A RAIL enthusiast from Dorset has fulfilled a lifelong ambition by driving a steam engine to Euston in London.

Mel Cox also became the first person to drive a Bulleid Pacific express, a classic engine, into the north London station from the restored Swanage Railway for more than 50 years.

Mr Cox, an operations manager for the Swanage Railway who also lives in the town, has fulfilled various roles on the branch as a volunteer since 1964, but always dreamed of driving a steam train.

He said: “It was a childhood ambition really. I began, aged 16, wanting to drive them, but they all got replaced in 1967.”

Mr Cox qualified to drive the engines in May this year.

He described driving the engine, built in 1946, as “a real thrill and a very great privilege.”

Martin Payne, Swanage Railway commercial manager, said the journey was a regular trip for the restored trains but they normally travel to Waterloo station.

He said: “We had to go to Euston because of works around Waterloo. It’s a fair way around to the north of the city but there was a great response.

“The trip is great for people to go and do their Christmas shopping.”

The engine, named Tangmere after a West Sussex Second World War airfield, hauled 400 passengers on the five-hour Capital Christmas excursion.

Railway guard Bob Burt, who lives in Swanage, but grew up in London, said: “To see and hear Tangmere performing at its best was marvellous. I never thought I’d see a Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific at Euston station.”