The Great Britain X - 29/04/17 to 07/05/17

2014 on the GB7 with 5029 and 34046.

James

 

This was the route I did behind 46115 on a SRPS trip to Inverness a few years back. A 37 dragged us from Dundee to Perth but was left behind there. The attraction is of course the two bridges.
Good on Rtc for persevering with this, the flagship tour for Britain. I hope they are duly rewarded.

 

Doh, I'd forgotten that one. Thanks

 

I would like to hope that 6023 was running mainline by next May but my recollection was a pretty clear statement by GWS that they wouldn't be taking bookings until they knew it was ready to run. I guess that doesn't preclude RTC from asking and GWS from saying that in principle if its ready and they can get a support crew for the two days, they'd get into proper negotiations. I'd be rather surprised if its "in place" in any usual meaning of that phrase.

 

I thought about taking my wife on the GBX as we've never done it before. I did a few calculations. £5500 for the two of us for a 9 day rail trip in the UK. Almost exactly the same as it cost us for a three week holiday in New Zealand last year, including a main line steam run.

 

Just out of intrest has a Great Britain ever gone according to plan as regards motive power?

 

As far as I can see the original one in 2007 ran with the planned locos. And GB2 seems to have run much to plan apart from 34067 replacing 6201.

 

Or indeed are there enough punters to make it a viable runner ?

I know of a good number of previous regular participants including myself have not booked and said enough is enough after the gb9 shovathon and the gb8 farce , thus loco availability and gauging maybe irrelevant

 

Interesting line up for the SW legs with 46115 over Llanvihangel and 6023+5029 into Cornwall. One has to wonder though how feasible this is with 6023 not yet making an appearance even at WSR where she is supposed to be going to be looked at and 5029 still in bits? A King and Castle into Cornwall would certainly be good, very good. Lets hope it can be pulled out of the bag.

 

Any idea how the run to Oban will work? Will the two black 5s on the day top and tail or will they haul one leg tender first double headed?

 

If I recall correctly, I seem to remember there are weight restrictions on the bridge at Loch Awe -- It's some years since I saw anything double head ( 61264 & 75014 ).

Scott

 

Yes - but you cant turn an engine anywhere near Oban can you?

Having research and seen a tour run in September 2013 the two black 5s were top and tailed. Is it likely that will be repeated. Just checking as thinking of a massive chase on this tour!

 

This tour still looks good in theory and when originally advertised the planned motive power appeared a good deal more realistic than in many previous years. As the running date nears it is noticeable however that whilst the website still quotes 6201/60103 for the first legs and 5029/6023 as the final two days the actual locomotive variety is likely to be somewhat different.

6201 is quoted by the owners as not back until "summer" whilst the Ian Riley webpage listing 2017 tours with Scotsman doesn't mention the GB trip at all, though this may be an oversight.

I know both 5029 and 6023 are near the end of their respective repairs, but again neither seems to have been confirmed as mainline fit yet.

I don't think RTC can be blamed for the need to change the plans, but it would be reassuring to know what the contingency plans are for these very significant elements of the tour.

 

If you are planning to follow the train I'd seriously recommend not booking accommodation you can't cancel, as things do change at the last minute as they did last year. Hope you enjoy it if you do.


Scott

 

Looking at the tour I'm thinking that a lot of the engines should be able to make the run. In particular I'd very much like to see 62005, 45408, 44871 and 70013 all on the Scottish legs, hence the research into a mad and massive chase around Scotland.

The run to Kyle looks to be top and tailed too.

 

If so, then that would be a first for a Great Britain. In previous years, a single loco has taken a reduced formation to Kyle, returning tender-first. The trip has been an extra-cost add-on to the main tour.