RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26

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

 

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.

 

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

 

I was on three runs that week all good but was at work that day

 

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

 

That would have required DL assistance

 

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

Bryan

 

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

 

35028 Clan Line was motive power for The Railway Touring Companys Atlantic Coast Express which ran on the 23rd May. The train began at London Waterloo and ran to Exeter via Honiton. The return was via Bristol and Salisbury. The train is seen at Rewe on the return to London.

 

As the ACE was running out of course, all sorts of unexpected pathing issues were thrown up.
The ACE was booked via Basingstoke platform 4 but that was occupied by 5L85 21+31 Barton Mill CS - Waterloo additional empties from 2132 to 2139. The signaller ran the ACE to platform 3 to save it being held outside and having to use a low speed crossover at Worting Jn. As the route was set in advance the signaller probably decided on that move at about 2125 before the ECS had even left Barton Mill CS.
This is one example at a location with plenty of options. In many areas there are no alternatives for a plan B in case of late running, which explains the situation between Bristol and Salisbury.
From Salisbury correct regulation practice was followed with priority given to on time trains. Yes it would have been possible for the ACE to depart three minutes behind the 2052 to Waterloo but thereby delaying the 2056 to Southampton and Romsey. It would have been worse for the ACE which would have stopped or severely checked at Laverstock N Jn due to the long block section towards Porton.

This is all unofficial from looking at Traksy on the evening and RTT and experience in train planning.

Cheers. Neil

 

With Clan Line hauling the ACE on Saturday it reminded me of this post from 2009.https://www.national-preservation.c...my-story-of-the-atlantic-coast-express.19509/