RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26

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

 

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

Bryan

 

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!

 

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!

 

Maybe a new addit

Maybe a new addition to the Porterbrook portfolio?

 

Looks like 10, plus the class 47, so 13-ish equivalent.

 

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.

 

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.

 

If it wasn’t the money shot I won’t know what is! Unless Upton Scudamore later proves an equal highlight

 

23 late at Exeter - not disastrous.

 

For a moment I read "WC crew" as 'West Country crew' - i.e. only used to light pacifics!

 

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).

 

Looks like quite a bit of time lost already on the return.

 

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.

 

Not quite the spectacular assent from April 2024, but a fine effort on Upton Scudamore from (I assume) a standing start from Westbury

 

Two late depot departures for it today then - shame.

 

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