The Great Britain XVI - 13/04/24 to 21/04/24

Did not have time to get to Martin Mill Bank this morning so long lens (too long) from my eaves room.

Black five appeared to be doing very little with about ten behind plus brm-brm box

 

Yes, ten coaches and an 'idling' 44871 by the look of it there. I imagine that, given it is presumably not a train primarily aimed at enthusiasts, the diesel would take the load readily, with the steam more of a figurehead. A loco owner understandably won't want to work his steed hard for non-enthusiasts.

 

I thought this was a train that was potentially full of enthusiasts?
First of all a lot is not dining I thought, so I am not sure how many "normals" want early starts and late finishes where you have to hope to be able to get food.
There is not exactly much off train in the eight days, I have certainly not seen it as a non enthusiast event, but never having been I am solely basing it on what I have read ,and observed the year the last night of the tour was in Swanage. Well the stock and loco were, the passengers were in Sandbanks or Bournemouth from memory.

 

I may be wrong, of course, but I assumed a very expensive tour of the UK, with hotels, was aimed more at non-enthusiasts. It would be interesting to know the make up of the clientelle. In any case, of course, a random instance of a gently-stemaing 44871 doesn't mean it won't do anything.

 

I agree. One image of a loco not working “hard” does not mean that’s the whole tour.

Ultimately there’s 9 days and 3 locos. These locos have to get throught this otherwise those above will be moaning about diesel haulage, let alone on the back.

The debate has been done to death. It’s boring. The diesel is there. Deal with it

 

I'd say there's shades of grey. There are definitely international travellers who are doing a land cruise of GB. Then in coach J, first class as opposed to premier dining, you have the kind of enthusiast who can afford to do it, perhaps for the routes, perhaps for the locos. Not everyone in that category is doing the whole nine days. So if enthusiast means bacon butty brigade, yes. But pretty much everyone on that train is an enthusiast for steam travel on the main line otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.

 

Don’t let logic come in to this Ralph!

 

I hope it wasn't drifting downhill across the marshes! Deal could get quite wet.

 

The GB tours have always had a good a mix of unassisted steam hence the shadowing diesel on selected days. If the train was full of non enthusiasts why bother with the expense of light engine paths.

Hopefully the pair of the Fives put on a good show up the Lickey tomorrow without the need for the diesel being on full power. They've got a long run from Abbotswood so I'd be hoping for a mid 60s blast through Bromsgrove which should give the pair a decent dose of momentum, you'd hope ?

 

Yes, there's no doubt that diesels are here to stay, but the question was how much it does to assist, when and why. I've no idea in this case, but I do believe it will be very rare to see an unassisted main line steam working (not just with a 'dead' disel but one actually doing most of the work all the time) within a very few years. I suspect that, with locos getting older and the number of poeple still able to maintain them reducing, they will become light steam 'figureheads' as a matter of course, until bookings dwindle to make the whole enterprise unworkable. Obviously a huge shame, but I am just glad to have seen the heyday of post-1968 main line steam. That is just the way it is - things change. Until then, of course, we can hope the passengers enjoy what they book.

 

Yes, looks like a good bit of work. EDIT - spoke too soon, judging by the Southall times! Shouldn't be an issue overall, but ironic to have such a big delay there after the journey. Was the second 'Five' asleep?!

 

Lovely view. Take it that is on the line between Sandwich and Deal? That stretch is very flat, only starts climbing south of Deal.
I did see the five working today, going uphill at Capel le Ferne on the approach to Folkestone. Must be a speed restriction there at the moment as all trains were travelling slower than usual.

 

Either way , they have the board at Challow so hopefully away near as on time.

Edit , signals been put back agaisnt them and they haven't moved up , do hope everything is okay.

 

Photted it three times this morning. Utterly pathetic with the diesel roaring away at each location and the Five looking like it was almost undriven. I'd booked the next week off to follow ir all the way to Scotland. I have given up in disgust and driven home instead. Decorating to do and watching paint dry will be cheaper and more satisfying

A second rate parody and I've had enough after just one day. I feel sorry for those who have shelled out for what, if today is repeated, will be a waste of £4k. Shame on WCR and RTC for accepting such an ersatz offering.

As for doubting how many enthusiasts were aboard my guess would be a great percentage. How many of them retain that enthusiasm through 9 days is probably a lot less.

 

You can't tell if a loco is pulling or a diesel is pushing when you've paid to be in for the experience of the food and travel etc

I'm sure WRC and/or any other company will be sad to not see you standing out for free to photo an expensive tour

 

Won't someone think about the most affected group here: freeloading linesiders?