NEW APRIL 2019. This 23-page file relates to the timekeeping of the GER's long distance trains around 1910. It makes particular reference to the Norfolk Coast Express from Cromer, but other trains are considered as well. All the extracts are taken from the Railway Magazine of the time.

The first three pages are an article which appeared in the issue for January 1911, entitled 'Punctuality on the Great Eastern Railway'. The author worked in an office not far from Liverpool Street, and the previous summer had enjoyed taking a break to see the expresses arriving there between 3.30 and 4.30 pm. What he found is displayed in a large table. There were eight trains due in from the country, from places as far afield as Lowestoft and York. One of them was the up Norfolk Coast Express. On twelve stated weekdays in August and September 1910 they are recorded. The locomotive number is given together with 'RT' if its arrival was on time or, if not, the number of minutes it was early/late.

Three extracts from 'British Locomotive Practice and Performance' follow, describing runs to or from Liverpool Street on GER trains. The first, from the October 1910 issue, is by W J Scott. The other two, from April and November 1911, are by C J Allen.

The next eight pages are an article from September 1908 describing the Norfolk Coast Express, as part of their series 'World Famous Trains'.

Finally comes a log of an up run on that train which was extraordinary and something of a scoop. It was in the issue for October 1912. That August most of the lines in Norfolk had been closed due to flooding, and this was straight after that event. Lines were still only partially open, and the only way the Express could get to London was a cautious journey via Wymondham and Cambridge!

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