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Oliver Cromwell at Buriton

This steam-hauled excursion train was being operated as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Portsmouth Direct Line.

The line from Guildford via Haslemere and Petersfield to Havant provided a more direct route between London and Portsmouth, albeit via a steeply graded route. It opened in 1859.

The excursion had just stopped at Petersfield station for water and presentations. The locomotive is 70013 Oliver Cromwell, one of the British Rail Standard Class "Britannia" locomotives, built in 1951. Here it is working hard climbing the 1 in 100 up towards Buriton tunnel through the South Downs.