RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26

That looks like a nice long day behind Clan Line @Big Al and I obviously hope it goes well.

But not for me these days. A very long day, confined in what I imagine will be MK2 stock, and I suppose the best timings RTC could get for a train they call the Atlantic Coast Express.

Slow line from Woking to Bas with a presumed water stop at Winchfield is a shame, but I assume there won't be a helper on the back. Unless fire risk rears its head again.

Best section seems to be Bas-Sals and return. A chance of an even time start to stop on the down?

Anyway it's 35028 out of Waterloo in 2026 so that has to be good.

For me, I shall go back to my pre-asteroid dinosaur days with my timing log of the best down ACE run I ever timed. 35028 of course! No helper and no water stop at Winchfield - passed at just under 80 mph.

Bryan

 

There will be a Diesel on the back, required with the MK2 coaches. I don't expect it to do much though.

 

I wouldn't describe a 7AM departure and a 10PM return as "marathon" to be honest. That's a fairly civilised length railtour. I've done ones which were 5AM departure, back at 1AM!

 

Shorter than a CME from Euston and looking at the timings for the Swanage Belle this week a similar length on that for the support crew who of course have to go to and from Southall.

 

I think that's the difference between marathon and ultra marathon, quite honestly.

 

I would say 07:00 to 22:00 would now be regarded a "standard length" railtour.

 

I'm aware. That doesn't stop it also being a marathon.

 

A marathon or not is irrelevant, the stock may be wrong and there will be no stops to drop off the any through coaches on the way but let’s just be grateful that in the 21st century a Merchant Navy will depart Waterloo on a journey where two thirds of the trip will be on the route of the original train. Apart from the Belmond Pullman back from Dover when the engine carries the Golden Arrow Regalia is this must be unique. Well done RTC and everyone else involved in planning it.