The Great Britain IX

Won't that mean the loco has to sit idle for at least three months after gaining its mainline ticket while its first tour is planned and advertised?

 

That's the problem, a compromise would be to advertise it a s a possible substitute loco, it would avoid the situation that we have now when 6201 is advertised for quite a few tours but as yet no one seems to know when it will be finished. Braunton was supposed to return as Lord Dowding in time for last year's 75 th anniversary of the BB but where is it now?

 

Not really, we are not snowed under with yards full of unused steam power. Currently only one crocked loco south of Birmingham.

 

That's no way to talk about Tornado. <BJ>

 

Sorry forgot about the newbie.

 

If pathing a 60mph train between Acton and Exeter is problematic, it would probably be possible, even desirable, for 46100 to run single-headed to Exeter and attach the Black 5 as pilot there. The 5 could stable at Bristol overnight if necessary - this has been done before.

 

On passing Crewe just now Royal Scot was visible with another loco in steam hidden behind it. It was a green one so I suspect it is 34046

 

Is the faux Battle of Britain due a test run anytime soon then?

 

34046 Braunton (running as 34052 Lord Dowding) should be out on a test run in just a week or two ! The delay was due to major work required on the boiler, a not untypical problem with the steel fireboxes of Bulleid pacifics. 46100 is expected to replace it for the first two days of GBIX

As to the status of 46201, I have no information.

David

 

Definitely 34052 in steam at Crewe minus smoke deflectors. I have just passed by again.

 

No joy with any timings for GB9 yet I suppose David? :-(

 

I doubt there'll be any timings until a week before the off at the very earliest. As far as NR are concerned, there's no difference between GBIX or your common-or-garden one-off railtour; its probably considered a series of individual trips running on consecutive days.

 

Been told today that steam is coming off at Plymouth and it's diesel to Penzance and back.

 

WHAT!!! I thought it was going as far as Par? For Petes sake. What the heck is going on?

 

He wasn't told the reason why, just that they were coming off at Plymouth and he'd be taking them to turn and stable at Lairia overnight, we don't know but maybe gauging problems with Royal Scot in Cornwall.

 

So GB becomes a farce once again then! Its a complete joke. Best cancel B&B in Cornwall then and re-book in Plymouth! I give up!

 

So RTC are still confident that Tangmere will be ready in time ?

 

Sorry Maureen, that's a far too feasible reason as to why steam comes off at Plymouth! Clearly you should go and hold your head in shame in that dark corner over there.

As you state, looks as though NR strikes again with gauging issues maybe?

 

The GB tour in my opinion is the most falsely advertised railtour going !

 

With comments like that this is the last time I'll post anymore info on anything!! so you all have now just lost another poster with definite info and you wonder why representatives from WCR and RTC don't post on here.