The Atlantic Coast Express 5th-8th September 2014

Right, 50 years ago today first, then something else from me.

Yesterday was the last day of the 80 minute schedule to Salisbury and then onto a 13.58 arrival at Exeter. Driver Sibley and an excellent run to Salisbury with 35022 on 13 cars for 470 tons. A signal stop outside of Waterloo then sustained good running. 70 over MP 31 and 71 over Grateley. Speed kept to the mid 80s for the max. A net time of 74 mins 30 secs to Salisbury.

But 50 years ago today there were four fast trains to Exeter as it was a summer Saturday still. 10.15, 10.35, 11.00 and 11.45 ex Waterloo. With the 11.00 still called the ACE, as was that at 10.35. Slower schedules, so the real magic ended on the 4th. We shall have to wait reports to see if there is any magic today.

But now it's 08.43. Tangers should be leaving Victoria, and I am going back 52 years to the day, when I also travelled on the down ACE from Waterloo. A weekday so the fast schedule to Exeter.

08.43

I can’t find my 1962 SR Timetable, but think most times from my 1964 timetable were still the same or quite close, so all my comments today as the run progresses do have a slight question mark over them as to the actual times 52 years ago. But I doubt they will impact much on the gist of what I am posting. And, for the avoidance of doubt , my comments are both a historical slant on today, plus quite a lot of my usual tongue in cheek humour.

My trip to Exeter 52 years ago today started a bit earlier than todays slow mixed traction train to the West, so what on earth have I to complain about with today’s non recreation one of the best steam hauled trains ever to run in the UK? Read on!

I was off from Waterloo at 07.20 behind original condition West Country Class 34006, Bude. A heavy train, 13 vehicles for 420 tons gross. And a stopping train too. Surbiton, Woking then all stations to Salisbury at 10.06. A long time, but quicker than todays “express”.

The 07.20 ex Waterloo was a time keeping run and I alighted at Basingstoke just as the SD current variety of express is leaving Victoria today.

But I was heading for Exeter, so why did I get off at Basingstoke? To find a BSW, (Basingstoke Serving Wench), perhaps? Although I am not sure there was a buffet at Basingstoke back then, so perhaps I just prowled up and down the platform like Yetis do.

 

I see from RTT it seems to have left Victoria on time, but no more times yet.

There is a rumour that the ghost of Sammy Gingell has got in front of the train and is telling it to go to Waterloo, "This is Victoria. The Night Ferry and the Golden Arrow are the crack trains from here, you belong at Waterloo with the Bournemouth Belle".

 

09.10


Maybe I had been in search of a Basingstoke Serving Wench all those years ago after I got off the Salisbury bound 07.20 from Waterloo, but also at about now, 09.10, I was boarding the 06.30 FROM Exeter! Behind 34108 Wincanton on 11 for 380 tons. Thankfully not thinking 52 years ahead as I would have been mighty confused to have thought of a re-created express to Exeter and beyond was near Chiswick at this time, and with a diesel loco on the back. Chiswick? Chiswick indeed. What, are they running the boat race today and are going to watch part of that? And as for that diesel, well that is the thing nightmares are made off.

 

Coal piled high in tangers tender so expecting her to do some hard work today

 

Many thanks for that. It means a 15/16 car train in 1964 money. Tangmere will need quite a lot of help at times with that load I think.

 

10.08

34108 ran well up from Basingstoke where I boarded the train 52 years ago, for an on time 58 minute run to Waterloo. Nothing exceptional, but a signal check and a severe tsr approaching Woking, plus signals in from Clapham meant the net time was just over 52 miniutes. Max speed in the low 70s. And oh, on the way up to Waterloo we met todays rattler at….. No. We didn’t meet it. It hadn’t even got onto the old SR main line west as we headed through West Byfleet. Around that time it was still out near Chertsey!

That was the West Byfleet as it was of course, before the great grass fire test of 2014 which saw it change for ever.

So, it’s 10.08 on 5th September 1962 and I’ve just arrived at Waterloo. NO nearer to Exeter then when I started my pure steam day at 07.20, but I have got two runs with just steam and over 95 miles of unadulterated steam haulage already today. And at the same time todays diesel nightmare train is at Woking. But, oh joy, it is at last on the old SR route now. Albeit on the slow line.

 

Some coverage about the ACE on the TV news this morning and going to be some more coverage on BBC S West regional news tonight. Available on Sky if you live anywhere in the UK - channel 967 (Spotlight at 18:30 to 19:00).

 

If they are accurate, some very interesting times on RTT after what looked like a check around Woking Junction. Either superb work by Tangmere on a very heavy load, or a lot of help from the 47.

 

11.00

11.00 and now comes the best bit of the day for me 52 years ago. The REAL Atlantic Coast Express. Merchant Navy class 35014, Nederland Line on 11 cars for 395 tons and driver Clissold of Salisbury at the controls. Off we go, but no, an immediate stop. Someone is late boarding, a BSW intent of catching a Yeti perhaps, (BSW here means a Brave Serving Wench), so me, being a bit back in the train and waiting to be caught, is still in the platform and records the second start as the real starting time as we now have our full load of passengers. Whilst Geoff Boxham, recording from the front coach thinks we have a signal stop just off the platform. Never mind. A one minute late start isn’t a problem, especially as todays slow train to Exeter has only just passed somewhere near Oakley.

 

Interesting that it is gentle Al. From RTT it looked like a stop just after leaving Woking, then a surprisingly fast time from a presumed Woking Junction restart to the Winchfield stop. 16 ½ mins from a presumed start or a very slow pass of Woking Junction to a stop at Winchfield, 15 miles, would be a superb time for a Light Pacific on 15/16 car equivalent. Have to assume maybe the RTT time for the Woking station start was wrong?

The Whitchurch to Grateley time doesn't make much sense either. 10¼ mins for 13.5 miles including most of the climb of Grateley would be incredible for a Light Pacific on 15/16 equiv!

Can't wait to hear what has been happening Al. And I can understand why it is so precious to you. I'm enjoying the day just by doing these notes and checking back old timetables and old timing logs.

 

That is very sad Al, and for such an important day as this. Just hope the crew can keep Tangy going OK to Exeter. Any fast running down the hills yet?

PS. Don't forget Al, face piles of trials with smiles. .

 

I believe they said this morning that the BBC folks would be on the train. Luckily it is my preferred local news station.

 

RTT is showing 7 early at Gillingham.
So it's either recovered or being shoved.

 

12.47

We had a quick water stop at Salisbury on the 5th all those years ago and were off on an unchecked run on to Sidmouth Junction with an Exmouth Junction crew now in charge of Nederland Line. As we raced though Gillingham at 12.47 and 86 mph a quick wave to some passengers enjoying their run behind Tangmers and in front of the 47………… to Exeter and beyond.

 

Couple of views then from Worting with 34067 working well then acknowledging the 66 in the second view on a very gloomy morning in Basingstoke:

 

the 47 sounded like it was working hard down hill, bearly a peep from tangmere

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tguppy37401/15146362732/ Tangmere sherborne