MAIN LINE PERFORMANCE
ONE of the first trains I timed seriously was the Ian Allan excursion to Ashford and Eastleigh works on Wednesday, April5, 1961, during the Easter break. The first leg from Charing Cross to Ashford (Table One) was headed by BR(S) T94-4-0 No.30117, then based at Eastleigh and Stewarts Lane's E1 4-4-0 No.31019.
With 10 coaches for 360 tons, these veterans did well after recovering from early delays and pulled back four minutes of lost time from Swanley to Ashford by dint of some fast running up to 75mph, causing much excitement to this young, fresh train timer.
After visiting the shed and works, during which the 4-4-0s were turned, they took us sedately to Redhill, losing five minutes on the 60-minute booking for the 46.05 easily graded miles, maximum speed 58mph at Paddock Wood.
