Steam enthusiasts have been treated to not one but two sightings of iconic locomotives travelling at speed through Bradford on Avon railway station within an hour of each other.

The first was the British Pullman with the Clan Line locomotive on a special 50th anniversary return trip from London Victoria Station to the world heritage city of Bath, via Westbury and Warminster.

Built in 1948, 35028 Clan Line is an iconic steam locomotive. After operating out of London for nearly 20 years, she was retired from British Rail service and bought by MNLPS (the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society) to be restored to glory.

The engine made her public return to the mainline on April 27 1974, running from Basingstoke to Westbury and back.

Wiltshire Times: Clan Line steams through Bradford on Avon station at speed on its 50th anniversary journey from London Victoria to Bath. Image: Trevor Porter 70012-5Clan Line steams through Bradford on Avon station at speed on its 50th anniversary journey from London Victoria to Bath. Image: Trevor Porter 70012-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

At that time, a ‘steam ban’ prevented Clan Line from operating between London and Basingstoke, but on this journey at the weekend travellers enjoyed unexpurgated version of the original route, plus an added scenic section through Wiltshire.

The excursion operator Belmond said: “Fifty years ago, when traditional British Pullmans were being phased out, no one thought such a beautiful train would again grace the UK rail network.

“But with the elegant umber and cream carriages of British Pullman in tow, Clan Line heads a true return to the heyday of rail travel and the glory of steam.”

Wiltshire Times: The Black Five locomotive 44871 storms through Bradford on Avon station at speed on its trip back to London. Image: Trevor Porter 70012-6The Black Five locomotive 44871 storms through Bradford on Avon station at speed on its trip back to London. Image: Trevor Porter 70012-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Within an hour a second steam train, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Stanier Class 5 4-6-0, commonly known as the Black Five, a mixed traffic locomotive built in 1945, steamed at speed through the Wiltshire countryside.

This grand old lady of steam – number 44871 - was one of the engines in use at the end of steam under the British Railway’s operation, taking part in the famous ‘15 Guinea Special’ farewell in August 1968.

The 44871 is one of only 18 Black Fives which have been preserved, and one of only 12 allowed to operate on main line routes. It was fully renovated, returning to rail tracks after a heavy overhaul in 2017.

Scores of rail enthusiasts crowded the platforms and bridges to watch the two locomotives in nostalgia action through Wiltshire

The drivers of both engines were travelling at full steam ahead to negotiate the gradients on their return to London Paddington Station.