London to Bath: 61306 Mayflower steam locomotive to pass through Newbury

One of two surviving B1 Class locomotives is due to take a service stop in Newbury on its way to Bath tomorrow (Tuesday).

A Steam Dreams day excursion from London Victoria to Bath on Tuesday, April 5, will give train enthusiasts a chance to see 61306 Mayflower up close when it stops at Newbury Racecourse for about half an hour for a 'service stop'.

The engine is scheduled to arrive at the racecourse station at approximately 11.09am when it will top up with water before heading of at about 11.43am.

It will then pass through Newbury Station at about 11.46am on its way west to Bath.

On the return leg, Mayflower is expected to go through Newbury at 6.28pm, before having another service stop this time at Theale at approximately 6.44pm, before heading to London at 7.14pm.

Mayflower was built in 1948 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, but was delivered post-nationalisation and acquired the number 61306 by British Railways. She was the last B1 in service, her final trip was hauling the 'Yorkshire Pullman' from Leeds in September 1967.

She was fully restored for mainline operation and was given the name 'Mayflower' in 1970 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the original Mayflower from Plymouth.

Mayflower has two cylinders, 6 driving wheels, a firebox grate area of 30 square feet and can operate at 75mph.