The Atlantic Coast Express 5th-8th September 2014

I know this is still 15 months away, but it looks like a cracking tour! Will be interesting to see what Southern engines will be on this - 35028 and 34046 will probably be in mind, but can't work out where the other Bulleid pacific will come from?

I don't think 34067 can do it as it is a WCRC operated locomotive and 34027 is not going onto the main line immediately when it returns from overhaul (or at all?!). Still, it is a mouth watering tour in my books - will definitely be seeing this! The tour around the branch lines of Cornwall sound particularly interesting.

http://steamdreams.com/Executables/...r=71531&Route=1&Adults=2&Children=0&Infants=0

James at SVN

 

When it was originally announced on the CE trips some time ago 35027 was mentioned as the the other Loco for this Multi day tour. Don't know if that still applies though as I don't know how the overhaul is progressing.

 

I'm going to be very fussy about this one!

But for me the 50th anniversary of the last steam ACE really needs a MN to take the train on a decent schedule out of Waterloo. At least non stop to Salisbury. And that month is usually part of 35028's annual maintenance period?

Plus all the other uncertainties that have arisen over motive power this year.

For me it would be a total disaster if 60163 was in between it's boiler renewals/overhauls and brake overhauls etc and was the only loco available. Or an A4 or a Black Five etc etc. Or a long drawn out schedule to Salisbury with slow line running and a water stop on the way.

Just booking myself on it I'd risk the £299. And just not turn up and waste the money if a MN, or indeed any Bulleid wasn't doing the bulk of the running, especially that first leg.

But the email group of oldies I am in might want a group booking, and I don't want to be organising that and then feel obliged to go on the train with non Bulleid locos.

It may be that I'll do nothing. And just keep my wonderful memories of those last months of the ACE in 1964. When by pure luck I had a full week in each direction from/to Waterloo with Fred Hoare driving. Plus a fair few other runs.

Got to think hard about this!

 

As its Steam Dreams could they get 35028 if the plan is to have a Merchant? She went down to Okehampton on the Cathedrals Explorer alright. Can't see either 35018 or 35027 being ready by then plus 35018 will be WCRC operated. Has any work actually been done to 35027 since she moved to Bury? Not heard of anything.

 

Yes Al, I hadn't thought about the departure time ex Waterloo. For such a trip, ie over several days, I would guess the majority of the clients likely to book wouldn't want a pre 07.00 start!

Oh well, back to my 1964 logs!

 

Given the recent co-operation between Steam Dreams and SWT I'd be very surprised if its not a non stop path via Wimbledon. 0955 has been done before so I reckon its likely to be something very special.

With 35028 the obvious choice is it really so difficult for a small amendment to maintenance plans? It's running up until 31/8 for Steam Dreams this year so hardly a massive change to get to 5/9/14.

SG

 

Hopefully 35028 can be made available.

The 09.55 path last year included a water stop at Overton. We were 5 late leaving London and had to stop at Earlsfield to deal with a tail lamp still on the front of the loco, thus avoiding any significant checks from the semi fast Salisbury train that left Waterloo ahead of us. That gave us an overall time of around 98 minutes to Salisbury including the water stop and other checks.

Staying with an 09.55 departure from Waterloo it's hard to see how we could be into Salisbury much inside 90 minutes non stop, as I think there are some quite long signalling sections after Worting Junction? I can remember an 86 minute net time on the down ACE when Driver Terry had dreadful steaming problems, "the fire fell in" were his words as they were using brickettes. And that 86 minute net time run was dreadfully slow! My worst ever on that route.

So it would need very considerable help from SW Trains and others to get a decent schedule non stop schedule to Salisbury.

 

It is also doing a VSOE on the 11/9.

 

Let us not forget, however, that Steam Dreams appear to have a very good relationship with South West Trains. The return to London on the 9/7 Cathedrals Express last year was absolutely incredible, largely because of the non-stop run from Eastleigh. We all have fond memories of that trip, and that was with the help of SWT.

As Brian correctly has said, there are very long sections after Worting. Back in April on the RTC ACE trip, 34067 caught the preceding stopping service at Andover on the outward and was braking (this being despite the service train having left some 15 minutes beforehand). Normally though, excursions go rattling through Andover as that line is used very little. I understand that the line is going to be upgraded in the not-too-distant future to cope with the increase in freight traffic along that line (reducing pressure on the SW main line).

James at SVN

 

I'm still not booked on it Al. I'd probably come along for old times sake and accept Tangy instead of 35028, even with a stop on the way to Salisbury.

But it's at the end of the Short-eared Owl breeding season, or to be more accurate dispersal time for this years young. And after missing most of three complete breeding seasons, (Owls, not Yetis), due to lack of help/a low level of breeding, I have at last found a Raptor Group who are helping me with that vital part of the work for my book. So their help has to be an absolute priority for me at present.

But if I do get as much done as I can this year before the ACE I may go begging SD to find a ticket to sell me for at least to and from Salisbury.................

 

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/...rmed-.html?soid=1101451404780&aid=9K6mSKkWwfE

No steam-hauled Cornish Branchlines trip...

James

 

Was looking forward to seeing an 8F tackle the cornish branches. ah well.

 

Hmm. A shame, but not a great surprise. Never mind, with the B&W gala and both the Torbay and Royal Duchy tours booked to run on Sunday, it's still worth a weekend in the South West. My guess is that, with Britannia and Braunton working the ACE to/from Penzance, Nunney Castle will be rostered for The Torbay Express, while Tangmere will work the Royal Duchy between London-Exeter legs.

I wonder if St Blazey TT will be working? It could be quite a busy place on Sunday 7th, with 70000 & 34046 on shed, and 34067 calling in to turn and service!

 

could be 70013 on the dutchy or 44932

 

most likely to be 70013 on the Dutchy as Tangmere is working the London to Exeter and return legs of the ACE, shame about the branch lines, but Ray did tell me some time ago that the 8F trips would be a non starter, he also thinks that the two engines on the ACE will probably come up to Laira to turn, and of course Tangmere will also need to turn.

 

What no class 47 or 33 involved on the main line sections. That's a shame. Shan't book now.

Don

 

thats twice now the 8f over banks in the south west hasn't happened,