3rd June 1989

British Rail
(Mystery Excursion)

Locos Used 33064, 47209, 47284, 47515, 85019 & 85025
Connecting DMU's Used 150207 out & 53964+54247 back
EMU's Used (service train) ?3174, 3472 & 3473? (6)

Route : 1Z36 throughout

Traction Route
85019 Carlisle - (via WCML, Northampton) - Mitre Bridge Jn
47515 Mitre Bridge Jn - North Pole (3)
47209 North Pole - Grove Park (4)
33064 Grove Park - Faversham - Margate - Ramsgate - Canterbury West
EMU's as listed
(service train)		 Margate - Ramsgate - Minster - Canterbury West - Ashford
47284 Ashford - Tonbridge - Beckenham Junction - Crystal Palace - Mitre Bridge Jn
85025 Mitre Bridge Jn - (via WCML) - Rugby - Coventry - Grand Jn - Bescot - Bushbury Jn - Stafford - Crewe - Stockport
47459 (5) Stockport - Manchester - Preston
85025 Preston - (via WCML) - Carlisle

Notes :
(1) Simon Reed comments: this was a "Mystex" with planned stops at Margate, Ramsgate & Canterbury West, Tour was scheduled to return same route [across London via Lewisham & Nunhead] but due to stock defects and late running the tour restarted from Ashford. A 12 car VEP including 3473 "bridged the gap". Derek Thompson adds: After setting down at Canterbury West the train ran empty to Ashford for servicing and was then due to return ECS back to Margate and pick up at Ramsgate and Canterbury West, then return via Tonbridge. While at Ashford, however, 33064 failed and there was a coach defect so the train never made the empty stock move. As a result, a normal service train (units 3174 and 3472) was used to get the passengers to Ashford. On the return journey the train was booked via Warrington and Wigan but because of the late running the train was diverted via Manchester, but not before a 30min stop at Crewe to allow passengers to purchase food & beverages as the ob-board buffet had sold out of everything.
(2) Connecting DMU's ran from Barrow (06.15 dep) to Lancaster & back (05.12 dep!).
(3) 47515 failed at North Pole.
(4) 47209 failed at Grove Park!
(5) 85025 dead-in-tow.
(6) EMU confirmation required - Simon Reed reported a 12-car set including 3473 whereas Derek Thompson reported 3174+3472?

Sources : Simon Reed & Derek Thompson

Photo Review
(all photos: Derek Thompson)


85019 on the outward train at Lancaster.


47515 and 47209 following detachment at Grove Park.


33064 on arrival at Ramsgate.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Derek Thompson)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Carlisle 06.38d 06.39   23.26a 03.15
Penrith 06.53a ~ 06.55d 06.55 ~ 06.59   23.02a ~ 23.04d 02.57 ~ 03.00
Oxenholme 07.19a ~ 07.21d 07.24 ~ 07.26   22.33a ~ 22.34d 02.30 ~ 02.32
Lancaster 07.35a ~ 07.37d 07.41 ~ 07.43   22.14a ~ 22.16d 02.11 ~ 02.14
Preston 07/57 08/09   21/58 01.54
Manchester Piccadilly   DIV 01/04
Wigan North Western 08/17 08/21   21/ DIV
Warrington Bank Quay 08/27 08/31   21/36 DIV
Weaver Jn 08/34 08/36   ? DIV
Crewe 08/49 08/49   21.08a ~ 21.10d 23.39 ~ 00.12
Stafford 09/08 09/08   20/43 23/20
Bushbury Jn   DIV 23/06
Colwich 09/18 09/12   20/35 DIV
Lichfield TV LL 09/20 09/22   20/28 DIV
Rugby 09/48 09/49   20/05 22/09
Hanslope Jn 10/15 10/15   19/45 21/46
Bletchley 10/22 10/22   19/36 21/37
Watford Junction 10/48 10/47   19/05 21/16
Harrow & Wealdstone 10/55 10/53   18/59 21/12
Willesden WL Jn ? ?   18.45L 18L55 20.55 ~ 21.05
Mitre Bridge Jn 11L01 ~ 11L11 11.17 ~ 12.26   ? ?
Margate 12.53a ~ 12.54d -  
Canterbury West 13.21a 15.12   17.03a ~ 17.05d ?
Margate   16.35d 19.00


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