The Atlantic Coast Express 5th-8th September 2014

Well it was still in plastic the last time I was there when I travelled on the Duchy on 7th July, haven't been there since.

 

To be fair, most of the still open stations between Salisbury and Exeter are pretty well intact, although modernised. As a lover of country stations, I particularly like Tisbury and Whimple, but the others are very nice, too. On the whole, they are staffed, too. It must be the civilising influence of the Southern surviving, despite the WR take-over.

John

 

Hope you enjoy your trip, Al. Especially after Tornado's wonderful performance on Bank Holiday Monday, I hope that the climb of Honiton doesn't turn out to be disappointing.

 

Just one day to go now before that famous anniversary! I imagine Al is busy getting packed today. LOL!

52 years ago today I was on the down ACE. 35014, 11 cars and Salisbury's Driver Clissold. A nice unchecked run almost 2 minutes inside schedule with a max of around 88 mph approaching Andover.

I came back on the ACE from Salisbury with the famous Saunders/Young combination also from Salisbury MPD. Just kept schedule but with a very long and severe tsr around Hurstborne. 35022 on 10 cars. Around 90mph max in the Byfleet area, and just a few seconds over 40 minutes from passing Basingstoke to stopping at Waterloo. In those days the ACE crews in particular took a very relaxed view on the then 60mph limit in from New Malden!

 

If, as expected, there's a diesel at the back, it will presumably at least need to propel itself up Honiton, and it's likely to do somewhat more. That COULD mean that we have a fast run up the bank, with Tangmere flat out as well. Or it could mean that the steam crew take it easy.

 

It'll be interesting at Exeter for Monday's return leg. A banker (hopefully steam) will be used between Exeter SD to Exeter Central.
I'm looking forward to that. <BJ>

 

Selfish question as I'm only taking photos, but does anyone know, please, whether 34046 will lead 5029 or vice versa between Exeter and Penzance and back? 34046 is stated first on uk steam info, so maybe it will lead; I wouldn't mind knowing for sure.

John

 

And some of the closed stations are still easy to pick out a well eg Milborne Port and Seaton Junction

Don

 

Nowt selfish in taking photos. IMHO.

Off the top, I reckon the gwr loco will lead as it may need to show the SR loco this strange route from Exeter to Plymouth.

Just checked back in my 1964 timetable to see the real route from Exeter to Plymouth, and it is amazing how many towns down there were named after Bulleid pacifics.

 

I'm told that 34046 should be leading on Friday. That's the plan...

 

Was wondering the same thing myself. I suspect that as it's a commemoration of a Southern train, the Southern loco will lead, and this seems to be confirmed at least for the outward run.

 

That's why the light pacific were called by the Southern Railway the West Country class. Wake up at the back

 

I think that brother Yeti was being funny, as is his way......... which came first chicken or egg...

Don

 

Presumably 37.706 and on the back. Do class 37 gricers count the mileage though?

Hope the day goes well Al. Keep us up to speed if you can and make sure that stop watch is in good order

Don

 

12 +47 tangers looking fine hope 47 keeps its nose out of todays run!

 

or both together...

 

In the beginning OVS Bulleid created his pacifics. But the land all around them was formless and void. So he created towns, and called them after his pacifics. Exeter, Plymouth, Bere Alston, Crediton, Okehampton and many others. And he liked what he had done.


PS. I have deep rooted Christian beliefs, but in my life long relationship with the Good Lord I do use my humour, and I do believe that he may not always accept that, but he understands that it is part of me. I hope and pray that he does forgive me for my humour and that no one is offended by it.