21st March 1959

The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society (London Branch)
London & North Kent Rail Tour

Locos Used D8401, 31507, 69504, 69614 & 68987
Stock Used seven coaches including a cafeteria car

Route :

Loco Route
69614 London Liverpool Street - Bow Jn - (via Carpenders Road curve) - Victoria Park - Canonbury
69504 Canonbury - Finsbury Park - East Finchley
69504 East Finchley - Finsbury Park
68987 Finsbury Park - Kings Cross - Snow Hill - Blackfriars
31507 Blackfriars - Nunhead - Blackheath - Woolwich & Erith - (via curve to Bexley line) - (via Hither Green curve) - Lee - Chislehurst - Swanley - Fawkham - Gravesend West Street
31507 Gravesend West Street - Hither Green
D8401 (1) Hither Green - New Cross - (via East London Line) - London Liverpool Street

Notes :
(1) This was the first occasion a diesel was used on an R.C.T.S. special.

Sources : David Hills & David Davis (compiled from contemporary reports)

Photo Review


69504 at Canonbury (photo: The John Debens Collection)


From Andrew Fairholms ticket collection.


Timings (Booked Only)
(from Richard Maund)

Location Booked
Liverpool Street 13.40d
Bow Jn 13/48
Channelsea Jn 13/55
Canonbury Jn 14.10a ~ 14.17d
Finsbury Park 14/21
East Finchley 14.35a ~ 15.07d
Finsbury Park 15.20a ~ 15.27d
Farringdon 15.40a ~ 15.46d
Blackfriars 15.52a ~ 15.59d
Nunhead 16/10
Blackheath 16/18
Woolwich Arsenal 16/26
Sidcup 16/51
Lee Jn 17/00
Swanley 17/22
Fawkham 17/36
Gravesend West Street 17.50a ~ 18.20d
Fawkham 18/39
Swanley 18/49
Hither Green Sidings 19.06a ~ 19.18d
New Cross 19.25a ~ 19.34d
Liverpool Street 19.50a


Back to "The Railtour Files"