Steam Train on the London Underground - Video - Test Run for 150th Birthday Celebrations

On Saturday 25th February TfL & London Transport Museum staff carried out a test designed to demonstrate whether it would be possible to run a steam locomotive on the London Underground for its 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013.


Photo by Leon Daniels
Two trains: Beattie 30587 the steam locomotive coupled to 1923 Metropolitan Electric loco 'Sarah Siddons' went on a test run through Baker Street Tube station. All the trains are being restored with the help of fundraising from London Transport Museum friends.

Leon Daniels, TfL's MD for surface transport who was part of the team said: "It left Lillie Bridge depot after 0100 and ran from Earl's Court at 0135 via the District line to Edgware Road. After a stop it then proceeded to Baker Street. At Baker Street the loco was run with protracted steam venting whilst heat and smoke levels in the station were tested. Later it shunted east to west and ran back to Edgware Road. Other trains - composed of S stock and C77 stock - ran around the steam loco train testing the effect on passing trains. With the tests complete the train ran back to Lillie Bridge via Earl's Court."


"All went very well. But the sight and sound of a steam locomotive on the Underground was pure magic. It is, of course some 40 years since there was any steam propulsion on the Underground and then of course for engineering/permanent way reasons. The last passenger train hauled by steam here was in 1905. A truly historic night out!"

Indeed! It would be amazing to travel on some of these trains next year. The romance of steam trains is still fascinating to most people and I'm sure that any journeys like this would hugely popular. Hat Tip to IanVisits

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