A historic steam engine showed that it can rule the rails after it chugged through Swindon.

Last Saturday (November 26), 7000 Britannia came through Wiltshire with Great Western Christmas Envoy.

Organised by Saphos Train, the steam engine was heading to Bristol from Crewe, the home of the former London Midland and Scottish Railway works.

Britannia is part of the British Railways standard class 7MT, a 4-6-2 pacific that was designed by Robert Riddles.

The class was also known as the Britannia class and took its names from great Britons, former Star class locomotives, and Scottish firths.

55 locomotives were constructed between 1951 and 1954 at Crewe works.

Two of the class have been preserved with Britannia and Oliver Cromwell being the two survivors. Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust

The charter train travelled through Birmingham, making its way past Oxford before turning onto the Great Western main line at Didcot.

Swindon Advertiser: Britannia at South Marston footbridge Ken (Mumford) Britannia at South Marston footbridge Ken (Mumford) (Image: Ken (Mumford))

It arrived at Swindon station late morning to the delight of steam lovers who had been waiting patiently for the charter train.

Control at Network Rail held the charter train at the station until the departure time.

This was to allow a member of GWR Staff to unlock Bath Spa station as it was the only train booked to stop at the North Somerset destination on Saturday in both directions.

Strikes on the day had resulted in no GWR services being able to serve the station.

Passengers travelling on the Great Western Christmas Envoy were able to get off at Bath and explore the Christmas markets.

Britannia is owned by the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust and is part of the Locomotive Services Group fleet.