6th January 2024

Hastings Diesels Ltd
The Surrey Hills Surprise

Route :
1Z60 : Hastings to Hayes
1Z61 : Hayes to London Blackfriars
1Z62 : London Blackfriars to Guildford
1Z63 : Guildford to Hastings

Notes :
(1) John Clifford's comments: We left Tonbridge slightly early up the South Eastern main line. Just before Grove Park we caught up the 10.11 Orpington - Cannon Street and followed it. Despite our having a stop at Hither Green we were checked by it again at Parks Bridge Jn. We carried on to New Cross where we reversed for a journey to Hayes. From New Cross we were booked to follow the 10.42 Cannon Street - Dartford which we duly did. Outside Lewisham we waited for the 10.40 Charing Cross - Sevenoaks to pass, then it did and we went onto the Mid Kent line to reach Hayes. We were following the 10.35 Charing Cross - Hayes which checked us at Elmers End. A stop at Eden Park allowed the 10.35 to get ahead. The stop at Hayes allowed enough time for photos to be taken, then we were away on time for Blackfriars, but following the 11.30 Hayes - Charing Cross, which checked us at New Beckenham. At Nunhead Jn we stopped to let the 11.46 Blackfriars - Sevenoaks across our path. A further reversal took place at London Blackfriars, where we set off slightly late. There was a stop at Herne Hill, but I'm not clear why we stopped there. At Streatham Common we were behind the 12.30 Victoria - Epsom Downs, so progress was slow. We had to wait outside East Croydon for the 13.10 East Croydon - Watford Junction to vacate our platform. We passed there 9 minutes late. Some time was made up by not stopping at South Croydon. Outside Purley we were checked by the 12.55 Caterham crossing our path and outside Reigate we were slowed by the 13.30 Reigate - Victoria leaving our platform. No further problems were encountered and we reached Guildford 6 minutes early. The train remained in platform 6 at Guildford in readiness for the return working. I left the tour there and went home. I understand that there was a brake problem on the return which delayed the train by about 40 minutes at Redhill. Perhaps this was the "surprise" part alluded to in the tour name?
(2) Recently overhauled power car 60119 was added to the usual consist.

Source : John Clifford (on the tour from Tonbridge to Guildford)

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

Timings continue in first table.

Associated E.C.S. Workings

3Z60 : (1001) : St Leonards T&RSMD to Hastings

5Z63 : (1001) : Hastings to St Leonards T&RSMD

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