Great Britain 3, 6-14 April 2010

3 kettles within 15 minutes on Friday (9/4) in the Carstairs area

70013 on the Preston - Glasgow Central: - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=320284&nseq=0

44871 & 45407 on the late running Carnforth - Cadder Yard: - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=320283&nseq=1

 

Ollie is doing what Riddles and the team designed them to do. Go anywhere, do anything, with the minimum of maintenance and with fast turn around times - the Standards at their best, simples! I think it's quite capable of more; we shall see.

AK.

 

61994 light engine movement on time through Inverkeithing at lunchtime.

 

At last - a hotel with WiFi that is both detectable and connectable - half way to Kyle, Cairngorm and Isle of Skye ales, good steak, and a homespun welcome!

WCRC and their crews and the 5305LA are the heroes here. The former for painstakingly navigating their way through the IR problems around this tour, and yet to come, and the 5305 lads for turning out Cromwell day after faultless day.

As for the trip - to those prepared to pay £2k to sit in a chair for nine days, I must say "Thank You" I think it would be the antidote to steam enthusiasm for me - but as a platform for a rail and TBird trip right across the country, meeting and making friends from all over the world the GB series of tours is becoming legend.

We walked down the platform at Paddington where a Canadian hauled up and asked if the Blackbird would be out this year - international notoriety! We have met friends we didn't know we have - off other forums I might add - as well as on and off the train, as well as friends who we have known for years have put us up, or fed us information.

You know who you are - thanks to all.

Our highlights - Tiverton in the evening sun. leaving Girvan - what a display, ( I think some of the rockets are still orbit) Nairn, and the Inverness arrival - it took us three quarters of an hour to get away from interested bystanders - Here's to the Kyle tomorrow - the snow covered peaks looked superb in the sunset this evening.

 

Just stunning on the run to Kyle today. Exhausts that went on for miles in the still cold morning air. I'm sure the pics will follow...

A minor hicup on the return as 61994 stalled near the summit at Luib, but she got going again and was back on time by the Achnasheen departure.

 

I don't believe that the K4 is fitted with sanders for reverse running, so it will get caught out occasionally. Glad no great problem was caused and I look forward to seeing the pics and vids. (Wish I was there to take my own, but such is life). Hope it shows its worth on the next leg.

 

Fantastic day,once again today.

Got the entire climb of Ravens Rock on the outward for people to enjoy,at the expense of the camera's now non functioning lens cap and my shredded face/hands due to the sharpness of the ash! Got about 15 mins of it on video,taking the total to about 200 for the week (20 part YT vid anyone?!).

Outward run today was simply awesome and the loco sounded superb when it got above 15mph that is. It sounds rather off beat below that speed.

As for the return run,she was losing steam quite badly and kept having to stop for a blowup,but kudos for the crew as they did brilliantly,and the loco for 3 quite easy starts on 1 in 50 grades with just one slip over all 3!

We didn't stall,she just kept having a breather The loco seemed to take it in its stride once the pressure was back up.

My shots are now up at:

http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/c1836852.html



Day 6 (Glasgow-Inverness):

http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/c1836834.html



Also,i think the roaring monster headboard would be more suited to this little beast!

Cheers,
Mark

 

Have only just been able to upload my footage from Day 4 with 70013 following a major pc crash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h4DhKvuIpk

 

Some wonderful footage there Mike. She was definately going for it up Shap. I desperately can't wait to see your DVD Mark. It'll make up for me and most others not being on there!!

 

many thanks. on balance I think Ollie was faster than Lizzie the previous week -- but no douibt someone may be able to confirm this.

 

That'll teach me to assume. Any idea as to what might have been causing the steaming problems? I understand it is usually quite dependable in this regard, actually it has appeared to steam very well when I have been behind it so I am just wondering about what might have gone wrong.

I agree with you about the headboard, it used to make a racket when let loose on the S & C. (Yes, I like smaller, more unusual engines)

Thanks.

 

It appears the K4 has failed with valve issues according to other sources. Confirmation anybody?

 

I can't see Mr Riley posting false info on this one.

 

Neither can I. It is not the sort of thing you want to happen and when it does happen you would like to learn the how and why.

 

Thank you. Ring trouble can also by extension mean valve liner trouble - hope not in this case (any case really, but PVs aren't like that) since John Cameron hasn't had the best of luck with his engines recently. I wonder if the steam shortage experienced on the return from Kyle was the start of this.

 

is 6201 still going engine and coach from york to carnforth on wednesday afternoon as a yahoo group say's it' not? thankyou mark

 

Was anyone here out photting the train in Scotland from the lineside?

Have seen some really superb lineside photos taken by a member of an email group, (SR 1960s steam crews/enthusiasts), I am in. Wonderful backdrops. Sunshine and clag.

Would be nice to see any taken by by contributors here in the same general locations. (Don't ask me to name them please!).