A MUCH-ANTICIPATED rail tour to Fawley has had to be curtailed due to a cable theft.

Passengers aboard the Solent Searcher were hoping to travel through Hythe and up to the refinery fence this morning.

However, due to a cable theft, the charter train could not go further than Marchwood.

Powered by two diesel locomotives at each end, GB Railfreight's driverless train left London Waterloo at 8.14am.

It arrived in Marchwood just before 11.30am only to then reverse and head north towards Andover and the Ministry of Defence Ludgershall branch.

Daily Echo: The Solent Searcher leaving Marchwood. Picture: Simon RowleyThe Solent Searcher leaving Marchwood. Picture: Simon Rowley

In a Facebook post, a spokesperson from UK Railtours said: "Sadly a recent cable theft has meant that despite Network Rail's best efforts we can’t get all the way to Fawley, but we still plan to get as far as Marchwood station before reversing.

"To make up for this the train will be passing the Network Rail limit at Ludgershall and running onto MOD metals - we’re extremely grateful to Network Rail for their very hard work to make this happen over the last 48 hours."

Passengers are charged £119 for the standard fare and £169 for first class. 

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