January - Intercity Railway Society

73213 draws 1001 out of Tonbridge West Yard at 14.10
Our booked photo stop at Maidstone East caused much bemusement to passengers waiting for the
service to Ashford International! Now back on schedule we ran via Otford Junction to Swanley where a
very rare reverse manoeuvre was undertaken. In order to get to the Down Chatham Main towards
Rochester, 1001 drew forward to the shunt signal beyond the London end of Platform 1. With 73213
again in charge, the rarely used crossover from the Up Chatham Fast to Platform 2 was taken to gain
the Down Chatham Main.
with 73213 on the rear, 1001 sits at Maidstone East at 15.34, Mark Richards
The return from Rochester to London Cannon Street was uneventful retracing the outward route as far
as Dartford and from here via Sidcup to Hither Green. This time we did run via Lewisham and the Up
Slow as booked to North Kent East Junction. After set down at Cannon Street, 73213 departed with
what must be an extremely rare loco hauled passenger train. We retraced our route to Lewisham then
via Ladywell to take the Beckenham Spur to Beckenham Junction. Favourable signals (and generous
pathing allowances) ensured that arrival at Bromley South was 20 mins up on schedule at 19.10
where I alighted from the tour. It was an enjoyable, interesting and eventful day. The problems
encountered along the way made it more interesting and the change of itinerary en route made the
mystery part just that little bit more mysterious!...and for me intending to photograph it at Hastings !, ed
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