Great Britain 3, 6-14 April 2010

I am also booked on this tour and totally agree with 6:05 specials comments. There has been no communication whatsoever from RTC about the, almost daily, changes to this tour. This is not good enough when the cost is 2 grand, I feel sorry for those who are not on the internet and are probably in the dark. What is the saying, 'A fool and his money are easily parted.....hmm'

 

When RTC first mooted the 'Great Britain' a few years ago, many folk said it would never happen. The logistics must be an absolute nightmare and rather than moaning about route and loco changes I'd prefer to see credit given to RTC, WCRC, etc. for putting in the effort to ensure it runs. Yes, it's unfortunate that plans change, but it is somewhat inevitable with such a complex and untried itinery. The fact that steam will run from one end of Britain to the other in 2010 with such a variety of locos is pretty incredible IMHO.

Yes, RTC could update participants on a daily basis, but at present it looks like there will be further changes, so what would be the point until it is all finalised?

If the attitude of the last couple of posters is mirrored by the rest of the tour participants, then it doesn't look good for future GB tours. I only hope the majority look to the positive and enjoy what will be a phenomenal tour and something that should be remembered for a lifetime.

 

Has to be said,it will be a big dissapointment for me personally,if it misses out the GSW,it was probably my main reason for going,and if its Leander,its basically a repeat of the West Highlander,and for some reason,even though i love Jub's (as my name suggests),i wasn't overly thrilled with the Beattock performance,probably because we were at the back.

 

Ok let me first say I am not on the tour, so perhaps am not qualified to comment.

But I have to agree with the above post.
Anyone who taked on the challenge of arranging a mainline run with steam of any sort needs a medal.
To take on a tour of ths magnitude is I think amazing.
I would guess that most of those travellling would be enthusiasts,
so I would have thought they would be aware of the pitfalls,
and prepared for the fact that changes may have to be made.
OK I know people are paying good money to travel on this tour,
but if all the organisers get is criticism,
there may not be any tours to spend money on.

 

I basically agree with IKB and the poster he quotes. But I would urge RTC and its suppliers (among which I include NR who supply the routes and paths) to sit down after the event and look at everything that needed changing or fixing last year and will have needed it this year. Then, long before GB IV is advertised, whenever that is, do a serious exercise in risk mitigation planning. Even if you only prevent 33% of the pitfalls, and can repair another 33% fast thanks to a contingency plan, it's well worth doing and will eliminate major disappointments for the mainly enthusiast customers.
I bet there are a lot of risk consultants who would accept two tickets on a future GB IV in lieu of payment for a one-day risk management workshop. I certainly would .

 

According to RTC there wont be a GBIV.

David

 

I see that 70013 is now doing the Bristol to Preston leg of this tour then it's returning to Crewe H.C. after.

Also timings for days 3 and 4 now on uksteaminfo, mid morning start on day 3 with early evening arrival at Preston and a not too early start on day 4 with early evening arrival at Glasgow.

Day 3 timings much the same as last year, day 4 departs 2 hours earlier from Preston, with arrival in Glasgow just over an hour earlier than last year.

Dave B

 

I see there is no GSWR after all

Thanks Network Rail,good job lads!

 

I also see another change on day 8 the Inverness to Edinburgh leg.

Still doubleheaded with 61994 and 70013 Inverness to Perth , but 70013 now doing Dundee to Edinburgh and not Perth - Ladybank - Edinburgh. Perth to Dundee is now TBA.

Wonder how many more changes we are going to get.

Dave B

 

Well,at least that means we get the Tay Bridge with steam then.

 

I cannot see any reason why 70013 should be returning to Crewe and I expect this movement will be cancelled. I would imagine "ollie" will stay at Carnforth until it works north to Glasgow. I guess these timings were prepared on the basis that 6201 would be hauling the Bristol -Preston leg, which was of course the original plan and that "Lizzie" would then be returning to its home at Crewe following the run.

 

I would expect 61994 to run round the train at Perth and haul it to Dundee tender first in top and tail mode with 70013 on the rear. This happened in the reverse direction a couple of years ago when 45407 hauled the train tender first with No. 9 on the rear.

 

Must say I was surprised to see that 70013 was returning to Crewe too. Hopefully, as you say that move may be based on when 6201 was hauling this leg.

As 70013 needs to get to Glasgow, wouldn't it be nice if it doubleheaded with 46115 on the Preston - Glasgow leg?

Might make up for the loss of running on the GWSR.

Dave B

 

I remember that wasn't it on the North Briton? I also remember the watering difficuties at Perth on that tour and GB2.

Lets hope things have improved this time.

Dave B

 

IIRC, GBI was delayed at Perth quite a long time, but sufficient allowence was made for GBII and the train was more-or-less right time over Drummochter.

Personally, I think the addition of the Tay Bridge on day 8 is a bonus. Let's home the weather is as good there as last year!

 

Think youll find the lack of G&SW is nothing to do with NR in this instance

 

I believe that is correct. My expectation is that 70013 will remain on the ECS to Carnforth, and then maybe join the two Riley 5s for the trip north to Cadder Yard the next day, assuming that 46115 is fit for the Preston-Glasgow leg.

David

 

I see the 2 black fives are doing the Glasgow - Sranraer - Glasgow legs throughout now on Sat 10. 61994 now doing the Perth - Dundee leg on Tues 13.

Dave B

 

Looks to me like 70013 and 44871 will be doing bristol to glasgow, over three days, just a guess on my part, but on another forum, 44871 was going some where a couple of days ago. as I said, imaginative guess.

 

Mr R was hinting at having some 'proper' Pasties, a hint at where 44871 is going perhaps ? ..........

Brian