Flying Dutchman (train)
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The Flying Dutchman was a named passenger train service from
Early history
The name Flying Dutchman has a convoluted history. In common with many steam and diesel locomotives such as a
In 1845 the 09:30 morning express train between
In the 1850s performance deteriorated, but the introduction of a service from
Later years
The Flying Dutchman began running again in 1869, taking 4¾ hours from Paddington to Exeter, but this was accelerated in 1871 when the LSWR began a service taking 4½ hours from London Waterloo; the Flying Dutchman was now taking 4¼ hours to Exeter and 6¼ hours to Plymouth, and during the summer was extending to Penzance although taking an extra 3 hours. By 1876 the LSWR, in extending their main line to Plymouth, introduced a train that reached Exeter in 4 hours and Plymouth in 6 hours 38 minutes, and also carrying third class passengers in contrast to the GWR express which only carried First and Second class passengers. In 1879 the Flying Dutchman, still running on the
In March 1891, a South Devon Railway Leopard class locomotive derailed in heavy snow while hauling the down Flying Dutchman near Camborne, an event known in Cornwall as the "Great Blizzard". Fortunately the coaches remained on the track and there were no serious injuries.[1]
The last run of the Flying Dutchman, still broad gauge, was on 19 May 1892; the 11:45 from Paddington the following day was a standard gauge express train, but not distinguished by any name.
References
- ISBN 978-0-86093-625-1.
- Allen, Cecil J. (1974). Titled Trains of the Western. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0513-3.