed GBRf Class 66 locomotives No. 66748 (St Michael's Mount) and No. 66744 (Heart of Wales) thunder northbound at high speed through Morpeth station on the East Coast Main Line. The 6,600 hp diesel duo roars through the darkness hauling the 10-car luxury rake (99101–99110) on a warm summer's night on Friday, 14th of August 2026 at 23:04.

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