18th October 1959

G.R. Lockie
The Kent & East Sussex Special

Locos Used DS680, 31760, 31768 & 32670
Stock Used 10 coaches including a pre-grouping non-corridor and a Pullman car
(6 coaches only used between Robertsbridge and Tenterden)

Route :
SPL 102 : London Victoria to Robertsbridge
SPL 110 : Robertsbridge to Tenterden
SPL 111 : Tenterden to Robertsbridge
SPL ??? : Robertsbridge to ?London Victoria?

Loco(s) Route
31760 + 31768

London Victoria - Herne Hill - Beckenham Junction - Bromley South - Swanley - Otford - Sevenoaks - Tonbridge - Tunbridge Wells Central - Robertsbridge
DS680 (1) Robertsbridge - Tenterden
32670 (2) Tenterden - Robertsbridge
31760 + 31768 Robertsbridge - Tonbridge - Sevenoaks - Orpington - Bickley Jn - Bromley South - ?London Victoria?

Notes :
(1) 32670 on rear.
(2) DS680 on rear.
(3) Originally uploaded as having been organised by the Ramblers Association. Terry Jackson comments : The Ramblers Association used to run tours for their members across the south and some of the later ones were organised to appeal to railway enthusiasts as well as ramblers. From memory this tour was very well loaded and justifiably so. David Pearson however comments: The train was organised by Mr. Lockie, not the Ramblers Association. The RA had a regular programme of excursions from London to various Southern Region destinations at three to four weekly intervals, but always to stations which were still open to passengers. Lockie used to organise special trains to places of interest to railway enthusiasts on any of the four Regions serving London and open up the train to ramblers to fill up the seats. The rambles themselves were organised by the same RA members who led the rambles on the RA trains on the Southern.

Sources : Terry Jackson, David Pearson & Howard Cook

Photo Review
(all photos: David Pearson)


31760 leads 31768 at Robertsbridge.


DS680 (the Lancing Carriage Works shunter) on the head of the train at Robertsbridge.


DS680 at Bodiam.


32670 is dwarfed by the stock at Tenterden.

 

David Pearson's ticket.

  

From The John Debens Ticket Collection.
 
From The John Debens Ticket Collection.   From The John Debens Ticket Collection.


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