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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

RAILWAYS  |  SOUTHERN RAILWAY

"ATLANTIC COAST EXPRESS"

In 1925 the Southern Railway held a competition amongst staff to bestow a suitable name of the 11am service from London Waterloo to the West of England.  The winning name was the "Atlantic Coast Express".  It was destined to become the most multi-portioned passenger train in the country.

The first run took place on Monday July 19th 1926.

At the outbreak of the Second Word War in 1939 the through service to Plymouth was stopped.  It did not resume until the start of the summer timetable in 1952.  [1]

The Southern Railway ceased to exist from Midnight on December 31st 1947, following which its system became the Southern Region of British Railways, under the terms set out in the Transport Act of August 6th 1947.

On September 5th 1964 the "Atlantic Coast Express" made its final run, which was also the last day of regular steam operation between Exeter and Ilfracombe.  The last portion to reach Padstow was hauled by 31845.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  "The Railway Observer", The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society, volume XXII, number 279, May 1952.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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