The Atlantic Coast Express 5th-8th September 2014

13.59

Now pulling into Exeter Central 52 years ago today behind 35014. Not bad. We’ve caught up the 137 minute start that todays “express” had on us, with that back near Chard Junction at present. Fingers crossed it gets over Honiton OK.

We had a good run from Salisbury, knocking over a minute off the 74 minute schedule to Sidmouth Junction. From where we would have been on time except for a short signal check outside Exeter Central. But still just inside 3 hours from London. A lovely ACE run. But not one I though I would be savouring so much 52 years later!

 

[QUintoTE="Greenway, post: 940339, member: 2833"]I believe they said this morning that the BBC folks would be on the train. Luckily it is my preferred local news station.[/QUOTE]
43 in to tunnel top of honiton 47 working as hard as tangmere rather sad! Oh well should be grateful we still have steam of a sort maybe castle and wc will show what steam alone can still do!

 

Bit unfair on Tangy if she has been coping with bad coal or for any other reason why she hasn't steamed well today. Need to get the actual story on that before commenting further.

 

If the crew have had time to bring Tangy's fire round a bit, and the 47 is turned off, there is the chance of an even time run onto Exeter if the road is clear all the way!

There is just the possibility of a very fast start from Honiton down the grades, use the momentum up the short stretch of 1/100 and then it's mainly downhill to Broad Clyst.

PS. Oh no. Just remembered the 75 mph limit! LOL. Been reading too many logs from the past today. Would need something more than 75 mph for an even time run over that section.

 

Brilliant!

Don

 

Ah a quick 90 down through those trees at Broad Clyst, as happened so many times on the real ACE.

Don

 

15.23

I had time for a very nice BSW, (Bacon Sarnie Wench), 52 years ago at Exeter Central, and back to the platform to photograph the Z class tanks on banking duty. And, what’s this arriving at 15.23? Good heavens, it’s an express train from London that left 6 hours and 44 minutes ago.

Had stayed on my first train of the day, the 07.20 all stations from Woking. Changed at Salisbury and waited 48 minutes for the 10.54 departure, itself a slow train calling at most stations after Templecombe, I would have got to Exeter in 5 hours and 48 minutes from London, almost an hour quicker than using todays re-creation of the past!

Oh well, there is always the UKRT 95 minute non stop Waterloo-Salisbury train next weekend.

And now a couple of photos I took at Exeter Central 52 years ago after my run down on the real ACE:-







http://www.germansteam.co.uk/1962/W Z/14-30955.jpg

 

OK now Al?

If you get the chance to speak to Ray Churchill, please could you tell him that I am driving to Bristol specially on Sunday to sample his handling of Tangers and I don't want to see any diesel anywhere near the train. Also the Dainton record is there for the taking.

Thanks

Don

 

Today's run was not so good but let's not rub it in. Hopefully the 2nd half of the run will make up for it. <BJ>

 

I am on my way to my parents from my home in the West Country today and inexplicably forgot to check the steam movements. (Or I may have hung around longer!) I did remember before we passed Tanmere looking rather smart at Yeovil Junction though and was looking out albeit minus the camera. I was rather surprised at the ease with which she departed but then the box humming along on the back explained that! Still she had all the people on my service train looking and admiring which was good to see

I'm pleased to hear there is some media on the train today, I hope that despite it not being the trip that was perhaps hoped for, it still gets some good press and perhaps paves the way for a better planned one in the future.

I know today was supposed to be all about commemorating the ACE and the length of the run is a big part of that but perhaps next time, and given the busy modern railway, it would be wiser to do less distance and put more focus on good timings? Ie the ACE London to Exeter. Or how about a four day tour with overnights in Exeter both ways and Plymouth. Giving lots of time for other lines/tours of cities to be fitted in as well as possible fast running on shorter more manageable journeys.

I hope today's train goes well though, and despite all its problems I would love to be on it rather than on this unimaginative thing I'm currently sat on (with the majority of the seats facing backwards?!). I am hopeing to be back for the return on Monday. I've never seen steam up the bank in Exeter so I am likely to be found on the bridge over central to witness that, even in the absence of a couple of Z class 0-8-0T on the back!

In the meantime I will have to content myself to sit here and enjoy KentYeti's posts, what a superb record/memory you have sir! I wonder if my Dad watched your ACE come into Exeter Central all those years ago, I shall ask him later!

 

Cant compete with that as I am afraid to say that on that date I was in Scotland bashing A4s.

But here is one of my favourite shots from 1964. Charlie Hopgood on 35028 on the down ACE at Salisbury.

Don

 

erdon, post: 940483, member: 20534"]Cant compete with that as I am afraid to say that on that date I was in Scotland bashing A4s.

But here is one of my favourite shots from 1964. Charlie Hopgood on 35028

 

No. No intention whatsoever to rub it in. Out of respect for the crews who sound like they may have had a rough trip on Tangy. And because Big Al at least from Nat Pres was on board.

All my comments were pre-written as they took a lot of research through my old log books etc, so I just had to change times etc as relevant. And once Al made his, "precious" comment I went back and took a lot out that may have impacted significantly on his enjoyment.

But I left the final comment on my own ACE run 52 years ago today as that was still factually correct and very important to me. But I did take out other comments that went with that one as per the above paragraph.

Back to Al, go for it now! Pure steam to Plymouth for you all.

 

Here is a report on the BBC website. Have a look at the video of old footage. Interesting sound effects. The Merchant Navy sounds a lot like a Black 5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-29067925

 

15 early Plymouth. How was that AL?

Don

 

Thanks Al. Enjoy the rest of the run and hopefully a nice late evening when you get to Penzance.

And enjoy a day off tomorrow!

 

Done a post looking at todays anniversary and included a photo of Tangmere on her run today. By all accounts she put in a memorable performance

http://locoyard.com/2014/09/05/the-atlantic-coast-express-50-years-on/

 

Tangmere has now arrived at Bristol after being towed by a class 47 diesel. <BJ>