‘Merchant Navy’ booked for RTC’s ‘End of Southern Steam’ commemoration

THE RAILWAY Touring Company’s annual railtour commemorating the end of Southern Region steam on July 9, 1967, will run again this year, with appropriate motive power on the front.

Carnforth-based Bulleid ‘Merchant Navy’ Pacific

No. 35018 British India Line is rostered to work the July 9 special, departing from Waterloo at around 08.45 for the run via Clapham Junction and the South Western

Main Line to Woking and Basingstoke for passenger pick-ups.

This tour is all about the Southern Region, and at Worting Junction it takes the West of England Main Line to Andover and Salisbury, skirting Salisbury Plain and crossing Gillingham Viaduct on the way to Templecombe.

Into Dorset and through Sherborne, No. 35018 will leave the train at Yeovil Junction for servicing at Yeovil Railway Centre.

However, the tour will continue diesel-hauled through Maiden Newton towards Dorchester and on to Weymouth, where passengers will have nearly four hours to explore the town.

‘Upwey’ asault

British India Line will rejoin the train here, departing at 16.35 for the assault of the infamous Bincombe (Upwey) Bank as it begins the return leg to London.

This will take the train to Bournemouth, Southampton and Eastleigh, before returning to Basingstoke, Woking and finally Waterloo, arriving at 21.15.

Standard Class tickets are £99 for adults, £159 for First Class and £259 in Premier Dining. Child fares are also available.

For details visit: www. railwaytouring.net/uk-daytrips/the-end-of-southernsteam