19th March 1967

Southern Counties Touring Society
Southern Rambler

Locos Used D3219, E6016 & steam: 34108

Route :

Loco Route
34108 London Victoria - Factory Jn - Lewisham - Selsdon
E6016 Selsdon - East Croydon
34108 East Croydon - (via Quarry Line) - Three Bridges - Keymer Jn - Brighton Inner Home Signal (CB.71) (2)
D3219 Brighton Inner Home Signal (CB.71) - Brighton
34108 Brighton - Lewes - Polegate - Eastbourne
34108 Eastbourne - Polegate - Lewes - Haywards Heath - Earlswood - (via Quarry line) - Coulsdon North - Balham Jn - London Victoria

Notes :
(1) Information originally received suggested a second tour, using 34089 and called 'Last Steam Train to Brighton and Eastbourne', ran on the same day however Chris Harley and Geoff Smith both confirm it was in fact the same tour (the tour brochure was titled 'Last Steam Train to Brighton and Eastbourne' and the timing sheet listed 34089 as the train loco). Geoff Smith adds: 34056 had been requested, but was withdrawn the previous month. 34089 was the booked locomotive but a filthy 34108 substituted from the start. The ECS was brought into Victoria by 80085, and returned to Clapham Yard by the same locomotive - the only other steam seen on the Central Section that day. The ECS working was notable for making a 20 mile 'round the houses' journey of over an hour because of engineering works, viz :- Clapham Yard - Longhedge Jn - Factory Jn - Herne Hill - Tulse Hill - Crystal Palace - Norwood Junction - Selhurst - Balham - Clapham Junction - Victoria (see timings at bottom of page).
(2) Working Time Table showed 34108 being removed at the Brighton Inner Home Signal (CB.71), in order for it to be turned on the triangle via Hove, and for a diesel loco to take the train into Brighton station, although it was originally unknown if this took place. Aubrey Davey has now confirmed from his late father's photo collection that very clean blue liveried class 08, D3219, brought the train into Brighton station.


From Bob Bridgers ticket collection.

Sources : John Clifford, Chris Harley, John Broderick, Geoff Smith, Aubrey Davey & Bluebell Railway Museum

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Bluebell Railway Museum, John Broderick & John Debens)

Location Booked Actual
Victoria 10.56d [P12] 11.02
Factory Jn 11/07 11/08½
Lewisham 11/21 11/21
Woodside 11/33 11/32
Selsdon 11L40 ~ 12L00 11.38 ~ 11.55
South Croydon 12/03 [RVL] ?
East Croydon 12L06 ~ 12L14 11.58 ~ 12.15
South Croydon 12/17 [RVL] ?
Coulsdon North 12/23½ [QL] 12/23½
Earlswood 12/31 [TL] ?
Three Bridges 12/39 12/42
Haywards Heath 12/49 ?
Keymer Jn 12/53 12/54½
Preston Park 13/03 [LL] ?
Inner Home Signal (CB.71) 13L06 ~ 13L20 ??.?? ~ ??.??
Brighton 13L22 ~ 14L06 13.18½ ~ 14.05
Lewes 14/20 14/18
Polegate 14/35 14/32
Eastbourne No.1 14w42a ~ 15w44d 14.38½ ~ 15.45
Polegate 14/35 15/52½
Southerham 16/03½ ?
Lewes 16/06 16/09
Keymer Jn 16/18 ?
Haywards Heath 16/22 16/29
Three Bridges 16/31 [TL] 16/41
Earlswood 16/39 [QL] 16/53
Coulsdon North 16/47 [TL] 17/02
Windmill Bridge Jn 16/56 [TL] ?
Streatham Jn 17/00½ ?
Balham Jn 17/02½ 17/14½
Victoria (E) 17.12a [P7] 17.25


Associated Light Engine & E.C.S. Movements
(from John Debens)

Light Engine: booked for 34089 (worked by 34108)

Location Booked
Nine Elms MPD 09.52d
Clapham Junction
(transfer sidings)
10.05 ~ 10.17
Clapham Junction 10.19 ~ 10.21 [LL]
Victoria 10.29a

 

Location Booked
Selsdon 11.46d
South Croydon 11/49 [TL]
East Croydon 11/52
Windmill Bridge Jn 11/53 [TL]
Norwood Junction 11w56 ~ 12w05 [TL]
Windmill Bridge Jn 12/08 [TL]
East Croydon 12.09a

 

Location Booked
Brighton (CB.71) 13.11d
Brighton 13.14 ~ 13.18
Hove 13.23 ~ 13.25
Preston Park 13.30 ~ 13.33
Brighton (Top Yard) 13w37 ~ 13w50
Brighton 13.54a

 

Location Booked
Eastbourne 14.59d
Polegate 15w06 ~ 15w12
Stonecross Jn 15/16
Pevensey & W. 15.19 ~ 15.21
Stonecross Jn 15/24
Eastbourne 15.31a

Empty Coaching Stock: hauled by ???

Location Booked
Clapham Yard 09.15d
Longhedge Jn 09/22
Factory Jn 09/26
Brixton 09/30
Herne Hill 09/32
Tulse Hill 09/36
West Norwood 09/40
Crystal Palace 09/46
Bromley Jn 09/48
Norwood Jn 09w50 ~ 09w55 [P6] [LL]
Selhurst 09/58 [LL]
Streatham Common 10/05
Balham Jn 10/10 [LL]
Victoria 10.20a [P12]

Light Engine: hauled by ???

Location Booked
Victoria 11.02d [LL]
Stewarts Lane Jn 11/07
Longhedge Jn 11/11
Clapham Yard 11.15a


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