Southeastern is to run a special rail service, with an iconic Network SouthEast Networker multi-unit, to celebrate 200 years of the locomotive-hauled passenger railway.

Just 250 people will be able to travel on the tour, which will take place on Saturday 27 September. Departing from London Victoria station in the morning, it will take passengers on a three-hour trip on the Metro route. As well as marking the railway’s bicentenary, the tour will celebrate the role of the Networker trains in connecting south-east London over the last three decades.

The tour will be guided, and will include stops for photo opportunities. It will also visit Grove Park depot, where the train (schedule permitting) will go through the train washer. Southeastern hopes that this will provide a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse for passengers.

The tour will then continue through the Lee Spur Junction, which is now used rarely, to Slade Green. It will then travel through some of London’s most historic stations, which will include Woolwich Arsenal, Charlton, Greenwich, Deptford, London Bridge, and will terminate at Cannon Street. These stations span nearly two hundred years of railway history.

Tickets for the tour cost £45 for adults and £30 for under 16s. They are available from this webpage.

Profits from ticket sales will be donated to five charities: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission, and the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO.

Network SouthEast first introduced its fleet of Class 465 Networker trains in 1992, and gave them a distinctive red, white and blue livery.

Two years ago, Southeastern improved its maintenance of the fleet by bringing the work in-house.

Passengers on the tour will receive a Railway 200-themed gift bag, which will include a range of exclusive items and a colourful design by ‘Lisa Illustrations’.

“We all look at the Class 465 Networker today and see its dated technology and lack of air conditioning, but in its day, it marked a revolutionary change in the experience of passengers on our railway.

“It was the equivalent of replacing a Bakelite telephone with a smartphone. Alongside a more comfortable ride, better brakes and electrically operated doors, the Networker played a huge role in the development of Network SouthEast and, to this day, continues to connect our communities in London and beyond.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the role of the Networker and the communities it serves, and I look forward to welcoming passengers on our special train for this special journey.”

Southeastern Operations manager, Steve Higham-Gray, who has organised the tour