The Great Britain X - 29/04/17 to 07/05/17

Has anywhere in Britain had much rain recently?

 

http://uksteam.info/tours/t16/t0502a.htm

Last year's GB departed just after the 11:00 to the Kyle, I guess this year will follow the same path.

Will 60009 be allowed to cross the Tay Bridge? The last few times steam has tried to cross the Tay, it's been retimed to go straight to Perth via Newburgh due to gauging/weight issues.

James

 

This from the Met Office website just now....

 

Meanwhile, Edinburgh isn't due to get much rain by look on BBC.

 

Well I got wet, very wet, filming the Scot in Wiltshire. But that was very localised. Here in Surrey the ground is as hard as nails, and the underbrush is tinder dry. Chobham Common has already had a major brush fire recently.

 

http://beta.sepa.org.uk/rainfall should provide those interested with details of recent rainfall close to the route in Scotland at least.

 

Any idea where the times are for the charter: I haven't seen any yet.

 

The GB tour traditionally has to suffer all sorts of issues, problems and disasters, no reason on earth why snow shouldn't be thrown into the mix.

 

Cue the cries of hersay when they attach a diesel on the back for assistance / insurance as well as to provide ETH. Can just see the punters getting angry with other passengers who insist there should be no box on the back and would rather freeze....

 

A week to go and no timings yet anywher

#Yes timings would be good as not long to go now!

 

On past experience, I'd expect to see times for the first few days appear by Wednesday this week but we might not see them for the final weekend until the middle of next week. Thanks goodness most B&Bs and motorway services offer wifi these days! How did we cope in the "old days"? ;-)

 

Hi @Big Al - what's your source for 62005 hauling the return from FW as well? The RTC web-site says "You return later diesel hauled to Glasgow and can enjoy the landscape once more." TIA

 

UK Tours 2017 has Steam to Fort William "and return" but RTC on their site still says return diesel hauled.

Would make more sense to return diesel hauled and leave the K1 at Fort William for the season.

Edit: Post updated.

 

Any idea what the max unassisted load is that the K1 can take over Rannoch? If GB exceeds that then a box will be involved anyway and if its as dry up there as would seem, setting Rannoch on fire with a K1 working at the limit is probably something worth mitigating.

 

Don't forget the Fort William day is an optional one, so the load could well be substantially shorter than normal if the bookings aren't particularly high. 62005 took 6 over Rannoch in 2014 if my memory serves me correct with no major problems?

James

 

Steam heating... Been on tours this year where that has been just fine...