HUNDREDS of people turned out to watch a steam train rolling into Bicester North station.

Usually home to diesel commuter trains, the Buckingham Road station marked its centenary with the arrival of a shiny black steam engine to recreate the first journey back in 1910.

Driver Tommy Farr drove the engine from Birmingham, stopping at Banbury, Bicester and Princes Risborough, before rumbling to Chinnor on Saturday.

Chiltern Railways had to reconnect its line with the preserved Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway for the day.

Seventy-year-old Mr Farr, a part-time steam engine driver, was black from soot by the time he finished work. He said: “You can never stay clean.

“It’s not helped that the engine was travelling backwards – all the coal falls down and you get a cloud of dust. It was great to see people along the route, I’m sure they all wanted to get on it.”

The steam engine pulled seven carriages filled with about 300 Rail enthusiasts.

Adrian Shooter, the chairman of Chiltern Railways, said: “It was absolutely fantastic. Everyone clearly enjoyed themselves.

“We ran this train for the centenary of when the line first opened and just for added interest we took it to Chinnor.

“It was the first time a steam train with passengers has gone there for about 50 years.”

Deputy mayor Rose Stratford unveiled a plaque at Bicester North station to commemorate the anniversary.