Train expert provides information on steam locomotive set to pass through Honiton

With Honiton Gate to Plate having been called off for this weekend (postponed until Sept) due to the severe weather warnings in place for Friday and Saturday, at least Honiton still has one treat left in store.

The Atlantic Coast Express steam locomotive will be passing through Honiton railway station at approximately 12.42pm on Saturday, August 10.

Honiton Nub News caught up with local train enthusiast, Matt Jackson, to find out more about this awesome engine from a bygone era.

He told us: "35028 Clan Line was built by British Railways at Eastleigh Works in 1948, to a design by Oliver Bulleid.

"The locomotive, along with the other 29 locomotives in the Merchant Navy Class, were named after Merchant shipping lines.

"It was then rebuilt to the condition seen today in 1959.

"The locomotive was used by British Railways alongside her classmates, pulling express passenger trains between the major destinations on the southern region.

"London Waterloo - Exeter, London Waterloo - Bournemouth being a couple of regular runs.

"The loco ran until 1967, when steam was done away with by British Railways.

"After that it was purchased by the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation society.

"The society has been running the locomotive on the mainline railway, pulling special charter trains, almost ever since.

"The locomotive is the proud holder of a contract to operate on the Belmont British Pullman train, which operates out of London Victoria using old restored Pullman coaches.

"The run on Saturday is a recreation of one of the southern railway's most high profile trains the Atlantic Coast Express or ACE for short.

"This train ran from London Waterloo as far down south as Cornwall.

"The train dropped off coaches as it went to different stations. In Devon - Exmouth, Sidmouth, Seaton Junction and Lyme Regis were some of the stations where coaches from the ACE ended up.

"This allowed people to go direct by train from London Waterloo to the seaside resort they were staying in.

"On Saturday the train will only be going as far as Exeter. The train is scheduled to reach Honiton at 12:42 and wait to pass another London bound train and should depart Honiton at 12:58.

"Then in the evening returning to London via Bristol and Bath though to Salisbury. This route allows as much of the old ACE route to be used as possible."

More information on Clan Line and its history can be found by clicking the red button below.

The society is always looking for new members and anyone who wants to help keep Clan Line on the mainline for many years to come.