28th August 1966

British Rail
(Ramsgate Day Excursion)

DMU Used 2x 3-car Metro-Cammell DMU's

Route :

DMU Route
as listed Birmingham Snow Hill - Leamington - Banbury - High Wycombe - Old Oak Common West Jn - North Pole Jn - Kensington Olympia - Latchmere Jn - Factory Jn- Catford Loop - Bromley South - Chatham - Faversham - Herne Bay - Margate - Ramsgate
as listed Margate - (reverse of outward route ) - Birmingham Snow Hill

Notes :
(1) Brian Basterfield comments: I had rather hoped for diesel loco haulage on this excursion, but when a 6 car Met Camm came into Snow Hill, I was able to take prime position in the right hand seat with a front view. We left Snow Hill at 9.17am, 12 late, then picked up at Leamington Spa 9.43/9.44am, Banbury 10.06/10.09am, then non stop to Old Oak Common 11.21/11.22am. Then off around the houses to Kensington Olympia (operating stop) 11.32/11.34am. Then a 5 minute check at Factory Junction, before heading east via the Catford loop. Apart from a brief signal check at Rainham, we were non stop to the first set down station, Herne Bay, arr 12.20pm. Then Westgate, Margate, Broadstairs, arriving at Ramsgate 1.40pm, spot on time. The return left Ramsgate on time at 7.22pm, making the same stops, Broadstairs, Margate, Westgate, and Herne Bay. We suffered signal delays in the Chatham followed by a clear run to Kensington Olympia. Then a crew change at Old Oak Common, a clear run to Gerrards Cross, signal checks from there to High Wycombe, then a completely clear road. We were into Banbury at 11.06pm, 11 late, Leamington Spa 11.30pm, 10 late, and Snow Hill 11.57pm, just 2 late.

Source : Brian Basterfield

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