20th May 2023

Railway Touring Company
The Atlantic Coast Express

Route :
1Z20 : London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
1Z22 : Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo

Notes :
(1) 45596 'Bahamas' replaced unavailable 35028 'Clan Line'.
(2) John Clifford's comments: Before the tour there was some discussion as to whether a "Jubilee" had ever got to Exeter via the Southern route. No one could think of a time, so this is likely to be a "first". The train left Woking almost on time and we were switched to the slow line from the fast line at Brookwood. This meant that we were behind the 07.12 London Waterloo - Basingstoke stopper. This worked to our advantage as, although there was some slow running, it meant that a 20 minute water stop was possible at Winchfield. After this we continued to Salisbury for a further water stop, arriving slightly early. Salisbury was left on time. At Tisbury we passed the 09.53 Yeovil Junction - London Waterloo. The 09.25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo was passed at Gillingham (on time). Yeovil Junction was a further stop to allow the 10.25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo to pass. Here water was again taken (although not booked) and we left 3 minutes late. We continued on to Chard Junction and were passed by the 09.20 London Waterloo - Exeter St Davids (10 minutes late) and the 11.25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo (7 minutes late). Here we understood that the 09.20 was having problems, which accounts us for leaving Chard Junction 15 minutes late. At Honiton our arrival was down to 11 minutes late, but we had to wait for the 12.25 Exeter St Davids - London Waterloo to arrive. Honiton was left 7 minutes late, and our arrival at Exeter St Davids was just 1 minute late. After suitable refreshment (passengers and engine!), Exeter St Davids was left slightly late and with some fast running until we were 5 minutes early at Worle Jn. Near Yatton we caught up the 17.10 Weston-super-Mare - Severn Beach, and followed it to Bristol. After Bristol Temple Meads it was off to Bristol East Depot for water. Leaving there a few minutes late we were making up time until a stop outside Westbury, as the the 17.23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central was blocking our platform. Westbury was passed 4½ minutes late but with some brisk running we got to Salisbury 2 minutes early. After watering we set off. There was a delay at Basingstoke as the 19.45 Bournemouth - Didcot Parkway Cross Country train was blocking our platform, running 14 minutes late. We left Basingstoke a few minutes late, and after a water stop at Brookwood, we reached Woking 2 minutes late.

Source : John Clifford (on the tour from/to Woking)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford & Realtime Trains)

Timings continue in first table.
Mileages taken from UK Railtours 'Atlantic Coast Express' on 10/08/19, which did the same route.

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

5Z20 : (47802 with 45596 on rear) : Southall to London Waterloo

0Z20 : (47802) : London Waterloo to Acton Lane Reception Sidings

5Z21 : (45596 + tour stock) : Exeter St Davids to Exeter Riverside Yard

5Z22 : (45596 + tour stock) : Exeter Riverside Yard to Exeter St Davids (propel)

0Z21 : (47802) : Acton Lane Reception Sidings to London Waterloo

5Z23 : (47802 with 45596 on rear) : London Waterloo to Southall

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