Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

The 'approximate timings' say 05.18 off Inverness with a return of 18.11..

 

Timings on the RYTC web

 

Same path BLS used a couple of weeks ago.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U41401/2025-03-22/detailed

34 minute wait at Tain as well on the outward.

 

I am inclined to agree.

 

There are other service workings between Dingwall/Muir/Inverness to consider.

 

Exactly. The BLS tour was originally planned as 09.05 departure, back at 22.00, but the arrival soon changed into 23.50. In the end it became a much earlier start but still ended up booked to get back into Inverness at 19.29, after leaving Wick 6 hours earlier. Whether there's a path to get to Wick before a 13.25 departure, I have no idea. Either way, it's an early start or a very late finish to do the Far North on a railtour.

Edit - just to add, these are the times from when GB4 also had steam south from Wick to Inverness.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t0418a.htm

The locos went up the previous lunchtime, the stock left about 3am I seem to recall, and passengers were taken by coach at I think 7am.

 

I'd be curious to see what the length of the sections are these days. Georgemas to Lairg, Lairg to Tain, Tain to Muir Of Ord, Muir to Inverness?

 

Although it is a few years since I have been up there, it was under RETB and I can’t see why it would have changed. It was,
Georgemas Jn to Forsinard.
Forsinard to Helmsdale.
Helmsdale to Brora.
Brora to Rogart.
Rogart to Lairg.
Lairg to Ardgay.
Ardgay to Tain.
Tain to Invergordon. (can’t remember if there is an IB at Fearn or not)
Invergordon to Evanton IB (not a passing place, just to allow two trains in a long section, or allow a Kyle train into Dingwall whilst bringing the south bound nearer)
Evanton IB to Dingwall.
Dinwall to Muir of Ord.
Muir of Ord to Clunes IB. (not a passing place, just to allow two trains in a long section)
Clunes IB to Inverness.

 

Day 1 timings now up: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...6/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

A very good path. Small pathing stop at Wimbledon and water stop at Haslemere before a 2 hour break in Salisbury. Then non stop Salisbury to Bristol.
Note also, 35028 heads straight back to the Lane: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48017/2025-04-26/detailed

 

Well, I guess no one is in much of a hurry on this multiple day trip.

As, when it says Slow Line all the way from the Wimbledon West start to passing Woking in 26 1/2 minutes, it means Slow Line.

Bryan

 

And times are now up for day four:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48263/2025-04-29/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U48265/2025-04-29/detailed

 

Let's hope that there's not a repeat of the devastation that the 2011 train left in its wake either.....having witnessed the fires it started and the damage done to the Flow Country around Forsinard that day and the RSPB reserve in particular, it was not a good day for main line steam.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13127657

 

With the 2025 Great Britain 3 weeks away I thought I’d put together a compilation of previous tours.
Locomotves featured:

6233 Duchess of Sutherland,
60103 Flying Scotsman,
70000 Britannia,
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier,
Black 5 No. 44871,
Black 5 No. 44932,
SR U class No. 31806.


The Great Britain.

 

The U on the mainline, almost as rare as rocking horse manure

 

I'm not sure the coach will go from 'Grange'

 

Coaches from Windermere.

 

And only approx 5 minutes additional driving time according to Google maps.