As a consequence, rather than my planned leisurely start to the day on Sat 3 Aug, I was instead standing on Derby P4 at 05.45 along with a number of familiar faces. As I had departed my hotel, I noted a fellow celebrity traveller whom I recognised from an appearance in an episode of 'Secrets of London Underground'. They were on their way to collect a pre-packed breakfast from the hotel reception prior to heading to the station. Some had opted for the chance to visit Chaddesden Yard where the Class 69 would run round; the others were our friendly, hardworking stewards. 69008 soon arrived on its first mainline charter train and we all boarded. No sooner had we departed than a very welcome sight appeared, the first cup of tea of the trip. After heading along Arrival & Departure No1 we arrived in Chaddesden Yard Road 5, where the loco ran round. As an added bonus, our train set back into the Run Round Headshunt before departing via the Arrival & Departure No2, passing 158866 & 158783 reversing in the entrance to the yard. We arrived into Derby on the Pilot Line, signed as P7 on the station; due to signalling overlap constraints, it requires special arrangements for use by passenger trains so is therefore rare. Having picked up further passengers, who had opted for a slightly more relaxing start time of 06.47, we headed for our next pickup station, Loughborough.

With extra passengers on board, breakfast was served as we continued and soon observed two Zephyrs in Mountsorrel Stone Quarry sidings, before coming to an unexpected halt at Sileby. There was an issue ahead and a Mobile Operations Manager was on route to help resolve it. As a result of this, we passed Syston North Jn 27 mins late. By Kettering, the next pickup point, we had recovered some time and departed just 10 mins late. We were routed via the Wymington Deviation (Sharnbrook Tunnel) which, although electrified, only has one booked PSUL per week, the SO 22.35 St Pancras to Wellingborough. The line can have a regular service during engineering work. We had recovered a few more minutes by the time we departed our penultimate pickup point at Bedford. On departure from Bedford, we used the electrified Jowett Run Round Siding to pass 150141 on a passenger service from the Marston Vale Line. Before you ask, the sidings are named after Bedford railwayman Rodney Jowett. The five electrified 270yd long sidings came into use from 12 Dec 2011 to accommodate 12-car Thameslink Class 319 EMUs.

Our next section of rare track was soon upon us as we passed through Forders Arrival & Departure Loop in the interesting direction as it included the facing and trailing crossovers. We were treated to an aerial display here, a flyby of a skein of about 20 geese in formation (without coloured vapour trails though). The tour gained further time and was even 2 mins early on our arrival into Wembley Yard Reception & Departure Line No3, where a loco swap took place. 69008 was replaced by 60028 & 60055 in 'Top & Tail' formation. A number of locos were noted In Wembley Yard: 37608, 56098, 56103, 66413, 66557, 68014 68034 & 88007. After an uneventful run to Clapham Junction via Kensington Olympia, we made our final pickup and were joined by some invited VIP guests from the companies whom had made the charter possible. Just after departure, a fox was noted admiring the train from the raised cable trunking, perhaps he was hoping for a train to Foxfield via Foxhall Jn and Foxton?

The highlight of the fully-booked trip was soon upon us as we passed through Chessington South via the Down Siding to Chessington Stone Terminal Headshunt. With views of Chessington World of Adventure distant right and Chessington & Hook United Football Club left, our adventure had reached its goal.






On departure, we travelled via the Down Siding, then crossed to the Up Line before Chessington South to passed through the unused Up platform bound for Waterloo. A short break at this London terminus enabled photos to be taken before we headed for our afternoon break in either Haywards Heath or Hove. Brighton had been the intended destination but was declined by the station operator because of the Brighton Pride event and the expected excessive volumes of passengers at the station.



Departing Waterloo, our tour travelled via Brixton, Tulse Hill, Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction to East Croydon, then onwards to Haywards Heath. To assist with barrier controls at our destinations, wristbands, were issued by our stewards. I opted for a break at Hove as I had never visited before, despite passing through the station numerous times over the years. Our route from Haywards Heath to Hove was via Preston Park P1, the furthest west, greatly appreciated by a fellow traveller. Having taken a few photos at the station, I headed off to explore Hove. However, I didn't go far before being waylaid by several fellow tour participants whose explorations terminated by the station entrance at the Watchmaker's Arms, horror of horrors horologists. Several conversations later, it was time to head back to the train, still not having explored Hove. At least this gives me an excuse to return. Several participants were more committed to exploring and made it to the seafront, around 15 mins walk each way. Others chose a less strenuous option and instead sampled something from the sea - Cod in their Fish & Chips.












An on time departure was achieved, heading back to Haywards Heath via Preston Park P1, a bonus for anyone wanting directionality, to pick up those who had opted to alight there. Continuing via Gatwick Airport P5 and Clapham Junction, we soon reached our first set down station, Kensington Olympia. Our invited guests alighted here, then we continued to Wembley Yard Reception & Departure Line No5 for a loco swap. Here 60028 & 60055 were detached and replaced by 69008 on what was to become the rear of the train, while 56098+56103 were attached at the London end.

With the locos changed, it was time to relax and enjoy the dinner service as we departed heading via the North London Line, Gospel Oak Jn and Harringay Curve to our next set down, Potters Bar. An uneventful journey followed with set downs at Peterborough then Leicester where the Class 56s were detached. 69008 took us back to Derby where we arrived one minute late at 00.24, a mere 18½ hours after departure. This was an excellent day out with some choice track, traction and fantastic food. Thanks are due to everyone who made this tour possible. Your BLN Editor (who, fortunately, had already been to Chessington South end of line in the 1970s) was unable to participate as his youngest son had chosen that date to get married. However, he was there in spirit as he donated a bottle of Islay 10-Year Whisky for the charity raffle... Our railtour raised £12,842.04 for Martin House Children's Hospice, a great result.