On Saturday 23rd July Southeastern Trains ran their Flush D'Or railtour - the name being a multiple play on words for the destination of Ore, the flush fitting doors on slam door trains and a tribute to the South Eastern Division's former prestigious train the Golden Arrow/Fleche D'Or.  The origin of this tour was for railway staff, however the tour was made available to members of the public, albeit without publicity other than the "grapevine" to avoid attracting Network Rail track access charges. 4 Veps 3471 and 3590 were deployed on an amble around Kent providing remarkable value for the £10 fare - proceeds from this tour being donated to charity.

This tour also provided a rare opportunity to travel by train between Ashford to Ore without going over Romney Marsh. Unfortunately, no doubt due in part to the lack of publicity, the train was not well patronised. However this did not deter those on the tour from enjoying themselves and many thanks are due to Southeastern Trains for organising this tour.

Special ticket for the Flush D'or Railtour

Vep 3471 was on the front end of the formation from Blackfriars, the leaden sky seen here remaining for most of the day. Photograph by Colin Duff

Timings:
London Blackfriars Loughborough Jn Cambria Jn Nunhead Shortlands Jn Bickley Jn St. Mary Cray Jn Swanley Fawkham Junction Sole Street Rochester Bridge Jn Gillingham (Kent) Rainham (Kent) Sittingbourne Faversham Herne Bay Margate Ramsgate Sandwich Deal (reverse) Sandwich Minster Sturry Canterbury West Wye Ashford International Maidstone East Otford Jn Swanley St. Mary Cray Jn Chislehurst (reverse) St. Mary Cray Swanley Otford Jn	08.59 09/05 09/06 09/09 09/15 09/18 09/19 09/23 09/27 09/31 09/38 09/43 09/47 09/53 10/00 10/11 10.21 - 10.36 10/45 10/58 11.03 - 11.23 11/28 11/34 11/44 11/47 11/57 12/02 12/22 12/38 12/46 12/50 12.52 - 13.08 13/10 13/14 13/22		Sevenoaks Tonbridge Somerhill Tunnel Wells Tunnel Jn Tunbridge Wells Strawberry Hill Tunnel Wadhurst Robertsbridge Mountfield Tunnel Battle Bopeep Jn S.B. Hastings Ore (reverse) Hastings Bopeep Jn S.B. Battle Mountfield Tunnel Robertsbridge Wadhurst Strawberry Hill Tunnel Tunbridge Wells Wells Tunnel Jn Somerhill Tunnel Tonbridge Godstone Redhill Stoats Nest Jn Purley South Croydon East Croydon Windmill Bridge Jn Norwood Junction Sydenham Bricklayers Arms Jn London Bridge(central)	13/26 13C34 - 13C42 13/49 13/52 13/54 13/56 14/02 14/11 14/15 14/19 14/31 14.35 - 14.37 14.39 - 14.53 14.55 - 15.13 15/16 15/23 15/27 15/29 15/41 15/45 15/47 15/48 15/52 15/54 16/07 16.18 - 16.22 16/31 16/32 16/37 16/38 16/39 16/41 16/44 16/49 16.53

First stop of the day was Margate, which was reached late but sufficient time remained for quick photographs, though going onto platform 2 to do so was to risk being left behind by the right time departure! photograph by Colin Duff

First reversal of the day was at Deal, which required passengers to de-train.  Here 3590, now leading, is coming back into the station to pick up its passengers.  It was raining lightly whilst we were at Deal. photograph by Colin Duff