This weekend (28th and 29th June) is your last chance to enjoy seeing celebrity Southern Railway express locomotive no. 850 Lord Nelson in action on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

The locomotive was the most powerful of its type when it was completed at Eastleigh works in 1926.  It was one of 16 members of its class, enigmatically named after Royal Navy Admirals, underlining the Southern Railway's strong maritime links.

Three years ago, a very extensive overhaul of the locomotive was completed at Eastleigh and the engine went on to put in some excellent main line performances.  However, firebox problems sidelined the locomotive pending repairs, which were carried out at the National Railway Museum in York.  The repairs completed, Lord Nelson was despatched to the GWR in time for the Cotswold Festival of Steam for gentle running in and in early July, it departs for the Great Central Railway at Loughborough where it will be permitted to undertake some more vigorous 60mph running before returning to main line action.

Don't miss this golden opportunity to absorb the engine's spectacular, pre-war 'Sunshine' green livery; its gentle four-cylinder beat and get just a taste of what it was once like to take the Southern to the sea side!