The decision to run a steam train from Shrewsbury will transform the station back to the days before nationalisation of the national network on January 1, 1948, it has been revealed.

But Britain’s estimated five million rail enthusiasts and many more local residents will have to wait until June 28 for the transformation. That is when The Welsh Marches Express will run on a 240-mile round trip to Bristol headed by the famous Pacific LMS locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth. Forming in Nottingham, the train, with some passengers paying as much as £215 for a return ticket, will be diesel hauled to Shrewsbury where the steam giant will take over.

A spokesman for the organisers, Kingfisher Railtours, of Weymouth, Dorset, have predicted the sight of the train will be an “unforgettable” experience.He said: “This will be an unforgettable train from stations in the East Midlands, hauled by the pride of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Princess Elizabeth and follows a new route for this class of engine as it undertakes the return journey from Shrewsbury.

“It will travel along the Welsh Marches border between England and Wales through Ludlow and Hereford, then through the Severn Tunnel to Bristol.

“The return will be over the same route starting in the late afternoon and the white exhaust trail passing the carriage windows will allow passengers to soak up the atmosphere of railway travel as it was meant to be.”

The timings have yet to be confirmed by Network Rail, but the train on the outward journey is expected to leave Shrewsbury at 9.55am.

Number 6201 Princess Elizabeth is one of only two Princess Royal class locomotives to be preserved. They were introduced in 1933.