Favourite Railtour

My all time favourite railtour has to be the Heart of Wales with 45407 & 45231 northbound over Sugarloaf. The pair roared up the bank, and the performence was sure-footed all of the way. A particular highlight was the departure from Craven Arms, as the two had to slow down for a signal check, once the regulators were opened up, the pair attacked the climb to Church Stretton. A railtour I will never forget! \/

 

Re: Favorite Railtour

The North Briton, Day One Part two. 71000 on the Northern half of the ECML!

Also the Duchess over Shap about 4 years ago, making up over all sections of the run...

 

Re: Favorite Railtour

5305 back from Fort William to Edinburgh in October 1987. Never believed I'd do the West Highland with steam. It was a dream come true.

 

Re: Favorite Railtour

Been on a few in the past 5 years, but think that my favourite railtour to date was the 1st ever Cotton Mill in November 2007 behind 45407 & 76709.

Hopefully, they'll be more memorable railtours in years to come.

 

Western Champions return to the main line 23 February 2002. As a huge Class 52 fan this was the realisation of my dreams.I only had a few 1000s in BR service so it was great to have the opportunity to do it again. \/

 

Re: Favorite Railtour

! was on that one Ralph - the small kid in short trousers taken by my father Geoff (now 81)

picures here - http://john-robinson.fotopic.net/c1403770.html

 

mine was RYTCs bath christmas market. for me it was good route as although it wasnt an ideal loco and was an hour late, it went past everywhere i know

 

First railtour = SLS MLS Whitby Moors 6th March 1965

45698 Mars - Victoria to Wakefield
3442 The Great Marquess - Wakefield to Driffield
3442 & 6205 - Driffield - Whitby - York
3442 - York to Wakefield
45698 - Wakefield to Vic

Still the best after all these years - Last commemmorative train Scarborough - Whitby - Malton
"Nice to see the old colours" at York and the Mega slip with the jubilee above Rochdale on the way home - a classic - and forty four years later -I can still travel main line with two of those locos and did the climb out of Whitby forty years to the day afterwards in 2005 - behind 2005, and in 2007 behind both of them.

1966 -

BLS 60019 polished by me amongst others Piccadilly to Crewe and Derby

2nd April - SLS MLS Lakes and Fells 45596 / 4472 / 46458 / 46426

5596 Vic - Hellifield
4472 Hellifield - Penrith
Ivatts Penrith to Arnside via the CK&P
4472 - Arnside to Hellifield
5596 - Hellifield to Vic

20th November 1966

BLS 35026 Piccadilly to Doncaster and York after Saturday polishing at Edgeley shed - like 60019 run to raise funds for 5596 - some of the new generation may not realise what was done over forty years ago to secure their playthings of today - like hiding a jubilee behind a wall so she didn't get towed away for scrap

28/10/1967 - MRTS - Bernard and Frank

70013 - Victoria - Huddersfield - Sheffield - Donny - Normanton
45562 - Normanton - Halifax - Low Moor - Normanton
70013 - Home

1968 - as much as I could afford

So much to do - so little time and money to do it with as a schoolboy

The second coming - a miracle - but it can't compare with the real days with their unoffialdom, emotion, friendships, yes - recklessness - but that was part of the enjoyment - before nanny elf n safeteigh was introduced.

Now if I had been a few years older- MNA???? Now they KNEW how to party!

 

The Easterling was my favourite I've been on but that's out of 4. Going up Beccles bank was amazing.

However The oxfordshire express was good as I went to Didcot for a few hours.

 

Yet to come ! Leaving Lancaster behind STEAM again on the 'Fellsman' this coming summer

 

71000 on the York-Carlisle Cumbrian Mountain Express in October 2006. Performed faultlessly roaring along around 75 most of it. Passing the KWVR Gala with Jinty and Ivatt Tank in steam at Keighley. Only problem was a delay going into Carlisle.

 

5690 last year on the Cotton Mill was very impressive. Definately hard to beat in the modern day.

 

I have to say my all time best steam tour would have to be 70013's visit to Yeovil in April. The noise was certainly the main factor in this and just proves what a fantastic engine she is. Secondly the 300+ miles of steam haulage on a varying route which certainly is top draw these days.

 

Many great memories, how do I choose? Duchess of Hamilton on 25 May 1985 from Marylebone to Stratford-on Avon; more recently no.9 from Taunton to Kingswear, or King Edward 1 on Paddington to Kingswear a couple of years ago. There is something about steaming out of London, but probably tops was the RTC trip in September 2005, when we had a Black 5 to Glasgow to Fort William, then the KI 62005 to Mallaig and back; stayed in Fort Bill Saturday night and next day had the B1 to Glasgow. Despite some kerfuffle at Spean Bridge over the token, it was a fantastic day climbing up to Corrour and hanging out of a window the whole time in glorious weather. Nothing to beat steam on the West Highland if you can guarantee good weather!

On a sombre note because it wasn't really a happy occasion at all, but it really became part of my soul - the SLS last train over my much beloved and sadly missed Somerset and Dorset on 6 March 1966. We had an 8F (48706) with standard 2-6-4T no.80043 for train heating. Coming back, we steadily lost time climbing over the Mendips for the last time and it really felt like a funeral march as the train struggled through Masbury and Chilcompton in the gathering darkness.

If diesel trips are allowed - Manchester University Railway Society brake van tour over the Manchester Ship Canal Railway down to Partington in June 1974.

I could go on for ages - better stop.

John

 

Favourite tour for me has to of been Leander's Shap trip a few years ago with Vintage Trains. A blistering start out of Crewe where we were late leaving meant we were early by Warrington. This set the tone for the rest of the day and after a stunning, noisey climb of Shap in foul weather she was let loose down the slopes to Carlisle where we arrived nearly half an hour early after some very fast running. This was as close as I think I have ever been to steam how it used to be, a sensible load (9 on) and peformance right out of the top link drawer. The return was just as thrilling with again an eye watering blast through Oxenholme. This trip was an education in performance and now I know why Jubilees have such a loyal following.

Another tour that will remain in mind for a lifetime is Day 2 of the Highland Rail Festival in 2003. The previous day had featured two steam trains on the Maillaig line (61264 & 62005) on four coach loads which then joined up for a double headed blast back to the Fort with snow capped mountains and sunshine. This however for me was eclipsed by 62005's epic return trip to Oban the following day. After struggling up through Corrour with sun and again snow on the tops we arrived into Crianlarich very late. The run up to Oban was a little cloudy and subdued as we were now tender 1st. Time in Oban was cut to just under an hour to try and claw back time and we left up the severe climb out of the station which 62005 just about manged to cope with. Once over the top however she was opened up and what followed must be one of the most sublime steam experiences i've ever, or will, have. The sun was out, I had my head out of the window and we charged through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The noise was terrific as she attacked the gradients and paced with the traffic. Arrival back at Fort William was much later than planned though and I don't think this trip has been repeated since for that reason as on that day the timings went out of the window. The following day we joined up with the B1 and travelled on to Glasgow and thus completed the entire West Highland extension in 3 days behind steam. Steam to Oban is very, very rare and I will always treasure that trip. Next on the list for me is double headed fives over the Highland Mainline, that will have to wait for a lottery win for me though I think!


Two very special trips and I think what made them unique was how closely they recreated real steam.

 

My fav tours has got to be

Motherwell - Carlisle with 45407 and 61264 renumbered october 2004???

Preston - Glasgow with 45407 ?? 2005

Preston - Settle - Carlisle with 6233, july 2005?

Preston - Carlisle with 6201, Nov 2007

 

Pipped to the post!!! Leader over Shap. Late leaving virtually every stop, early arriving everywhere, flatened Shap both ways and the NOISE!!! And this from a GW man. Speaking of GW how about 7802 to Plymouth?
I'd also like to put a vote in for the Steam on the Met events. A stunning show and sadly missed. Look at an old timetable and you'll find you could have stood on Chorleywood station and be passed almost 50 steam operated trains, half hammering up the 9 miles of 1 in 105 from Rickmansworth, and interleaved with three underground and two Chiltern trains every hour each way.

 

My favourite has to be 71000 on "The Devonian" on 28th May 2007. Stunning climbs of all the banks and a nice couple of hours watching the boats coming in at Plymouth.