24th October 1999

Hertfordshire Rail Tours
The Quainton Clubman

Route :
1Z68 : London Marylebone to Quainton Road
1Z69 : Quainton Road - Oxford
1Z70 : Oxford - London Marylebone

Source : Gary Thornton (on train throughout)

Tour review
(by Gary Thornton)

One of my rare outings on a Sunday - this very reasonably priced offering from Hertfordshire Rail Tours (just £12.50) was to take a Class 168 "Chiltern Clubman" DMU from London to Oxford via Quainton (the home of the Buckingham Railway Centre). As I needed the stretch of freight track from Aylesbury to Claydon LNE Junction a ticket was duly purchased.

With an 11.05 departure from Marylebone and 11.26 from Gerrards Cross I had a decision to make as to how to get to the tour - by train to London for the whole day out or by car to Gerrards Cross (giving a later start and earlier arrival home). I awoke early in the morning to the sound of heavy rain - and it was quite windy too. Despite (or may be because of) the weather I decided to have an easy day out so opted for the rail option - Silverlink County getting my money instead of a petrol company. The 08.20 from Northampton was 321436 (not required for haulage) and I snoozed on the way to Euston, just stirring back into consciousness to score 66156, 66158 and 66160 between Wembley and Euston. Deltic D9000 was also lurking amongst the sheds at Wembley (returning after its Saturday outing on a railtour to Weymouth).

A walk to Marylebone (about 25 minutes) had me there in plenty of time for the tour and gave time to chat to a couple of friends who were there for the same reason. On the approach to 11am and up rolled an two 168 units - 005 and 001. I was pleased as 168005 is (err, was) my last one required for sight (though I still need two coaches of 168004 for sight). 168001 was uncoupled and left the station - our tour was to be formed of 005 on its own. The trip was reasonably well filled (especially considering this was the third such outing run over recent weeks) but passengers were spaced out in the carriages to give a little more comfort. Mind you, the 168 is a very comfortable unit and probably the best of all the Turbo classes - good seats with plenty of legroom and a reasonable ride too.

The outward journey to Quanton Road was via Princes Risborough and Aylesbury with little to comment on - except when we passed an EWS class 66 near South Ruislip and one passenger declared we had just passed the LT electric locomotive No.12 "Sarah Siddons". OK they are both a very similar colour, but.... After a short pause at Aylesbury we left the passenger network in favour of the freight only line towards Claydon LNE Junction where it meets the Oxford to Bletchley freight line. As we passed the Chiltern Trains depot at Aylesbury I was pleased to see 168004, so I scored the remaining two coaches and another class is now "dud" for sight. Part way along the freight line is the former station of Quainton Road - closed in 1963 but now the site of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. We had a two hour break here and, though I thought it might drag a bit, it was actually quite enjoyable (despite the frequent downpours!) as there was plenty to keep us occupied. Good job too as the 168 ran back to Aylesbury to allow the passage of a booked freight working.

As well as short rides behind 41708 (1880 built class 1F 0-6-0T kettle) there were rides on the miniature railway around a figure of eight circuit. There were two trains working on this track - one steam and the other a "Hymek" look-alike diesel (well, actually it sounded suspiciously like it was powered by a petrol lawn mower engine!). Several of us, all sane and mature adults, decided the Hymek look-alike just had to be done - so we parted with 50p each for the ride. It was a beast!! All it really wanted were a few more people aboard the two carriages (the type you sit astride) to really challenge the loco and increase the thrash.

The anticipated appearance of the "binliner" freight did not happen and our 168 reappeared a little before the booked departure time. We continued to Claydon LNE Junction where the train reversed direction and headed for Oxford. Here we had a short "leg stretching" break of about 20 minutes whilst the unit sat in the bay platform (no.3) and a few Thames Trains 165's and 166's came and went. A group of Thames Trains staff also appeared and gave the 168 the once over. They left saying it was a definite cut above their units!

The return to London was the reverse of the outward journey though we didn't stop at Quainton Road. Arrival back into Marylebone was even a couple of minutes early leaving me a leisurely walk back to Euston for the 19.37 back to Northampton (another dud 321 unit - 321417). Too dark to see much though 66071 (dud) was noted in Wembley Yard.

Verdict : A really good value day out.

Timings (Booked and Actual)

All distances, in miles and chains (M & C), are taken from the tour booklet. No attempt has been made to verify the mileages given.

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