Great Britain 3, 6-14 April 2010

Court injunction stops strike!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8598456.stm

 

Now the strikes OFF...let's wait and see what happens to these plans.

 

Nice one Martin! And how appropriate to send a Maunsell loco to Ireland. )

 

GB III latest at www.railwayherald.co.uk-go to strike update page.

 

Last I heard they were hoping to have her steam tested yesterday. Don't know what has happened since then. It is going to be a close call, but definately worthwhile if she can make it. A huge round of applause must go to the Carnforth lads for really progressing on her repairs.

 

Reading elsewhere it seems the revised route is now set in stone as the NR planners are now off for Easter.

 

Well now we know a reversal at Nuneaton isn't needed, they're just taking the tried and tested Tyseley route to the north. (Saltley - Sutton Park Line - Walsall - Wolverhampton - Stafford.

 

Yay,We get Plymouth and THE LICKEY

From Railway Herald:

"As No. 30777 Sir Lamiel is reported to be unavailable, Tuesday's working from Totnes (now not Penzance as previously noted) to Bristol TM will now be LMS 'Black 5' No. 44871 and BR Standard 7P No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

The text below includes the very latest changes as a result of the High Court judgement on 1st April. There are no further changes expected.

The train will now commence from LONDON PADDINGTON on 6th April behind No. 5029 Nunney Castle and head via Reading and Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads. On 7th April, the train will be worked by D1015 from Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth, from where Nos. 44871 and 70013 will then work the train back north to Bristol.

The following day, GBIII will now worked north with Nos. 44871 and 70013 in charge, from Bristol TM via Cheltenham Spa, the Lickey Incline, Camp Hill and Castle Bromwich, Sutton Park, Walsall, Stafford, Crewe and Preston. Steam is working throughout.

There is a hope that No. 46115 Scots Guardsman will be available for the Preston to Glasgow leg of GBIII on Friday 9th April.

It is understood that the remainder of the programme is as advertised.
"

 

Yes i have just been on the railway hearld and it does confirm that NR are sticking to the updated plans for thr GBIII. Im so excited now, its must be getting on for 3 years since NR allowed a double headed steam train up the lickey incline. Ive just looked at the route they have suggested. BTM to Preston Via Cheltenham, Camp Hill, Park Lane, Walsall, Crewe, Preston.

I expect the lickey incline will be really busy next thursday full of enthusiats.

 

Leander arrived at Carnforth by road yesterday (Thurs), so may be standing in for 46115.

Oliver Cromwell + POB dep Carnforth 0810 today (Fri) to Crewe to pick up 44871 then to Bristol Barton Hill via Hereford and Severn Tunnel Junc.

Cheers

AN

 

A Gen report i saw suggested 5690,but i will wait and hope its 46115! As much as i love Jub's its exactly the same as last years West Highlander,then again,if it goes as planned its exactly the same as this year's West Highlander!

 

Just suppose "Leander" and "Lizzie" double headed the Edinburgh - York leg on the last day, both 75 mph locos and both in the same LMS livery. Now what a pairing that would be!

 

It's always been allowed, it's getting a path and not being scuppered by gauging than have been the hurdles on this route.

Is it going via the Worcester loop or carrying straight on at Abbotswood Jcn ?.

 

Once over the Lickey, will 44871 & 70013 be running over Cannock Chase or through Wolverhampton to Stafford? Will be an added bonus if they go over the former.

 

Will be via Wolverhampton (well maybe avoiding the station) as coming off the Sutton Park line you can only go towards Walsall and not Cannock.

 

UK Steam.info still showing Totnes not Plymouth (admittedly timings are provisional)

 

Cheers Matt. Had a feeling that would be the case. At least we've still got the Lickey!!

 

There is a special page on the south Devon Railway website about the Great Britain and 44871 and 7013 and they say that the steam will start from Plymouth not Totnes, they also say that both locos will work a service train to Buckfastliegh tomorrow after they arrive at Totnes, the working timetable is up with all the information. on the website click on latest news a new page appears they have estalished a temporary special page for the two locos with regular updates while they are on the SDR

 

That's on their unofficial website www.sdronline.org.uk

 

has someone got access to the timings for the GB III for thursday 8th april. im wanting to plan out a run to go to bromsgrove and find a good location up the lickey incline.

please could someone help?