The Great Britain IX

Rubbish

 

At least WCRC's 47s are the right colour. Perhaps we could apply some replica Mark 1 windows along the sides?

 

10 for the Scot over the banks would have been overloaded. 10 for a black 5 up the Marches would have been touch and go, especially risky with a recent repair. If either of the trains had sat down & caused delays West Coast would be strung up, not only by the ORR, but probably by many on here too.
Sorry, but the risks taken only 12 months ago simply aren't going to happen - and in my view correctly so for the sake of the industry. The main issue is the lack of class 8's. If there were more of them about loads wouldn't be an issue, but for a few years class 7's and even 5's have had to take the brunt of mainline work.
However, please can we concentrate on this tour. I am sure many of the international travellers are in awe of what the UK is able to deliver steam wise. Despite all the failures steam is making it the length of Britain once again.

 

A decent climb of Slochd today, all things considered. As will be expected, there was diesel assistance due to train weight and fire risk- the lineside in places looked tinder-dry, which naturally subdued any fireworks up Druimuachdair. At times, 44871 was barking away quite vocally. The snow-topped Cairngorms are a sight to behold.

 

A good day from the lineside, again. Lovely conditions around Blackford where 44871 was jogging along in fine style; patchy sun in Glen Gary - some were lucky, others less so - where the DL was providing lots of assistance, but still lots of noise from the front and the smoke lifting well clear of the loco; overcast at Dalwhinnie, with steam in charge; full sun at Slochd, where DL was assisting, but not as much as earlier - to my mind the train passed at the sort of speed we've come to expect from a pair of black 5s. Loops stops were rearranged a bit at Kincraig and Carbridge, with RTT showing the train 21E leaving Kincraig. I don't expect that caught too many people out - the crowd seemed to be at Slochd well in advance, because of the long walk. Thanks to the gents in the Hymer for tea after the long slog back from Slochd Mor - much appreciated.

RTT shows some changes to tomorrow's times. Water stops are now Invergordon and Helmsdale, vice Ardgay and Forsinard.

Picked up a puncture in Linlithgow last night, from a large screw left in the road. The name "KwikFit" is a misnomer. On the plus side, they had a selection of tyres in my car's size and were still open at 3:45 on a Saturday, unlike most of their rivals. On the minus side they took best part of an hour to fit one tyre and swap the spare for the new one. They weren't exactly busy when we arrived. All this time our luggage was sitting out in the open - the spare is under the boot floor in a Fabia.

 

Steamage - be thankful your Fabia has a spare. Our Fabia has a tin of mouse and a pump, such is progress

 

The fact we have only one steam loco up front and a diesel on the rear for what should be 3 of the biggest climbs, Beattock yesterday, Druimuichdar and Slochd.today means that they were non events in my eyes from someone on the train

The joy of these is to hear locos working hard against the grade

Given this has been mentioned as the last ever gb tour you'd have thought all the stops would be pulled out for it to be one to remember and have contingencies for potential changes in the loco roster

As it is, after.last years farce, this.year looks to be going out with a wimper with the least number of locos ever to work a gb tour - 4 in total

In response to the comment above, there don't seem to be any.overseas visitors in this year's trip, certainly not as there have been in previous years

The loading is actually a lot lower than previous in terms of passenger numbers

I also wonder whether the poor timings with early starts on a number of days is a way of trying to put people off steam on the mainline on a multi day trip?

Will this be the last steam on the.far north? Possibly even on the Highland Mainline?
It's not exactly been abundant in previous years with the gb tours providing the bulk of it

Controversial maybe, but I have a feeling we'll maybe see simpler repeat itineraries for steam :-(

 

A couple of efforts from me today.

Firstly at a very sunny Glendevon (approaching Gleneagles) - http://www.crozierphotography.co.uk/photos/index.php/Railways/New-images/44871_Glendevon_300416

Then 44871 leaving Dalwhinnie (just too early for a little break in the clouds) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/23006205@N07/26735777605/in/dateposted-public/

Steven

 

It's clear that we are in desperate need of locomotives ! Especially Class 7 and more importantly class 8 ! By now we should of have had some other returnees, this year there should be at least two Brit's, one A4, a Duchess, a Princess, two Southern class 7's, the Blue King, the list could go on ! That's why there has been no backup plan for the GB IX, pure loco shortage ! Still, there's steam on the front and that's the minimum I would expect if I was a paying customer ! I would love to see a return of the West Highlander Steam Express next year instead of the GB, if it is to be axed !

 

Field or harvest?

 

Thuruuuuuuuup

 

Someone after my own heart. Well said Sir.

 

I am very much with Shireman on this.

Steve said: "Nobody actually 'wants' the box on the back" Hmmm. There have been suggestions on here that 'steam' tours are being planned with underpowered steam locos than mean shovage is inevitable.

"The majority of observers seem to think that it did little if anything to detract from this particular trip". On the lineside or on the train? Charterboy clearly has a view "The fact we have only one steam loco up front and a diesel on the rear for what should be 3 of the biggest climbs, Beattock yesterday, Druimuichdar and Slochd.today means that they were non events in my eyes from someone on the train".

Back to Steve "If the alternative is no steam at all on the main line, then I know which option I prefer". If steam can't work unassisted quick frankly what is the point? I'd rather pay to have real steam at 25 mph on a heritage railway than 75 mph shovage on the main line!

I travel on steam tours for the route, the destination, the banter - but above all else to assess how the loco is performing. I had a chat with a long standing friend in the performance fraternity at Temple Meads who was on the GB IX and who assured me I had missed nothing from a performance point of view. Nothing I have seen since would change that view.

I do appreciate that GB IX was planned to have many days planned as 100% steam haulage which didn't work work out, but as Shireman says, it begs the questions why on day 1 the box, with a light engine path to boot, couldn't have shadowed the tour to Exeter at least before coupling up, and dropped off there on day 2?

I will continue to support main line steam as a paying customer as far as my time and resources allow. But I do want steam, not shovage!

Next trips booked are Torbay on 24 July and Robin Hood 13 Aug. Would also like to do 8F over Sugar Loaf on 14 May, if no shovage.

 

Yes GB9 is disappointing in a number of ways. However, the wonder is that it is running at all. As said above, there are fewer passengers than previous years, and so it must be very marginal financially. The last-minute loco issues have actually been handled in the least-bad way possible. Earlier on I was accused of seeing my glass was half-empty, but in this case I seem to be arguing that it's half-full. It will take a year or more for the steam charter market to return to normal, provided nothing else goes badly wrong...

 

Staniers answer to the Pendolino.

 

My wife and I are enjoying GB9 very much indeed!
Today is perhaps the very last steam train from Thurso so we will be enjoying a wonderful ambiance far far better than sprinters-especially the refreshments!
Wildlife/botany have been good and my hotels of good quality.
I truly think there is , sadly,a'new reality' for all charters !
I hope that there are more 7/8P locos available soon as charterers DO want to use them. The Duchess would have been unassisted IMO ....
Beauly Firth looked stunning btw!!
A v happy Ray Mason

 

Might require words with more than two syla... no i give up too.

 

Why is that?