22nd September 1973

The 6000 Locomotive Association
The Atlantic Venturers Express

Operated by 'The 6000 Locomotive Association' in conjunction with Bulmers Cider, Flying Scotsman Enterprises, Lyon Group (Wales & Western) Ltd.

Locos Used 1005 'Western Venturer' & steam: 4472 'Flying Scotsman' & 6000 'King George V'
Stock Used [A] 10 coaches
[B] 5x Bulmer Cider Pullman coaches + [A]
[C] 1x FO + [A]

Route : 1Z73 throughout

Loco(s) Stock Route
1005 [A] Plymouth - Totnes - Newton Abbot - Exeter St Davids - Taunton - Bridgwater - Bristol Temple Meads - Pilning - Newport (1)
4472 + 6000 [B] Newport - Maindee North Jn - Pontypool Road - Abergavenny - Hereford (2)
6000 + 4472 [B] Hereford - Leominster - (3) - Craven Arms - Shrewsbury (4)
6000 [C] Shrewsbury - (reverse of outward route) - Newport
1005 [A] Newport - (reverse of outward route) - Plymouth

Notes :
(1) It was planned to stand 4472 & 6000 side by side in the fish jetty at the Hereford end of Newport Station from 11.15 onwards to await the arrival of the special and the Mayor of Newport was to toss a coin at 12 noon to decide which loco would lead to Hereford - British Rail were be selling souvenir platform tickets for viewing the locos.
(2) 4472 & 6000 changed places and were watered from a fire brigade tender.
(3) 65mins were allowed between Woofferton & Craven Arms and was intended for a Photo stop and an acceleration test.
(4) 6000 was detached for watering and turning. 4472 and the 5 Bulmer Pullmans were detached to go forward in the evening to Manchester via Chester & Warrington on the first leg of a 14 day tour of Northern England by the cider train & Flying Scotsman (further details required). 6000 and an FO were attached to rear of 10 bogies for return journey.
(5) A published photograph of 4472 leading 6000 entering Hereford northbound stated the tour name to be 'Western Venturer' - confirmation required.


4472 & 6000 pass Pontypool Road (photo: Gordon Lacy)

Sources : Alan Costello, Gordon Lacy, Gary Thornton, Roy Lambeth & Roger Geach

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Gordon Lacy & Roy Lambeth)

Location Booked (out) Booked (rtn)
Plymouth 08.50d 23.59a
Totnes 09/20 23/28
Newton Abbot 09.35a ~ 09.38d 23.12a ~ 23.15d
Dawlish Warren 09/53 23/00
Exeter St Davids 10.05a ~ 10.08d 22.45a ~ 22.48d
Whiteball Tunnel 10/29 22/25
Taunton 10.38a ~ 10.40d 22.10a ~ 22.12d
Bridgwater 10/50 21/58
Bristol Temple Meads 11.20a ~ 11.23d 21.27a ~ 21.30d
Pilning 11/35 21/12
Newport 11L54a ~ 12L35d 20L38a ~ 20L50d
Maindee North Jn 12/39 ?
Llantarnam Jn 12/43 20/27
Pontypool 12/58 20/20
Abergavenny 13/12 20/07
Pontrilas 13/33 19/51
Tram Inn 13/40 19/44
Hereford 13w50a ~ 14w20d 19w16a ~ 19w31d
Shelwick Jn 14/25 19/11
Leominster 14/40 18/56
Woofferton 14/50 ?
Ludlow ? 18/37
Craven Arms 15/55 18/28
Church Stretton 16/17 18/15
Shrewsbury 16L25a 17L55d


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