STEAM fans will be able to share in an historic mainline event.

For the first time two steam trains will be passing at high speed on the mainline for almost 40 years.

One of the locomotives has strong connections with Hampshire.

To mark the 36th anniversary of the end of steam travel on Southern Region, Cathedrals Express will be running a day trip from Southampton and Eastleigh to London on Wednesday July 9. En route the Cathedral Express will pass the Orient Express travelling in the other direction.

Marcus Robertson, chairman of Steam Dreams - the company that runs the Cathedrals Express service - said: "This is the first time we have run one of our Cathedral Express trains to London and we are very excited at the prospect of the high speed steam pass to mark the anniversary."

The locomotive hauling the train will be the West Country class 34016 Bodmin, one of only 110 Light Pacific locomotives designed by Oliver Bulleid and built between 1945 and 1951.

Bodmin has many local connections and she was based at Eastleigh in the early Sixties and hauled boat trains from Waterloo to Southampton and on to Bournemouth and Weymouth. Passengers can join the Cathedral Express at Poole (9am) Bournemouth (9.30am) Southampton (10am) or Eastleigh (10.15am) for a fast run up to London Waterloo. There will a chance to take in the capital's popular tourist traps, including the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

The return trip leaves Waterloo at 3.30pm arriving back in the early evening.

Passengers will also be able to tuck into a champagne brunch on the way to London and a three course dinner on the return journey at a cost of £137. First class fares are £75 and standard class is £49.50p.

For more details or to book a seat call Steam Trains on 01483 209888.