to be honest i used to enjoy the challenge off making up time
yes its often frustrated loosing 5 or 6 mins you have just worked hard to get back but that happens
about the best i managed was on something like the 11.34 stopper to reading possibly around 1990 with a hampshire or oxted thumper
ask the guard to find out where the passengers are going as we get sorted at redhill leaving at 1154-55
at reigate the gaurd says no deepdene so betchworth stop lots off noise approaching deepdene at about 25mph and onward non stop to dorking town from then on every station had passengers
guildford was 3mins standing so 2.5 mins pulled back there manage reading 1 min early
and took great joy when the 4b staff said i thought you where over 20 mins late ---
and i said i was