I was amazed at the number of people at Exeter St David’s who had turned out to see Clan Line! I was videoing on Honiton Bank and because of the late running I missed the chance of seeing the train at Honiton station. I had my first meal in a restaurant car on the ACE as it left Salisbury way back in 1960, a never forgotten memory!
Should have been on the train, despite a scrolling GPS map, etc, etc, I had to do a double take to confirm we were well up the bank with the speed still well up there.
Much better video than mine👍 . Exeter St David’s was so busy, fellow enthusiasts were told by by staff to keep eachother from doing anything stupid. Luckily I did get a better shot of her at Tiverton parkway despite the sun being in the completely incorrect position
Yes, the ACE on 12/10/24 was late running to destination in both directions, nearly a hour behind schedule back into Waterloo, so being on the train, I offer some personal observations. I was very impressed by the performance of the loco and crew. Acceleration of the train away from stoppages was quite a pleasant surprise. But, for example, every time the ACE in Down direction reached a loop on the single track, it waited some time for the UP crossing service to appear, they certainly were not there wating for the ACE, and once we were held while a late running London/Exeter Down was given the road through (at speed, so not held by the ACE looping). For the return UP run, the train was ready to leave Exeter on time, even with not being allowed into the platform till quite close to departure time, but had to wait for the road beyond time. While then managing really good free running close to max permitted all the time, we were held in Temple Meads for some reason unexplained, yet worse was to come after the Bristol East Depot water stop. The stop was completed but the train held, we were told for a goods to be released first. Then having lost the slot, the train was released from the depot loop now out of path behind a local all stopping service, so lost significant time cruising at 20-30mph to avoid constant stoppages. To many looking on from the lineside, that likely looked like an ACE issue, it wasn't! Great video and thanks for posting, but I did flinch at the "short trip to Exeter" comment, it wasn't "short" for passengers, well over six hours for the return!
The trailing diesel bogie had a serious flat which must have driven the driver mad. As a result the brakes grabbed every time they came on which could be felt right through the train. We went through Taunton at 73mph. Don't know how they get the water in at Bristol yard as there are tracks both sides of the train. You can't really get a good look out of the windows now. I suggest they pt microphones on the carriage roofs and relay the loco sound track to headphones in the train. You really can't hear what the loco is doing in the modern carriages now, especially with a quiet engine like a Bulleid.
