Railway fans are poised for a double celebration along an iconic line.

Not only will they be able to enjoy a trip uninterrupted by service changes, but a lucky few will be able to power along it on two of the world’s most famous steam locomotives.

The Carlisle-Settle line is expected to be open in full on Friday, March 31.

A 500,000-tonne landslip on a section of track at Eden Brows, near Armathwaite, has seen that part of the route closed for more than a year.

Network Rail has been carrying out a £23 million improvement project.

And that reopening is to be marked in style.

Tornado will be replacing diesel units to haul some of the timetabled Northern trains over the line between Appleby and Skipton on three consecutive days – February 14-16.

The first timetabled ordinary mainline passenger steam trains to run in England for 50 years are the result of a pioneering modern and heritage industry alliance formed to help revive the economic fortunes of towns and villages along the route.

The alliance comprises Northern, Network Rail, DB Cargo, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and Friends of the S&C, together with Rail and Steam Railway from the Bauer Media magazine portfolio.

The historic community trains are being promoted under the banner I Love S&C.

Rail managing editor Nigel Harris said: “Former Steam Railway editor Tony Streeter and I first suggested this to Northern managing director Alex Hynes a couple of years ago, but with the old franchise in its last days, it just wasn’t possible to pull it all together.”

The Flying Scotsman is also heading up the route to Carlisle on March 31.

The Carlisle-Settle line is one of the most celebrated railway routes in the country.

First opened in 1875, it includes features the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.