The Great Britain V - 2012

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

The Great Britain doesn't run via the Cambrian

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

On page 10 of today's issue (297) of Railway Herald it is suggested that 46233 is 'in the frame' for the Preston - Bristol leg.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

6233, That is great. When was the last time a Duchess ran to Bristol?

That shall be a highlight of the tour if true.

I was actually thinking that 6233 would be a possibility, I just didn't want to say so. 3 days with 70013 would probably be too much so it is nice to see the change. Also if 34046 by some chance can't make it the Duchess could pinch-hit for Braunton the next day.

One other thing, 6233's next proposed tour after the Great Britain would be the Welsh Dragon on May 19th so there is some flexibility in terms of its availability between April 28th and May 19th.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Not all the way to Penzance, she couldn't. AFAIK, the infamous bridge at Hayle is still a restriction. Unless things have changed in recent months, Black Fives, Britannias and Bulleid light pacifics are the only classes cleared in the down direction, subject to a severe speed restriction. When 6024 and 5029 worked up from Penzance two summers ago, the ECS, with the steam locos on the back, travelled from Par to Penzance "wrong line" through Hayle, very early in the morning.

There are several tasty alternatives, and lots of fun to be had working out what might be practical. I'd love to see 46233 climbing Llanvihangle, but I think my money's still on Ollie, or perhaps 5029, to deputise.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Now I'm really praying that Braunton makes it out of Bury.

Ollie has a huge schedule this year as it is. Nunney less so. But it would be neat to have 6233 on that leg to Bristol. She hasn't been on the Great Britian Tour since 2007, I believe. Steamage, Thank you.

We still don't know what shall replace Flying Scotsmen on day one. Has anyone heard anything?
I shall guess that the Scot might take that leg to Edinburgh. A Carnforth-York Ferry move is not that uncommon these days. That would be a shorter commute for 6115 as well. The loco would be joining the Train at York instead of Edinburgh the next day.

I hope my speculating makes sense. I also hope that I'm not assuming.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

For crying out loud, the tour is still three months away! Wait and see what happens nearer the time!!!!!!!!!

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Yeah I need to calm down.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

My notes mention a Solihull - Didcot - Bristol charter with 6233 on 1st September, 2007. Any other offers? <BJ>

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

How wide is a Duchess over the cylinders.?

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Some updated news UKsteam.imfo
60007 York-Edinburgh
6233 is going Glasgow-Beattock-Carlisle-Settle-Preston
70013 Preston-Bristol

I think these are great changes. Beattock replacing Dumfries and then overthe S&C. Thrilled about Beattock!

One other interesting note is that on Saturday there shall be two steam trains on the route to Penzance. 5043 shall only go as far as Plymouth though on a VNTL "Cornishman" tour.

It is also good to see that Ollie shall be doing the leg to Bristol(not replicating last years tour)

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

4936 will hopefully assist 5029 Bristol - Pad via Kemble.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Not too sure whether 4936 will be within guage at Cam and Dursley, northbound. Certainly out of guage southbound. Should be OK though for the hilly bit between Gloucester and Swindon.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

I understand that 4936 IS now within guage N/b at Cam.

The plan is to turn the 2 locos on the triangle at Glocs with the carriages left in the station before the last stage of GBV up Sapperton thence Swindon + Pad.

A few tickets are available I understand.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Isn't that a rather personal question to be asking about a lady of the nobility? :redface:

Richard

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

Not surprisingly, a few more loco changes are being pressed on GBV. A friend of a friend who is booked on the tour has received the following information from RTC:

70013 is out-of-gauge for one bridge on the Stranraer line. 45305 will be joined by another Black Five.
34046 is not expected to be ready in time, so 70013 will take her place on the Bristol - Penzance leg (and presumably on the Royal Duchy the following weekend).
5029 has "failed" (I don't know with what) and so cannot cover the final Bristol - Gloucester - London leg. RTC are working on finding a replacement.

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, by the news about Braunton.

Although it's very disappointing that Ollie can't go to Stranraer because of one bridge, it's actually quite encouraging that the problem has been found now, 2 months before the run, allowing time to find a suitable replacement. Too often in the past, such discoveries have been made with 2 weeks, or less, to go.

I'm very sorry to learn that Nunney is not fit. I guess it's something quite difficult (or at least, time-consuming) to fix for her to be ruled out 2 months in advance. I hope Ben J, Nunney-Fixer and the rest of the team can have her back in service before her busy summer.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice that 5043 arrives in Bristol on Saturday evening on The Cornishman, and to wonder if she might stay there overnight to work GBV on Sunday, rather than returning to Brum with a diesel pilot as planned. My correspondant made no mention of this possibility, and I think perhaps it's best not to speculate further about this at the moment. I'm sure RTC are exploring all the options.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

I wonder if it will turn out for her Steam Dreams bookings?

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

" 45305 will be joined by another Black Five."

Incidently, Ian Riley has announced 'elsewhere' that he has agreed to provide 45407 for a leg on this tour, presumably accompanying 45305 on the leg to Stranraer. Pity about Braunton, but hope to catch her on a Weymouth later year.

 

Re: The Great Britain V - 2012?

70013 is not now going to Scotland on GBV. The only issue to resolve is whether it is now 2 x Black 5's all the way, including Glasgow - Ayr & rtn or just one to and from Ayr with the second being added at Ayr.