The Great Britain IX

Here's my effort of it going very well at Bradford on Tone on the climb to Whiteball. 57316 used just enough to take its own weight I suspect. Well done to all involved in overcoming the last minute issues and producing a great day for all on board and at the lineside.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/psrp/26058789654/

 

It's good to see the Kyle day run a bit later in the day IMO,for those photographing,it allows different locations to be used,and for those on board it means it's not a stupendously early alarm call. To my knowledge this sort of path has only happened once with steam in recent years? (61994 in 2012).

 

If I recall correctly 61994 left Inverness just after 9AM on a Steam Dreams tour.However it was a Sunday,pathing is much more difficult on a weekday and I don't think there are many alternatives between the usual 6.30AM slot and the one shown for the upcoming trip.
David

 

Thank you free2grice for this posting, especially the photo, really made me LOL last night, when I viewed it, this even though I was shattered from line-siding Day 1 of the tour. What have I started.
Instead of shattered, I nearly used the words "dead tired" then thought NO, not tempting that yet.
Anyway, everyone have a great day today, whether on board, lineside, working staff on the GB IX, everyone.
Great news about 44871, well done all concerned.
Got to go now to get ready to go out to claim "MY" spot on Platform 1 at my local station, St Budeaux Ferry Road, to see/photograph/video my first Royal Scot Class up through before I move on for the departure from Plymouth.

 

The timings for that run can still be accessed on Uksteam - it was 09:20.
A later path to Kyle will be nice for the passengers not to have an early start but there is a trade off in that any problems out on the Kyle line will inevitably lead to a late return to Inverness.
In 2008 with the North Briton 45407 left Inverness at 06:20 and after problems on the climb to Luib on the return trip was hours late back to Inverness.
Myself and some friends were finishing our evening meal in the Clachnaharry Inn when the train passed on the way back and I think that was nearly 10pm.
Certainly hope there are no issues like that next Monday.
It's probably controversial but BR/Scotrail had it right back in 1982 when the public train behind 5025 on Sept 28th was diesel hauled on the return trip.

 

With the various comments about how hard or otherwise the Scot was working I thought I'd share these as every time it passed me steam was certainly doing most of the work. Even leaving Exeter the diesel didn't seem to be doing much as the train accelerated steadily away and we should all be grateful that it was a generally sunny day with the diesel at the back. Well done to everybody involved and good luck for the rest of the tour.

Slough Taunton Exeter Newton Abbot

 

Yet again a few camera issues so sorry its a bit odd!

Last time (probably) you will get a steam shot from Penweathers viaduct before where I was standing becomes a housing estate (and surrounding land).

46100 eased off for the Truro Station speed restriction.

 

I'm in Cornwall waiting for 46100 and in danger of being bowled by a late running GWR service. But hey, I never thought I would be lineside in Cornwall waiting for the Royal Scotland to go past.

 

To be fair she has been causing some confusion in the NW, on at least one of the coast runs it seemed to get corrupted to Royal Scotsman and there were a hell of a lot of people out expecting to see 60103..... Plus the local rag had said the train was coming from Grange rather than Barrow so everyone was also looking the wrong way.

 

Crikey, a whole Country! That'll be a long, long train

 

Easy done on a phone which autocompletes!

 

Crossing the Tamar just now... (Phone shot)

James

 

Blasted phones autocompleting, in the sunlight as well.

 

Not my intention to get people too excited, but there is a path on RTT for 5Z85 Crewe H.S to St Phillips Marsh HSTD, departing at 1412 today.

 

Looking forward to seeing some clips later of the Scots climb of Hemerdon - I'm hoping she is in as good a voice as she was on the Scot Commemorative.

 

I have got a little lost here, what was supposed to be hauling tomorrow was it just the five solo or a five/Scot combo (I know it was a Duchess originally but that don't fit!), not sure where the Scot needs to be after Bristol but could she not DH back at least as far as Crewe if required and then the five go on solo to Grange?

I have completely ignored silly irrelevant matters such as support crew and gauging in this above before anyone mentions it?

 

Hemerdon reached at 38mph, Dainton at 15mph, 46100 sounded great. Believe she did not require assistance.

Gareth