Notes :
(1) Also marketed as "The York Explorer".
(2) 47805 on rear.
(3) Exact reversal point at/beyond Foxhall Jn requires confirming.
(4) The identity of this coach was questioned - 1813 or 1863? It has been confirmed as 1813.

Sources : various including Nigel Benning & Nick Bartlett (both on the tour from/to Eastleigh), David Ross, Alan Sheppard & Colin Ward

Tour Review
(by Nigel Benning)

This was my first full UK tour for a couple of years and as it started from the south of England, I couldn't really say no to it. Whilst many tours seem to lose part of the route between initial advertising and running, this one actually gained a bit. The initial plan was that the 37's would haul the tour throughout, but this was amended such that a 47 hauled the train to Didcot, where the 37's would take over. This would mean travelling over the Foxhall Curve, required track for me.

The day started early (the departure time being 30 minutes earlier than originally advertised) with a drive from Bournemouth to Eastleigh, where 47805 departed on time. The plan was for the 37's to be added to the rear of the train at Foxhall sidings, where the train would reverse, but it appeared the signaller may have had problems with this and so the 37's coupled up whilst we were sat in Didcot Parkway station. Once completed, we proceeded into the sidings before the 37603 + 37604 took us northwards, 10 minutes late (47805 being left on the rear of the train).

We were allowed a 26 minute pathing stop, but having arrived 13 minutes down, we waited just 15 minutes before continuing our journey. The remainder of the journey to York was fairly uneventful. We were early at Masborough Junction so had to wait 12 minutes for our path onwards, then were held outside York whilst 'Tangmere' was removed from its charter (apparently not having enough coal to take the tour to Scarborough and back, the honours being left to a 47).

At York the 37's ran round (leaving 47805 dead inside) and took us on a run out to Hull and back, taking in some rare curves. The timing for the latter part of this mini-tour was rather generous and arrival back at York was 25 minutes early.

The tour is caught passing Hessle Road Jn (photo: Alan Sheppard)

...and again just after Boothferry Park (photo: Alan Sheppard)

Again the 37's ran round but departure south was 10 minutes late. This lateness remained until we ground to a halt between Masborough and Beighton. Apparently we had hit a bike on the track. This required the loco, stock, track etc. to be inspected and BT Police and a couple of other bods turned up to investigate. This incident meant we were then running 45 minutes late, which is how things remained until Foxhall sidings. Here the 37's were swiftly uncoupled and we reversed and were on our way behind 47805 just 22 minutes down. The schedule for the remainder of the journey was very generous. In the morning we had 20 minutes to do Winchester to Basingstoke, but on the return we were allocated 59 !!!! This included a 29 minute wait in Wallers Ash loop. Needless to say this wasn't required and despite being held outside Eastleigh, we arrived 10 minutes early.

All in all an enjoyable albeit long day. I hope it won't be as long before the next tour. Just waiting for 55022 to return to action.

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from David Ross & Nigel Benning)

Timings continue in first table.

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