The Britannic Explorer (Belmond Trains)

There is a series of what are described on RH as a "test run" for the 'Britannic Explorer', with a class 66 and ECS, from Wales to Victoria and back over several days this week. My question is, if the loco and stock are cleared for the route (with NR's hugely-meticulous route clearance regime), why is there a need for such (presumably expensive) runs?

 

Not quite sure why this is in the WCR Tours thread but…..

These aren’t gauging test runs. These are testing for timings, staff training, etc. A mock run if you like

 

To paraphrase the Bernie Ecclestone answer to Murray Walker of " I did not know I had bought McLaren", I did not know WCRC had bought 66's

 

It's in the WCR thread because I thought I had seen that WCR are running them. If not, my apologies. There are six runs all told, covering the various legs of the tour. An expensive operation I would imagine.

 

Ah right. Yeah GBRF are the ones running it. An effective English/Welsh version of the Royal Scotsman

 

By chance I found a few strange trains on realtimetrains for today.

1Z80 0736 Keighley & Wvlr to Workington
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44804/2025-06-14/detailed

5Z80 1335 Workington to Penrith North Lakes
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44806/2025-06-14/detailed

1Z82 1838 Penrith North Lakes to Ribblehead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44810/2025-06-14/detailed

Anybody an Idea about the locomotives of these trains?

 

It’s the Britannic Explorer hauled by a mix of GBRF locos

 

Not running - was meant to be a test run with the stock but it's gone back to Eastleigh to rectify some faults.

 

As a finale perhaps to this - after the test runs the entire 'Britannic' tour appears to be have been cancelled! Perhaps a problem was encountered on the tests (thus justifying their running)?

 

The launch of Belmond's prestige diesel hauled 'Britannic Explorer' has had a disappointing start. After the private charter arrived at London Victoria yesterday afternoon, a problem was found with the train and it was forced to return to Stewarts Lane. The 4 day tour to Keighley (day 1), Maryport, Ribblehead (day 2), Derbyshire (day 3) and Oxfordshire (day 4) has had to be cancelled. <BJ>

 

Made it into London Victoria yesterday and then prompty suffered a brake fault, worst possible start you could think of..

 

Luckily it was only another trial run and didn't involve any passengers.

 

However, the actual charter has been completely cancelled.

 

I think the train crashing with passengers on board would be worse, and I can think of still worse ones.

 

Does it use that stock?

 

Nah it’s some MK3 stock that used to be part of some train in Ireland or something. Tbh I haven’t quite caught the full gist of it

 

I’ve seen a few interior photos of the Britannic Explorer.
https://www.tatler.com/article/all-...rst-luxury-sleeper-train-in-england-and-wales
It shows that having money does not guarantee taste!

 

I thought we may book a trip just to see if they were any good

The 3 day Welsh tour has Grand Suite prices at £17,900 pp. <BJ>

 

The stock was used for the Belmond Grand Hibernian which ceased running at the end of the 2019 season. The stock was sored off bogies somewhere in Scotland for a few years.

Thanks to "The Wanderer" for this photographic record.
https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Belmond-Grand-Hibernian

Cheers, Neil