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RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, May 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM.

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  1. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    Thanks for the update Al, how many coaches is 35028 hauling please. Aaah, thanks to @Wagoniester it's 10 cars.

    It looks like the day is going well, fingers crosssed that continues.

    Some of the start to pass times look like some assistance from the rear. Not unexpected after a late start and, perhaps much more essential, on day two of the heatwave.

    I very much hope all on board have got some benefit from the aircon.

    Bryan
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2026 at 11:39 AM
    The Gricing Owl, May 23, 2026 at 11:19 AM
    #21
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Late running service trains......a nightmare.
     
    Big Al, May 23, 2026 at 11:31 AM
    #22
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  3. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    Blame the GWR @Big Al They started the destruction west of Salisbury in September 1964. :( The services coming first . . . . . .

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, May 23, 2026 at 11:41 AM
    #23
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  4. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    It's a good location for photography. I have taken the liberty of rewarding your extremely early rising with a colour-corrected version to remove the purple fringing - not a criticism, just a suggestion; hope it doesn't offend. I remember going there to film an 11.11 Armistice run years ago (in horribly dull conditions) and being challenged by security guards who, when we told them it was an 11.11 special, immediately relented and said carry on! Clan Line 9 Elms Jn (1).jpeg
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 11:48 AM
    #24
  5. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Was a late-running train the cause of the late ECS into Waterloo? Seems extremely unlucky to be caught by that so early on a Saturday morning!
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    #25
  6. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Maybe a new addit
    Maybe a new addition to the Porterbrook portfolio?:)
     
    Gladiator 5076, May 23, 2026 at 11:50 AM
    #26
  7. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Looks like 10, plus the class 47, so 13-ish equivalent.
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 11:51 AM
    #27
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  8. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

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    It was 9 late out of the depot first thing so I suspect that there was something there that held it up, but that's just speculation on my part.
     
    Wagoniester, May 23, 2026 at 11:59 AM
    #28
  9. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    OK. I know it's easy to say, but being late out of depot is seemingly a relatively common thing with tours - it's something that isn't affected by service problems so it's a great shame that it occurs as often as it does. I am not impugning the excellent work of the people involved in preparing trains but it just seems to be a problem that is/should be within the control of the railway. I suppose it is less of a problem to start late when heading out into a less-trafficked area where the domino effect fades away.
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 12:14 PM
    #29
  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Honiton Bank. The place to be. I hope the videos show that this was the crews at both ends of the train letting Clan Line do what it does best. 35 up the bank and 34 through the tunnel.
     
    Big Al, May 23, 2026 at 1:04 PM
    #30
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  11. TH Railway Videos

    TH Railway Videos Member

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    If it wasn’t the money shot I won’t know what is! Unless Upton Scudamore later proves an equal highlight
     
    TH Railway Videos, May 23, 2026 at 1:07 PM
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  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    You have to be in (on) it to win it as they say. So far today it has been a win.

    OK, there was a nudge up towards Tisbury as we had to get out of the way but that was more or less it in my view.

    Honiton was pure steam so I am reliably told and it felt like it. So good that the WC crew front and back trusted the loco they had to deliver. It is, after all, a Class 8 that is not what they normally get to contend with.

    So 10 for 360 gross plus 47802 up Honiton at a pretty steady 35 with a summit speed of 34 before being checked as the late running service train hadn't cleared Honiton.

    Good stuff.
     
    Big Al, May 23, 2026 at 2:36 PM
    #32
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  13. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    23 late at Exeter - not disastrous.
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 3:27 PM
    #33
  14. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    For a moment I read "WC crew" as 'West Country crew' - i.e. only used to light pacifics!
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 3:29 PM
    #34
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  15. Southern Gricer

    Southern Gricer New Member

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    As one would expect from the best main line performer (but I may be biased!)
    Had the pleasure of travelling on the 2022 ACE. That was pretty good run especially up Honiton and along the Somerset Levels.
    Am proud to be associated with the MNLPS (since 1967).
     
    Southern Gricer, May 23, 2026 at 5:51 PM
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  16. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Looks like quite a bit of time lost already on the return.
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 7:45 PM
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  17. AaronT

    AaronT Member

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    Late off Bristol East depot which unfortunately meant it ended up right behind 2O18, has lost time throughout since then. It'll be stuck behind it until Salisbury.
     
    AaronT, May 23, 2026 at 7:59 PM
    #37
  18. TH Railway Videos

    TH Railway Videos Member

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    Not quite the spectacular assent from April 2024, but a fine effort on Upton Scudamore from (I assume) a standing start from Westbury IMG_5763.jpeg
     
    TH Railway Videos, May 23, 2026 at 8:10 PM
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  19. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Two late depot departures for it today then - shame.
     
    Deepgreen, May 23, 2026 at 8:11 PM
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  20. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    It's now back on the main W of E line with a two stop schedule to Waterloo. Which was what some up West of England Expresses ran to - although that used to be Andover and Woking, not Bas and Wok.

    Maybe there'll be a chance of making up time - but it is a busy railway these days in from Worting Junction . . . . . . . . And there is 1L74 due off Saisbury to Waterloo at 20.52 to be held back for . . . ..

    Bryan
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2026 at 8:37 PM
    The Gricing Owl, May 23, 2026 at 8:32 PM
    #40
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