16th September 1956

Ian Allan / Trains Illustrated
Docks Express Rail Tour

Locos Used 1370, 3717, 5014, 30727 & 34106
Stock Used load 9 (4x Pullman, 4x BR 'seconds' & Devon Belle Observation Car)

Route :

Loco(s) Route
5014

London Paddington - Southall - Slough - Maidenhead - Reading - Southcote Jn - Bedwyn - Westbury - Dilton Marsh Halt - Salisbury
34106

Salisbury - Tunnel Jn - Alderbury Jn - Fordingbridge - West Moors - Broadstone - Hamworthy Jn - Dorchester South - Weymouth Jn
1370 Weymouth Jn - Weymouth Quay
3737 Melcombe Regis - Easton
3737 Easton - Melcombe Regis
30727 + 34106 Weymouth - Hamworthy Jn - Poole - Bournemouth Central
34106

Bournemouth Central - Southampton Central - Eastleigh - Chandlers Ford - Romsey - Stockbridge - Andover Jn - Ludgershall - (via Grafton East Curve) - Bedwyn - (reverse of outward route) - London Paddington

    Notes :
(1) Passengers made their own way on foot between Weymouth & Melcombe Regis and vice-versa. The round trip to Easton was additional to the railtour and tickets were 3/0d extra, to be obtained on the day, or preferably in advance (as capacity was limited to 187 passengers).
(2) Terry Jackson comments : The coaching stock for this tour included a number of Pullmans which provided a full meal service. The last vehicle was the Pullman observation car and it was fascinating running up from Reading with 34106 at a steady 70 mph sitting in an armchair watching the Great Western main line go by.

Sources : Terry Jackson, Bruce Nathan & Edwin Wilmshurst

Photo Review


5014 waiting to leave Paddington (photo: Bruce Nathan)


1370 dropping off the train at Weymouth Quay (photo: Bruce Nathan)


3737 at Easton (photo: Bruce Nathan)


Mike Morants tickets. Despite them suggesting a
different tour name, Terry Jackson re-confirms it
was definitely the 'Docks Express'.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Bruce Nathan & Edwin Wilmshurst)

M.C Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
0.00 Paddington 09.00d 09.00   20.45a 20.48
9.06 Southall 09/13 09/14½   20/31 20/37
18.36 Slough 09/23 09/28   20/22 20/29
24.19 Maidenhead 09/29 09/36   20/16 20/24
35.78 Reading 09/43 09/48   20/02 20/12½
53.09 Newbury 10/04 10/07   19/44 19/53
66.32 Bedwyn 10/19 10/20½   19/23 19/31½

 

M.C Location Booked Actual
81.07 Patney & Chirton 10/35 10/38
94.45 Heywood Road Jn 10/51 10/54
95.46 Westbury 10.54a ~ 10.59d 10.56 ~ 11.02
96.74 Dilton Marsh Halt 11/02 11/06½
120.02 Salisbury 11.34a ~ 11.42d 11.40 ~ 11.54½
? Broadstone 12.37a ~ 12.43d 12.44½ ~ 12.46
? Dorchester South 13.15a ~ 13.22d 13.17 ~ 13.22
? Dorchester Jn 13/23½ 13/24½
? Weymouth Jn 13.33a ~ 13.40d 13.36½ ~ 13.41½
? Weymouth Quay 13.58a 13.59
Timings available for Melcombe Regis to Easton & back are given below
? Weymouth Town 16.00d 16.00½
? Dorchester Jn 16/16 16/14½
? Poole 16.42a ~ 16.45d 16.40 ~ 16.44
?

Bournemouth Central

 16.55a ~ 17.00d 16.54 ~ 17.02
?

Southampton Central

17/34

17/36
?

Eastleigh

 17.48a ~ 17.54d 17.49½ ~ 17.54
?

Andover Junction

 18.35a ~ 18.45d 18.32 ~ 18.44
?

Ludgershall

 18/59 19/07½

Timings continue in first table.

Location Booked (out) Booked (rtn)
Melcombe Regis 14.25d 15.37a
Portland 14.35a ~ 14.40d ?
Easton 14.57a 15.12d


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