SWANAGE RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS HAIL SUCCESS OF FIRST LONDON TO SWANAGE EXCURSION
UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express on Saturday 28th November 2009

Interim News Item from Keith Morgan - dated 30th Nov 2009
Photographs on this page are copyright Keith Morgan or Andrew Cameron as noted.
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A Christmas trip to remember - UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express arrives at London Waterloo to the delight of the crowds on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

At 8.00am on Saturday 28th November 2009, UK Railtours' eleven-coach Capital Christmas Express hauled by Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' set off on the historic special excursion to London from Swanage station.

Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' is prepared by the support crew at Swanage on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

The excursion carrying around 500 passengers travelled from Swanage via Wareham, Poole, Bournemouth, Eastleigh and Southampton passing through the New Forest and Hampshire in brilliant sunshine. The special service stopped for water at Basingstoke, allowing passengers to stretch their legs and photograph the historic event.

Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' is attached to the head of the stock forming the UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express at Swanage on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

Until the junction between the Swanage Railway and Network Rail at Wareham is re-signalled at some point in the future, excursions such as the Capital Christmas Express are limited to a very small number each year, and Swanage Railway volunteers have launched an appeal for funds to help reinstate services to Wareham here.

Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' at the head of the UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express stops for water at Basingstoke on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' at the head of the UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express passes through Redbridge on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo courtesy Swanage Railway member Andrew Cameron.

With a party atmosphere on board the train, passengers were treated to mulled wine and mince pies during the journey by specially uniformed staff.

On arrival at London Waterloo, passengers were free to indulge in Christmas shopping or to simply explore the Capital before the departure at 17;12 that evening for their retun journey to Swanage, again hauled by Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere'.

Mulled wine and mince pies being served to passengers on board the UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express
Photo Keith Morgan

34067 'Tangmere' remained in Swanage to operate scheduled services on Sunday 29th November 2009, as part of the Swanage Railway's Three Bulleids at Swanage event - double-heading services with classmate 34070 'Manston' and operating alongside West Country class 34028 'Eddystone'. (see our separate news items for photos of this event)

Passengers begin to disembark at London Waterloo from the Capital Christmas Express hauled by Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

Driver Mel Cox on the footplate of Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 'Tangmere' is photographed by Andrew P.M. Wright on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

At the controls of the locomotive was Mel Cox from Swanage who worked as a British Railways fireman on the steam trains between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage during the mid-1960s.

Mel can be seen being photographed by Andrew P.M. Wright, Swanage Railway's official photographer & press officer, to illustrate the Press Release of this historic journey. (Click here to read the illustrated Press Release news item)

UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express stands at London Waterloo following its successful journey from Swanage on Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan

Passengers from the UK Railtours' Capital Christmas Express on arrival at London Waterloo and the departure board for their return journey to Swanage on the evening of Saturday 28th November 2009. Photo Keith Morgan