There would very likely be 2 or 3 stops for a change of crew on the way (due to route knowledge) but potentially the same loco would work right through if it was a type known to all crews. Brush type-4 (cl 47) were, and the other possibility is a Peak.

As to formation, the closest example I can offer up is a 1966 Newcastle-Poole (via York/Derby/Oxford) 'Summer Saturday only' which is given as Brake-composite/First/First/Buffet/Second/Second/Second/Second/Brake-Second/Composite/Second. Doesn't specify whether corridor or open, I'd guess probably corridor for the firsts and brake-comp, but the rest could be either.

The Comp & Second after the second Brake are interesting - I'd guess at strengthening over the core formation, either Seasonal or Weekend so you could drop those two for a shorter formation.

Ear wiggo again. Another dismal performance in the making

Quote from: port perran on Yesterday at 02:40:48 PMThanks for that @Foxhound . That's the first time I've heard HMHB for a while - great fun.
I'm not a great fan of the punk/post punk stuff but HMHB were/are one of the better offerings.
If I recall, John Peel was a big exponent of them.

@port perran you're most welcome. John Peel was a huge champion for the band, and it was on his show that I first heard the glorious Trumpton Riots EP. They're still as vitriolic to this day, great social commentators.

Mick

Have you considered working timetables

Railwaybooks.co.uk
Transportpasttimes.co.uk


Sadly I can't help with steam locomotive haulage except rmweb

Formations maybe the odd Gresley or Stanier in the formation but a brake coach or two, corridor, open and a restaurant/ catering vehicle would be included and maybe a portion for Newquay/ St Ives and the lovely coastal destinations would be included

Quote from: Foxhound on Yesterday at 02:28:25 PM

Thank you, @Trainfish for sending me down the HMHB rabbit hole with your post in the Ashes thread. Happy days bashing type 2s and Tractors in Scotland in the mid-late 80s with these lads playing on the ghettoblaster....

God, this band are (still) brilliant.

Thanks for that @Foxhound . That's the first time I've heard HMHB for a while - great fun.
I'm not a great fan of the punk/post punk stuff but HMHB were/are one of the better offerings.
If I recall, John Peel was a big exponent of them.

Hi Mick

Thinking about the SW part of the journey :

Bristol to Exeter is only 1 hour (almost exactly ) to include a 2 min stop at Taunton.

Exeter to Plymouth is around 47 mins including the usual Cross Country stops at Newton Abbot  and Totnes.

Plymouth to Penzance is more leisurely even at today's speeds and is usually 117 mins or so. It's further than you think and even Cross Country trains will make several stops eg Liskeard, Bodmin Road Parkway, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne and PZ.
It's a long old haul. I should know as I used to do it often enough.
Hope that helps

Martin

Thank you, @Trainfish for sending me down the HMHB rabbit hole with your post in the Ashes thread. Happy days bashing type 2s and Tractors in Scotland in the mid-late 80s with these lads playing on the ghettoblaster....

God, this band are (still) brilliant.

Quote from: Trainfish on December 17, 2025, 09:14:57 PMHalf Man Half Biscuit taught me about Fred.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMTGJer-dU

Don't click this link if you don't like sweary words

Johnny looked out of his bedroom window and shouted to his Mum.....

Quote from: The Q on December 17, 2025, 05:10:51 PMWorked Christmas for about half of my working life..
Not any more....
I'm retired..

Our concession to Christmas day is no house work.
The turkey and everything else for the meal is cooked sliced and waiting in the freezer..


That will be walked off by a stroll on the beach with the dog..

Merry Christmas to you all..

That sounds like an ideal day, I hope you enjoy it. Sadly, my old dog can't walk on the beach these days, but we are also after a minimal effort meal with a short walk with her afterwards.

I'm looking into creating an imaginary train running from York to Penzance in the mid 60s travelling down the ECML to Sandy, then across to Oxford for a loco change before heading off to the west country. Initial loco maybe a Deltic or Brush Type 4, changing at Oxford to a Western for the remainder of the journey. I've estimated times based on distances between locations.
What does the collective think, and would someone like to suggest a formation of MK1s please?