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

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steamvideosnet, Aug 5, 2016.

  1. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest


    Thanks Al and for keeping me updated while I was on the Talisman. Good though that was I found myself wishing I was with you on GBX. The log of the EX-BTM section plus more from you on GBX will be in my column in the next Heritage Railway out on 1st June plus my report of the Talisman. I hope there will be another GB tour though I doubt if I have the stamina to stay the course timing every day not to mention being able to justify the cost.
     
  2. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Many thanks for your daily updates - it certainly made interesting reading while holidaying in Tuscany without a steam train in sight (but plenty of great scenery and wine!) Just out of interest who was crewing the EXD-BTM leg?
     
  3. Tony172

    Tony172 New Member

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    Drivers were Andy Taylor (the man) and Spike Hodges unsure on firemen


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     


  4. My shots from day 7,8 and 9.
     
  5. D1059

    D1059 Member

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    Loved seeing all of your shots and videos from round the country over the last week of so

    Only got to see GB X on day 9 - went to Compton Beauchamp where despite there being sunshine, both east and west of us, the gallery sat under our own personal set of clouds so have played the moody black and white card

    [​IMG]The Great Britain X by Stephen Dance, on Flickr
     
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Ian Walker and Chris Yates without whom, as they say, it would not have been possible.
     
  7. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

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    Thanks all for the kind comments.

    No need for apologies, first person there gets first dibs! Good to meet you too. Yes, I looked at the times & weather forecast and remembered getting a nice glint shot of Mayflower there a couple of years back - plus driving south from the Midlands it's fairly straightforward to get to.
     
  8. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Only train I can think of that bettered that was 5043 on the non-stop PLY-BTM on 10/05/14, just over 65 mins, but that passed EXD at 49.
     
  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It's hard to compare 1Z48 with GBX as 5043 had a pass of EXD but was then checked at Tiverton although it still went over Whiteball in under 20 minutes. We cleared Whiteball from the start in less time than that so had our speed over the Somerset Levels been a little less 'line speed legal' than the Earl and matched that pace then we would have pulled up in BTM in somewhere around 66 minutes. Now that would have really upset the GW fraternity on their home territory.

    It has to be said, of course, that the 430 tons gross was shared between two locomotives and although this power was only really needed up to Whiteball, at other times on the trip with these two locos the acceleration was quite something. For example, the start to stop time from Newton Abbot to Exeter was the same as that allowed for all the regular HST and other services!
     
  10. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    5029 on 9th May 2014 did it in 70/22 start to stop unchecked. 310 tons. Averaged 76.6 mph over the 43 miles MP 171 to 128. This was the fastest start to stop time since 1904 until the GBX run.
     
  11. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    It's very rare for there to be a non-stop EXD to BTM run so the record might well stand for a very long time. And to think it was all down to Network Rail's tardy track maintenance preventing the return via the B&H. Rare for it to work in favour of a steam run.
     
  12. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    Heres my video of Day 9.. Filmed at Dawlish and Exeter St Davids

     
  13. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    The first of my videos opening with Flying Scotsman storming up Stoke Bank

     
  14. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Video from day 2 from the Forth Bridge, Leuchars and then the two climbs of the Highland Mainline at Dalnaspidal and Slochd
     
  15. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    Just want to post to say thank you to everyone! To RTC for running the tour, to all the crews from the companies involved, to NR, to all those who followed the train and have taken the time and effort to post the fruits of your labours with the many stunning pictures and videos. To those on the train taking time to post. It really has been a pleasure to sit back in the evenings and read and see the results from the different days.
    Thank you all...same time next year? I for one certainly hope so.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2017
    6960 Raveningham Hall likes this.
  16. The Black Hat

    The Black Hat Member

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    The Black Hat v's The Great Britain X

    http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/f405108430

    The Great Britain is the pinnacle of the rail tour season within the UK. Its land cruise style itinerary sees the train survey the far stretches of the rail network, as day by day it traverses the various lines and stations around the country. In the past, the tour has suffered from various issues, like engines being replaced and found out of gauge causing replacements, or with steam bans and operators certificates being revoked forcing diesel haulage. Thankfully, this year, there was little of that.

    Indeed, for sticking to plan the 10th Great Britain tour went largely according to plan. Starting in London the train was hauled to York by none other than 60103 Flying Scotsman and the plan was to hand over to A4 Union of South Africa, but with some teething trouble left from the repairs and test runs it was not to be. As the WCRC class 47 brought the train north, the outpost of Fort William had another Riley machine raise steam to come to the rescue. Here 45212, was dispatched to Edinburgh ready to meet the train for Day 2.

    It was first seen crossing the Forth Rail Bridge, a sight that looked stunning and marvellous. Both displaying precision in engineering, both looking resplendent in 2017. From here, the train was then seen again crossing the Tay and then meeting with NELPGs K1 in Perth. The drive across the Highland mainline saw both engines working on a line unique with character.

    A highlight was for the third day and the K1 to take the train to Kyle. The scenery here was looking great – open moorland with occasional rivers, in and amongst lochs and mountains. The engines performance matched such an occasion, its power rating which I think is underrated making look as if the duty required was easily undertaken. Often the K1 would be seen and pictured looking natural in these surroundings, a nod perhaps to the work done on the Jacobite or North Yorkshire Moors, but in fact this was pioneering territory for 62005 – a first visit for this class to Kyle.

    Day 4 saw the return down the Highland Mainline, crossing the Culloden viaduct and seeing the train dwarfed again by engineering structures. While the two black mixed traffic machines thundered southwards, opportunities were found to see them en-route, including Slochd summit, before then pressing on to see them in Gleneagles, the station providing a find backdrop for the tour to pass through.

    My final day chasing saw K1 haul the train to Fort William, seen south of Faslane before then around Crainlarich, and onwards towards its destination. The weather was superb and lit the scenery around the engine superbly even though it was heading north and seen often facing into the sunlight. At Fort William, the tour would return to Glasgow behind the 47, while the K1 and Black 5 crews could appreciate their duties here were concluded.

    In fact, the work performed of both in Scotland was a marathon in terms of work done and duties performed. Crewing for days solid often saw late serving and early starts while those chasing and those on the train were still waking, visiting or resting. The performance of the engines showed much of their professionalism and dedication; enthusiasm combined with a tremendous effort. Each displayed the best traditions of a railway workforce, that quite proud and consistently high standard to perform the duty required of them, and get their passengers to their destinations. Each had different reasons to be satisfied – NELPG with working and rostered for 4 days solid on the tour and positioning moves beforehand while the Black 5 came having been found wanted and duly arrived to perform seeking no fanfare, just respect and gratitude that was offered freely.

    Indeed for those doubting previous performances, West Coasts operation also went well, coping with the often fast paced and change to events that could have caused massive disruption. Their performance much improved and with safeguards like diesel traction giving assistance a hint to both the dry conditions as well as their increased appreciation of procedural operation over reliable tradition.

    In many ways the trip was memorable, the engines the scenery, the crews, the performance the sights. Events like a K1 in Kyle and a Black 5 on the Forth Rail bridge. Chatting and making new friends in the chasing pack that followed the tour, to seeing one of railways and preservations biggest ambassadors in the background gratified a girl lead by her dad to see and admire a Black 5 on the blocks in Inverness. It’s those special moments when you witness something remarkable and were there at the time with a camera and a black hat to record it for others. Truly this part of the tour was Great, but then I’d expect nothing else chasing the Great Britain X.
     
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  17. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks for that 'take' on GBX from the lineside. No doubt the fact that the tour runs over several days generates an ongoing camaraderie off the train as much as on it. Yes, everyone chasing it has to pay their way for accommodation etc but otherwise it is a free show for them and so their preparedness to readily share images and videos is welcomed.

    I agree that things went pretty well and the late information about the A4 being out of gauge on the Highland ML was actually of no consequence once Ian Riley stepped into the breech, once again. It's a pity that West Coast couldn't keep the fire inside the loco on The Jacobite but given the weather it was probably only a matter of time on that one. Sheer luck therefore that we got away with it to Kyle and over the Highland ML before they panicked. But I have to say that the policy decision about Glasgow to Oxenholme with the Duchess was very disappointing and arguable out of proportion to the far more risky situation in the Highlands.
     
  18. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Day 3 with 62005 working to Kyle of Lochalsh opening with the 1 in 50 grade to Ravens Rock



    Day featuring 45212 and 62005 tackling the southbound Highland Mainline including Culloden and the climb to Drumochter.
     
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  19. charterboy

    charterboy New Member

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    Punters onboard this years GB10 have received the following email today

    "
    Now that the dust has settled on what proved to be a very successful GBX we wanted to email you to thank you for your continued support.


    We hope that you enjoyed your holiday with us, incorporating seven different steam locomotives and visiting so many beautiful areas of the UK.


    We are currently looking at what we will be offering next year and there may well be a GBXI we will keep you informed so please WATCH THIS SPACE!!"

    So is there to be another in the same format next year......one to awatch
     
  20. Tyne Turbine

    Tyne Turbine New Member

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    To say "like" is just not enough. Thank you so much for posting these superb sequences.
     

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