A vintage steam engine dating back to 1951 is set to pass through south east London again for a final time this month.

Following a series of trips from London Victoria to Kent, the 70000 Britannia will be making its final trip as part of the “Garden of England” route run by Steam Dreams this summer.

On Tuesday, August 20, south east Londoners will have a chance to see this iconic train passing through several south east London stations, including Bromley South, Bellingham and Nunhead.

On Tuesday, August 20, south east Londoners will have a chance to see this iconic train.On Tuesday, August 20, south east Londoners will have a chance to see this iconic train. (Image: Emily Davison)

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 train was also famous 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 train will be passing through south east London on its route to North Kent, as part of a popular route run by Steam Dreams to showcase some of the highlights of Kent and the Kent Coast.

The train will be passing through south east London on its route to North Kent.The train will be passing through south east London on its route to North Kent. (Image: Emily Davison)

The journey will begin from London Victoria before heading through south east London to the Kent countryside, with guests aboard carriages ranging from First Class Dining to luxury Pullman Dining, as they would have done when the carriages were first made in the 1960s.

The train will head to Canterbury and then down to the White Cliffs of Dover, touring around the North Kent Coast and then heading up towards Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, before returning to London Victoria.

Guests will be aboard carriages ranging from First Class Dining to luxury Pullman Dining.The train will head to Canterbury and then down to the White Cliffs of Dover, touring around the North Kent Coast. (Image: Emily Davison)

Where you can see it

This is where you’ll be able to see the train running through south east London on Tuesday (August 20):

Outward Journey

  • Denmark Hill (Platform 4) – 10:10am
  • Crofton Road Junction – 10:12am
  • Nunhead (Platform 2) – 10:14am
  • Bellingham (Platform 2) – 10:19am 
  • Shortlands Junction – 10:27am
  • Bromley South (Platform 4) – 10:31am 
  • Bickley Junction – 10:33am
  • St Mary Cray Junction – 10:34am 
  • Swanley (Platform 4) – 10:40am

Return Journey

  • Orpington (Platform 4) – 2:53pm-2:57pm
  • Petts Wood Junction – 3:02pm
  • Bickley Junction – 3:04pm
  • Bromley South (Platform 3) – 3:06pm
  • Shortlands Junction – 3:10pm
  • Beckenham Junction – 3:13pm
  • Kent House (Platform 2) – 3:15pm
  • Herne Hill (Platform 2) – 3:25pm
  • Brixton – 3:28pm