I think that Tonbridge was the preferred route due to the availability of loops etc.
Certainly remember quite a few boat trains passing through Tonbridge one day in summer 1987. Was slightly puzzled when I saw the first one as they were not in the timetable, but quickly figured out what they were. Typically 12CEPs, I think, a few had a luggage van unit attached. There must have been one at least every two hours or so in each direction.
Meant that I went from seeing about 5 CEPs (from a previous non-rail-enthusiast trip to Canterbury) before this date to quite a significant number of them by the end of the day...
Yes. Or Folkestone East reversing siding as the case may be.We’re the boat trains non stop Victoria to Dover I take it? Sadly I missed these as I was too young to have ever seen them.
That’s interesting. I wonder what was the quickest journey time from Victoria to Dover non-stop in those days? Around 1 hour I am assumingYes. Or Folkestone East reversing siding as the case may be.
Memory says 80min for 78 miles. Folkestone East was 72min for 72m so just crawled into the 60mph bracket when than was considered fast!That’s interesting. I wonder what was the quickest journey time from Victoria to Dover non-stop in those days? Around 1 hour I am assuming
I have a 1973/4 working timetable, in which the timings seem to be as 30907 recalls:That’s interesting. I wonder what was the quickest journey time from Victoria to Dover non-stop in those days? Around 1 hour I am assuming
I am quite surprised actually. I thought it would be quicker than that.Memory says 80min for 78 miles. Folkestone East was 72min for 72m so just crawled into the 60mph bracket when than was considered fast!
Thank you for scanning these for us, these times look a little better. It’s funny to see mainline via Orpington and Maidstone East at the top. I noticed the DEMU service to Paddock Wood. I never knew these existedI have a 1972 working timetable, in which the timings seem to be as 30907 recalls:
EDIT See attached, 10:30 Victoria to Folkestone/Dover via Tonbridge, 10:35 Victoria to Dover via Maidstone East (these were easier to scan than the 10:00 departures from Victoria).
- 72m/1h12m Victoria to Folkestone East, 1h20 to Folkestone Harbour after reversing (10:00-11:12-11:20)
- 80m/1h20m Victoria to Dover Marine (10:00-11:20) via Tonbridge, 90m/1h30m (10:35-12:05) via Maidstone East
This was the DEMU service to Hastings, which wasn't electrified at the time. I think you're mis-reading the timetable here.I noticed the DEMU service to Paddock Wood. I never knew these existed
That was surprising.I took the boat train in 1990, and was surprised that it was (I think) only 4 coaches long, loco hauled.
Which boat train/to which port?I took the boat train in 1990, and was surprised that it was (I think) only 4 coaches long, loco hauled.
Which boat train/to which port?
Loco-hauled boat trains (i.e. specifically for ferry passengers, non-stop London-Dover or Folkestone) would have been highly unusual on a railway built around EMUs. In the late 80s period and into 1990, there was a loco-hauled Intercity service (not specifically a boat train) to Dover from north of London (Manchester/Liverpool). Could that be what you were thinking of?
There were loco-hauled boat trains to Harwich from Liverpool Street, but possibly not as late as 1990. I caught a relief Harwich in 1981, 5 Mk1s and a 37 on the front.
Victoria-Dover for the hovercraft would make sense. Could have been a 4-car EMU, some of which look pretty much like loco-hauled Mk1s...Apologies - it was for the hovercraft, so I assume it was Dover, and I think it was from Victoria. Could it have been from Charing Cross? It was in December 1990. It was a timetabled train, but non-stop. I'm sure it was loco-hauled, and possibly older coaching stock.
Victoria-Dover for the hovercraft would make sense. Could have been a 4-car EMU, some of which look pretty much like loco-hauled Mk1s...
Potentially, although I didn’t see any mention of Hastings on column I was looking at.This was the DEMU service to Hastings, which wasn't electrified at the time. I think you're mis-reading the timetable here.
Possibly a 4cep and MLV?
Yes. They had a driving-cab at each end, a guard’s compartment and full multiple-working equipment.Could be. Can you drive from the MLV?