25th April 2011

Railtourer
The Channel Coast Express

Route :
1Z17 : Barnetby to Hastings
1Z18 : Hastings to Barnetby

Notes :
(1) 47804 on rear.
(2) 47786 developed a fault at Brocklesby Jn so the train was propelled forward to Barnetby where 47804 ran round to the front.
(3) Plus 47786 dead-in-tow.
(4) Booked route was: Brixton - Nunhead - Lewisham - Hither Green - Chislehurst - Petts Wood Jn.
(5) 47786 on rear.
(6) Booked route was: St Mary Cray Jn - Chislehurst - Hither Green - Lewisham - Nunhead - Brixton.
(7) Booked route at south end of the ECML was: Alexandra Palace - Gordon Hill - Hertford North - Langley Jn - Stevenage.
(8) John Clifford comments: I have seen reports of the train leaving Scunthorpe at 07.55 & passing Peterborough at 09/50. It was following stopping trains so eventually got to Finsbury Park 110 min late. There was a further problem on the North London Line. Overnight engineering work had left high ballast somewhere on the route so we heard that the line was shut till mid day for this to be sorted out. Hence there was a stop outside Camden Road awaiting the line to be reopened. We passed Gospel Oak 121 min late but because we were diverted away from the booked route this lateness was reduced to 94 min by Wadhurst. Then, at Etchingham, we caught up the 12.23 Charing Cross - Hastings which we followed arriving at Hastings 105 min late. From what I could gather, 47786 has enough power to pull the train into Park Sidings after 47804 had been detached. 47804 ran to St Leonards for fuel. We were told that the return train would leave an hour later & that's what happened. There was a slight variation on the return route in that we ran via Bat & Ball, otherwise we went back the same way that we had come. Arrival at Finsbury Park was 48 min late. I later saw the train at Hatfield (pass 19/30) so it had been diverted again. Reports of the train were that it passed Hitchin at 19/57 & Peterborough at 20/57 still following stopping trains.

Sources : John Clifford (joined/left the train at Finsbury Park) & Steve Simister

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. Workings

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