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

Having just enjoyed my sixth Gt Britain with many familiar faces, I have to agree with others it was another remarkable achievement. We don’t know every hurdle jumped or how high, but there is clearly a lot of work put into making it happen by various very experienced people. Thank you to each and every one plus the image contributors on here to help us look back at the tour across its journey.



Two Phone shots, from Rannoch & Crianlarich

 

According to the mileage table in the back of the GBXVIII Tour Book, 34028 hauled 47.23% of the passenger miles this year.

 

Bulleid's and a Black 5 (plus no LNER Pacific) what more could you ask for?

 

Due to my professional involvement I don’t usually post here. The GBXVIII has landed after 8 days. The tour can only be described as a triumph for RTC & WCR and all of the others who supported it. The black 5 company of Bury turned out two of their favourites, that simply just do the job. No fuss or drama. Just locos doing what they’re supposed to do, with a knowledgeable and professional team.
I think the most amazing development was 34028. New ‘out of the box’ in September after 61 years. this loco is a credit to SLL & Swanage Rly. Steams well, pulls well, rides well. An absolute credit to all involved. The loco did the best part of 900 miles on the first two days without ‘missing a beat’. I had the privilege of bringing her out of PNZ to PLY on day 2. Definitely one of the better trips over the route. Another highlight was taking her from Chesterfield to Bedford over the Wash and MML. Only spoiled by the ‘Red’ fire risk. However, I think we still managed to put on a good show.
To all involved, thank you. To Kelly and her staff at RTC, Ian Riley and his team at Bury (and their sub shed at Ft Will.) my colleagues and friends at WCR. To staff at Network Rail, out and about and at MKC. Gravy train. The staff at UKRL at Leicester, And the ‘New kids on the block’ SLL / SR. With ‘28’.
‘Onward and upward’

 

You have lost me there Don.
My reply (above) was to post #179 which said Lizzie should be available when Tangmere goes out of service.

 

Completely agree with all of the above, but in terms of the highlighted bit did 44871 actually take part, I probably missed it but didn't she get no farther than the L/E move to Carnforth?

 

Except 34028 is a Jarvis rebuild, not a Bulleid.

 

I didn't know locomotives were allowed over the Tay Bridge again. Good news I think?

 

There's a weight restriction on the Tay Bridge, which I believe restricts anything around the size of a Pacific.

No doubt somebody will know better, I believe it's not just axle loading that's in consideration here but also the entire weight of an engine over their own self length. There's multiple restrictions on the bridge, including no double heading (although exemptions have been previously sought and approved for rare use) and that no trains pass within the high girder section.

 

I did it with two Class 50s on 26th August 2024. Pathfinder's "The Grampian Highlander" weekend tour around Scotland.

 

A bit of close regulation not long before the steam on Friday, the 158 was proceeding quite slowly.

 

The Class 158 will have just received a single yellow from the signal outside Tay Bridge South box, and be slowing for the red just prior to the High Girders, as unlikely the Azuma will have cleared the High Girders track circuits prior to the 158 passing the box.

It's also a 35mph PSR on the bridge, as far as the Northern end of the High Girders where it then drops to 25mph. I find that even at line speed, anything crossing that vast an open river and structure always appears to be crawling...the same can be said when crossing the Tay in the driving cab!

 

Yes, BR Std 3 cyl pacific. But still 90% Bulleid. There is an awful lot of Britannias that are based on Bulleid Pacific’s.

 

The 47 was giving it some as it went past me further down the bank. I felt it was going faster than most assisted steam I've seen from the same position.