HUNDREDS of people lined railway bridges and station platforms on Saturday to see a special steam train celebrate the completion of track redoubling work on the Cotswold Line.

The Cathedrals Express ran along the Oxford-Worcester route both ways on a return journey between Birmingham and London Paddington, making stops en route to pick and drop off passengers at Charlbury and refill its water tanks just south of Oxford Station.

Powered by preserved Great Western Railway Castle class locomotive No 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, the train put on a dramatic show for lineside spectators and those on board, hitting 80mph when passing through Goring & Streatley and Cholsey stations on its return journey.