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RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, May 17, 2026.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Different attitude outbound contrasted with the return. Different drivers at the back and that tells the story. But to be fair, they knew it was a Class 8 up front not a Class 5 when it seems that all you get is power applied at each end and there is an obvious reason for that.

    On a day like yesterday you could understand if the crew on the footplate asked for a quiet time but that wasn't the case outbound and I have to say the running home was quite subdued. Barely touched 70 on the Somerset Levels and even if you allow for signallers playing trains up from BAS everyone seemed happy with mid sixties even though we were late.

    By the way, final signalling rant. For no reason, because nothing passed us all the way to London, we were switched to the slow line at Winchfield and then back onto the main leaving Woking. And we were slowed early on the approach to Clapham and went through P7, because everything that stops does so, when we could have easily gone through via P8. Four minutes dropped on the schedule because of all that. Don't you just love inappropriate computer control?
     
    Big Al, May 24, 2026 at 12:38 PM
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  2. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    Thanks @Big Al

    Up to now on this thread I've mentioned the BAS-SALS section twice as one I singled out for a potential good run. A potential even time start to stop and one which, on the train without a diesel in the consist, could just possibly have had me drive to Woking, catch a service train to BAS and then, having paid the full railtour fare, join the tour just from BAS to SALS. I could have masked up etc just for that section. But I hadn't realised/remembered that MK 2 stock needs the diesel until it was mentioned earlier on this thread. So I'm very glad I didn't do all of that.

    But you and I both know that 61 mph at Battledown Summit from a Basingstoke start meant a big shove from the 47. Especially seeing the way 35028 was gently purring along from the video. And maybe the 69 mph over Grateley was the same? No way is that comment aimed at the crews. It is always 100% up to them how they operate the trains - and not me. And it was really great to see the 47 seemingly switched off on the approach to Honiton Tunnel.

    It would have been great to have timed a pure steam, fast time BAS-SALS section behind 35028 in 2026. For my notoriously very narrow focus that would have been worth the cost and effort, and perhaps re-opened the door to some limited main line SR timing again. But it does look very much like I can now close the chapter on my SR main line steam timing activities that started in 1960.

    And did anyone on the train yesterday have any concerns at all about if and where the 47 was working? None whatsover I would guess!

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, May 24, 2026 at 1:20 PM
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  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    As I said, nobody could hear unless they went to stand in a vestibule at an open window. And, FYI, I think that, even though it is not permitted to stand in a vestibule area at an open window, subject to a steward agreeing on an individual basis, it may be ok as you are in a safe space. Of course, you mustn't look out and why should you? It is possible on some stock on the main line so why not on a charter?

    However I digress and no new 'can of worms' please!
     
    Big Al, May 24, 2026 at 2:31 PM
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  4. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    Here's my footage of Clan Line putting in a stellar performance on the Atlantic Coast Express yesterday. I filmed Clan Line at Baverstock, Seaton Junction on Honiton Bank, Ayshford and Upton Scudamore. I hope you enjoy it.
     
    AlexGWR1994, May 24, 2026 at 5:03 PM
    #64
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  5. TH Railway Videos

    TH Railway Videos Member

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    Rather late to the party, but for as much as all the hot locations from yesterdays trip has been widely covered I still hope my contributions still show what a great day it was to be behind the camera!
    Captured at Earlsfield, Monxton, Honiton Tunnel, Pinhoe, Ayshford, Upton Scudamore & Surbiton
     
    TH Railway Videos, May 24, 2026 at 6:09 PM
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  6. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    I was on three runs that week all good but was at work that day
     
    gricerdon, May 24, 2026 at 8:55 PM
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  7. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Remember there aren’t many of us left from those days bruv. Cherished memories indeed. I didn’t go either as my health isn’t up to it now
     
    gricerdon, May 24, 2026 at 9:03 PM
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  8. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    That would have required DL assistance
     
    gricerdon, May 24, 2026 at 9:21 PM
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  9. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member Friend

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    Yes indeed Don, and I understand it did get that.

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, May 24, 2026 at 9:42 PM
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  10. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    I think that some of the traffic regulation issues have been touched on in the Artificial Intelligence thread. The data is only as good as the input. That depends upon training.....
    The automatic route setting systems, as I understand, only really well work with WTT or altered WTT (VAR) trains. STP and VSTP working require someone to notice they are running and actually act on the information published on a special traffic notice or uploaded to TSDB. Clapham Jn Up Fast Loop is often forgotten for WTT non stop trains which should run via platform 8.

    Perhaps staffing levels have a lot to do with some of the issues mentioned. The days of Deputy Chief Controller and maybe 8 or 9 controllers and assistants for Wessex route for each shift are now a distant memory. With ARS, signalling posts have been cut to the bare minimum with little capacity to deal with incidents.

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Romsey, May 24, 2026 at 9:49 PM
    #70
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