Clan Line Calls In - Our Latest Mainline Steam Visit

Published: 09/07/2026

Credit: AS

Our most recent mainline steam visit came on 9th July, when the magnificent Merchant Navy Class locomotive 35028 Clan Line rolled into Yeovil Railway Centre as part of the "End of Southern Steam" tour.

It was a scorcher of a day, which no doubt made for a warm footplate, but it also brought plenty of visitors down to the Centre to enjoy the sunshine and watch the action.

The train started out from London Victoria, picking up passengers along the way at Woking and Basingstoke before making its way down to us here at Yeovil Junction. Clan Line brought the train in right on cue, arriving at our platform in the early afternoon, though a couple of hold-ups en route - a late-running train ahead at Wilton Junction, and another delay at Gillingham - meant she rolled in a little later than planned.

Once at the Centre, Clan Line was uncoupled and brought onto our turntable, where our volunteers turned, serviced and coaled her ready for the next leg of the journey. It's always a highlight for anyone watching from our viewing platform - there's nothing quite like seeing a locomotive of that size being turned by hand, steam still very much alive in her boiler.

While Clan Line was being attended to, the train itself carried on towards Weymouth behind diesel haulage, with Clan Line following on afterwards to take charge for the run back. The tour marked the anniversary of the end of Southern steam operations back in 1967, giving the day an extra bit of significance for anyone with a soft spot for Southern Region history.

It wasn't the smoothest of return journeys - further delays around Weymouth and Dorchester meant the train arrived back into Waterloo running somewhat behind schedule - but for everyone who came down to see Clan Line turned on our turntable, that's all part of the charm of mainline steam. These things rarely run entirely to plan, and that's exactly what makes each visit feel like a genuine occasion rather than a timetabled formality.

Our thanks go to everyone involved in bringing Clan Line to Yeovil Junction, and to all the volunteers who turned out to make sure she was turned, serviced and sent on her way in style. We'll be sure to let everyone know as soon as the next mainline visit is confirmed.