Newly-restored steam engine Canadian Pacific has returned to its former glory on the Watercress Line.

This Southern Railway Bulleid Merchant Navy Class locomotive No 35005 was built at Eastleigh Locomotive Works in 1941 by a team which included many women.

It has been brought back to life through the dedicated efforts of the Watercress Line’s expert staff and volunteers and the generous support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The restoration of Canadian Pacific has been a monumental 14-year project driven by the Watercress Line’s skilled volunteers, who spent more than 10,000 hours on the renovation of the locomotive and two Bulleid carriages, No 4211 and No 1456. It now takes its place in the Railway 200 campaign celebrating 200 years of railway travel in the UK.

Designed for Southern Railway by chief mechanical engineer Oliver Bulleid, No 35005 Canadian Pacific featured an innovative design with a mixed traffic designation, providing a wartime service on the South Coast route. It was named after the shipping line providing vital supplies to isolated Britain in the darkest days of the Second World War.

After the war it hauled the luxury boat trains of the mid-20th century, such as the Bournemouth Belle, Royal Wessex and Atlantic Coast Express.

The Watercress Line began restoration work in 2011 at the Eastleigh works. Canadian Pacific’s overhaul included the reconstruction of its boiler, frame repairs and the meticulous restoration of intricate mechanical components.

It first rolled into Alresford station for a VIP event on March 19. There will be an inaugural dining train ride on March 20, the first public train ride on March 21, and heritage rides on March 22 and 23.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch/

Further details of the Railway 200 campaign can be found at https://railway200.co.uk/