October 15th 1966

As we approach this date 48 years on, I make no excuse for reminding those who were around and those who were not of what happened on that autumn Saturday in the south of England that stands out as one of those days to remember for followers of Bulleid performance. It was modestly billed as a round trip to Exeter from Waterloo via Salisbury and Westbury where we would reverse. But the clue was in the load - only 8 - as it was intended to be a day taken on the run, and so it proved. A Merchant Navy with only 280 or so tons behind the tender was bound to produce something interesting although we would have to live with the TSRs in place linked to the electrification of the line.

The short version of what happened is:

Leg 1 - Waterloo to Salisbury in 79½ min or 71½ net. The legendry Bert Hooker was determined to beat the 80 min ACE timing with 35023 even though he had two nasty TSRs to contend with before Woking and at Hook of all places. This meant that despite running well into the eighties before the first TSR (and then topping MP31 at 71) and still accelerating in the mid eighties as we approached the second, our passing time at Worting was over 4 minutes outside of the ACE schedule. However the final leg to Salisbury was run in 25 min v 30 - that's an average speed of 80 mph pass to stop. How did he do it?

Well, we didn't drop below 80 after passing Oakley. We went through Overton in the high eighties, hit 92 around Whitchurch, flew over Hurstbourne viaduct at 95, bounced over Enham at 89 and then touched 102 before sweeping through Andover Junction at a ton. A momentary drop to 80 over Grateley and then 98 down Porton before a sedate three minute entry from Tunnel Junction.

Leg 2 - Salisbury to Westbury. A quick sprint in 29½ min including a TSR, running in the seventies.

Leg 3 - Westbury to Exeter. 35026 now in charge with Driver Parsons through to Salisbury. With due deference to the railway we were now on, things were just a little more sedate but not as leisurely as the schedule (thoughtfully?) given to us by the Western Region. Clearly they had forgotten that it was a Southern Pacific up front. So through Taunton in two minutes inside even time and seven early. Drifted over Whiteball at 55 and despite two TSRs down the other side we came to a stand at a signal outside of St Davids a couple of min outside of even time but were still ten early into the station.

Leg 4 - Exeter Central to Salisbury. We were booked 95 min for the 88 or so miles non stop. This was reeled off in a little over 83 minutes including a signal check at Sidmouth Junction that cost us a couple of minutes. You do have to remind yourself of the rollercoaster ride that this line provides but unlike today, if you get the train rolling then quite a lot is possible. Starting away from the signal check at Sidmouth Junction/Feniton we were over the top of Honiton at 50, then 80 in the dip and momentarily below 70 at Hewish before taking Yeovil Junction at 85. It was only at Semley that we dropped below 60 en route to Salisbury.

Leg 5 - Salisbury to Waterloo. Back with 35023 and Driver Kelly. This was impressive for a different reason. TSRs at Allington, Hook (again) and New Malden plus a severe signal check beyond Wimbledon yet we just managed an even time run - around 73½ net.... and a right time arrival at Waterloo!
Speeds? Yes, we were quick. Over Grateley at 60 despite the 20 TSR on Porton bank. The high eighties down through Andover and nothing below eighty between Farnborough and Surbiton. 91 near Brookwood. Cruising speed seemed to be 85.

An amazing day with the actual running time inside even time for the whole distance travelled. Quite remarkable. Yes, the load was light but not untypical of LNER and LMS high speed runs. The only difference is that they were in the 1930s and this was in 1966 in the twilight of Southern steam and on a network that in parts was like a building site. Glad I was there.