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The Great Britain VIII

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steam_mad, Jun 19, 2014.

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  1. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    WCRC have Ab stock.Whether Dcr sign the routes is irrelevant a passenger licence or lack of being more important.
     
    D7076, Apr 14, 2015
    #101
  2. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    I hear on the grape-vine that DBS will work GB8. I'm not sure how certain that really is but my source is usually reliable or I wouldn't mention it. There's no word about what traction will be used. My personal guess is it will be mostly diesel.
     
    Steamage, Apr 15, 2015
    #102
  3. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    If there's going to be steam on it, Mark. Day 1 & 2, would be the best bet. Maybe as far as Plymouth.
     
    LMarsh1987, Apr 15, 2015
    #103
  4. deaftech

    deaftech New Member

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    Email just received.

    "We are writing to you with regards to the current situation relating to our train operating company West Coast Railways and Network Rail, and the current suspension of their operating licence and the effect this may have on our Great Britain VIII tour.


    We have been informed by West Coast Railways that they have now completed all the points required to address the concerns of Network Rail, this was submitted earlier today.We are hopeful that there will be an early response to this from Network Rail.


    As an alternative plan, should it be required, D.B. Schenker have agreed to operate the first two days of the tour using 70000 Britannia, part of the way from Westbury to Exeter on day one and then from Plymouth to Bristol on day two, with diesel haulage for the other sections on these days.Direct Rail Services have offered help with the remainder of the tour, this would then be diesel hauled.


    David Smith, Chairman of West Coast Railways has informed us that he expects the Great Britain VIII still to run with steam, operated by West Coast Railways, following all the hard work that they have done to meet Network Rail's demands.


    We are aiming to despatch the tour documents so that they are with you at the very latest on Wednesday 22nd April. We are very sorry for the uncertainty that there is over this tour and appreciate your patience. Please be assured that we are doing everything within our power to get it resolved as soon as possible and are working tirelessly to ensure other arrangements are in place to enable the tour to go ahead.


    We will be also be sending this letter to you in the post today.


    Kind regards


    The Railway Touring Company"
     
    deaftech, Apr 15, 2015
    #104
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    DS must be confident that things are on the turn for WCRC otherwise he wouldn't have made this statement to the RTC. However, all is not straightforward at present as SD held off on cancelling the Kingswear trip because there was a chance that a set of dual brake stock could be sent down to London for DBS to operate. Sadly that was not possible for whatever reason. With GB VIII there is even more at stake. Let's hope his optimism is well-founded.
     
    Big Al, Apr 16, 2015
    #105
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  6. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    As usual with this story, its a case of 'wait and see (and hope)'. However, at least there seems to be a Plan B in place. I'm not on this one, but RTC's letter makes it a 'test case'.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Apr 19, 2015
    #106
  7. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    A DBS path (for Britannia ?) 5Z70 from Swanage to Stewarts Lane on Monday 27 April has appeared on RTT . Then on Tuesday 28 April, there is a DBS 1Z82 Victoria to Exeter via Newbury, but nothing west of Exeter as yet. Details at uksteam.info shortly. So it looks like Plan B for GBVIII
     
    gwr4090, Apr 21, 2015
    #107
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    And, for once, a decent enough path to Exeter with a sensible route out of London - a little over five hours contrasted with what was not far short of seven hours in 2014. DBS/Britannia saves the day...for this part at least.
     
    Big Al, Apr 21, 2015
    #108
  9. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    5944, Apr 21, 2015
    #109
  10. GWR Man.

    GWR Man. Well-Known Member

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    GWR Man., Apr 21, 2015
    #110
  11. Alberta 45562

    Alberta 45562 Part of the furniture

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    That's always the case with RTT,just the way the system works.

    UKSteam has been updated this morning showing 70000 for the London-Exeter and Plymouth-Bristol Legs and DBS operation,the following day's run to Grange' is shown as "DRS" diesel..
     
    Alberta 45562, Apr 21, 2015
    #111
  12. camraman

    camraman Member

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    They always are.
     
    camraman, Apr 21, 2015
    #112
  13. The Crimson Pirate

    The Crimson Pirate Member

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    I would think day 2 will be 70000+diesel because of the Devon banks.?
     
    The Crimson Pirate, Apr 21, 2015
    #113
  14. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    The RTT links you have posted are unavailable.
     
    LMarsh1987, Apr 21, 2015
    #114
  15. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Agreed. Britannia will need assistance over the South Devon banks, and I also presume that means a diesel. Hopefully, they'll put the DL on the rear, so it can be left at Exeter, to either follow L/E to Bristol, or return to base elsewhere. GB8 is RTC's flagship and they'll want as much "pure" steam as they can manage.
     
    Steamage, Apr 21, 2015
    #115
  16. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    5944, Apr 21, 2015
    #116
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  17. 83B

    83B Member

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    As a matter of interest, does anyone know approximately what percentage of the passengers go for the whole 9-day tour, against those who select certain sections?

    If the latter, then there is sure to be a rush for the Britannia hauled bits but many who will walk away from the diesel sections which would appear to dominate the change in plans.

    That said, many may hang in there irrespective of the motive power because of the breathtaking scenery up North.
     
    83B, Apr 21, 2015
    #117
  18. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I think there will be a passengers that have pulled out. Especially those who have booked from outside the U.K, who are still uncertain about what's going to be the final itinerary, regardless of the letter sent out last week. Usually it's a 12 coach tour, could well be nine or ten on the hook this time.
     
    LMarsh1987, Apr 21, 2015
    #118
  19. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    LMarsh1987, Apr 21, 2015
    #119
  20. ROGace

    ROGace Member

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    RTC do not sell it in sections afaik
     
    ROGace, Apr 21, 2015
    #120
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