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The Great Britain XI - 2018

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steamvideosnet, Aug 2, 2017.

  1. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    I guess I should of recognised those sunglasses yesterday afternoon but did not, despite chatting to both of you for over an hour.I must look at what I managed to film yesterday and today.

    Mind you yesterday was far better as although the 5 seemed to be trying to get to Harmans Cross without any or with very little Class 37 help, despite numerous slips on the poor rail conditions, the progress through Parkstone station was spectactular, although the noise from the 37 told you why.
     
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I decided to get off GBXI early as another signal failure - this time on the Pompey Direct - was threatening to delay things further on the homeward trek although as I write, with the gallons of recovery time in the path, you could see that the tour may not be far off RT at Victoria. So, some thoughts albeit from my reduced time on the trip.

    Once again, GBXI had everything that was great about an expensive tour like this plus everything that is not.

    What was great?
    • Hospitality by everyone on board and the desire to look after you in the best manner possible, whatever class you were in.
    • The 'on-the-day' organisation to try and get around the glitches such as moving the water stop on the Heart of Wales line.
    • Dealing with the unexpected like the binding brakes on one of the coaches.
    • The route and the scenery.
    • The variety of locomotives.
    • The bits that provided some memorable loco performances. I missed Day 2 but Day 8 was also good in a different way.
    What was less great?
    • Unfulfilled promises. There is always something. The fact that the whole enterprise hinges on factors, people and organisations beyond your direct control is obviously a pivotal issue. This time it was the gauging that screwed up Wales and there was of course the missing A4 that inexplicably was available right up to the point when it suddenly wasn't. Plus what flowed from that diesel-wise.
    • Value for money. That is a highly debatable and potentially contentious observation. One could argue if everything went as planned and it was steam all the way in the proper sense of the word then there should be little to be negative about as you know the cost and can decide whether to buy in. But sadly, that seldom happens as there are factors beyond the control of West Coast and the RTC that make it so. Network Rail managed to foul things up big time on Day 7. "What's the problem. You did what you were supposed to do. You were just a bit late. Anyway there was no rush!"
    What was surprising?

    If you take the time to look around at your fellow travelling companions you can see that they are all there for different reasons. Some just want a glorified tour of Britain with food. Many are happy to see a steam engine and are less bothered about what it does or how much it does. A few want the creature comforts of home including a nice even temperature when they should know that is not easy to achieve. Some just want a trip with their friends and a few nights in decent hotels even though they are seldom there long enough to take advantage of all the facilities they are paying top dollar for. A bit of me thinks that a good proportion of those who go would be more than happy with a GB trip that did the tour/scenery and had no steam at all. Take what I am told took place on the memorable climb of Evershot Bank with the U-Class blasting onwards up ahead. Apparently a couple of 'enthusiasts' spoke about everything other than the racket from up front throughout the climb. It was a bit like talking through the National Anthem. So it takes all sorts on GBXI.

    Should the RTC do another one? I gather it is being discussed although I can think of several reasons against rather than for, especially as there may be disappointments because either locomotive availability or Network Rail will make things difficult again. But that said, the GB is perhaps unique and the RTC and WC deserve credit for attempting this marathon.
     
  3. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    A very useful observation Big Al from someone who actually traveled on parts of it.
    I enjoyed its visit to Dorset but then I only chased it around like a lunatic yesterday and helped load the bags at Swanage this morning. I was surprised that the passengers still looked quite fresh after 9 days and some short nights.
    I guess your What was surprising? category is a magnification of a day trip, but could be quite difficult over nine if those around you have different objectives.

    I would also like to thank all at RTC and WCRC for being prepared to keep doing it year after year (and Dave Hewson for giving the U "some exercise" yesterday)
     
  4. 3855

    3855 Member

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    Given the likelihood of a mainline return for 6201 later in the year, the emergence of 35018 as a credible performer, plus two jubilees and the Riley fives at their disposal I would imagine if this tour runs again next year it would run with the above locos in an effort to both keep the costs down and take away the jeopardy of relying on motive power from other sources . This tour in my opinion is a great idea but in previous years has ended up mainline steams equivalent of the 'wacky races'
     
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  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    To be honest this year's tour has done pretty well loco wise. There will always be failures and gauging issues - this is steam! But to run steam from one end of the country to the other is a massive achievement and it is still the icing on the cake for mainline steam. It's a bit like the FA cup - everyone wants to get to Wembley, but you just know a Riley black 5 will go on an unexpected run and steal the show!
     
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  6. Dexter

    Dexter New Member

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    It wasn’t inexplicable at all, a problem cropped up on steam test prior to it’s booked work on the GB, a repair was attempted which proved unsuccessful. End of story.
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Didn't happen this year though. Show stolen by Southern locomotives (BIL and U Class) plus a certain pair of Jubilees.
     
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Wrong word. Try 'unfortunate, last minute' as substitutes.
     
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  9. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    A few shots from the last two days of the tour
    31806 at
    Melbury Bubb
    Exiting Bincome Tunnel
    45212 on the climb to Bincombe tunnel through the encroaching foliage
    31806
    Crossing Corfe Common on the approach to Afflington Bridge
    Approaching Swanage
    "Screwdriver Dave" with the headboard
    45212
    Drawing the stock forward at Swanage to attach the Class 37 to the rear
    Getting a serious shove through Parkstone.
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  10. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    Is that more down to those travelling on the train need time to analyse their data?
     
  11. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    Some shots of 31806 at Melbury Bubb and Upwey Station (descending on front and climbing on rear) - Day 8 of the GB XI Railtour on 26th April 2018

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  12. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    From RTC on Facebook... the GB12 is on the cards!

    Let the speculation begin!

    James
     
  13. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    45212 Black Five on the Yeovil to Swanage leg (where it top-n-tailed with 31806 over the banks)
    Shots at Upwey Station (descending and ascending) on 26th April 2018

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  14. Eric Tyler

    Eric Tyler New Member

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    Not many photos of Yeovil Junction and turntable but still it doesn’t matter. As a Yeovil volunteer it was absolutely great that this Great Railtour paid us a visit. All had a great day, and remember, our charitable company was set up with the aim of ensuring mainline steam running. Long may it last.
     
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  15. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Day 8 Black 5

    Day 9 Black 5

    yes, every time the black 5 showed up, it rained on me,.
     
  16. CLN_WVR

    CLN_WVR Member

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    And finally Day 9 - Swanage to London with 45212. Shots at Beaulieu Road, Burseldon and between Liphook and Haselmere

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  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    I wasn't on it though chased it the last two days for photos. All I can say is what an amazing thing to have happened in 2018. Once again please no negatives. Just accept something we could never have forecast from 50 years ago.
     
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  18. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    Caught out by changed timings yesterday, good to see someone managed to photograph that leg.
     
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  19. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    lets look on the good things, flying Scotsman, out of Kings Cross, Steam out of any London termini is something that many thought would not happen, A Merchant Navy totally in charge of the S&C, an iconic route , and making it look like, this is easy, double headed Jubilees , and that was just the first 2 days, :) then to be able to have an substitute black 5 when The A4 was failed, it could so easily have been a diesel, add into the mix, a last minute substitution that saw BIL again working another leg, to Crewe and to top it, a Southern mogul / black 5 combo topping and tailing from Yeovil again, making short work of some quite noteworthy gradients, finished off by a black 5 on the Portsmouth direct into London, last year we celebrated 50 years since the last scheduled steam in the south finished, this year its the anniversary of the final steam workings on BR, 50 years on, steam hasn't finished, its made a resurgence.
     
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  20. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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