The Great Britain IX

Cracking shot, look to have a good piece of camera there

 

Quite a good day today. Sunny at both Whiteball and Rattery. 46100 was making a good noise at both places, and the DL on the back was fairly quiet, though given the speed in both places I would guess it was giving a bit of assistance. I was worried that the very strong wind would blow the exhaust down at Rattery but the loco was being worked hard enough that the smoke was lifted clear of the loco, though the second carriage was a bit obscured.

 

Just missing the sun at Dawlish.https://stephenleek.smugmug.com/Railwayphotos-1/Mainline-Steam-2016/i-sX9n2W4

 

And finished in Italy.

 

46100 trundling across St Levan's viaduct en route from Plymouth to Penzance. I am currently working in the dockyard so didn't have far to walk to get this! Also, a little earlier, a 'what might have been' if St Blazey's turntable was serviceable!

 

At Totnes. She was really going for it, and was quite a sight. So glad the diesel stayed on the rear, hope it does for day 2.

 

Royal Scot working hard at Whiteball and Dainton Banks without much assistance from the diesel. Enjoy.

 

Well, it looks like its been a good day for The Scot, everyone on board, and most people lineside.

 

The latest on 44871.

"Well after a very 'full' days work the replacement Radius rod is now fitted to the locomotive with all new pins and bushes required to it and the mating Combination lever and Expansion link.

Valves removed from both sides, examined and refitted.

Valve setting in the morning, engine kept in steam, and a path requested to Bristol for tomorrow PM....................."

 

Well done to all involved, sensational effort and great example of cross industry co-operation.

 

Day 5: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U59941/2016/04/30/advanced
Day 7, with disappointingly late path to Kyle: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U59947/2016/05/02/advanced

Days 6 and 9 still awaited.

 

Have I missed something? What happened to Aberdeen
Good news as far as I'm concerned re Kyle - I'll get a cooked breakfast

 

Sod's law about Aberdeen. The rarity of that route to Inverness is a tour highlight.

 

A pretty good day for day one. Scot looking and sounding good at Westford this morning, and Ray put out some work at Stoneycombe. Lovely performance! Last shot of the day was the LE move and seeing it enter the Royal Albert Bridge with the usual whistle tribute to Brunel before coming by us at Saltash. Bring on tomorrow an (hopefully) Thursday! Still from video at Westford

 

Three shots from me today at Kensington Olympia, Taunton and Dawlish (missing the sun by about 10 seconds).



46100 sounded superb today, hopefully seeing her crossing the Tamar tomorrow, then at Yatton in the evening...

James

 

Well from someone "actually" onboard the tour it was a cracker of a first day

Glass definitely more than half.full

Lovely sunny day for the most part, excellent company and very.little noise from the diesel

From where I was there was assistance out of London, but not particularly bothered about that as with.the congested network your not going to get any performance records there

Over the Devon banks, whiteball was unassisted, dainton was unassisted. Rattery had assistance for the latter part due to being checked just before Totnes, thus not allowing the usual running assault.

Certainly very happy with the scots performance and looking forward now to day 2

 

Glad you got the sun Mark, there was near nothing from rear at Dainton and a lot of us was more than surprised. Fingers crossed for more of the same tomorrow.

 

46100 Royal Scot all tucked up for bed in the bay siding at Penzance Station. Apologies for the rather noisey images my camera was not behaving itself (and its owner was getting frustrated). Hopefully some better shots from me tomorrow.

My first time seeing a Royal Scot and what a credit to LSL and crewe works she is. Good luck to the support crew babysitting her tonight, you all look very tired indeed!

 

I concur with Charterboy

Gareth (coach E)

 

Up for breakfast in Plymouth then off to Liskeard for the start of day 2. Have a great day all those on board and lineside too!