Mainline Steam on Railway 200

In the week surrounding the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, a number of mainline steam charters operated across the UK rail network. Here are just a few of the great number of operations that took place:
We kick things off on 23 September 2025 with LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 "Mayflower" with the Saphos Trains "Golden Arrow" charter from Poole to Canterbury. This train is seen at Ealing Broadway, Ashford International, and Canterbury
Next, on 25 September 2025, it's SR Merchant Navy Class 35028 "Clan Line" with the Belmond British Pullman operating a Kent circular charter from London Victoria just east of Swanley.
The 26 September 2025 was a very Active day for steam traction with replica S&DR 1 "Locomotion" operating over mainline tracks between Shildon and Darlington North Road, seen just outside of Shildon from the parallel cycle path. These tracks sit on the original 1825 right of way of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
That evening, LNER Peppercorn Class A2 60532 "Blue Peter" called at Manchester Victoria with the Saphos Trains "White Rose" charter returning from York to Hereford.
Cumbria was the place to be on 27 September 2025 as two railtours ascended Shap Summit and Aisgill Summit within two hours of each other. The first railtour was the West Coast Railways benefit charter for the Lune Rivers Trust operating from Carnforth to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line and returning via the Settle & Carlisle Railway. Leading the charter was SR Battle of Britain Class 34067 "Tangmere" getting considerable assistance from one of WCR's class 57 diesel locomotives up inclines not suited for Southern locomotives. We catch the tour at Lambrigg, Heidelberg Materials north of Shap, and Ais Gill.
Following behind was the Vintage Trains "Shap Mountaineer" charter from Birmingham New Street to Carlisle with GWR 4073 Class 7029 "Clun Castle" in the lead. Unlike Tangmere, Clun Castle needed no assistance, with the 37418, which had been assigned to the train, running light engine from Carnforth to Carlisle allowing the GWR locomotive to tackle Shap alone. Due to late running, 37418 ran with the tour over the Settle & Carlisle rather than light engine from Carlisle to Hellifield, but the tractor was not providing much assistance as Clun Castle still was working hard climbing to Aisgill Summit. We also catch the charter passing Pleasington station with 37418 now positioned in front of the steam for the remainder of the journey.
We end the video how we started it with Mayflower charged with the 29 September 2025 edition of the Saphos Trains "Golden Arrow" charter, this time seen passing Kensington Olympia.