The Great Britain XII - April/May 2019

But that is not GWR's fault is it, they are stuck, like all TOC's with either what the DfT force on them (IET) or current small leg room ironing board seat stock that modern train builders think are acceptable (387's and similar)

 

I don't understand the point that you're making.

'father_jack' was praising First Great Western for helping another operator when they were in difficulty. <BJ>

​

 

Day 5 - I planned to get the return leg as well, but with the delay and my plan to go to Muchalls foiled by the fog I bailed out in the end.
North Queensferry




Errol


Laurencekirk

 

I am not criticising GWR who helped out by taking the passengers (which I believe is what father_jack was saying) but merely commenting that after a week in a comfortable MK1 it would be not so comfortable. My follow up message being that it is not the fault of GWR that they are stuck with what they have to operate.
It seems to me every new train designed is a step back in comfort from its predecessors, but that is just my opinion
But it is thread drift so I will leave my views on modern stock there.

 

I was perfectly comfortable for the fast short journey to Paddington which was stood waiting at the Platform.

 

Nice to be met by a friendly bear.

 

35018 British India Line - The Great Britain XII , Friday 3rd May 2019.

 

Having completed the three day Scottish leg once again, I fully endorse the views of @30567 and @Mick45305...a great time was had by all. (Especially good to see the crowds at Stranraer and Girvan) One other highlight for me not mentioned yet was that I managed to get to Ferryhill to see No. 9 being turned....thanks to a local lass sat on our table who had the wherewithal to suggest and book a taxi....well worth it, there was a crowd of about 50 or so (and a couple of police cars when they were not needed!) There was another chap on the train who walked there, said it took him about 25 minutes, so we gave him a lift back. Oddly we were told that the loco was unable to take water at Ferryhill, couldn't see why not as there was plenty of room and would have saved unnecessary movements. We agreed that as Aberdeen is being used as a more frequent destination it would be an excellent idea for tour or trip participants to be able to visit the site
Anyway, when I got home I resolved to check my old notebooks (and those of my father) as I had been to Ferryhill once before in June 1966, we were on the WRS 'Aberdonian' that had originated at Waterloo, I was 11 at the time. I have a vivid memory of the depot(there were 4 A4's on shed) but when I looked at the times displayed on http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/ I saw that our train arrived in Aberdeen behind a V2 at 22h32 and left at 23h30 behind an A4...not long! I eventually located my old locomotive Shed Directory which indicated a walking time of 20 minutes...so it was doable if a bit rushed (mind you, I think we were used to that in those days). I have no memory of getting there and back, so we must have just followed the crowd, slight thread drift but was anyone else on that train all those years ago?

 

Day 6, and probably the highlight of the tour with the run to Stranraer.

Barrhill


Followed all the other cars to Glenwhilly and ran over to the sunny side to get the pair leaving:




B1 going on the to rear of the train at Stranraer, having taken water in platform 1 and sat there while the Scotrail service arrived then departed.


The return up in the hills, north of Glenwhilly


Pinmore Viaduct

 

Part 4

Day 6

After checking out of the hotel I found the Caledonian Sleeper was still in our platform, which delayed the arrival and departure of our train. The diesel path following our train to Falkland Yard had been cancelled and we learned that the driver had not had the required rest period after shunting the stock last night, after our late arrival, so would be attached for the first part of the journey. Apart from the rare track the journey to just past High Street junction was uneventful. After our water stop between High Street junction and Shields junction we passed by the site of where the Glasgow and South Western Railway’s Glasgow terminus of St Enoch’s use to be, which is now a shopping centre, although even if it had survived it would probaley have ended up as one which trains also left from. On arrival at Falkland Junction the diesel was detached.

The climb from Girvan was what I was looking to, I had seen videos of the 2014 Great Britain and it didn’t disappoint, and neitherd did the one to Chirmorie Summit. It was mainly downhill for the remainder of the journey to Stranraer. There was a lot of people out to see the train on the way to and at Stranraer, and I did not see anyone trespassing. At Dunragit the B1 detached and went into the loop and followed us into Stranraer on a separate path. There was a large queue on the main platform to get on the footplate of the B1 while it was being serviced and watered. With the train now top and tailed there was only one coach between us in coach G and the B1 and for the return as far as Ayr.

On the onward journey we heard that those booked in the Mercure in Ayr would be going to a different hotel in Irving, since the hotel had double booked and there were already people in the rooms. The luggage had already delivered to the rooms in the new hotel. According to the information I had received I was going to the Mercure but that was an error, I was in the Premier Inn and my suitcase was in the room upon arrival. Upon arrival 8.40pm we were told by the receptionist that If we wanted meal, we would need to book a table with here and the latest time was 9. 15pm before the kitchen closed. I make a booking for 9.00pm but when I came down was told that the kitchen had already closed. This Premier is outside Ayr and next to a car show room. I looked at what the options were with walking distance and headed to Pizza Hut in a retail park 10 minutes’ walk away where I was the only customer. I will be recommneding the Pizza Hut on my review on google of the Premier Inn.And that brought an end to a thoroughly enjoyable day.

 

Footage from all eight days of action.



2615 miles driving over the 9 days of the tour... thoroughly worth it!

 

Top video coverage Will, good to chat to you at Low Hutton.

Last few pictures of the tour from me, starting with day 7 at Closeburn:



Then BIL at Ais Gill.


Then at Low Hutton on the last leg to Scarborough.


Lastly Day 9 at Great Bourton, just north of Banbury. Nothing special, but needed for completeness.

 

Wow thats about 100 miles more than I spent on the rails over the 11 days I traveled to, on & from GBXII.
Amazing effort & coverage, thank you so much for allowing me to re-live part of a wonderful tour.
Alan

 

Superb effort - thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed it!

 

Thanks David, good to put a face to a name!

 

Scotsman possibly to have cameras fitted due to the trespass incidents.
Also BTP to be aboard future main line runs with the loco. <BJ>
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-48219462

Sorry. Topic discussed on a separate thread.

 

Yes indeed. And my impression is that there will be a next year's, and that it will be GB 2020. GB XIII perhaps not for the superstitious.