Rishi Sunak has welcomed the launch of a high-class hospitality service on the Wensleydale Railway.
The heritage railway, which runs trains between Northallerton and Redmire in Wensleydale, is now serving afternoon tea in a luxury period dining car.
Speaking at the launch of the service at Bedale Station, the Richmond MP said: “Afternoon tea is growing in popularity and I am sure high-class teas served in the splendour of a saloon dining car with views of beautiful lower Wensleydale will prove to be highly attractive. I commend the railway for its initiative.”
The tea service, which will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer months, is being provided by the award-winning Bedale café Upstairs at Institution.
It will be served in a dining saloon car built in 1912 for the directors of London and North Western Railway which included Bruce Ismay, chairman of the Titanic-owning White Star shipping line.
Ismay is a controversial historical figure who was widely reported to have saved himself while others perished in the sinking of the great liner the same year.
Mr Sunak said tourism was vitally important to the local economy and he was delighted that the railway was looking at new ways of attracting visitors.
He said: “The railway is a marvellous asset to the North Yorkshire visitor economy but it realises that it has to offer new services to attract new customers.
“Teaming up with an experienced hospitality business to offer a unique dining and travel experience is a sensible move and I am sure will bring many more people to enjoy the delights of this scenic railway.”
Guests on the launch service included Sir Gary Verity, of tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, Cllr Carl Les, of North Yorkshire County Council and a railway board member, and Stephen Middleton, owner of the saloon dining car.
Bookings for the new service are being taken by Upstairs at Institution on 01677 425541.