a. Last Atlantic Coast Express

7th March 2007

These photos record the last weekday running of the Atlantic Coast Express from Waterloo to Exeter Central on Friday 4th September 1964. This was the last run to the high speed schedule; 80 minutes to Salisbury, then a stop at Sidmouth Junction, then on to Exeter.

Merchant Navy 35022 Holland America Line took the train to Exeter. There a Hymek diesel took the Ilfracombe and Torrington portion onwards and West Country 34015 Exmouth took the Padstow and Plymouth portion. There is a photo of 34015 arriving at Padstow on that day on Page 110 of the book "from the footplate: the Atlantic Coast Express".

35022 back on to the train at Waterloo 01.Lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	Leaving Waterloo. Note the double slip points 02.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	running near Woking 03.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	Pausing for water at Salisbury 04.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print
The Nine Elms driver poses for a photo 05.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	Taking water at Salisbury 06.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	taking water at Salisbury 07.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	Stopped at Sidmouth Junction, blocking the level crossing 08.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print
35022 leaves the train at Exeter Central 09.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	34015 "Exmouth" backs on to the Padstow portion 11.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	$A Hymek takes the Ilfracombe portion forward. Note the Panniers used for banking duties by this date. Apologies for the lousy photo, but it's an interesting moment.$ A Hymek takes the Ilfracombe portion forward. Note the Panniers used for banking duties by this date. Apologies for the lousy photo, but it's an interesting moment. 12.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print	35022 runs light to Exmouth Junction shed 13.lastace.JPG.jpg Buy Print