The Great Britain IX

Pure speculation on my part, but if gauging is the problem, it's looks as though its between Plymouth and Par, particularly when this has been a common route for steam over the past few years. However, if St. Blazey turntable is now considered too risky under the new regime, then that might also explain it.

 

I don't think he was having a go. If you re-read it, he's actually agreeing with you.

 

Well I'm now just going with the flow on this one. B&B cancelled in Mullion and rebooked in Plymouth. Bloody shame but I suspect your comments about gauging in Cornwall are correct Bulleid.

 

If that's the reason, that could throw a spanner in the works for her advertised appearances on the Royal Duchy.

 

I think you might have missed the in that post? I hope that you will continue to post on here!

 

"If pathing a 60mph train between Acton and Exeter is problematic, it would probably be possible, even desirable, for 46100 to run single-headed to Exeter and attach the Black 5 as pilot there. The 5 could stable at Bristol overnight if necessary - this has been done before".

I would have thought double headed with a 60 mph max could match what the Scot could do on its own with a 75 mph max. Quicker accelerations and up the banks. 60 mph up the banks double headed rather than say 50 mph single headed saves as much time as a 75 mph dash downhill compared with being restrained to 60. (Time for quarter mile @ 50 mph - 18 sec, @ 60 mph - 15 sec and @ 75 mph - 12 sec).

That said, from a loco performance point of view I prefer single headed though I like double headed black fives and the RTC's top and tailed steam with the NE moguls to places like North Blyth and Whitby.

Would like to do a GB at some point - time, money and reassurances re lack of shoveage permitting. Hope it goes well for everyone.

 

I think that's always the way with GBs, and especially this year. Although it's disappointing not to get steam all the way from Penzance to Wick, which is what @meltonnorth and his chums really wanted to achieve, it's still worth riding on or going out to see. Actually, I see this as a positive development - at least we now know that 46100 is part of the plan and NR are checking the routes for gauge.

 

I hope, I really hope that 46100 runs on Day 1 - been wanting to see a Scot down south for years and on the Berks and Hants as well !!
However, I won't actually believe it until it passes me somewhere near Crofton. Been too many last minute gauging debacles in recent years on the former WR. Wasted holiday last year on 2 tours by the Duchess that got nobbled within days of running due to NR's inability to know the limitations of their own infrastructure

 

Maureen, as the above state, I was totally agreeing with your post in the fact you gave a valid reason to the change. Also as seen in the second quote, please note the winking smiley!

 

We using psychics on here now then - possible explains the quality of much of the information posted? .... I can see a green engine......

 

Shoddy you are back in my good books

 

So does anyone now think there is a possibility for Galatea to be a part of this?

 

Hi Mike, GB9 passengers (like me) will be receiving their packs from RTC in the next few days, if not today. If it gives any changes I am sure someone will post it.

Gareth

 

Depends on gauging Mike I suppose as 45699 is having to go tender first to Sellafield for the Spirit of the Lakes tour today instead of starting at Carlisle due to gauging issues I assume .

 

9 days away from the start and still no times?

 

See post #114.

 

Thanks. Just impatient to plan!

 

I have a very special request to ask if anyone has any spare or unwanted badges for the 1 st and 2nd years of the GB, the request is for my friend driver Ray Churchill, he has all the others except those two and he would dearly love to add the missing two to his collection. This will be his last GB and very sadly he is retiring in May, if anyone can help please pm me. thanks

 

A friend who's traveling on GB has informed me that there's still been no tickets in the post today,leaving it a bit late now for those coming from overseas,surely.