14th August 1955

Railway Correspondence and Travel Society (London Branch)
The Wealden L
imited

Tour had been postponed from 12th June 1955 due to an ASLEF strike.

Locos Used 31019, 31048, 31177, 31737, 31764, 32411 (4) & 32426 'St Alban's Head' & 41291
Stock Used S3676S+S1018S+S1016S+S1017S+183+S1012S+S1013S+S3677S

Route :

Loco(s) Route
31019 (2) London Victoria - Nunhead - Lewisham - New Beckenham - Beckenham Junction - Swanley - Otford - Sevenoaks - Tonbridge
31177 + 31048 Tonbridge - Paddock Wood - Hawkhurst
31048 + 31177 Hawkhurst - Paddock Wood - Tonbridge
31019 + 31737 Tonbridge - Tunbridge Wells Central - Etchingham - Battle - Hastings
31764 Hastings - Stone Cross Jn - Polegate - Lewes
32426 (3) Lewes - Culver Jn - Sheffield Park - Horsted Keynes - East Grinstead (LL) - Oxted - East Croydon - Forest Hill - New Cross Gate
32411 (4) New Cross Gate - Peckham Rye - Battersea Park - London Victoria

Notes :
(1) Tour was postponed from 12th June 1955 due to an ASLEF strike (tickets were stamped with the actual running date on the back).
(2) Banked by 41291 from London Victoria to Grosvenor Bridge.
(3) Banked by 31764 along Lewes platform.
(4) The book 'Vintage Railtours (RCTS - 1954-1969)' does not list loco 32411 as having been used on this tour. Originally uploaded as 32416 but since corrected by Graham Stacey, photographic evidence has also been seen by the Webmaster showing 32411 taking over at New Cross Gate for the run to Victoria (though the smokebox number was obscured by the headboard, notes with the photo state the loco to be 32411).

Sources : John Clifford & David Davis (compiled from contemporary sources),
Graham Stacey, Andrew Fairholm & 'Vintage Railtours (RCTS - 1954-1969)' (by Gavin Morrison, published by Silver Link Publishing)

Photo Review


31019 waits to leave London Victoria (photo: The John Debens Collection)


Hawkhurst: coach S1018S in the formation (The Bob Mitchell Collection)


The Pullman buffet car in the formation (photo: The John Debens Collection)


31177 at Tonbridge (photo: The John Debens Collection)


31048 & 31177 at Hawkhurst (photo: The John Debens Collection)


31737 & 31019 at an unknown location (The Bob Mitchell Collection)


31764 on arrival at Lewes (photo: The John Debens Collection)


32426 at Horsted Keynes (photo: The Jim Porter Collection)


Another shot at Horsted Keynes (photo: The John Debens Collection)


32411 takes over at New Cross Gate (photo: The John Debens Collection)


Coach destination board (photo: The John Debens Collection)


From Andrew Fairholm's ticket collection.


Timings (Booked Only)
(from John Debens)

M.C Location Booked Actual
0.00 London Victoria 11.10d 11.10
3.70 Cambria Jn 11/18½  
7.60 Lewisham 11/26  
11.72 Beckenham Junction 11/38  
19.51 Swanley 11/51  
26.26 Otford 12/01  
29.06 Sevenoaks (Tubs Hill) 12.08 ~ 12.14 12.05½ ~ 12.14½
36.41 Tonbridge 12.26 ~ 12.36  
41.64 Paddock Wood 12.45 ~ 12.58 ? ~ 12.57
53.21 Hawkhurst 13.25 ~ 13.50 13.25 ~ ?
64.58 Paddock Wood 14.15 ~ 14.17 14/26
70.01 Tonbridge 14.26 ~ 14.39 14.34 ~ 14.40
74.71 Tunbridge Wells Central 14/50 14/52½
87.76 Etchingham 15/11 15/10
102.76 Hastings 15.37 ~ 15.50 15.34 ~ 15.49½
104.40 Bopeep Jn 15/55  
115.74 Stonecross Jn 16/17  
117.60 Polegate 16/21  
128.51 Southerham Jn 16/36  
129.33 Lewes 16.38 ~ 16.56 16.37 ~ 16.56
132.52 Culver Jn 17/03  
137.16 Newick & Chailey 17/12  
143.40 Horsted Keynes 17.26 ~ 17.36  
149.68 East Grinstead (L.L.) 17/52  
153.50 Lingfield 17/58  
156.45 Crowhurst North Jn 18/03  
159.51 Oxted 18/08  
167.53 Sanderstead 18/22  
168.56 South Croydon 18/25  
169.48 East Croydon 18/28  
170.09 Windmill Bridge Jn 18/30  
174.28 Forest Hill 18/44  
177.04 New Cross Gate 18.51a ~ 19.16d 18.50 ~ ?
177.65 Old Kent Road Jn 19/22  
178.71 Peckham Rye 19/28  
182.64 Battersea Park 19/37  
184.05 London Victoria 19.40a 19.43


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