33 203 with 1Y46 the VSOE at Folly Lane, Folkestone.
In respect of 'Boat Trains" It doesn't come any more up market than the Venice Simplon Orient Express. This luxury train operated by P&O Sea Containers at the time was part of a luxury travel experience offered as a through package from London to Venice by train one way and fly back or vice versa.
From an enthusiast point of view the train was booked for some rare haulage in the shape of one of the Dover Train Ferry heavy shunters namely a class 33/2. The engine used to run light from Dover Town Yard to Folkestone East Junction to await the arrival of 1Y46 11.15 London Victoria to Folkestone Harbour VSOE service. The train would arrive from London behind a class 73 and on entering the Folkestone East Train Roads would stop for the class 33/2 to be attached to the rear for the reversal and descent of the 1/37 Folkestone Harbour branch. With the closure of the branch and cessation of ferry services from Folkestone VSOE passengers are now de-trained at Folkestone West and a luxury coach conveys them to Calais in France via the Eurotunnel vehicle shuttle.
33 203 is seen descending the incline with 1Y46 approaching the footbridge at Folly Road Level Crossing. 73 211 can just be seen attached to the rear for the return working. Passengers disembarking from the VSOE would catch the 14.30 ferry to Boulogne where their journey would continue on the 15 coach Wagon-Lits Pullman cars across Europe. (See next image in photostream)
33 203 with 1Y46 the VSOE at Folly Lane, Folkestone.
In respect of 'Boat Trains" It doesn't come any more up market than the Venice Simplon Orient Express. This luxury train operated by P&O Sea Containers at the time was part of a luxury travel experience offered as a through package from London to Venice by train one way and fly back or vice versa.
From an enthusiast point of view the train was booked for some rare haulage in the shape of one of the Dover Train Ferry heavy shunters namely a class 33/2. The engine used to run light from Dover Town Yard to Folkestone East Junction to await the arrival of 1Y46 11.15 London Victoria to Folkestone Harbour VSOE service. The train would arrive from London behind a class 73 and on entering the Folkestone East Train Roads would stop for the class 33/2 to be attached to the rear for the reversal and descent of the 1/37 Folkestone Harbour branch. With the closure of the branch and cessation of ferry services from Folkestone VSOE passengers are now de-trained at Folkestone West and a luxury coach conveys them to Calais in France via the Eurotunnel vehicle shuttle.
33 203 is seen descending the incline with 1Y46 approaching the footbridge at Folly Road Level Crossing. 73 211 can just be seen attached to the rear for the return working. Passengers disembarking from the VSOE would catch the 14.30 ferry to Boulogne where their journey would continue on the 15 coach Wagon-Lits Pullman cars across Europe. (See next image in photostream)