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Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Aug 15, 2024.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I know that the date given by the RTC is just a 'save the date' message but clearly they wouldn't be sending this message out without a clear steer from WCRC about what will be possible and with what motive power.

    So we await with interest.
     
    Big Al, Aug 15, 2024
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  2. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Lots of interesting possibilities next year if not restricted to just WCR locos?
     
    Sheff, Aug 15, 2024
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  3. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    unlikely to be LSL engines you would presume ....
     
    Sidmouth, Aug 15, 2024
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  4. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    Mick45305, Sep 11, 2024
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  5. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    Looks like a very good and well thought out trip. Some quite sensible lengths of days mixed in with some longer ones. Wick and Thurso is a cracker of a day
     
    2857Harry, Sep 11, 2024
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  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Only done Thurso and Wick once before on a Compass diesel tour from in Inverness, would seriously think about doing just that day.
     
    RalphW, Sep 11, 2024
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  7. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    It’s over 30 years since I went up there, and I’ve never been loco hauled - the nearest I got was a tour cancelled the day it was due to run in October 1993. However, my domestic credit won’t run to it!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    35B, Sep 11, 2024
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I agree. It is indeed a well thought out trip and if you park for a moment the uncertainty over what the motive power will be and also the large number of diesel hauled legs, what the RTC if offering is quite a smorgasborg of beautiful scenery and rare track.

    This tour also brings home the reality of planning anything on our 'push me - pull you' railway. Several destinations are just not possible to visit any more without running down the line top and tailed. That could be done with steam but it's clear that nowadays that's not going to happen as the resourcing (water/coal and of course, we assume, air-con) is just too complicated, even on a trip as prestigious as the GB tour.

    A sign of the times but well done to the RTC for putting this itinerary together.
     
    Big Al, Sep 12, 2024
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  9. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    At the other end of the country, beginning the first day with a run down the Portsmouth Direct will be a pleasant way start to the trip. This route hasn't featured as prominently as some other lines in the south of England such as the Bournemouth line or the Canterbury circuit as a route for steam in the preservation era (Nor indeed before that - it was electrified in the 1930s) but from Godalming to the outskirts of Havant, there is plenty of very attractive countryside and the two summits at Haslemere and Buriton are approached by climbs of 1 in 80, so a lot to enjoy before reaching the more spectacular scenery of Wales, Cumbria or the Scottish highlands.
     
    John Petley, Sep 12, 2024
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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The last time the RTC didn't get to Wick, just Thurso, so hopefully this one will be more successful.
     
    Big Al, Sep 12, 2024
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  11. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    2016. I remember it well... Seem to recall a bridge restriction towards Wick resulted in a change of destination. Certainly tempting if an optional day.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Sep 12, 2024
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  12. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    So as things stand currently, what's the list of Locos that GB XVII could realistically provide (if LSL are excluded)?

    34067
    44871.....
     
    misspentyouth62, Sep 12, 2024
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  13. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    45407
    45212
    44871
    34067
    35028

    Although admittedly one of the 5s will be needed in Scotland for the Jacobite.

    One thing I did find interesting the other day is RTC have revamped their locomotives page…..They’ve shown the 3 Air Braked engines they’ve used this year 35028, 34067, 44871….

    But also 35018….But nothing else from the Carnforth Pool….Im possibly reading too much in to this, but is BIL gaining air brakes?

    https://www.railwaytouring.net/rtc-locomotives
     
    2857Harry, Sep 12, 2024
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  14. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    One other Black 5 as the Jacobite is only the morning service. 35028 possibly for the first day? 60163? 60103? Other than that, I'm struggling. 6233 doesn't look like it'll be back any time soon - rumours of it needing a boiler lift now.
     
    5944, Sep 12, 2024
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  15. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    Where do 7029 & 5043 at VT stand?
     
    misspentyouth62, Sep 12, 2024
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  16. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    Not air brake fitted. So a no go for WCR work as long as they can only run air. But I suspect just a general no go tbh.
     
    2857Harry, Sep 12, 2024
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  17. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    shame - the thought of double headed Castles to/from Pembroke Dock & Fishguard would be a nice treat!
     
    misspentyouth62, Sep 12, 2024
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  18. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Why, 5043 was stabled at Carnforth during her visit up north this year suggesting that relations are cordial?
     
    GWR4707, Sep 12, 2024
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  19. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    Oh I’m not suggesting anytning is a miss relations wise, just more that VT have a nice programme for their engines and I am not of the opinion they are actively seeking additional work for them.
     
    2857Harry, Sep 12, 2024
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  20. JR4489

    JR4489 New Member

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    Clicking 'view more' below 44871 will bring up the rest of the Carnforth pool, as well as 6233, 60103 & 60163. Interestingly, 45212/407 aren't included.
     
    JR4489, Sep 12, 2024
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