6th December 2016

Railway Touring Company
The Christmas Sussex Belle

Route : 
1Z70 : London Victoria to Eastbourne
1Z71 : Eastbourne to London Victoria

Notes: 
(1) 47802 on rear.
(2) 45407 + 44871 on rear.
(3) John Clifford comments: This tour was originally advertised as being hauled by 70013 'Oliver Cromwell', but as this engine was not ready two Black 5s were substituted. On the day there had been a damaged steam pipe on one of the engines. This was repaired but the empty coaches arrived late at London Victoria. Consequently there was a late start. There was a strike on Southern so there was little to impede our progress, at least on the outward journey. We ran on the fast line from Pouparts Jn to Selhurst instead of the slow line. The lateness of nearly an hour became just over 20 minutes by the time that we passed Redhill. The remainder of the lost time was mostly recovered by the train not going into the sidings at Eastbourne. The engines were serviced in platform 3 there. On the return journey we caught up a light loco after Robertsbridge. (It had been onto the Rother Valley line there to test clearances). There was a check at Strawberry hill Tunnel to let the 15.15 Charing Cross - Hastings come down. By omitting the diversion via Stewarts Lane Jn we reached London Victoria a few minutes early.

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & actual)
(from John Clifford)

 
Associated E.C.S. Workings

5Z70 : (47802 with 45407 + 44871 on rear) : Southall to London Victoria
5Z72 : (47802 with 45407 + 44871 on rear) : London Victoria to Southall

5Z71 : (47802 with 45407 + 44871 on rear) : Eastbourne to Eastbourne Signal EB501
5Z71 : (44871 + 45407 with 47802 on rear) : Eastbourne Signal EB501 to Eastbourne
(cancelled as engines were serviced in Eastbourne platform 3)

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