The Great Britain VIII

Point taken! We'll have 35018 on the main line one day and who knows, maybe its return isn't too far away, but in spite of my post above and RTC mentioning it as a possible loco for the Dartmouth express this October(http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/dartmouth-express-2 ), I'm not holding my breath for the GB VIII at this stage.

 

Nothing to substantiate this but wouldn't be an absolute surprise if it took the Lune Rivers trip on 4th October as a debut run.

 

Interesting to have a quick read of the recent posts.
GWS are keen to have 6023 out (10 trips a year?)
35018 mums the word but,yes,discussions have taken place........

 

Just had another look on the RTC website, and the dates have moved back one day since the trip was announced. Now departs on Tuesday 28th April and gets back on Wednesday 6th May.

The itinerary is still the same as was announced originally.

James

 

I've been looking at prices. For the most expensive option, premier class plus single room supplement plus the optional day trip to Kyle, GB III in 2010 cost a grand total of £2499. The corresponding figure for GB VI in 2013 (with the optional day trip that year being Edinburgh to Aberdeen) was £3325, a 33% increase in three years. The corresponding figure for GB VIII in 2015 (with the optional day trip again to Kyle) is £3489, an increase of only another 5% in two years. I draw no conclusions myself but present these figures for information.

 

I've been having a read through the RTC website, and more specifically the GBVIII page. I have a rough idea of where the GB's going on days 1-8, but day 9 has gotten me thinking...

Not knowing the lines around Greater Manchester/the Hope Valley/the Edale Valley etc. all that well, would the proposed route be Preston-Chorley-Bolton-Manchester Victoria (+ ascent of Miles Platting?)-Romiley-Edale-Chesterfield? I've spent some time looking up the route on Google Maps, and this is the route I came up with, though as I mentioned above, I don't the area. Any help on the matter would be appreciated.

The RTC website now says that 61306 and 45690 are rostered on day 9, vice 70013.

James

 

When the RTC website said North East of Manchester, I immediately thought of Copy Pit, then round the Todmorden Curve and through the Summit Tunnel to Brewery Junction where it could turn onto the Ashton line. Then Ashburys-Romiley-Edale-Chesterfield like you said.

 

I doubt Copy Pit on the description given by RTC; Copy Pit is more likely described as "heading across the Pennines". Methinks that Steamvideosnet is nearer, subject to progress on the electrification works, and Manchester routeing will possibly be a choice between Salford Crescent - Manchester Piccadilly - Hazel Grove - Chinley - Hope Valley or that as described via Manchester Victoria. There is also the thought of going Salford Crescent - Manchester Piccadilly - Hazel Grove - Buxton - Peak Forest - Hope Valley as it doesn't specify "where" in the Pennines the tour will climb to.
Each route will have difficulties to offer in terms of restrictions but doubtless NR will work something out at the last minute to meet the requests to get from Preston to the Midland Main Line.

 

I don't think it is any longer possible to approach Buxton via Chapel-en-le-Frith and get directly onto the line towards Peak Forest. I was on a railtour once which did that, but it was many many years ago. Nowadays you'd need to run into the station then reverse into the sidings then reverse again.

 

From the 6023 website and dated 18/1/15 - " We are working towards a June completion date" see http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

 

Surely if it is using the Hope Valley line there would be no need to go via Peak Forest?

 

It depends on how it gets there ! Assuming a Stockport passage (whether from Manchester Victoria or Piccadilly) then routeing can be either (1) Stockport - Buxton for reversal then Buxton - Peak Forest - Chinley South Curve - Hope Valley (2) Stockport - Chinley - Hope Valley or (3) avoid Stockport and go via Manchester Victoria to New Mills thence Chinley - Hope Valley. Although there is the option of going from Piccadilly to New Mills thence as for option (2) I doubt if that route would be considered but I am open to correction on that point.

Given the current progress of electrification I suspect that option (3) will be unacceptable hence the options of (1) or (2); of these I think line occupation will seek to reduce time spent on route hence I consider option (1) to be the best as it will allow passengers time to detrain at Buxton whilst stock shunt / loco watering takes place then once onto the Hope Valley spending minimum time on busy route before curving south onto MML at Dore.

 

I wonder what's going to do the Victoria to Penzance leg? as 6023 won't be ready and 5029 is out of action!


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Provided they can turn them, most likely the same locos as used for day 2. My guess is 34067 and one of Ian Riley's Black Fives, since it seems a little unlikely that British India Line will be ready by then (though stranger things have happened before).

 

I'm kind of hoping Britannia will be ready by then


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Yes, it is going to be Britannia being attached to Tangmere at Exeter. If all goes to plan.

34067: Victoria-Exeter
70000+34067 Exeter-Penzance

70000+34067 Penzance-Cardiff

 

That's great news


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70000.? We'll wait & see then....

 

RTC have updated the GB page and here's the updated itinerary:

Day 1: 34067 London - Exeter, 34067 + 70000 Exeter - Par. Diesel from Par - Penzance
Day 2: 34067 + 70000 Penzance - BRISTOL (vice Cardiff)
Day 3: 44871 + 45407 Bristol - Grange-over-Sands (now via the Welsh Marches, vice Sugar Loaf)
Day 4: As originally advertised, 46115 Grange-over-Sands - Edinburgh Waverley
Day 5: 60009 OR 46233 Edinburgh - Inverness
Day 6: 45407 (vice B1) OR 61994 Inverness - Kyle - Inverness
Day 7: 45407 (vice B1) OR 61994 Inverness - Wick. Diesel from Wick - Inverness
Day 8: As originally advertised, 46233 Inverness - Oxenholme
Day 9: 61306 + 45690 Grange-over-Sands - London Kings Cross

James