Great Britain XV: 15 - 23/4/23

For one off movements permission, often with extra restrictions, can be given by the structures engineer. If both class 37's were in original condition (RA6?) I can see how it would be allowed. The blanket restrictions are to stop anything which could be borderline on restrictions from being run over there.
Checking route clearances and route availability is part of the validation process. Tour operators can check these things as far as possible before advertising or submitting a bid.

Thinking back, the Imberhorne spoil trains from the Bluebell extension, had a variety of restrictions on speed, loading and loco type over the Oxted line viaducts. They were WTT trains and had their own RT3973 HAW form ( Exceptional Load authority) for those workings.

Cheers, Neil

 

Similarly, the Borders route to Tweedbank is officially classed as RA3. This has meant that on previous steam visits, multiple speed restrictions (particularly over the refurbished twin deck bridges) were in place. The heavier the locomotive, the more bridges cropped up on the restriction list and the more restrictive the speed issued.

 

Tour confirmed today by e mail

 

Well it would be fantastic for 45596 and 45699 to Double head up to Edinburgh and return on those segments. Beattock North and South

 

Letter came through yesterday with reserved locos and a change of route for the final two days. An engineering block between Brundall and Oulton, which has been extended since the original planning stages precludes a visit to Lowestoft.

So we’re now spending the final night in King’s Lynn and now have the added bonus of visiting Felixstowe on the final day. The itinerary is now as follows:

15/04 - Paddington-Reading-Taunton-Exeter-Plymouth-Exeter-Bristol TM with 35018

16/04 - Bristol TM-Severn Tunnel-Abergavenny-Hereford-Shrewsbury-Wrexham or Crewe-Chester-Llandudno Jct-Bangor-Holyhead-Llandudno Jct with 45596

17/04 - Free day in Llandudno. A potential option for a journey on the Ffestiniog Railway is being explored and further details could be released once their timetable is confirmed.

18/04 - Llandudno Jct-Chester-Preston-Carnforth with 45596
Carnforth-Shap-Carlisle-Beattock-Edinburgh with 46115

19/04 - Edinburgh-Forth Bridge-Ladybank-Aberdeen-Stirling or Tay Bridge-Edinburgh with 46115

20/04 - Edinburgh-Beattock-Carlisle with 34067
Carlisle-S&C-Preston-Blackpool with 35018

21/04 - Blackpool-Blackburn-Copy Pit-Hebden Bridge-York-Scarborough with 45690 and 45699

22/04 - Scarborough-York-Lincoln-Peterborough-Ely-King’s Lynn with 44932

23/04 - King’s Lynn-Ely-Soham-Bury St Edmunds-Felixstowe-Ipswich-Colchester-Chelmsford-London Liverpool Street with 44932

 

35018 and 44932 coming back down south? And we've just had 45596* down here too. Carnforth are spoiling us!! Looking like a great itinerary for those travelling and I'm sure one of the main attractions will be the two jubilee's double heading.

*Edit: Typo, meant 45699.

 

Two Jubilees over Copy Pit should be an interesting sight

 

Great to know Bahamas is coming through my local area again! Thanks for posting this info! Enjoy your trip!

 

Intrigued to see Tangmere on Beattock. Also intrigued to potentially see steam on the Tay Bridge given the use of 46115 on the Aberdeen leg of the tour.

 

Where do you get that idea? The website shows the outward leg via Ladybank and Perth and the return via Perth and Stirling.

 

It’s in our route confirmation letter that we may return over the Tay Bridge, presumably that option is available now that something lighter than an A1 or A4 is the provisional motive power. But the return route via Stirling still stands as an option if it’s not possible.

 

I'd say British India Line over the Devon Banks is one of the main highlights.

 

Can BIL take 10 unassisted over the Devon Banks?

 

If you have a driver and fireman who know how to get the best out of her, it should cope, after all the southern route isn't exactly flat, but if theres a diesel on the back, it might have to give some assistance, Its a pity 31806 isn't available otherwise I would run the whole route to Plymouth and Bristol double headed with the mogul as pilot, with an ACE headboard

 

Clan Line has taken 10, so I don't see why not.

 

Am I right in thinking that 31806 is still running but just at Swanage?

 

I forget that Clan Line and BIL are the same class of locomotive. 17/06/18 on the Cornishman from Bristol to Par.

 

At the moment it is, it has been down for the Weymouth- Southampton leg of the returning DCE's the last couple of years but fire risk, especially in the New Forest has scuppered all of those.
Last mainline run was an SD trip on June 20 2021 T&T with Mayflower.

 

Bahamas coming south again is nothing to do with Carnforth, they have to go where the work is. Understandably, Carnforth won’t want to pay steaming fees to a third party for their regular jobs over the S&C and the Scarboroughs.

 

Apologies John, that was a typo. I meant Galatea, 45699, covering recent RTC trips down south. Having had Bahamas down south for two years, I've got used to typing her number instead of Galatea's (at least that's my excuse). Woops!