16th March 2019

UK Railtours
The Somerset Strimmer

Route :
1Z78 : London Victoria to Cranmore
1Z79 : Cranmore to London Victoria

Notes :
(1) 59206 on rear.
(2) 59201 on rear.
(3) John Clifford's comments: The section of track beyond Merehead West Jn to Cranmore had not seen any use for some years although it was still officially operational. Hence the need to clear weeds etc. to bring it back into use, thus the name of the tour. Presumably strimmers were used in the clearance. When first advertised the tour was to cover the loop via Avonmouth after we had visited Cranmore. An engineering block in the Avonmouth area in the afternoon meant that there had to be a change to the route shown. On the day we were running roughly to time until after Reading, when we caught up the 09.15 Reading - Newbury. Then, at Newbury we had to wait for the 09.03 Paddington - Plymouth which passed 4 minutes late. Time was made up only to be delayed by the 11.10 Bristol - Swansea, then to wait south of Avonmouth for the 11.10 Bristol - Severn Beach to come off the single line. After Bradford-on-Avon we caught up the late running 11.49 Bristol - Weymouth which was 7 minutes late at that point. Our arrival at Cranmore was 11 minutes late. At Cranmore 46447 was hauling trains to Mendip Vale and back. Details are shown below. The return journey started slightly late but a generous schedule saw us arrive at Westbury early and then being held to wait for time. At Hungerford we unexpectedly covered the up loop. After Reading we caught up the 19.18 Reading - Paddington near Maidenhead. This was allowed for in the timings. There was a wait at Mitre Bridge Jn for the 19.13 Milton Keynes Central - East Croydon to pass (9 minutes late here) and also to let the 19.38 Stratford - Clapham Junction to get ahead (9 minutes late also, due to signal problems on the North London Line). Arrival at London Victoria was 5 minutes late.

Sources : John Clifford & David Lodwick (both on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford & David Lodwick)

Timings continue in first table.

Associated Workings on the East Somerset Railway

46447 with 4907+16263+35204+1000

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

0Z78 : (59201 + 59206) : Acton Yard to Wembley EOFC

5Z78 : (59206 with 59201 on rear) : Wembley EOFC to London Victoria

5Z79 : (59201 with 59206 on rear) : London Victoria to Wembley EOFC

0Z79 : (59201 + 59206) : Wembley EOFC to Acton Yard

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