The Grain Train, June 6th 1992
1Z39 – Hertfordshire Railtours
Stock 10 Mk I’s, 5007, 5044, 4996, 5037, 17146, 17167, 4919, 4939, 5030, 5025
The Moves
321420 0510 Rugby – Euston………L.Buzzard – Euston 40.21
Let the screaming begin, 56063 at Euston about to back onto the Grain Train Railtour
56063 0810 Euston – Ashford Railtour…..Euston – Ashford (via Kew, Nunhead) 73.25
73126 1120 Ashford – Depot……Ashford – depot 1.1
73126 1220 Depot – Ashford…… depot – Ashford 1.1
47114 1340 Ashford – L.Bridge Railtour…. Ashford – Dover WD(via Folkestone H) 13.8
47052 1340 Ashford – L.Bridge Railtour….. Folkestone – Folkestone H 1.4
56063 1340 Ashford – L.Bridge Railtour……Dover WD – Grain (via Canterbury E, Dartford, Hoo Jn) 100.87
60094 1340 Ashford – L.Bridge Railtour….. Grain – London Bridge (via Dartford) 37.6
56058 2020 London Bridge – Victoria Minitour….London Bridge – Victoria (via Peckham Rye) 8.75 (£3 additional fare)
321414 2134 Euston – M.Keynes………… Euston – L.Buzzard 40.21
This tour as listed above looks like a 6 multi loco bonanza tour but it wasn’t. A grid out of Euston was rateable enough but the use of former boilered “rubbish” 47052 and 47114 didnt go down well at all. Train ferry locos 33206 and 33207 were at Dover, allegedly failed, but rumoured to be kept back by Southern Control for a future “DC Tours” railtour, despite being requested by Hertfordshire, nice eh!
The lengthy freight only Grain branch was perhaps the highlight of the tour especially with a grid up front. The Open Day was OK but the grey morning weather perhaps contributing to a lack of atmosphere on the tour all day.
In retrospect 3 winners (56063, 60094 and 56058) rare track including Grain and the now doomed Folkestone Harbour branch so i’m glad i did the tour.
Grain Train phots
56063 at Ashford with the tour
JA 73001 on display at Asford Open day
Pullman liveried 73101 with 71001 behind at Ashford Open Day
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