23rd September 2017

UK Railtours
The Atlantic Coast Express

Route :
1Z63 : London Victoria to Exeter St Davids
1Z65 : Exeter St Davids to London Victoria

Notes :
(1) Banked by 67030 from London Victoria to Grosvenor Bridge.
(2) John Clifford comments: This tour was originally due to run on 27^th May 2017 but was postponed as 35028 was not ready following its overhaul. It had been advertised as starting from and returning to London Waterloo. However, because of engineering work, it was revised to a London Victoria start and finish. Furthermore, the return route was to be via Newbury, but was changed to that shown due to the engine being out of gauge at Thatcham. A wreath was carried on the engine in memory of David Sheppard, president of the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society, who had died shortly before the tour ran. On the day the coaches had a late start from Wembley (I do not know why) and reached Victoria shortly after we had been due to depart. Some good running ensued so that we were only a few minutes late arriving at the Salisbury water stop. Here the engine was detached from the train and went to platform no.1 to take water. Exeter was reached on time. The return journey started almost on time. There was further good work from the engine and, by omitting the Taunton stop, we were almost 20 minutes early approaching the Frome water stop. The 15.08 Worcester Shrub Hill - Weymouth was running late so we waited at Blatchbridge Jn for it to make its Frome stop before we were let into the station. All this meant we left late and lost a bit more time negotiating the junction at Westbury. At Thingley Jn we had to let the 18.32 Bristol Temple Meads - London Paddington get ahead, but this had a Chippenham stop which lost us more time. At Swindon we caught up the 18.32 which had spent some time there, presumably with a problem. We waited on the through line for it to go. Once away from there we had some good running, but not enough to make up much time. After getting on to the South Western Line at Reading we caught up the 21.01 Windsor - Waterloo at Twickenham which we followed to Clapham Junction. Arrival back at London Victoria was 26 minutes late.

35028 passing Tisbury Loop (photo: Mark V.Pike)

Source : John Clifford & David Lodwick (both on the tour)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford & David Lodwick)

Timings continue in first table.

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Moves

5Z62 : (67030) : Wembley Yard to Battersea Loop
5Z62 : (35028 with 67030 on rear) : Battersea Loop to Stewarts Lane Jn
5Z62 : (67030 with 35028 on rear) : Stewarts Lane Jn to London Victoria

5Z66 : (35028 with 17096) : Stewarts Lane T&RSMD to Battersea Loop

0Z63 : (67030) : London Victoria to Wembley Yard

5Z64 : (35028) : Exeter St Davids to Exeter Riverside Yard
5Z64 : (35028) : Exeter Riverside Yard to Exeter St Davids (propel)

0Z65 : (67030) : Wembley Yard to London Victoria

5Z65 : (67030 with 35028 on rear) : London Victoria to Stewarts Lane Jn
5Z65 : (35028 with 67030 on rear) : Stewarts Lane Jn to Battersea Loop
5Z65 : (67030) : Battersea Loop to Eastleigh Arlington

0Z66 : (35028) : Battersea Loop - Longhedge Jn - Factory Jn - Battersea Loop
(Loco turning trip)

5Z67 : (35028 with 17096) : Battersea Loop to Stewarts Lane T&RSMD

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