The Big Steam Adventure

In this episode, John Sergeant, Peter Davison and Paul ‘Piglet' Middleton explore the stunning county of Dorset.

The trio start their journey preparing the best-looking train they've been on so far: the T3. This train has been out of use for as long as John has been alive but is now restored to her former glory and ready for her maiden voyage. But not before John is set to work with the final, grubby preparations. Then they climb aboard for a wonderful journey through the stunning Dorset countryside. John and Peter reminisce about their childhood and the holidays they spent here in the county.

Passing Corfe Castle it looks like a scene from a fairytale. But Peter has other things on his mind – sweets! After spending far too long in the traditional sweetshop they climb aboard Young Buster, a steam-powered Leyland Sherpa and drive up and down rolling hills to Kimmeridge Bay.

The next day the weather has changed: storm Babet has hit. Calling in a favour from series 1, they climb aboard Puffing Billy, a nine-tonne bus with very little tyre grip for the roads - the Dorset hills are going to be a challenge. They burn through a lot of steam and a refuel, or re-water as it's called in the steam world, doesn't go to plan, Peter is left frustrated.

But John is having none of it, insisting they take a walk along the world-famous Chesil Beach, a UNESCO site. Peter is unimpressed, its cold and windy and there is ‘no pier, or shops' and so they carry on arriving at Portland Bill Lighthouse as darkness falls. The look out over a rough sea as the huge Portland Bill lighthouse beam starts rotating behind them warning ships of the lurking dangers.

The next day the weather has calmed, and they continue their journey on a 95-year-old cider wagon. John insists on a stop at Abbotsbury Swannery where Piglet is shocked to learn that these magnificent birds used to be a regular on the menu for the monks who lived nearby. They then carry on along the stunning coast road and rolling Dorset hills before arriving at their destination, West Bay.