The Atlantic Coast Express
Sunday 25th May 2008
This is a wonderful opportunity to travel from London Waterloo to Exeter and back behind two different steam locomotives. Join us on the A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern on the outward journey and return from Exeter with 71000 Duke of Gloucester.
We depart London Waterloo at 08:30 and hope for a fast run along the main line through Woking to Basingstoke, where our steam locomotive 60019 Bittern will take on water.
From Basingstoke we are routed via Southampton to Salisbury, where there will be a brief stop at the platform and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
From Salisbury we join the Exeter main line, the route of the Atlantic Coast Express. Beyond Salisbury the ruling gradient steepens to 1 in 80 which is certain to make our steam locomotive talk! At Wilton, famous for being the first place in England to make carpets, we enter the real switchback section of our journey. We will zigzag our way upwards reaching summits at Semley, Buckhorn Weston tunnel near Templecombe before our train stops at Yeovil Junction for the locomotive to take on more water.
Leaving Yeovil Junction our locomotive faces Crewkerne Bank and we descend for thirteen miles. We expect some fast running on the downhill stretch today, but the real test for Bittern follows with a climb of over four miles of 1 in 80 up to Honiton Tunnel before the descent to Exeter.
We will spend around three hours in Exeter giving you time to explore this attractive city.
The cathedral has imposing Norman towers dating from the early 12th century and the historic quayside with its fascinating history, interesting architecture and lively pubs and restaurants is also a great centre for shopping.
From Exeter St Davids 71000 Duke of Gloucester (the last express passenger steam locomotive to be constructed for British Railways in 1951) will return our train to London Waterloo.
Our route is interesting though a little unusual, and takes us through Tiverton, Taunton, Westbury, Trowbridge, Swindon, Reading and Staines to London Waterloo, where we should arrive just before 22:00.
From Basingstoke we are routed via Southampton to Salisbury, where there will be a brief stop at the platform and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
From Salisbury we join the Exeter main line, the route of the Atlantic Coast Express. Beyond Salisbury the ruling gradient steepens to 1 in 80 which is certain to make our steam locomotive talk! At Wilton, famous for being the first place in England to make carpets, we enter the real switchback section of our journey. We will zigzag our way upwards reaching summits at Semley, Buckhorn Weston tunnel near Templecombe before our train stops at Yeovil Junction for the locomotive to take on more water.
Leaving Yeovil Junction our locomotive faces Crewkerne Bank and we descend for thirteen miles. We expect some fast running on the downhill stretch today, but the real test for Bittern follows with a climb of over four miles of 1 in 80 up to Honiton Tunnel before the descent to Exeter.
We will spend around three hours in Exeter giving you time to explore this attractive city.
The cathedral has imposing Norman towers dating from the early 12th century and the historic quayside with its fascinating history, interesting architecture and lively pubs and restaurants is also a great centre for shopping.
From Exeter St Davids 71000 Duke of Gloucester (the last express passenger steam locomotive to be constructed for British Railways in 1951) will return our train to London Waterloo.
Our route is interesting though a little unusual, and takes us through Tiverton, Taunton, Westbury, Trowbridge, Swindon, Reading and Staines to London Waterloo, where we should arrive just before 22:00.
Approximate Timings
| Station | Depart | Return |
|---|---|---|
| London Waterloo | 08:30 | 21:45 |
| Staines | ------ | 21:00 |
| Reading | ------ | 20:00 |
| Basingstoke | 09:45 | ------ |
| Exeter St Davids | Arrive 13:45 | Depart 16:15 |
Fares
| Fares | Adult | Junior | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | £179 | £119 | £525 |
| First | £119 | £57 | £320 |
| Standard | £85 | £42 | £220 |
• Premier Dining includes full English breakfast, light lunch and four course dinner silver served at your seat.
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)
• First Class includes morning coffee and Danish pastries and tea and biscuits in the afternoon.
• Standard Class includes a reserved seat at a table for four.
Tables for two can be guaranteed in first class and premier dining for a supplement of £15 per person.
(subject to availability)