SLL Main Line

Upcoming main line operations

The last trip of 2025 was that from Three Bridges to Bristol. The loco subsequently returned to Swanage for Winter maintenance. It's expected to be back in main line service in the Spring, with day tours operated by the Rail Touring Company.

34028 Eddystone pauses at Basingstoke with the Swanage Belle on 10th September, our first main line service. Photo: M V Pike

There's a new photo gallery for SLL main line workings here.

34028 passing Harman's Cross on its way to Swanage on 10th September. Photo: Gary Packer

Past main line service and support runs

Saturday 13th December
The Bath and Bristol Christmas Express. 34028 Eddystone hauled the train from Three Bridges to Bath amd Bristol for the Christmas markets. The train started at Three Bridges, headed south and along the coast to Southampton and then to Westbury, Bath and Bristol.

Eddystone heading back to Three Bidges on its last service of the season. Photo: Edward Hindell

Saturday 6th November
The Rochester Dickensian Christmas Express. 34028 Eddystone hauled the train to Rochester for the Christmas market. The train started at Newbury and picked up passengers at Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, and West Brompton. Notably it crossed the Thames in west London by the Battersea railway bridge.

34028 near Midgham on its way to Rochester. Photo Martin Eames

Saturday 29th November
34028 hauled the Railway Touring Company's Armistice Steam Express from Paddington to Bath and Bristol. Paddington via Reading and Westbury to Bath and Bristol, returning via Didcot.

34028 Eddystone passing Bradford on Avon Photo: Toby Gallop

Steam schedules:
Paddington to Bristol
Briston to Paddington

Tuesday 11th November
34028 hauled the Railway Touring Company's Armistice Steam Express from Victoria to Sheerness, and thence returning to Victoria via Canterbury, Dover, and Folkestone.

34028 Eddystone leaving Sheerness with the Armistice Steam Express. Photo: Joe Hunter

Steam schedules:
Victoria to Sheerness
Sheerness to Victoria.

Saturday 1st November
34028 hauled the Railway Touring Company's Chiltern Explorer from Manchester Piccadilly to Reading. Eddystone's day started at 03:47 a.m. to pick up its train in Manchester which left at 07:39. Arrival at Reading was at 14:39 almost 11 hours after it set off. The return leg was diesel hauled.

34028 Eddystone passing Chelford at speed. Photo: John Halliwell

Steam schedules:
Eddystone Carnforth to Manchester
Manchester to Reading.

34028 Eddystone at Reading, ready to go forward to Southall. Photo: David Gibson

Saturday 25th October 2025
34028 hauled the Railway Touring Company's Varsity Explorer from Slough to Chester. On-time arrival at Chester, with plenty of 75mph running.

34028 near Culham with the Varsity Express on its way to Chester. Photo: Martin Eames

Full schedules outbound and return:
Slough to Chester – Hauled by 34028 Eddystone
Chester to Slough – Hauled by Diesel

34028 runs into Chester station. Hang on to your hats! Photo: David Moyles

Wednesday 10th September 2025
34028 hauls the Swanage Belle from Victoria to Swanage. On the return leg the loco developed a hot box and the trip was terminated at Basingstoke. Passengers completed their journey by South Western Railway.

Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Loaded test run, 34028 Southall to Didcot and return.

Monday 1st September 2025
34028 runs from Swanage to Southall.