THE GREAT BRITAIN IV

Yes James, thank you for the information. Once things are explained they become far more acceptable.

 

Now will you believe your uncle Frank!

 

perhaps in hindsight the day 4 trip to Kyle should have been cancelled This leg is done every year spectacular as it is [unless of course the "Marquess" is going to work tender first to Kyle, providing a new experience, given everything else on GB1V has been reversed tihs year] Day 3 could then have used for one-way Northbound steam to Wick and day 4 for a southbound steam run from Wick with overnight accommodation in the far north [as happened on GB1] instead of Inverness. Plenty of time would have then been available within which surely paths could have been found. Decisions have however been made and we live with them.

 

One of the things which never ceases to amaze me about this forum is the wealth of knowledge there is amongst the members.
I also wonder why those who arrange steam tours do not make more use of this knowledge.
Their tours would obviously be far better planned if they did, than just using the limited experience they have gained themselves from running tours over the years!

 

GB 4 iNVERNESS TO WICK WAS ALLWAYS ADVERTISED AS STEAM ONE WAY with diesel return
Now it is Steam return Wick dep 10.32
Inverness arrive 18.50 Yes we are coaching customers from Inverness to Wick Inverness depart at 07.30 NOT SPARROWS

Actualy the times are far more civilised than going both ways by train as even the diesel leg takes all day and you see totaly different views during the 2 hour coach journey.

The alternative to this plan was steam both ways to Helmsdale

 

Thank you

 

Has anyone caught sight of Bittern in her new guise yet?
Looking forward to seeing that coming up the East Coast!

 

Yep quite a few people have seen Bittern (well 4492 Dominion of New Zealand) in garter blue now. Will be nice for those who plan to see the train at Kings Cross and on the ECML.

 

Lets hope that the trip on saturday is not disrupted by those thoughtless individuals who seem to think that having a camera in their hand gives them the right to trespass on the railway where they like. Lizzies trip yesterday was subject to their behaviour and I saw numerous instances when travelling on the Jolly Fisherman too, including one guy using a trackside electrical cabinet on the ECML to help support his camera on.

Dave B

 

Planning to see the beginning leg of the tour in the London area, having only seen an A4 in steam once, i want to see what an A4 in my Favourite livery looks like. Has anyone got any advice on what stations give the best conditions for photo's, i have Alexandra Palace as one of the locations i may try and was wondering if there are any better location's.

 

Ally Pally is ok, as is Harringay. I prefer the latter, but that's just personal opinion. Looking at how poor the times are, if the tour runs to booked time it's possible to watch it depart King's Cross, see it pass Harringay, drop back down to Finsbury Park, before getting a train to Hitchin and seeing it there!

 

Strewth! Just over a 41 mph average from Kings Cross to the Grantham stop. Presumably lots of crossovers etc for that.

 

Yes, how many tours can you chase by push bike?!

I'm off to Scotland for this. I've just got back from a couple of days sussing out locations, and there aren't as many as I was expecting. If the tour was running the other way round I don't think it'd be a problem. Still, see how it goes.

 

If anyone is heading to the ECML section north of Berwick, it might be worth pointing out that there were only a handful of locations last weekend that didn't have fields full of lambs. In particular, the whole clifftop section around Lamberton was pretty much out of bounds, Burnmouth was ok, and Houndwood was ok for the classic shot, but not the northern field where the line passes the mile marker. It could all change by the weekend, but I'd allow plenty of time, as your chosen spot may not be accessible, unless you have no regard for farmers in the lambing season.

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing 4492 but I'm a little confused with the pathing and I don't want to miss her, can anyone help me out?

I'm in the Selby (N. Yorks) area and I've noticed on UK Steam that it looks like the tour deviates from the ECML at Temple Hirst Jc, (Hambleton Jc?) heading for Gascoigne Wood Jc on the Hull to York Line and then on through Sherburn in Elmet & Chruch Fenton? Why would it leave the ECML here only to join again at Colton Junction? Seems a bit of an odd diversion.

Sorry if it's a daft question but I just want to try and get a really good spot to see her, I don't want to be staking out the wrong line haha. Thanks for reading

 

I might just get the 'stupid o'clock' train from Preston - Euston in order to see her at the Cross and one of the North London suburban stations!

 

If you are worried about it not taking the booked route i'd recommend going to Copmanthorpe near York to be safe,but on the diversion you cant get much better than Gas Wood if the sun is indeed out. Hambleton isn't a bad choice and at least you would still see it if the sun was on holiday.

As to the reason for the diversion. I can only think that there must be an EC/XC/GC service pathed close behind.

 

If you get to Euston before 7:40 you may catch 6201 leaving Euston on the Cathedrals to Chester or may see it from your train down if your lucky.