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The Railway Touring Company · Steam train day trip

The End of Southern Steam

Steam train day trip London to Weymouth via Yeovil on Merchant Navy Class locomotive

Illustration of The End of Southern Steam

The Railway Touring Company operates a one-day steam rail excursion that celebrates the anniversary of the end of Southern steam. Departing from London Victoria, the Merchant Navy Class No.35028 Clan Line locomotive hauls passengers through the West of England Main Line, crossing Salisbury Plain and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty around Tisbury and Gillingham in Dorset, passing over Gillingham Viaduct and through Buckhorn Weston Tunnel. The train reaches Yeovil Junction in mid-morning, where passengers can visit the Yeovil Railway Centre while the locomotive is serviced. A diesel locomotive then continues the journey to Weymouth, where the afternoon is free to visit the seaside resort. On the return, the steam locomotive takes over for the journey back to London Waterloo via Bournemouth, completing the day trip. Three dining options are offered: Standard Class with reserved seating, First Class with morning and afternoon tea service, and Premier Dining with full English breakfast and four-course dinner. This trip appeals to steam enthusiasts and history-lovers.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: July 2026. Confirm availability and book well in advance.
  • The journey to Weymouth uses diesel haulage; steam locomotive returns the train to London Waterloo.

Day by day

  1. Day 1rail

    The End of Southern Steam

    Steam hauled by Merchant Navy Class No.35028 Clan Line from London Victoria, picking up at Woking and Basingstoke, then the West of England Main Line via Andover and Salisbury. Single track from Wilton Junction, crossing Salisbury Plain and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Tisbury and Gillingham in Dorset, over Gillingham Viaduct and through Buckhorn Weston Tunnel to Templecombe (former Somerset & Dorset Railway junction), then Sherborne to Yeovil Junction, where the locomotive is serviced at Yeovil Railway Centre. Diesel hauled south through Maiden Newton to Dorchester and Weymouth, with a break to visit the town's attractions and restaurants. Steam hauled return to London Waterloo (not Victoria) via Bournemouth, Southampton and Eastleigh, setting down at Basingstoke and Woking.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Steam locomotive Merchant Navy Class No.35028 Clan Line departs London Victoria and crosses Gillingham Viaduct and Buckhorn Weston Tunnel through Dorset countryside before reaching Yeovil Junction.
  • Day 1Visit to Yeovil Railway Centre while the locomotive is serviced, followed by an afternoon at the seaside resort of Weymouth.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company includes the steam train journey and stops at Yeovil Railway Centre and Weymouth in all ticket prices. Standard Class starts at £135 per adult.
What trains are used?
The Merchant Navy Class No.35028 Clan Line hauls the train from London Victoria to Yeovil Junction. Diesel takes over from Yeovil to Weymouth. Steam hauls the return to London Waterloo via Bournemouth.
What meal service is included?
Standard Class includes a reserved seat only. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon and breakfast roll and a sweet treat, plus afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury and a scone with butter and jam. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board and silver served.
Where does the train depart and end?
The train departs London Victoria (with stops available at Woking and Basingstoke) and returns to London Waterloo. The day includes stops at Yeovil Junction and Weymouth.
When does this trip run?
The Railway Touring Company has scheduled one departure in July 2026 to mark the anniversary of the end of Southern steam.

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