15th September 2007

Railway Touring Company
The Atlantic Coast Express

Route:
1Z82 : London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
1Z83 : Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo

Notes:
(1) 35518 only in consist when 34067 was hauling the train.
(2) 67015 on rear.

Source : John Clifford (on the train throughout)

Tour Review
(by John Clifford)

When this tour was first advertised it was to steam hauled by 34067 from Waterloo to Exeter St Davids. The return was to be diesel back to Yeovil Junc, then 34067 to Waterloo. Because of the problem with the A30 bridge near Sherborne & because Network did not have a path for steam over the route it was altered to steam Waterloo - Westbury & back & diesel Westbury - Exeter - Westbury.

On the day there was some good running but a stop was made near mp123 between Salisbury & Westbury as a bird had flown between the engine & train & has dislodged one the pipes. Cautious running ensued to Westbury.

The return from Exeter was delayed due to a late running Exmouth train being allowed ahead. An extra stop had been arranged for Exeter Central but confusion reigned as the staff at Central said they knew nothing of it causing some passengers to make a quick journey back to St Davids. We slowed for both Hewish & Crewkerne crossings after a stop at Chard Junction suggesting a signalling problem. The departure from Westbury was also delayed to allow a Southampton train to go ahead & by a freight train shunting. The engine slipped before Upton Scudamore bank so a slow plod to the summit ensued. However, some brisk running allowed the train to be only slightly late back.

Finally, the train was named in commemoration of the train which ran until 1964 from Waterloo to several destinations in Devon & Cornwall. The comment was that it did not reach the Atlantic nor did we see any Coast. It was certainly an Express!

John Clifford

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

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