12th August 2023

UK Railtours
The Newhaven Nonsense

Route :
1Z89 : London Victoria to Bromley North
1Z90 : Bromley North to London Cannon Street
1Z91 : London Cannon Street to Eastbourne
1Z92 : Eastbourne to Brighton
1Z93 : Brighton to London Waterloo

Notes :
(1) Tour postponed from 22/07/23.
(2) 60118 carried the 'Sussex Coast Express' headboard.
(3) Alan Sheppard's comments: This tour was originally advertised to be D6515 (33012) + London Underground 4TC (class 438) + 2 x GBRf 73/1, but due to an administrative issue with the 4TC, it was changed to Hastings DEMU 1001, still loco hauled. When the date changed to 12/08/23, it was decided to run with just the Hastings unit under its own power for the duration of the tour. This decision was taken in order to ensure the smooth operation of the tour.
(4) Due to trespass on the railway in the Brighton area the power to the third rail was switched off, and all trains were stopped. Once power was restored the tour was still stuck at Southerham Jn until the queuing trains had passed Lewes. The tour was then diverted via Plumpton to Keymer Jn with an additional stop at Lewes for passengers who wanted to get to Brighton.
(5) John Clifford's comments: This tour was originally planned to run on 22/07/23. It was advertised as using London Underground's 4TC unit and being top & tailed by a class 33 and 2 x class 73s. It subsequently transpired that the 4TC was not available, so the Hastings Diesels unit would be the stock, but still top & tailed with the 33 and 73s. Then, because of the R.M.T. strike on 22/07/23, the train could not run that day, but was postponed to 12/08/23, just using 1001 without loco haulage. We were advised that the tour train would run as a 7 car unit including the recently restored power car 60119. The route as first advertised was as shown to London Bridge, then Cannon Street (Charing Cross was shut due to engineering work) - London Bridge - Grove Park - Swanley - Sevenoaks - Ashford International - then as shown to Windmill Bridge Jn - Crystal Palace - Herne Hill - London Waterloo. On the day we found that the train was 6 cars. Subsequently I gather that 60119 needed some attention. We set off slightly early. An early stop at Factory Jn allowed the 08.00 Battersea Park - Dalston Junction get ahead. Then there was a stop at Crofton Road Jn to let the 08.07 London Victoria - Dartford pass. We were early and followed it slowly to Lewisham. Hither Green was passed 9 minutes early, so it was inevitable that we would have to stop outside Grove Park to let the 08.43 Grove Park - Bromley North to leave. Bromley North was reached on time. We left there 3 minutes early and stopped outside Grove Park to let the 09.13 Grove Park - Bromley North depart. Our next route was the Dartford Loop via the Lee Spur. Here we caught up the 08.48 Cannon Street- Gravesend, so we followed it until we turned off on to the Crayford Spur. Here there was a stop to let the 09.45 Dartford - London Victoria pass. Again we caught this one up, with consequential slow running. Nevertheless Cannon Street was reached 5½ minutes early, but we left slightly late. Around Erith we caught up the 10.34 London Victoria - Dartford. After Greenhithe we caught up the 10.18 London Victoria - Gravesend. After this we made some progress, but on the Medway Valley line we caught up the 11.37 Strood - Paddock Wood. Hence the brief stop before East Farleigh. Up to Paddock Wood and reverse, heading for Eastbourne via Ashford. At Appledore we noted that the 11.50 Eastbourne - Ashford International running 16 minutes late, then, at Rye, we had to wait for the 12.50 Eastbourne - Ashford International running 8 minutes late. At Bopeep Jn there was a further stop as we were now following the 13.22 Ore - Haywards Heath. This stop was in Bopeep Tunnel, not the most scenic! Arrival at Eastbourne was 5 minutes late. After a break we continued to Lewes, reversed and went down the Seaford branch. The stop at Newhaven Harbour was to let the 16.53 Seaford - Brighton pass. We then went forward beyond the former Marine station and into the northernmost of the Brett sidings. We reversed and covered the Aggregates siding by Marine station. A further reversal got us back into Brett sidings (northernmost again). While at the Brett terminal there was a display of some of Brett's diggers being driven around the site. Back towards Brighton was the next move, but no! There had been a trespasser in the Brighton area and the service was in disarray. We got to Southerham Jn and stopped there for 43 minutes. An announcement was made that we would not be going to Brighton, but be diverted via Plumpton. A brief stop was made at Lewes to let Brighton passengers off. We set off and were held at Haywards Heath for reasons that I did not discover. By cutting down the stop at Gatwick Airport to just half a minute we gained some time. The stop outside Streatham was to let the 19.19 Sutton - Luton go ahead, which we then followed. Eventual arrival back at London Waterloo was 29 minutes late.

Sources : Alan Sheppard & John Clifford (both on the train throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Sheppard & John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. Workings

5Z89 : St Leonards Eng.Ltd (GBRf) to London Victoria

5Z94 : London Waterloo to St Leonards Eng.Ltd (GBRf)