Occasionally, a steam train rattles through East London, to the surprise of most people who happen to see it.

Whoo-whoo and choo-choo-cha-boogie, Loving Dalston can give you advance notice of the next one. The 143-ton “Oliver Cromwell”, Locomotive 70013 to trainspotters, which was built in 1951 and recently restored, is due to leave London Liverpool Street this Saturday 26 March 2011 at 09.05.

Photographic vantage points will include Bethnal Green overground and Stratford stations, both of which it will roar through on its way to Norfolk, with a little push along the way from a diesel locomotive while the steam loco takes on water.

The train is due back at Liverpool Street at 22.08, so a night-train photo opportunity will occur as it whistles through Stratford and Bethnal Green stations.

The operator, the Railway Touring Company (01553 661500), tells Loving Dalston that tickets have been selling well. If you are willing to pay – and pay well – for nostalgia, you could still join them: lowest fare £84, highest £199.