MEMORIES of 42 years ago came flooding back to Keith Widdowson when he heard that a steam-hauled train was again going to run between Waterloo and Swanage A rail enthusiast with 45 years experience of the railway industry, he dug out pictures and other mementoes of that last through train, a “special”, on May 7, 1967 and emailed them to the Daily Echo.

While he lives in Orpington, Kent, his late parents Edith and Walter Widdowson moved to West Howe, Bournemouth in 1987 and sent him numerous railway-related cuttings from the Echo over the years.

More than four decades after that historic last train, Saturday May 2’s train from Waterloo to Swanage was pulled by “Spamcan” 34067 Tangmere, an Oliver Bulleid designed 4-6-2 Pacific, one of the class of 110 engines that retained its original air-smoothed casing.

Many of the West Country/Battle of Britain class were rebuilt in the 1950s and lost their air smooth casing in a bid to overcome visibility problems for drivers caused by drifting smoke.

Back in 1967, 21-year-old rebuilt West Country class loco 34021 Dartmoor hauled the Locomotive Club of Great Britain Dorset Coast Express the 132.5 miles from Waterloo to Wareham on a circuitous route including Guildford, Havant, Fareham and Southampton.

A loco change at Wareham saw unmodified West Country class 34023 Blackmore Vale coupled to the front of the train for the 11 miles to Swanage and back.

The engine, which until 1950 was incorrectly named “Blackmoor” Vale, stopped for a photographic “run past” at picturesque Corfe Castle station.

Those were the days when health and safety issues were seemingly forgotten as enthusiasts scrambled down from carriages and hurried along the ballast or embankment just a few feet from the train wheels eager to get the best pictures. No “hi-viz” jackets were worn then, either.

Also involved in that 11-mile run was Standard class 4 76026 in the hands of Bournemouth’s Driver Bambridge.

There followed another trip to Swanage and back with Blackmore Vale and British Railways Standard class 4 mixed traffic tank engine 80011.

After that, the tour headed further west to Weymouth behind Blackmore Vale, which was allocated to Waterloo’s Nine Elms shed.

The train back to Bournemouth Central later in the day was pulled by 76026 and Nine Elms-based Standard class 5 73029.

At Central Station the train was handed over to Driver Weatherley on Merchant Navy class pacific 35003 Royal Mail for the high speed direct run back to Waterloo via Micheldever, during which a speed of 82mph was recorded at West Byfleet.

“Cost of the tour, a mighty £3,” said Mr Widdowson.