RAILWAY enthusiasts will be out in force when the famous Royal Wessex train, hauled by a steam locomotive, makes its way from the south coast to London in a few weeks' time.

The historic run through Dorset and Hampshire - the first for more than 35 years - is expected to attract rail fans from across the region as the Bulleid Pacific locomotive Tangmere, pictured above, leaves Weymouth and heads towards Victoria railway station in the capital.

On the locomotive's footplate will be driver Wayne Thompson, from Eastleigh. It is hoped the train, which takes to the rails on Saturday, June 18, will carry the Royal Wessex headboard.

In another nod to earlier times, it is planned that the excursion will begin at the same time that the prestigious train used to depart the Dorset resort between 1951 and the end of steam in July 1967.

The event is being staged by publisher and railway enthusiast Roger Hardingham, from Dorset.

"It will be the first time that a passenger steam train has run from Weymouth to London since British Rail switched to diesel and electric traction in July 1967,'' said Roger.

"Our train will be hauled by a powerful 120-ton Bulleid Pacific steam locomotive dating from the mid-1940s - the same class of graceful steam locomotive that hauled the Royal Wessex trains between Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Basing-stoke and London."

The Royal Wessex was introduced to the London to Weymouth line in 1951, during the era of post-war optimism. It was at 2.54pm on Sunday, July 9, 1967 that Merchant Navy class Bulleid Pacific No 35030 Elder Dempster Lines left Weymouth station for London. That train not only entered the history books for being the last British Rail steam train between Weymouth and London but also for being the last steam-hauled train to run in British Rail's southern region.

"The Royal Wessex used to depart Weymouth for London at 7.32am and I am hoping that, 37 years on, our train will leave at about the same time, arriving in London at about 12.30pm," said Roger.

The 120-ton Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No 34067, named Tangmere after the Battle of Britain airfield, has been restored from a rusting hulk in a Welsh scrapyard.

Built for British Rail in Brighton in 1947 and withdrawn for scrap from Salisbury in 1963, having travelled more than a million miles, Tangmere is expected to arrive at Southampton Central Station at about 10.30am on the day of the run.

There will be a buffet car available, with full dining on offer in the Pullman car Pegasus and the first class carriages. Breakfast will be served on the outward journey and a three-course dinner on the return.

The train will be calling at Dorchester, Wareham, Poole, Bournemouth and Southampton en route to London.

FARES PLEASE:

Standard fares from Weymouth and Dorchester are £65 for adults and £40 for children (aged 15 or under).

From Wareham, Poole and Bournemouth, the fare is £59 for adults and £35 for children. From Southampton the fare is £50 for adults and £35 for children.

Premier dining is available at £139 per seat and at £175 for Pullman dining in Pegasus while Pullman dining in Apollo costs £149 per person.

For more information call 0870 747 2983 or visit the website www.kingfisherrailtours.co.uk