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The Atlantic Coast Express
Saturday 20th May 2023
Join us on this classic rail journey, following part the route of the old Atlantic Coast Express (ACE) that ran from London to the seaside resorts of Devon and Cornwall in South West England. We will leave London Waterloo steam hauled in the morning and make our way to Exeter where there will be a break to visit the historic city centre. Our return route will be via Bristol, Bath and Salisbury back to London Waterloo.
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Departing from London Waterloo, we will thread our way steam hauled through the west London suburbs towards Woking and Basingstoke, where there will be stops to pick up passengers. We 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, we will follow the main line through to Templecombe, which will give Clan Line an opportunity to get up to its maximum permitted speed. We will pass the Yeovil Junction steam centre as we continue westwards and take on the challenging 1 in 80 climb up Crewkerne Bank. After Axminster, there is further adverse climbing as we encounter the testing eight miles of mainly 1 in 80 up to Honiton Summit. Descending gradients then lead to Exeter, where we will have an afternoon break to visit this historic city, with its Cathedral at the very centre of the city. There will be a stop on the outward journey at Exeter Central to enable passengers to visit the city centre easily, passengers will need to make their way down the hill to Exeter St David’s for the departure of our train in the afternoon. With Clan Line serviced ready for our return journey, we will now 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 us to Bristol. We pass through Bath and Westbury before reaching Salisbury once again. The ACE will now retrace our earlier steps back to London Waterloo, setting down as outwards, and thus ending a varied and interesting day out over classic railway routes with a Southern Region Express steam locomotive. Approximate Timings Outward Return London Waterloo 07:17 21:20 Woking 07:55 20:40 Basingstoke 08:30 20:00 Salisbury 09:55 18:50 Exeter Central 12:50 ------Exeter St Davids 12:55 15:50
There are three classes available:
There are three classes available:
Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam. Standard Class includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Dining and First Class for a supplement of £30 per person (subject to availability). A buffet car is available and serves tea, coffee, snacks and light refreshments.
