26th March 2008

Steam Dreams
Cathedrals Express

Route:
1Z82 : London Victoria to Canterbury West
1Z83 : Canterbury West to London Victoria

Notes :
(1) Banked by 47245 from Victoria to Grosvenor Bridge.
(2) Booked route after Bromley South was Catford - Atlantic Line from Crofton Road Jn - Stewarts Lane - Victoria.
(3) John Clifford comments: This was a routine trip to Canterbury by Steam Dreams. The down run did not have the usual water stop at Lenham so the schedule was rather easy. For once we were allowed 5mins from the start at Bromley South to pass Bickley Jn rather than the usual impossible 2mins. From the timings it can be seen that we were early & this resulted in a stand for 4mins outside Ashford. On the return there was a service train at 17.25 which left on time. This left only 10mins for our train to draw forward from the goods loop, reverse into the station & get everyone aboard. This proved to be insufficient so we left late. This schedule on the return was tight, it was raining & with a P. Way slack at Ashford & a signal check at Tonbridge there was little chance to recover much of the lateness. By going via Penge East instead of Catford we got in a few minutes early.

Source : John Clifford

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

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