Great Britain XV steam train passes through Bury St Edmunds and Thurston train stations on the way to Felixstowe

Families, photographers and trainspotters had a treat on Sunday when a restored steam train made an ‘impressive’ whistle-stop journey across Suffolk.

The Great Britain XV, a touring train passed through many of the county’s towns and villages. including Bury St Edmunds and Thurston -its journey on April 23 ended in Felixstowe.

One of those who spotted the train on Sunday was James Hart who lives in Bury St Edmunds, he said: “I live on the Moreton Hall, where the railway marks the northern border – it was five minute walk from home to see it, which made it that much more inviting a prospect on a Sunday morning.”

Mr Hart, who waited with a small group to watch the train, said: “It was exciting to hear the nostalgic puffing of the steam engine slowly getting louder.”

He described the train passing through the Suffolk countryside as looking like a ‘fleeting, perfect, picture postcard’.

“As I walked home it didn’t feel real but I was so glad to have experienced it with some of my neighbours”, added Mr Hart.

Someone else saw the Great Britain XV on Sunday was Noel Lees from Thurston, and his dog Ned – who loves trains.

Mr Lees, who works in marketing, managed to capture some photographs of the train passing by Heath Road in the village.

He described the train, which was finishing a tour of the UK, as ‘impressive’ and has been interested in finding out more about it.

Now he hopes to take more photographs of trains passing through Thurston using a drone.