A STEAM train will be carrying hundreds of passengers through several railway stations this weekend.

The excursion train, run by operator Steam Dreams Tour London Victoria and Hastings, will take about 200 passengers from London Victoria down through the Brighton Mainline, to Eastbourne.

Explore

The train will set down passengers at Eastbourne for those wanting to explore the nearby town centre and beach with an almost three-hour break.

It will then chug along the tracks for another three hours towards Hastings and stop five minutes from the beach.

The rail tour will be hauled by one of England’s railway engineers, William Stanier’s LMS Black Five engines – the 73-year-old locomotive 44871 – which has previously headed trains along the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for featuring in the Harry Potter films.

Constructed between 1934 and 1951, the Stanier Black Fives, have a reputation for being “do anything and go anywhere” engines.

The train, which initially comes from West Coast Railway’s depot in Southall, departs London Victoria at about 10.30am on Saturday.

It will slowly venture along the tracks and pass East Croydon at approximately 11.15am, then through the Redhill line passing Redhill at 11.35am and arrive into Eastbourne railways station at 1.05pm.

The train will then head to Hastings for 2pm.

Passengers who leave the train at Eastbourne will be transferred by other means, from Eastbourne to Hastings where the train will depart at 5pm.

The train then runs up via Mountfield and Tunbridge Wells, passing Tonbridge and back on the mainline at Redhill at 7.10pm for a 7.40pm pass at East Croydon, and an 8.20pm arrival back into London Victoria.

Chairman of Steam Dreams David Buck said: “We are delighted to be returning to Hastings for the first time in many years.

“With nearly 200 passengers booked to travel, it promises to be a memorable day out.

Nostalgic

“The interest and enthusiasm from onlookers and passengers alike to experience

the sights, sounds and smells of a steam train as it thunders through the countryside at speeds of up to 75mph is wonderful. ”

Prices for this nostalgic day trip ranged from £109 to £269 per person.

The first trip left London for Canterbury in 2000 and was an immediate success.

Almost two decades later, the company offers day trips to more than 35 different destinations and picks up passengers at more than 100 stations across the UK every year.