14th February 2008

Steam Dreams
Cathedrals Express - St Valentine's White Cliffs Luncheon

Route:
1Z82 : London Victoria to Paddock Wood
1Z83 : Paddock Wood to London Victoria

Notes :
(1) Banked by 47245 from Victoria to Grosvenor Bridge.
(2) booked route was Stewarts Lane - Atlantic line to Crofton Road Jn & cross to Catford loop but train ran: Stewarts Lane - Atlantic line & cross at Shepherds Lane to Chatham fast.
(3) There were differences in the name viz:
a) the letter enclosing the ticket said "The Cathedrals Express Valentine Circular"
b) the letter welcoming passengers to the train said "The White Cliffs Valentine Luncheon"
c) the timing sheet said "Cathedrals Express - Valentine's Day Circular Tour from Victoria"
d) the map said "The Cathedrals Express - St Valentine's White Cliffs Luncheon".

Source : John Clifford

Tour Review
(by John Clifford)

This tour was originally advertised as being hauled by 30777 'Sir Lamiel' with a route of Victoria - Staines - Andover - Laverstock - Southampton - Staines - Victoria. 30777 was out of gauge on a number of routes in the SE & had returned to the Great Central Railway so 34067 was substituted & route became that shown.

On the day the coaches did not arrive till 10.27 so we had a slightly late start. Some good running ensued especially after Orpington. The start out of Tonbridge could almost be described as "electric". At Canterbury West we ran via the down goods loop to take water (the first time I've been over it with steam). The timings along the Kent coast were quite easy so there was no problem in gaining some time. In the morning there had been a fatality at Hildenborough a short while after we had passed so the South Eastern was in some disarray. After being held at Ashford the rest of the run was good until we got to Bickley Jn from where we followed at Sevenoaks - Blackfriars stopper and thus got to Victoria slightly late.

John Clifford

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

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