Fans of classic steam trains are in for a treat this weekend. A famous locomotive is passing through the South West on its journey from London to Devon and it's stopping in Bristol.
The classic rail journey on Saturday (July 2) will follow part the route of the old Atlantic Coast Express (ACE) that ran from London to Devon and Cornwall in South West England. It will leave London Waterloo steam hauled in the morning and make its way to Exeter.
Organised by The Railway Touring Company, the return route will be via Bristol, Bath and Salisbury back to London Waterloo. Ex-Southern Region ‘Merchant Navy’ Class locomotive No. 35028 Clan Line will haul this special train, recreating some of the excitement of the days of the ACE.
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Departing from London Waterloo, it will thread its way steam-hauled through the west London suburbs towards Woking and Basingstoke, where there will be stops to pick up passengers. It will continue to follow the London & South Western Railway’s main line to Salisbury and Exeter, following the route of the old ACE expresses.
After the Salisbury ‘water stop’, it will follow the main line through to Templecombe, which will give the train an opportunity to get up to its maximum permitted speed. It will then pass the Yeovil Junction steam centre as it continues westwards and takes on the challenging 1 in 80 climb up Crewkerne Bank.
After Axminster, there is further adverse climbing as it encounters the testing eight miles of mainly 1 in 80 up to Honiton Summit. Descending gradients then lead to Exeter, where passengers will have an afternoon break to visit the city and its Cathedral.
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On the return journey, it will follow the Great Western Railway’s Exeter to Bristol route, which includes the long climb up Wellington Bank towards Taunton. A fast run across the Somerset Levels then brings it to Bristol, through Bath and Westbury before reaching Salisbury once again back to London Waterloo.
The actual timings for each South West stop are not known but it departs London Waterloo at 7.52am, passes through Salisbury at 10.15am and arrives at Exeter St Davids at 1.30pm. On the return journey, it leaves Exeter St Davids at 4.40pm, arrives at Salisbury at 7.54pm and gets back to London Waterloo at 10.10pm.
The train will offer passengers full English breakfast and a four-course dinner. There is seating in first class and standard class, with a buffet car serving tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
And if you want to book tickets for the journey, go here.
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