The Britannic Explorer (Belmond Trains)

There is a series of what are described on RH as a "test run" for the 'Britannic Explorer', with a class 66 and ECS, from Wales to Victoria and back over several days this week. My question is, if the loco and stock are cleared for the route (with NR's hugely-meticulous route clearance regime), why is there a need for such (presumably expensive) runs?

 

Not quite sure why this is in the WCR Tours thread but…..

These aren’t gauging test runs. These are testing for timings, staff training, etc. A mock run if you like

 

To paraphrase the Bernie Ecclestone answer to Murray Walker of " I did not know I had bought McLaren", I did not know WCRC had bought 66's

 

It's in the WCR thread because I thought I had seen that WCR are running them. If not, my apologies. There are six runs all told, covering the various legs of the tour. An expensive operation I would imagine.

 

Ah right. Yeah GBRF are the ones running it. An effective English/Welsh version of the Royal Scotsman

 

By chance I found a few strange trains on realtimetrains for today.

1Z80 0736 Keighley & Wvlr to Workington
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44804/2025-06-14/detailed

5Z80 1335 Workington to Penrith North Lakes
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44806/2025-06-14/detailed

1Z82 1838 Penrith North Lakes to Ribblehead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U44810/2025-06-14/detailed

Anybody an Idea about the locomotives of these trains?

 

It’s the Britannic Explorer hauled by a mix of GBRF locos

 

Not running - was meant to be a test run with the stock but it's gone back to Eastleigh to rectify some faults.

 

As a finale perhaps to this - after the test runs the entire 'Britannic' tour appears to be have been cancelled! Perhaps a problem was encountered on the tests (thus justifying their running)?

 

The launch of Belmond's prestige diesel hauled 'Britannic Explorer' has had a disappointing start. After the private charter arrived at London Victoria yesterday afternoon, a problem was found with the train and it was forced to return to Stewarts Lane. The 4 day tour to Keighley (day 1), Maryport, Ribblehead (day 2), Derbyshire (day 3) and Oxfordshire (day 4) has had to be cancelled. <BJ>

 

Made it into London Victoria yesterday and then prompty suffered a brake fault, worst possible start you could think of..

 

Luckily it was only another trial run and didn't involve any passengers.