2nd November 1985

Enfield Expeditions Club
The Rose of Picardy
(French Discovery Tour No.1)

DMUs Used XBD4711 + XR8708 Caravelle two car autorails

Route :

DMUs Route
as listed Boulogne Maritime (12.40) - Noyelles - Amiens (14.00)
as listed Amiens (14.05) - Vignacourt - Doullens (1) (15.25)
as listed Doullens (15.30) - Vignacourt - Amiens (16.50)
as listed Amiens (18.01) - Noyelles - Boulogne Maritime (19.15)

Notes :
(1) The former station (still extant), not the actual end of the line (a few kilometres further east) Short and sweet track bash to SNCF St.Roche - Doullens branch. The tour included reserved seats on the boat train to Folkestone Harbour, Channel cruise (Queen Elizabeth II was not available on the day) aboard MV Vortigern Sealink service to Boulogne [sur Mer] Maritime and cross platform interchange with the charter train. All very civilised with people allowed to spend the afternoon in Amiens rather than 5 minutes in Doullens. er.Thanks but no thanks. The civilised interchange of transport was supposed to have worked in reverse but two days prior to the jolly to Doullens, BR had decided to withdraw the Boat Train that should have connected with MV Vortigern's return. Bustitution was the penalty for an otherwise enjoyable day.

Source : Andy Pullar

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