HUNDREDS of people headed to their local train station to watch a steam train from the 1940s race past.

A steam-powered locomotive made its way down the Cumbrian coastal line travelling all the way from Carlisle to Carnforth.

The Tangmere, which was named after the World War Two RAF airfield and home to the famous pilot Douglas Bader, passed through on Saturday June 1.

The 34067 Tangmere was built in 1947 by the Southern Region and is recognised as a 4-6-2 Battle of Britain Class Pacific.

Though it was previously numbered 21C167, the engine was renumbered 34067 after nationalisation was introduced by British Railways.

The Tangmere was withdrawn from service in 1963 and left to the mercy of the weather at Woodhams Brothers scrapyard in Barry.

It was later rescued and taken to the Mid-Hants Railway for restoration in 1981. However, due to financial considerations, restoration did not begin until 1995.

After spending 40 years out of service, the Tangmere was reinstated and finally emerged, complete with a coat of BR Brunswick Green paint in 2003.

Today, the steam engine is based at Carnforth and owned by West Coast Railways.

Tangmere left Carlisle around 1:20pm and passed through Dalston, Wigton, Aspatria, Maryport and Flimby.

From Workington, the train continued through Harrington and Parton to Whitehaven, before heading to Corkickle.

After St Bees it sped off towards Nethertown, Braystones, Sellafield, Seascale, Drigg, Ravenglass, Bootle and Silecroft.

Tangmere passed through Millom, Green Road, Foxfield, Kirkby and Askam-in-Furness then arrived in Barrow.

The steam engine carried on to Roose, then Ulverston, Cark, Kents Bank and Grange-over-Sands.

It travelled through Arnside and Silverdale before ending its journey in Carnforth.