Lord Dowding for the first football special steam train since 1967!
On Sunday 15th May, on what will be her inaugral main line run after a year and a half long overhaul, our newly restored Battle of Britain Class Lord Dowding will a haul very special service from London to Southampton for Crystal Palace FC’s final league game of the season.
Photo Gallery
Crystal Palace
Icons Of Steam
DB Cargo
Lord Dowding
Lord Dowding is a member of the Battle of Britain Class and is named after Air Chief Marshall Dowding who is credited with having played a crucial role in Britain's aerial defence early in WWII.
This will be the locomotives first public run after a 1½ year long overhaul and your first chance to see the engine on the main line, taking part in a unique and exciting event.
According to our research this is the first steam hauled football excursion train in 49 years. The last took place on 26th December 1967 when a special ran from Carlisle to Blackpool!
First Crystal Palace Steam Train in 52 years!
Thanks to some more amazing research, we believe the last time Crystal Palace F.C. organised a special excursion from London to Southampton was November 7th 1964. This was for a league division two match that CPFC won 1 - 0, so we've got fingers crossed for a repeat scoreline!
Share your photos!
If you're out and about on the day we'd love you to share your photos with us! Just drop an email to alex@iconsofsteam.com and we'll share them with everyone online!
Clapham Junction, Selhurst and West Croydon to Southampton.