9th June 1963

Home Counties Railway Society
Doncaster Special

Loco Used 46245 'City of London'
Stock Used 12 coaches

Route :

Loco Route
46245 London Kings Cross - (via ECML) - Doncaster
46245 Doncaster - (via ECML) - London Kings Cross

Notes :
(1) David Whittaker comments: A number of  claims of a very high maximum speed on the descent from Stoke Summit towards Peterborough  have been made for this run, some of them in the popular railway press. Figures of 119, 112 and 108 mph have been mentioned. Tellingly, however, there have not been properly detailed logs produced, with passing times, mileages and average speeds to support such claims, though a Duchess is obviously capable of high speeds over such a favourable stretch of track. The 112 and 108 mph figures were apparently recorded over one quarter mile with a wristwatch! Enough said.
(2) Formed in 1955 and originally known as the 'Middlesex Loco Spotters Club', their name was changed in the late 1950's to the 'Home Counties Railway Club' then in January 1963 it changed again, to the 'Home Counties Railway Society'.

Sources : Terry Dorrity, David Whittaker & Ron Walker

Photo Review


Two shots of 46245 on Doncaster shed (photos: The Alan Sainty Collection)


From The John Debens Ticket Collection.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from various including Ron Walker)

Miles Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
0 Kings Cross 9.20d 09.22   19.51a 19.57
12¾ Potters Bar 09/41 09/48½   19/26 19/32½
17¼ Hatfield 09/47 09/54   19/21 19/28
32 Hitchin 10/01 10/10   19/07 19/13
43 Sandy 10/23 10/30   18/43 18/49
58¾ Huntingdon North 10/50 11w01 ~ 11w08   18/18 18/36
76¼ Peterborough North 11/06 11/31   18/00 18w12 ~ 18w16
80 Werrington Troughs 11/11 11/37   17/56 18/07
98½ Essendine 11/20 11/56   17/48 ?
100 Stoke 11/33 11/58   17/38 17/50
105¼ Grantham 11/38 12/07   17/32 17.34 ~ 17.36
109¼ Barkston South Jn 11/42 12/10   17/28 17/28
120 Newark Northgate 11/53 12/20   17/15 17/15
138½ Retford 12/13 12/46   16/55 16/55
156 Doncaster 12.35a 13.08   16.32d 16.32


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