Chiltern Railways is working with the John Betjeman Centenary Group on taking followers on a private train journey from London Marylebone station through ‘Metroland’, an area north of London made famous by Sir John’s film of the same name, on Saturday 2 September 2006.

This special event is to celebrate Sir John Betjeman, one of the county’s best loved poets, who would have been 100 years old this year.

After a plaque unveiling ceremony at Marylebone Station at 10.45 the train will depart Marylebone at 11.40, and travel through the London suburbs of John Betjeman’s childhood, his poems and his film Metroland.

There will be live commentary and readings during the journey by Phyllida Law and Jonathan Glancey. Passengers will be given a brunch box and a specially prepared window gazer.

The destination is Quainton Road Station, the scene of the last shot in Metroland, where the old Metropolitan line ends amidst Buckinghamshire farmland. There will be entertainments and refreshments in the old Oxford Rewley Road Station which has been re erected at Quainton Road. The train will then return to Marylebone.

Sir John Betjeman was a poet, writer, TV presenter and campaigner to protect ancient buildings including several London railway stations including the renowned Marylebone station.

Tickets for ‘Metroland’ are available now by calling TrainLine on 0870 9066640 from 0900 to 1700 Mon-Sun and are priced at £55 per person.

Any profits received from the event will go to the Parkinson’s Disease Society, from which John died in 1984.