LONDON VICTORIA TO CORFE CASTLE AND SWANAGE -- WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2016

PRINCESS ELIZABETH NO. 6201

UK Rail Tour London Victoria - Swanage - London Waterloo.

At the end of September a midweek railtour will leave London early Wednesday morning with Princess Elizabeth taking us along to the Heritage Swanage railway via Bournemouth. 

Swanage is a traditional Victorian seaside town, set at the heart of Purbeck and built around a beautiful bay sheltered from the north by Ballard Down and at the south, Peveril Point. 


Class M7 at Corfe Castle (left)



A prominent Victorian resident, George Burt, brought many old London Landmarks to the town including frontages and columns from such buildings as Billingsgate Fish Market and the structure of Wellington's Clock Tower. Swanage abounds with curious architectural landmarks, causing it to be christened Little London.

Route;

London Victoria d 08:45
Bournemouth d 12:50
Corfe Castle d 13:40
Swanage a 14:00

Swanage d 17:25
Corfe Castle d 17:40
Bournemouth d 18:45
London Waterloo a 22:15 (approx)

NB -- The train sets off from London Victoria, but terminates at London Waterloo on the return. So ensure you allow for the slight difference in location should you be expecting pick up or an onward connection.

The locomotive.

6201 was built in 1933 at Crewe Works and was one of 13 Princess Royal Class locomotives. She was built for the London, Midland & Scottish (LMS) Railway and was named after the young Princess Elizabeth, later to become Queen Elizabeth II.

During the majority of the locomotive’s working life, Princess Elizabeth - affectionately known as 'Lizzie' - hauled the famous Royal Scot train between London Euston and Glasgow Central. In 1936, inspired by competition and rivalry from the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) the LMS meticulously planned a record attempt. The intention was to beat the LNER’s ‘Six Hour Edinburgh Express’; a publicity coup was achieved when Princess Elizabeth successfully gained the record for the longest and fastest steam hauled non-stop passenger train.

Withdrawn in 1962, Princess Elizabeth was purchased by a private owner and the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society was formed to support the engine. In 1976 the locomotive returned to the main line and has continued to haul rail tours, the Royal Train, and take part in events ever since. On 3rd June 2012, the locomotive had the honour of starting ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant’ celebrations by sounding the Stanier Hooter whilst standing on Chelsea Bridge.