HISTORIC 1940s steam locomotives will be hauling ‘seaside steam specials’ into Bournemouth this summer.

A team of magnificent locomotives, including No. 34046 Braunton, No. 34067 Tangmere and No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, has been recruited by heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company to haul the vintage Dorset Coast Express.

The West Country class ‘Pacific’ Braunton was built in 1946 for Southern Railway and withdrawn from service in 1965. It lay rotting in a South Wales scrapyard for decades before restoration.

The first train will depart London Victoria on Wednesday, July 9, passing through Staines, Woking and Basingstoke en route to Bournemouth and the final destination of Weymouth.

The service will run every Wednesday until September 19.

Passengers must pre-book. For details contact The Railway Touring Company on 01553 661500 or visit railwaytouring.net