A stream train on the London underground

I'm not a train or railway enthusiast, but when I read that a steam train would be running on the London underground, I had to go and have a look.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the District line, a steam train ran along parts of the London Underground. This was the last time steam trains are expected to travel into central London on the Underground network, due to signalling modernisation that will provide more frequent services and improved reliability on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

Steam trains served the District Railway when it first opened to the public between South Kensington and Westminster on Christmas Eve, 1868.

There were 3 journeys each day on June 22 and 23. The route was from Ealing Broadway to High Street Kensington and back. On the outward journey the train ran "backwards" towards High Street Kensington, pulled by the 1923 Sarah Siddons electric locomotive. For the return journey, the steam loco Metropolitan 1 pulled it back to Ealing Broadway.

The train was comprised of the following locomotives and carriages:
Metropolitan No.1 steam locomotive
Bluebell Chesham Coaches, 387, 412, 368 & 394
District Railway Coach No.100 from the Kent and East Sussex Railway
London Transport Museum’s Metropolitan Jubilee Coach 353
Sarah Siddons electric locomotive

Tickets to ride the train were sold out in advance, despite costing over £150.

I went to Earls Court station for my first viewing. I was standing right on the platform as the train came in, which was too close for good photos

I then jumped on the regular underground train and went to Ealing Broadway, where the steam train was being watered, in preparation for the 2nd journey. People were dressed in Victorian costume and there was heritage Victorian brass instruments playing. Only ticket holders could go onto the platform where the train was standing.

And a view looking down