OKEHAMPTON Station is to host the first known visit of a Merchant Navy class steam locomotive next week.

The Clan Line 4-6-2 steam locomotive will haul 12 coaches from Waterloo to Okehampton on Thursday, May 9.

The train was built in 1948 at the Eastleigh Railway Works. The prospect of hauling the heavy train of coaches on the undulating track from Exeter to Okehampton will provide a challenge to both the locomotive and the footplate crew.

This will be the first day of a four-day trip around England, and the train will be visiting the Weardale Railway in Co Durham, which is operated by the same company as the Dartmoor Railway.

The train is scheduled to depart from Exeter St David's at 6pm, arriving at Okehampton at around 6.40pm to 6.45pm, but the Dartmoor Railway is advising people to check the actual times on the day.

For further details call Okehampton Station on 01837 55164.