In another first ‘The Cathedrals Express’ and Tornado will be breaking new ground on 13th September when Tornado works the train from London to Exeter via Salisbury and Honiton. This will be the first time the locomotive has met with this both spectacular but challenging route, with the infamous climb to Honiton on the border of Somerset and Devon.
The outward trip is via the historic London and South Western Railway route departing London Waterloo around 0830hrs and Woking around 0915hrs. The train then heads onto Salisbury arriving around 1030hrs. The departure is around 1100hrs and the train then heads for Exeter where arrival will be at approximately 1330hrs.
The return trip is scheduled for departure from Exeter at 1630hrs and heads along the Great Western Railway route to Bristol taking in the climb to Whiteball tunnel and the dash across the scenic Somerset levels. From Bristol Tornado heads east to Bath running over the viaducts above the town with magnficent views of the Georgian architecture. The route is then via Westbury and the sharp climb of Upton Scudamore crossing the Vale of the White Horse and on to Salisbury (arriving approximately 1930hrs).
From Salisbury 'The Cathedrals Express' heads back via Andover to Woking (arrival 2130hrs) and on to terminate at London Clapham Junction at 2215hrs. (please note that the train is too long to arrive into London Waterloo).
The latest timings are:
0822 Waterloo
1030 Salisbury
1330 Exeter
1650 Exeter
1835 Bristol
2000 Salisbury
2210 Clapham Jn
Wherever Tornado goes many people want to come out and see her pass, and it is always a magnificent experience for young and old alike. When watching Tornado pass from a station or the lineside please ensure that you do not trespass on the railway. This can be by leaving the platform at a station, or at level crossings, both of which are very dangerous.
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