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

Reports of a cylinder problem on Wednesday and further difficulties observed at Hellifield today with steam coming from one cylinder and then diesel pushing from Skipton. It has been suggested a '5' may come down from FW? If this proves correct it is a real shame for Mr Cameron and all those who have worked tirelessly on No 9 to get it ready.

 

The only details I have are taken from the Scottish Railways Past and Present geoup on Facebook but these are not official times, Edinburgh 09:37 departure and Inverness 18:27 arrival.

Nothing still on RTT. Apologies to the person who posted these times on Facebook, I can't find the thread on that page to credit you. Many thanks though, if you read this!

James

 

As far as I can understand, it looks like the A4 is good to go. The reason for Riley to the Rescue is due to gauging issues somewhere, but got no details on that at present. Believe its linked to the A4 and not the K1 - but I'm going off a post with little detail, just the basic elements as described there. I probably should have kept stum, as Im sure it will all work out fine, given Riley's work on A4 and now Black 5 will be sure to run the tour with no issues.

I wouldn't think it would effect matters greatly, and if a Riley Black 5 is to make an appearance I'd love that for the bit of extra variety given the chase this weekend.

T-minus 14.5 hours (ish)...

 

I too am hearing that the gauging issue is with the A4. the difficulty being north of Perth. Assuming this is the case (& please don't shoot the messenger if not) I tend to agree with The Black Hat that extra variety should be welcomed, though I understand and sympathise with the A4 team and their supporters who must naturally be disappointed.

Whilst historically the Black Five is far more appropriate for the HR section it does again raise the issue of gauging problems "discovered" far too late by Network Rail despite the motive power having been confirmed several weeks ago.

 

The Grange to Bristol leg is looking good, for us linesiders anyway ! with a slight change in direction, now going via Nantwich. Five shots shouldn't be too difficult !

 

Ian Riley has confirmed on the works that Number 9 won't be taking part in GB X due to issues with the loco plus gauging north of Perth

 

Ian says that 45212 is being prepared in FW tonight to work south tomorrow and take over GBX from Edinburgh. He doesn't know whether 60103 will work beyond York tomorrow.

There you are @mike1522 - told you not to put the mockers on it ;-)

 

Then again, maybe it was my fault for asking all those questions about locations around Durham? Thanks for the help - even if we don't get steam there tomorrow, those spots will be stored away in the little grey cells for another day.

 

Mainline debut proper for 45212.

 

No. 45212 has previously performed passenger duties on the mainline to Whitby on NYMR services, but also has been performing over the last week on The Jacobite. If flattening Beasdale Bank isn't 'Mainline Proper', then I don't know what is

 

Massive shame that the A4 has been pulled from the tour, but I also think that credit is due to Ian Riley and the great team he has that he would rather give Union some more TLC than rush her back onto a tour for the sake of it and instead get her back and take time to make sure that she is ready.

To be honest, if that's the case then I totally support it. You have to look just how Scotsman's reliability has jumped and soared compared to its previous reputation prior to the overhaul that Ian and the team did. Hopefully the NRM can be persuaded to get Scotsman to continue the tour north after the stop at York.

Once in Scotland the Black 5 and K1 will look quite a team together. Its disappointing that I probably wont get to see Union in Scotland if she is to be retired, but the more I hear of how Riley and the team are looking after it, the more I think that plinthing one of the finest engines on the mainline becomes more and more nonsensical.

 

Are you sure that's right Jonny? I didn't think 212 had been fitted with any mainline kit until this overhaul?

 

It would be great to see 45212 double head to Kyle, not sure how likely that is. A posting over on scot-rail says trip to Kyle is steam + 8 + 37.

 

When saying previously, I should have mentioned in previous to coming to Scotland. Sorry for the confusion Ian. She certainly reached Whitby a few times in early April, on NYMR services, before heading North.

 

Ah yes, that makes sense!

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63500/2017/04/30/advanced Sundays times
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53500/2017/05/01/advanced Monday
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53907/2017/05/03/advanced Wednesday
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50558/2017/05/04/advanced Thursday

 

You must've been constantly refreshing the page, Matt - they weren't there 5 minutes ago!

James

 

Should I be reading too much that the trip to Kyle is timed 45mph outwards and 50mph return?