21st April 2018

Hastings Diesels Ltd
The West Norfolk Wanderer

Route : 
1Z30 : Hastings to Kings Lynn
1Z31 : Kings Lynn to Hastings

Notes : 
(1) John Clifford comments: I joined this tour at Bromley South. At Longhedge Jn we were held briefly to let the 08.29 Clapham Junction - Dalston Junction pass. At Willesden High Level Junction there was a further stop to let the 08.15 Stratford - Richmond go across our path. Once away and onto the Hertford Loop we caught up the 08.49 Moorgate - Stevenage after Crews Hill. This also accounted for the signal stop before Hertford North. We were held at Langley South Jn to await the 10.04 Stevenage - Moorgate (the return working of the 08.49 above) which has to run over the down line to Langley South Jn. After the 10.04 had passed we continued, using the new flyover north of Hitchin. There were two stops at Cambridge, one on the through line, the other at Platform 4. Arrival at Kings Lynn was a minute early. 
For the return journey we were booked to make the short journey to Middleton Towers and back which was accomplished without problem. Reversal was made at the former station. Kings Lynn was left early and continued thus but resulted in being held at Ely North Jn, since there was a pick-up stop at Ely. At Downham we passed the 14.44 Kings Cross - Kings Lynn which was running 19 minutes late due to a signal problem between Welwyn North and Knebworth. A signal stop outside Cambridge was made to let the 17.29 Cambridge - Kings Cross leave platform 8, at which we were due to make our call. A pathing stop was due to be made at Royston to let the 16.54 Kings Lynn - Kings Cross pass (the return working of the 14.44 ex Kings Cross mentioned above) but as it was late we made only a brief call and continued. Surprisingly we were put onto the fast line at Hitchin and then onto the slow line at Digswell. A further stop outside Welwyn Garden City allowed the 17.19 Peterborough - Kings Cross go ahead. We were booked to follow the 18.33 Welwyn Garden City - Moorgate so having been allowed into Welwyn Garden City station we sat there and watched as the 18.33 left and then followed it (as booked) to Alexandra Palace. The rest of my return journey was accomplished without problem and I left the train at Kensington Olympia. I understand that the return journey ran via Penge East instead of Catford and that the train reached Hastings 18 minutes early.
(2) Route confirmation required.

Source : John Clifford (joined the outward leg at Bromley South, returned to Kensington Olympia)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford & Realtime Trains)

Associated E.C.S. Workings

5Z30 : (1001) : St Leonards Depot to Hastings
5Z31 : (1001) : Hastings to St Leonards Depot

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