TWO of the south’s most popular heritage railways are to be connected by steam train for the first time.

Passengers are invited to wine and dine on the Cathedral Express as it runs a one-off journey from the Watercress Line to the Bluebell Line in Sussex on October 2.

The journey will start at 7am at Alresford, picking up passengers on the mainline at Alton, Farnham and Aldershot. It will continue on to East Grinstead, West Sussex, where a newlyopened connection will join the mainline railway to the Bluebell Line for the first time.

Seats are available in four classes, with prices starting at £99. A premium £239 ticket will get you a two-course champagne brunch on the outward journey and a five-course dinner on the return leg.