The Great Britain X - 29/04/17 to 07/05/17

Normally WC does not book an engine until it's proven, according to the boss, so probably a deadline for its fitness of some time earlier would have been considered but given Rileys normally pull it off, even at the 11th hour, optimism prevailed.

 

That is very true and something I had not appreciated. As mentioned above too the B1 could theoretically have managed as a plan B but it is all very well of us to be wise with hindsight. Wonder if a 46233 contingency is in place should it not be ready?

 

Not a serious suggestion but highlighting the fact restricted options are partly self-inflicted.

 

in hind site, 60009 should have not been on the GBX rota because it had not yet had chance to bed down, was there any other engine at Southall that could have done the London to York leg? 60103, should have been earmarked for the York to Aberdeen leg, was 46100,or 34046 not avaible ? i say its bad planning, Riley's are good, but they can't work miricles, how much running in had 60009 had on ELR metals?

 

The trip is not going to or via Aberdeen. 60009 was itself a replacement for 70013. 6201 was originally down to haul LKX to York. There were limited options. LSL usually only do a couple of days in the West Country probably due to availability of support crew.

 

46233 ready to run on Thursday from my contact at PRCLT .

 

Ian Riley and his team have a pretty well established record for organising the work they do. Getting work done in a way that can only be seen as almost miraculous. Look at the regular winter work schedules carried out on the Black Fives.
In the normal way of things 60009 would have been ready just in time. But it is a steam locomotive and it has been inactive for a while. The work carried out on the axleboxes has tested out fine but an old engine has done what old engines occasionally do - something unexpected.
60103 has quite a bit of work coming up. The days when it was nearly always available are gone. Enthusiasts resented it always turning up and now that it no longer does they resent that too. The engine delivered an impressive first leg in the hands of Ron Smith and others who also deserve acknowledgement. Could it have worked to Edinburgh? In theory maybe. And then you have to get it back. This assumes no gauging issues. The impact on the locomotive of everything it is involved in and committed to is weighed far more keenly than it ever was. The engine is now in state ownership and the owners have been advised to limit the amount of work that it does. As owned by a private individual you could perhaps consider a little extra. When the NRM was headed by enthusiasts they might have considered it. Welcome to a new age. Just in case some might be thinking that I am being critical of the museum. Please don't. It is being run in the way that those in charge of it best understand. I am just pointing out that things have changed from the days of John Bellwood, John van Riemsdijk, Dr John Coiley and others. And things will change again.

 

The GB has safely made it to Inverness making light work of the Highland Mainline.

 

Assume 47746 was on the rear to Dundee then in order to work from Dundee to Perth ?

 

Yes 47746 did the Dundee to Perth bit and was then detached at Perth

 

45212 becoming the first steam locomotive to cross the Tay Bridge since 46115 in 2012(?)...



Not an especially good day for me again - the Tay Bridge shot should've been from Dundee Law, a huge panoramic with Dundee in the foreground and Wormit in the background. As I'm sure you've figured out, that didn't happen. Should've got 2 shots at Kingussie, instead came away all but empty handed. As I was wandering around looking for locations with what I thought was enough time, I realised I didn't have enough time, made a mad dash back to the station (when a better location was not 250 yards from where I turned around!) and missed the arrival by 10 minutes. The departure was obscured by large amounts of steam from the drain taps too.

Never mind, Attadale tomorrow for me - the Kyle line is such a beautiful line, it's a shame you can only get one shot if you're chasing on the train like I am. The weather looks promising though, so hopefully I'll get a shot that I'm actually happy with!

James

 

Still advertised as platform 2 at Inverness so suspect the 37 will drag the train back to the junction.

 

Thank you, it is lovely to read how you are enjoying the journey, both on board and following.

I've looked through most of the posts, and I apologise if I have missed it..... has anyone kindly posted the RTT times for Saturday?

 

Might just propel back out the platform then run round the avoider to Kyle, That's what happened with a pathfinder tour a couple of weeks ago.

 

62005 with load 7, no diesel today.

James

 

Should be plenty of chuff chuff climbing up to Ravens Rock.

 

K1 has made it to Kyle of Lochalsh with no problems.