THERE was brief chance to see two of Britain’s luxury dining trains together on May 11, writes David Staines.
‘Black Five’ No. 44871 was recessed at Lenham Loop with the 12.50 Maidstone East-Folkestone West ‘Heart of Kent Hospice Circular’ to allow LSL’s Nos. 47810 and 47853 to overtake with a ‘Statesman’ special to Canterbury.

No. 44871 and the ‘Northern Belle’ set then followed the ‘47s’ as far Ashford International, where steam traction regained the lead, and both trains took the Canterbury line.
No. 44871 continued via Dover while ‘Statesman’ terminated in the cathedral city before returning to Shrewsbury. DAVID STAINES
Read more News and Features in the June 2019 issue of The RM –on sale now!
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