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Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Aug 15, 2024.

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  1. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    The 'approximate timings' say 05.18 off Inverness with a return of 18.11..
     
    acorb, Apr 4, 2025
    #81
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  2. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Timings on the RYTC web
     

    Attached Files:

    2857Harry, Apr 4, 2025
    #82
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    5944, Apr 4, 2025
    #83
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Given that the first train to Wick leaves at around 7 am, a start nearly two hours earlier for the GB feels like Network Rail is taking the mickey especially as dawn isn't until around 6 am. Maybe the trip north is a sleeper.
     
    Big Al, Apr 4, 2025
    #84
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  5. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    I am inclined to agree.
     
    2857Harry, Apr 4, 2025
    #85
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  6. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    There are other service workings between Dingwall/Muir/Inverness to consider.
     
    garth manor, Apr 4, 2025
    #86
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  7. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Exactly. The BLS tour was originally planned as 09.05 departure, back at 22.00, but the arrival soon changed into 23.50. In the end it became a much earlier start but still ended up booked to get back into Inverness at 19.29, after leaving Wick 6 hours earlier. Whether there's a path to get to Wick before a 13.25 departure, I have no idea. Either way, it's an early start or a very late finish to do the Far North on a railtour.

    Edit - just to add, these are the times from when GB4 also had steam south from Wick to Inverness.

    http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0418a.htm

    The locos went up the previous lunchtime, the stock left about 3am I seem to recall, and passengers were taken by coach at I think 7am.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2025
    5944, Apr 4, 2025
    #87
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It brings home the complexity of operating on this route. I suspect that going to Wick and to Thurso adds to the planning nightmare.
     
    Big Al, Apr 5, 2025
    #88
  9. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    I'd be curious to see what the length of the sections are these days. Georgemas to Lairg, Lairg to Tain, Tain to Muir Of Ord, Muir to Inverness?
     
    Paul Grant, Apr 5, 2025
    #89
  10. Foxontour

    Foxontour New Member

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    Although it is a few years since I have been up there, it was under RETB and I can’t see why it would have changed. It was,
    Georgemas Jn to Forsinard.
    Forsinard to Helmsdale.
    Helmsdale to Brora.
    Brora to Rogart.
    Rogart to Lairg.
    Lairg to Ardgay.
    Ardgay to Tain.
    Tain to Invergordon. (can’t remember if there is an IB at Fearn or not)
    Invergordon to Evanton IB (not a passing place, just to allow two trains in a long section, or allow a Kyle train into Dingwall whilst bringing the south bound nearer)
    Evanton IB to Dingwall.
    Dinwall to Muir of Ord.
    Muir of Ord to Clunes IB. (not a passing place, just to allow two trains in a long section)
    Clunes IB to Inverness.
     
    Foxontour, Apr 5, 2025
    #90
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  11. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    TheModster, Apr 12, 2025
    #91
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  12. The Gricing Owl

    The Gricing Owl Well-Known Member

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    Well, I guess no one is in much of a hurry on this multiple day trip.

    As, when it says Slow Line all the way from the Wimbledon West start to passing Woking in 26 1/2 minutes, it means Slow Line. :eek:

    Bryan
     
    The Gricing Owl, Apr 12, 2025
    #92
  13. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    Mick45305, Apr 15, 2025
    #93
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  14. 46229

    46229 New Member

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    Let's hope that there's not a repeat of the devastation that the 2011 train left in its wake either.....having witnessed the fires it started and the damage done to the Flow Country around Forsinard that day and the RSPB reserve in particular, it was not a good day for main line steam.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13127657
     
    46229, Apr 15, 2025
    #94
  15. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    With the 2025 Great Britain 3 weeks away I thought I’d put together a compilation of previous tours.
    Locomotves featured:

    6233 Duchess of Sutherland,
    60103 Flying Scotsman,
    70000 Britannia,
    45407 The Lancashire Fusilier,
    Black 5 No. 44871,
    Black 5 No. 44932,
    SR U class No. 31806.


    The Great Britain.

     
    D1002, Apr 15, 2025
    #95
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I see that Day 4 starts at Carnforth with no pick up at Grange-over-Sands as advertised unless Network Rail has made a mistake with its timings. So coaches from Grange to Carnforth meaning a hotel departure around 8/8.30 and a 14 hour day until arrival in Edinburgh hotels.

    These always seem to turn out as marathons. I fear the worst with Wick and Thurso!
     
    Big Al, Apr 15, 2025
    #96
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  17. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    The U on the mainline, almost as rare as rocking horse manure:)
     
    Gladiator 5076, Apr 15, 2025
    #97
  18. Waterbuck

    Waterbuck Member

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    I'm not sure the coach will go from 'Grange'
     
    Waterbuck, Apr 15, 2025
    #98
  19. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    Coaches from Windermere.
     
    garth manor, Apr 15, 2025
    #99
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  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    And only approx 5 minutes additional driving time according to Google maps.
     
    Paul42, Apr 15, 2025
    #100
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