In order the mark the creation of Network South East a Network South East Day was held on Saturday 13 September 1986. This was too good an opportunity to miss, freedom of the NSE area for a flat fare. We could get some new track and have a bit of loco haulage as well.

The day started early with a departure on the Night Rider train from Lancaster. This train departed about 2 a.m. but arrived in London early to allow us to make best use of the day. The plan was also to return on this train that evening joining at Milton Keynes. This gave us roughly 18 hours to cover some new routes. The first lines were the branch lines of Uckfield and East Grinstead. Both these routes were operated by Diesel Electric Multiple Units. East Grinstead has since been electrified.

After completing this it was back to East Croydon and on to Brighton. This was followed by a ride along the south coast to Portsmouth Harbour. At this time the Portsmouth – Cardiff trains were still hauled by Class 33s so a trip to Salisbury was the order of the day followed by a Class 50 back to Waterloo. We then catch the Underground from Waterloo to Kentish Town. We were heading to Bedford for a trip to Bletchley on DMUs that were still operating the route.

Following this it was a short run Bletchley to Milton Keynes to await the arrival of the train home to Lancaster. The train arrives and we realise we have a problem. It is a full train of sleeping cars with no seats. It appears there had been a printing error in the timetable and the train had been shown to convey seats but actually didn’t.  Sleeper trains still operated on a Saturday nights in 1986.

We were very fortunate and the guard took pity on us and allowed us to board the train and sleep on the floor of the guards van. This was a very cold and uncomfortable  journey, but was better than being stranded in Milton Keynes.

We eventually arrive home very cold and stiff.

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