The Atlantic Coast Express - Stepping Out The Loop

In a break from our regular programming, something a little special!
Last weekend saw Manston hauling our shuttle service which harked back to the days of the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’. A favourite among railway circles for its distinct way of ending up in multiple parts of the country simultaneously. In today’s episode we jump back in time to find out a little more with our Operations Manager, Richard, including some of the logistical nightmares involved!

[@markknowles6374]

Really interesting, I didn't realise Southern trains went that far into the South West.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Really great story, excellently narrated, well done!!

[@jameswyatt631]

A very interesting story, well told.

[@kenalexander8714]

Nice video and good to look back at a part of history of the Southern Railway.

[@lescalverley8335]

Only had one trip on the ACE unfortunately. May 1962 with rebuilt Merchant Navy 35028 ‘Clan Line’ from Waterloo to Exeter Central then unmodified Battle of Britain 34070 ‘Manston’ to Ilfracombe.

[@jhiv3945]

As a young boy, I ravelled with my parents on the ACE. In those days, we stopped at Sidmouth Junction (now called Feniton) and one or two coaches were detached from the rear. These were picked up by a small tank engine and taken down through small towns like Tipton St John and Ottery St Many. At one of these stations was a junction and the train was split yet again. One coach was taken by another tank engine to Sidmouth and the rest went on to Exmouth. Happy days!

[@jgodfrey546]

Most interesting!

[@JohnSmith-xi3sq]

Even today the Exeter train from Waterloo splits at Salisbury & sometimes the up train is made up of a Salisbury set added to by a 3 coach set from Exeter.

[@tetragon2137]

When I used to travel in and out of Salisbury, I distinctly remember the 16:21 out of Salisbury becoming a 9 coach unit made of 3 Class 159s. 6 coaches would park themselves on Platform 2, and all of us BWS/SWGS students would hop on, and then we'd wait for the doors to slam shut while the final 3 coaches got added, and then reopen for a few minutes until it was time to depart.
I'm not sure why, but when the 6 coaches arrived, it always triggered the "the next train is not scheduled to stop here" warning, even though it (without fail) always stopped to let us all on!

[@nick-c]

In particular, most of the coaches were brake composites, so you effectively had a complete train in each coach - guard, luggage, first and third class. IIRC there was also a pair of catering vehicles (probably tavern cars, interesting in their own right!), which were detached at Exeter Central and swapped onto the up service.

[@Mauipete]

Love it!

[@lukegreen5341]

2:39 This Famous Named Train Atlantic Coast Express Train Is A Bit Like The Flying Scotsman. Thanks Mate. X

[@nathantew946]

♠️ the southern name train are very iconic.

[@Watermillfilms]

So say when the train split at Oakhampton what loco would take the Bude section or padstow if the main train went to Plymouth.