The Great Britain XVI - 13/04/24 to 21/04/24

With the drought and all...

 

I am assuming it is the downside loop that the bin trains off the Brentford Branch use. Especially as it is ML to Stockley Junction.

 

Ah yes, I hadn't noticed the ML bit to Stockley. That explains (I think) the lack of the LE move. Thanks. So it still has to cross the GWML twice, but at well-separated intervals.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U06297/2024-04-15/detailed
Times for day 3 from Carlisle to Glasgow. Now going via Newton on Ayr instead of Kilmarnock.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U09164/2024-04-19/detailed
Day 7 from Edinburgh to Liverpool. Now going via Beattock, instead of the East Coast mainline and Tyne Valley line.

 

That's no surprise. RTC have attempted to send the GB through Kilmarnock several times but never managed it. On the other hand, I think this is the first one to run northbound over the G&SW.

 

Tyne Valley Line was 50% of my required track for steam. 3rd time I’ve been bowled on this. The other is Inverness to Aberdeen. Here’s hoping.

 

The 108 miles of Inverness-Aberdeen seems OK so far.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...8/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

So many changes to what was the advertised itinerary. It's one reason why I haven't done a GB for a few years.

Dave B

 

Well based on the fact it has to be sold well in advance to get the hotel accommodation, and NR do not have to produce, or are unable to produce timings until far closer to the even it is always likely to happen. It is really sort of 8 tours combined so if you think how many non repeat (or even some repeat) ittinaries get changed shortly before a day tour, no surprise really.

 

Furthermore, some things like the Cumbrian Coast debacle simply conspire against it.

 

Times for next Saturday. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U07184/2024-04-20/detailed

 

Thanks, will have a look out for this, been a long time since we have had steam through my neck of the woods and who knows when (or if) it will happen again.

 

And the final day is going via the Vale of Glamorgan line. Rare track indeed these days. Think Saphos ran that way a few years ago.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

 

Up main between Dolphin Junction and Southall East Junction. Looks like engineering work on the relief lines. Looks like NR did well to thread a path through a two track railway even on a Sunday.

 

Ready for day 1:
(Photo by Andy Tarran).

 

What's the foreign locomotive alongside her?

 

30064.

 

Nice to see 44871's smokebox in grey undercoat... Only joking, but I hope it stays unpolished for tomorrow.

 

Sole Street bank sounded good from my seat near the front. Just one slip. Don’t know how much shovage as where I am sitting I can only hear the Black 5

 

Do you know the train's length (number of coaches)? If 10+ I imagine there will have been a lot of assistance.