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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.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Times for this marathon steam trip are below. I say marathon because if you are travelling from Waterloo you get 12 hours behind Clan Line. That's a very long day for the support crew even before you add the extra work at either end of the trip. One of the greatest day trips with steam that's out there, but I am a tad biased.

    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U83110/2026-05-23/detailed
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U83113/2026-05-23/detailed
     
    Big Al, May 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
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  2. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    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

    upload_2026-5-18_10-0-37.png
     
    The Gricing Owl, May 18, 2026 at 10:03 AM
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  3. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions Member

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    There will be a Diesel on the back, required with the MK2 coaches. I don't expect it to do much though.
     
    Alex Productions, May 18, 2026 at 10:14 AM
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  4. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    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!
     
    NathanP, May 18, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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  5. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    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.
     
    Gladiator 5076, May 18, 2026 at 11:52 AM
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  6. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think that's the difference between marathon and ultra marathon, quite honestly.
     
    35B, May 18, 2026 at 11:53 AM
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  7. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I would say 07:00 to 22:00 would now be regarded a "standard length" railtour.
     
    Gladiator 5076, May 18, 2026 at 11:56 AM
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  8. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm aware. That doesn't stop it also being a marathon.
     
    35B, May 18, 2026 at 12:08 PM
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