Swanage Railway enthusiasts will be turning back the clock on Saturday with the first steam train between the Dorset town and central London for more than 40 years.

The trip from Swanage, through Corfe Castle and into Waterloo station has not been completed by steam train since 1966, the year England’s football team lifted the World Cup.

But for the army of Swanage Railway supporters, Saturday’s five-hour journey will be no less of a victory than the nation’s Wembley triumph 43 years ago.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Steve Doughty said: “It will be a very historic and emotional day for everyone involved in the Swanage Railway.”

For many volunteers, the trip marks the end of a personal journey that started back in 1976, when a group of steam enthusiasts formed Swanage Railway from scratch.

Mr Doughty said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the day has now arrived when the residents of Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck can once again travel to London and back by train.”

The Capital Christmas Express, pulling 11 coaches, is scheduled to depart Swanage station at 8am, with the 1940s-built Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific express steam locomotive No 34067 Tangmere leading the way.

Saturday’s journey is a one-off, run by the Railway Touring Company based at King’s Lynn in Norfolk.

But talks are continuing behind the scenes to get the 10-mile branch line between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage linked up with the national network.

Mr Doughty explained: “This is yet another important step forward for our project and further consolidates the Swanage Railway’s link to the national network, which has been the aim of several generations of volunteers since British Rail closed the line from Wareham in January 1972.

He added: “Everyone on the Swanage Railway is very grateful to Network Rail and train operator West Coast Railways for its help in running this train over the three miles of line between Furzebrook and the main line at Wareham, which is currently closed to regular passenger trains.”