The Great Britain XI - 2018

There are two VT services and a TPE (running 5 late) close by on the down...presumably when they clear they'll be off after the original booked time.

Edit; the jubs are out of the loop in front of the TPE!

 

There was a huge gap prior to those services. As I write this there's only been one northbound service in the last 45 minutes, which has just gone through.

 

Your guess is as good as mine, but Les has just announced the problem is at Edinburgh, no available paths, waiting again at Carstairs, away again now, making a bid....

 

Cobbinshaw next, speed building nicely, acceleration wise 2x5X=Quick.

 

Platform availability at Edinburgh has been an issue previously.

 

even though you have delays, strangely RTT has you on time
edit 7 early

 

35018 going well at Selside

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/40875475224/in/dateposted/

 

For even those who use RTT, it was quite a shock! And no chance of doing Metal Bridge near the border and then onto the climb at Beattock!

A good day chasing overall. No. 35018 put on a spectacular performance, and while Bulleid machines never rate highly with myself personally, I have to admit the way it tackled the Long Drag made it seem effortless. Well done to the Carnforth lads on bringing out a cracking machine from the workshops.

Here are just two of the shots from the day. I think it's now time for bed.....

Merchant Navy No. 35018 'British India Line' - Selside Cottages by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Jubilees No. 45690 'Leander' & 45699 'Galatea' - Elvanfoot by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

Not the best day chasing but footage of 35018 and the two Jub's .

 

Got planes and NR sirens and the lot on my vid near Church Fenton,but it's not too bad once the loco gets a bit closer...!

 

Not a lot of interest from the locals as 'British India Line' works away from Lazonby on the final leg to Carlisle with Mick Rawling driving and Frank Chippendale
on the shovel



Having taken over from 'British India Line', LMS 5XP Class 4-6-0 No. 45690 'Leander' pilots 45699 'Galatea' across Metal Bridge working GBXI to Edinburgh.
Mick Kelly and Steve Chipperfield todays drivers and Pete Hanson and Chris Holmes firing, Roly Parker guarding.

 

Good stuff Steve, I can imagine the air was blue in the first sequence lol

 

Spoke to the crew ref. Shutting off and it was as I thought, 5699 shut off and 5690 powered and braked to go inside, which means you were a little too far north to catch them both working hard.

 

It was indeed but even worse when we realised it hadn’t stopped at Lockerbie and was sat in the summit loop

 

We have been early all day, all delays have been down to problems beyond our control.

 

Just a big thank you to WCRC Crews, Staff and superb locos, RTC for doing what they do, well and Gravy Train for the catering, all combined to make this a very very special day.
Thank You
Andy

 

Footage of 35018 making easy work of the grades at Gargrave and Helwith Bridge this afternoon then 45690 & 45699 roaring past Quintinshill later on.

 

BIL starting to look like a top notch loco now and don't the Jubes look great together! What a cracking day for those on board, excellent stuff!

 

LNER A3s were named after them but BIL actually sounds like a Racehorse...