A question for the resident experts
Did the `74 work the `Ocean Liner Express` ? Was it still a named train then?
IIRC, there was no specific train named the
Ocean Liner Express....it was merely a generic term used to describe the boat trains between Waterloo and Southampton Eastern or Western Docks and vice-versa. However in steam days, some of the boat trains carried headboards advertising the shipping company concerned....especially Cunard.
There were a number of 'Q' (conditional or
as required) pathways in the working timetable....but additional services could be patched under special traffic arrangements - depending on such variable factors as tides and expected arrival/departure times of ships.
When I worked in the Special Traffic Section at the Wimbledon Divisional Manager's Office in 1977-78, we had a gentleman who was known as 'Mr Boat Train'. He had a rare job that encompassed both the commercial and operational side of organising the ocean liner expresses. Always immaculately-dressed in a smart suit and tie, he spent a lot of time out of the office having meetings with - and being wined and dined by - the shipping companies. When he did show up in the office, it would usually be to give me a piece of paper - and copies for the relevant diagramming sections - for inclusion in the weekly Special Traffic Notice of an additional boat train that he had timed himself.
Incidentally, he also organised the annual office Christmas dinner....which I recall took place at the Berni Inn (remember them?) at Hampton Court. I expect that
@Big Jumby 74 Will have known the gentleman concerned.
