Great Britain XVIII: 18/4 -25/4/26

Courtesy of Railcam the final leg departs York 15 late which appeared to be due to a late running XC (who else!). The GB was passed by the Midland Pullman HST heading South which appears to have not got further than York on a St. Albans to Inverness trip.

 

Phone cam video of Eddystone departing York
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/April-2026/Gb18

Neil

 

Crippled Midland Pullman holding everything up at Sherburn. Understand wanting to clear Platform 5 at York, but it's caused headaches further up the line.

 

Here is 34028 leaving Carnforth this morn:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-west-trains-2026/i-SRTBMwF

Andrew N

 

Luckily, we cut out the pathing stop at Moorthorpe, which in company with a fairly relaxed schedule has allowed us to make up time to arrive at Humberstone Road 12 late. 34028 has now received coal, and has drawn forward for water.

 

Passed just north of Kettering running just over 15 late largely coasting ahead of the junction.

Diesel on the rear appeared to be giving support.

 

Now stopped at Wymington for a top up before the run to Euston.

 

RTT doesn’t have that water stop in the schedule so looks like they’ve got it well wrong.

 

It is one of those "buried" ones I think, shows Sharnbrook to Bedford North as around 30 minutes

 

doesn’t look like RTT have allowed for it fully. According to them it was due past me on the Bletchley branch in just a few minutes but I’m still gonna have plenty of time to wait before I get to see it. Assuming I can persuade the wife to have a later supper than planned this evening

 

Network Rail Amber Fire Risk in force.
Diesel assistance decreed.

 

You wouldn’t think there was a fire risk from the performance and clag heading up the gradient from Lidlington on the Marston Vale Line!

 

Ah yes, of course. The suns out

 

A little bit heart in mouth getting to Euston, and then powering across to Kings Cross only to find it's a shambles. Nevertheless, a great few days, and thanks to everyone who made it happen.

 

A bit harsh. The lineside is as dry as a bone at present. I was at the Mid-Hants yesterday and saw 3 fires burning at the same time, one was quite serious. <BJ>

 

I assume you've not noticed the lack of rain this month then? Hertfordshire has had 0.8mm this month so far. So much for April showers! Warm, dry and windy weather plus lack of recent rainfall mean old growth is still there and there hasn't been an appreciable account of new growth coming through.

 

A couple of shots taken from Bennerley Viaduct 'The Iron Giant' as 34028 Eddystone crawls towards an adverse signal caused by the preceding train having just left Ilkeston Station...

 

34028 going well up the climb through Lidlington this evening. The box on the back was noticeably quiet.

 

Some of mine from the tour and a video too.

 

Wymington wasn't shown as it is not a recognised timing point.
Just like Denchworth bridge on the Down Relief approaching Challow. There is a signal (SB991) for a location but it isn't a listed timetabling point and is shown as a footnote on the train timings.

Cheers, Neil