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The Great Britain VII

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steam_mad, Jul 29, 2013.

Page 6 of 26
  1. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    I've been reading through the RTC website and noted on day 5 that the train goes via the Bathgate line. I'm trying to remember a steam railtour that has traversed this line - is this the first? I'm sure I've seen that there was a Spitfire (?) railtour to celebrate the line re-opening in 2010(?) but I don't recall there being a steam tour over this line. Can anyone confirm/correct this?

    James

    EDIT: Yes, it will be - it helps if you read the separate description for the Galloway Steam Express!
     
    steamvideosnet, Mar 14, 2014
    #101
  2. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    I also understand that Loco Services are hoping to have 70000 back in action in time for GB7, but that there's a potential problem with 5029. Apparently she has some of the dodgy batch of firebox stays. Maybe they can all be replaced in time, but then again...

    Going back to what Ray Mason said about problems with the turntable at St Blazey, I've heard from a different source (quoting Steam railway mag) that GB7 will be steam-hauled only as far as Plymouth on the first Saturday, with a DL taking over to Truro, while the steam loco(s) turn at Plymouth. My friend was worried because the SR article read as though there would be only one steam loco Exeter-Plymouth and Falmouth-Bristol, implying DL assistance for some of those legs. I've not seen the article myself (still awaiting my copy), and I know how SR don't always get the story straight, so wondered if someone with better information could confirm/deny/fill in the gaps, please?
     
    Steamage, Mar 31, 2014
    #102
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The T/T needs to be sorted PDQ and certainly in time for the summer as quite a few trips are relying on being able to use it.
     
    Big Al, Mar 31, 2014
    #103
  4. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Is Britannia still doing day 3 or 46233 taking the train on day 3. Mentioned by someone in RTC 2014 thread.
     
    mike1522, Mar 31, 2014
    #104
  5. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Don't know for sure. If 70000 is repaired in time for Day 1, perhaps she'll work day 3 as well? Or perhaps because she's working days 1 & 2 now, LSL can't cover day 3 as well?

    Thinking about day 4, and the reported problems with gauging on the Cumbrian Coast, perhaps 45407 & 44871 would work that leg? They need to get from Bury to Edinburgh by the next morning. It might make some sense.

    That's part of the fun of GB7 (for the on-lookers); what locos will actually work each leg? Must be a bit of a nightmare for the organisers, though.
     
    Steamage, Mar 31, 2014
    #105
  6. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    I heard that last week about the Duchess having a bigger role North of Bristol. I would not be saying that from an unreliable source. Who it is I don't remember. This happens to me so often, rats.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2014
    mike1522, Mar 31, 2014
    #106
  7. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Fingers crossed for the Duchess. Would be pretty special through Abergavenny.
     
    LMarsh1987, Mar 31, 2014
    #107
  8. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I remember back in the 1980s 46229 made a spectacular climb up through Abergavenny and over Llanvihangel.
    When we arrived at Hereford the driver said to us, "The old 'King' (meaning 6000) wouldn've come up there like that!"

    Praise indeed from a GW man.
     
    46223, Mar 31, 2014
    #108
  9. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    SR just states steam will come off at Plymouth.No mention of number of locos.Only mention of diesel beteen Plymouth and Falmouth on April 26th. Plan being devised for Royal Duchy locos to run tender first from Plymouth.
     
    Paul42, Mar 31, 2014
    #109
  10. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    As I understand it. the turntable is owened by DBS (rather than Network Rail). Most (all?) of the summer trips are the Royal Duchy, operated by West Coast (and in competition with the DBS-operated Torbay Express)....
     
    malc, Apr 1, 2014
    #110
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I gather that Exeter Riverside Yard was completely refurbished (track renewal etc) in order to service the massive increase in freight traffic associated with the now complete engineering works at Whiteball. This has led to a rethink of the use of this improved site and that includes the decommissioning of the St Blazey turntable and its possible reinstatement on the Riverside site. Apparently this will be useful for the occasional management of power units in the Exeter area. (Something to do with knock-on from the electrification of the GWML). It is not lost to the powers that be that this will also facilitate the turning of steam locomotives. Nothing concrete planned till this time next year although it looks as though someone may be over anticipating the future?

    If true this will be good news for steam to and from Exeter via the old Southern route in future.
     
    Big Al, Apr 1, 2014
    #111
  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    But not good news for steam charters to Cornwall. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Apr 1, 2014
    #112
  13. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I see steaminfo have penciled in 46233 for day 3 as backup for Britannia. I think the Duchess would be a excellent replacement for the on board enthusiast and linesiders. Also good to see the train is heading up the Cumbrian Coast behind the Scot, as i was told the tour would go via Shap to Carlisle.
     
    LMarsh1987, Apr 1, 2014
    #113
  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    And if that means the Scot is also in the frame for April 12th then so much the better for that RTC trip as well.
     
    Big Al, Apr 1, 2014
    #114
  15. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    It seems that the Scot is OK for the Cumbrian Coast but the Jubilee is not ???
     
    gwr4090, Apr 1, 2014
    #115
  16. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    I doubt this. Network Rail are making a lot of use of the Norton triangle for turning trains, so I cant see why they would need a turntable at Riverside Yard as well.

    In fact DBS are looking at options for refurbishing the turntable at St Blazey,

    David
     
    gwr4090, Apr 1, 2014
    #116
  17. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    The only problem with this is that it will almst certainly require a diesel on the back up the bank from St Davids to Central and the chances are that it will be on the back all day as I can't really see the operator sending a diesel all the way to Exeter just for this banking turn.
     
    malc, Apr 1, 2014
    #117
  18. Hemerdon

    Hemerdon Member Friend

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    Well it is April Fools Day!
     
    Hemerdon, Apr 1, 2014
    #118
    Big Al likes this.
  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just so Keith. The clue was in the date of enactment and it's good to know that networking is alive and well and living beyond Nat Pres!
     
    Big Al, Apr 1, 2014
    #119
  20. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    The pinch-points tend to be:
    - width over the cylinders (Halls, Manors),
    - front overhang "throw" (Sir Lamiel),
    - firebox or cab profile (Kings, locos with tall Belpaire firboxes),
    - loco weight (A4, King)
    - tender weight (A4)
    - overall height (King)
    - hammer-blow (S15)
    The only one of those that I can imagine is worse on a Jubilee than a Scot is height. Perhaps 45699 has thicker tyres than 46115?
     
    Steamage, Apr 1, 2014
    #120
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