WHEN Bolton songwriters Howard Broadbent and Jimmy Smith first wrote The Blackpool Belle in 1975 they created a Northern anthem.

The song was all about the “passion wagon” – the train that brought the Lancashire workers to the famous resort to dance the night away at the Tower Ballroom and the Winter Gardens. Bolton folk group The Houghton Weavers recorded it and it became one of their most popular and enduring songs.

Now, The Blackpool Belle is back on track again. This time as one of the new high-speed, tilting Virgin Pendolino trains, part of Network Rail’s huge upgrade, taking passengers between Blackpool and London.

Network Rail asked readers of the Blackpool Gazette to come up with a name for the new, streamlined train and they overwhelmingly chose The Blackpool Belle.

Howard Broadbent, now nearly 82, is delighted with the choice and the new lease of life for the song which he and the late Jimmy Smith wrote all those years ago.

“Originally, it was going to be called The Blackburn Belle,” explained Howard, “but Jimmy said ‘why don’t we call it The Blackpool Belle after the passion wagon?’

The Weavers first sang the catchy song on their TV series Sit Thi Deawn and it became a big hit around the world with more than 100,000 downloads. “It’s certainly still one of the most requested songs wherever we go,” stated David Littler, a founder member of The Houghton Weavers.

“It’s a cleverly-constructed song with a great musical hook that always conjures up memories of people coming to Blackpool for a night out.”

In fact, The Blackpool Belle was also the name of an illuminated train in the shape of a Mississippi paddle steamer which ran along the Promenade in the 1950s. And the name once adorned the famous steam train, The Flying Scotsman, when it visited Blackpool North Station in 1966 complete with special nameplate.

Now, Howard has written a new, final verse for the song in honour of the new train: “The Blackpool Belle now runs again, from London’s Euston Station. Southern folk can travel North, to see the illuminations. On a Pendolino Virgin train, to Lancashire in style. Then up to the top of Blackpool Tower, to see the Golden Mile.”

Commented Howard, an avowed steam train fan: “It’s wonderful to see the title used for the new train. It’s a song that’s always been about nostalgia!”