The Great Britain VIII

WCRC have Ab stock.Whether Dcr sign the routes is irrelevant a passenger licence or lack of being more important.

 

I hear on the grape-vine that DBS will work GB8. I'm not sure how certain that really is but my source is usually reliable or I wouldn't mention it. There's no word about what traction will be used. My personal guess is it will be mostly diesel.

 

If there's going to be steam on it, Mark. Day 1 & 2, would be the best bet. Maybe as far as Plymouth.

 

Email just received.

"We are writing to you with regards to the current situation relating to our train operating company West Coast Railways and Network Rail, and the current suspension of their operating licence and the effect this may have on our Great Britain VIII tour.


We have been informed by West Coast Railways that they have now completed all the points required to address the concerns of Network Rail, this was submitted earlier today.We are hopeful that there will be an early response to this from Network Rail.


As an alternative plan, should it be required, D.B. Schenker have agreed to operate the first two days of the tour using 70000 Britannia, part of the way from Westbury to Exeter on day one and then from Plymouth to Bristol on day two, with diesel haulage for the other sections on these days.Direct Rail Services have offered help with the remainder of the tour, this would then be diesel hauled.


David Smith, Chairman of West Coast Railways has informed us that he expects the Great Britain VIII still to run with steam, operated by West Coast Railways, following all the hard work that they have done to meet Network Rail's demands.


We are aiming to despatch the tour documents so that they are with you at the very latest on Wednesday 22nd April. We are very sorry for the uncertainty that there is over this tour and appreciate your patience. Please be assured that we are doing everything within our power to get it resolved as soon as possible and are working tirelessly to ensure other arrangements are in place to enable the tour to go ahead.


We will be also be sending this letter to you in the post today.


Kind regards


The Railway Touring Company"

 

As usual with this story, its a case of 'wait and see (and hope)'. However, at least there seems to be a Plan B in place. I'm not on this one, but RTC's letter makes it a 'test case'.

 

A DBS path (for Britannia ?) 5Z70 from Swanage to Stewarts Lane on Monday 27 April has appeared on RTT . Then on Tuesday 28 April, there is a DBS 1Z82 Victoria to Exeter via Newbury, but nothing west of Exeter as yet. Details at uksteam.info shortly. So it looks like Plan B for GBVIII

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55251/2015/04/28/advanced

 

Well it is listed as a diesel train pulling it.

 

That's always the case with RTT,just the way the system works.

UKSteam has been updated this morning showing 70000 for the London-Exeter and Plymouth-Bristol Legs and DBS operation,the following day's run to Grange' is shown as "DRS" diesel..

 

They always are.

 

I would think day 2 will be 70000+diesel because of the Devon banks.?

 

The RTT links you have posted are unavailable.

 

Agreed. Britannia will need assistance over the South Devon banks, and I also presume that means a diesel. Hopefully, they'll put the DL on the rear, so it can be left at Exeter, to either follow L/E to Bristol, or return to base elsewhere. GB8 is RTC's flagship and they'll want as much "pure" steam as they can manage.

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U51622/2015/04/29/advanced

Curious, WCRC light engine from Penzance to Bristol next Wednesday.

 

As a matter of interest, does anyone know approximately what percentage of the passengers go for the whole 9-day tour, against those who select certain sections?

If the latter, then there is sure to be a rush for the Britannia hauled bits but many who will walk away from the diesel sections which would appear to dominate the change in plans.

That said, many may hang in there irrespective of the motive power because of the breathtaking scenery up North.

 

I think there will be a passengers that have pulled out. Especially those who have booked from outside the U.K, who are still uncertain about what's going to be the final itinerary, regardless of the letter sent out last week. Usually it's a 12 coach tour, could well be nine or ten on the hook this time.

 

Maybe it's a diesel which is following the tour.

 

RTC do not sell it in sections afaik