If you’re passing through Waterloo Station for the next few months, you might get something of a surprise. Since Eurostar services from London to France are now running from the St Pancras International, the large train terminal at Waterloo has been left unused. Now it’s being put to inventive use with the arrival in London of The Railway Children, because they obviously love London as much as us.

Written by Mike Kenny and directed by Damien Cruden, this new stage adaptation of E. Nesbitt’s classic novel has transferred to London after two very successful runs at the National Railway Museum . Using the rail tracks to ingenious effect, this production brings the story of Bobby, Jean and Phyllis and their falsely imprisoned father to life – and undoubtedly the star of the production is the real train which steams onto the ‘stage.’ Playing one of the most famous trains in fiction is a difficult task for any actor, but the Stirling Single steam locomotive (GNR 4-2-2 No.1) employed surely makes the part its own.

For a chance to transport yourself back to the days when Waterloo was buzzing with steam engines, and enjoy this classic tale unfold before your eyes, check out of theatre pages for full details on how to book and times available.