16th August 2007

Kingfisher Railtours
Eastbourne Flyer I

Route:
1Z60 : Derby to Eastbourne
1Z61 : Eastbourne to Derby

Notes :
(1) Train reported as running approximately an hour late in each direction.

Sources : Michael Groves & David Garnett (joined at Derby, left at Long Eaton on the return)

Tour Review
(by David Garnett)

The Eastbourne Flyer had looked good from when first advertised, however the tour went from empty to full very quickly, so not deterred a phone call to Kingfisher obtained the response we are reconfiguring the Train to optimise demand. Translation - they had not sold all the first class dining so they were in the process of changing the coaches to standard., so two seats were soon obtained.

Having previously suffered parking at Derby both cost and traffic system, we opted for a drive to Long Eaton, the route planner indicated take the Nottingham turn off the M1 and the go straight forward. Not wishing to doubt the instructions we left with a good safety margin, arriving at Long Eaton with time to wander onto the Platform to see 37410 take the ECS to Derby. A quick consolation with the screen showed two possible connections for Derby, so ticket purchased, and boarded 170115 & 158783, no sooner on this than gripped without the chance to find a seat!

Arrival at Derby found 37410 on the wrong end of the stock and Derby littered with freight, ECS and passenger trains a quick review of the notebook shows from the Edge of the Technical Centre/aka Fragonset/Serco or whatever its called to Derby station recorded the following 37218, 37606, 31233, 08956, 13013, 43062, 43089, 43160, 56057, 56301, 222018, 33103, 47832, 31601, 66039, 66171, 222011, 222005, 221124.

37410 at Derby in the morning (photo: David Garnett)

Departure was some 10 minutes late, not bad to consider the location of the locomotive, the run down the Midland can be best described as not the most spirited but not the worst, again notes show a top speed of 68MPH and considering the load and engine hours was not unexpected.

Journey round London was slow, highlight was our coach was stopped in the shade whilst waiting access to cross Factory Junction. Arrival at Eastbourne was about an hour late, but a steady stroll to the front and a couple of hours watching the airshow, followed by Geordie providing beach entertainment (trying to knock down a deck chair by throwing pebbles, and yes he did it closely watched by the ladies in Blue).

37410 on arrival at Eastbourne (photo: David Garnett)

Highlight of the return journey was whilst waiting for the Train the station official made an announcement about the trainspotters on the Platform, the only problem was these were the Pullman class clients (passengers to the rest of use). Needless to say a friend's mother took a little exception to this. The rest of the journey had 410 travelling back the same route same speeds. However we left the train at Long Eaton a little later than planned, but from others who went to Derby I later found out had to wait for a platform at Derby, some things never change, even at Midnight.

Overall, excellent day out and yet another tour that proves midweek tours do work.

David Garnett

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from David Garnett)

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