The Britannia 70000 – a historic 74-year-old train – will be passing through south London next weekend as part of a trip between Chester and Horsham on Saturday, May 10.
Run by Steam Dreams, who host regular heritage train dining events to various locations across the UK, the route will take the train from Horsham in Surrey heading through south London up to the historic town of Chester.
First built in Crewe in 1951, this train was one of 55 steam engines built by British Railways and pulled services from London to Norwich.
The locomotive is famously known for pulling the funeral carriage of King George VI in 1952 from Sandringham to London, as well as more recently pulling the Royal carriages from Preston to Wakefield in 2012.
The Britannia is recognisable by its 2 cylinders, 6 driving wheels and a firebox of 42ft2 along with its green paintwork.
Beginning at Horsham at 7am, the train will make its way through south London where the steam locomotive will be added, including the south London stations of Clapham and Wimbledon.
The Britannia will be pulling vintage carriages dating back to the 1960s, featuring lavish Pullman dining carriages where guests will dine aboard.
The train will gradually make its way up towards Chester arriving in the afternoon, before heading back to south London at around 9:30pm.
Here’s a full list of times when you’ll be able to spot it:
Outbound journey
Initially the train will be pulled by a diesel locomotive before being transferred to the Britannia on route in south London.
The train will stop at the following stations:
- Horsham – 6:44am departure (Platform 4)
- Warnham – 6:48am
- Dorking – 7:02am to 7:05am (Platform 1)
- Leatherhead – 7:13am to 7:16am (Platform 1)
- Epsom – 7:26am to 7:29am (Platform 4)
The train will also pass through these south London stations:
- Motspur Park – 7:39am
- Raynes Park – 7:45am
- Wimbledon – 7:50am to 7:52am (Platform 9)
- Balham – 8:07am (Platform 2)
- Clapham Junction – 8:14am to 8:17am (Platform 16)
Return Journey
The return journey is pathed as a diesel locomotive although the carriages will remain the same.
The train will pass through these south London stations:
- Clapham Junction – 9:12pm to 9:15pm (Platform 17)
- Balham – 9:20pm (Platform 1)
- Haydons Road – 9:27pm
- Wimbledon – 9:40pm to 9:45pm (Platform 9)
- Raynes Park – 9:49pm
- Motspur Park – 9:51pm
The train will then conclude its journey at these stations:
- Epsom – 10:40pm to 10:07pm (Platform 2)
- Leatherhead – 10;16pm to 10:19pm (Platform 2)
- Dorking – 10:27pm to 10:30pm (Platform 3)
- Warnham – 10:45pm
- Horsham – 10:50pm arrival (Platform 2)
