Spectators and trainspotters gathered this morning at Bromley South station for a chance to witness a rare sight, a 1950s steam locomotive passing through south east London.
The locomotive, the 70000 Britannia, first built in 1951, was the first of 55 locomotives to be built in Crewe by British Railways and has had a long history over its 73 years in service.
The engine transported passengers from London to Norwich and also famously pulled King George VI’s funeral carriage in 1952, as well as the Royal Carriages in 2012 from Preston to Wakefield.
The train was spotted in Bromley South on its route from London Victoria to Kent, and is operated by Steam Dreams, who offer rail trips across England and the Midlands.
The train will be heading towards Dover before making its way into Canterbury and heading back towards Sevenoaks and through south east London, returning to London Victoria.
One trainspotter remarked: “It’s an unusual and unique thing to see going through Bromley, I spotted it once before but it’s always a great thing to be able to see.”
The train arrived at Bromley South at platform four and was marvelled at by many eager spectators hoping for a chance to glimpse the train as it passed, pulling a fleet of 1960s train carriages boarded by passengers.
Also gathered at the platform was grandfather and grandson duo Derek and Eric, who were excited to see the locomotive pass.
Derek, who discovered the news of the train passing after reading an article on News Shopper, described the experience as “nostalgic”, saying that it reminded him of seeing them when he was a boy.
The 75-year-old said: “It was such a great sight to see, it reminded me of when I was a boy and you’d see them all the time.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in these parts before.”
Derek added: “It was really fun, it was very noisy when it came in but we got some pictures and it was really cool.
The train will be making its return through south east London this afternoon, arriving at Bromley South at around 3:06pm, with a further two trips planned by Steam Dreams on August 13 and August 20 running through south east Londn.
Here’s where you can see it in south east London today on its return:
- Orpington (Platform 4) – 2:53pm-2:57pm
- Petts Wood Junction – 3:02pm
- Bickley Junction – 3:04pm
- Bromley South (Platform 3) – 3:06pm
- Shortlands Junction – 3:10pm
- Beckenham Junction – 3:13pm
- Kent House (Platform 2) – 3:15pm
- Herne Hill (Platform 2) – 3:25pm
- Brixton – 3:28pm
