Great Britain XVIII: 18/4 -25/4/26

Infrastructure issues, points & track circuit failures.

 

Video taken at Devonport and Hemerdon. The second clip of three is from a mobile phone and not up to standard, but I've included it anyway.

 

Looking at the videos over the banks from the first two days, definitely a top & tail operation !

 

Does anyone have any information regarding the Chester to Carnforth and Carnforth to Chester moves are tomorrow morning.
They are both due to pass through alancaster between 0520 and 0525.

Might have to get up early to see what runs through

 

I believe that Chester to 10A is Eddystone and 10A to Chester will be Clangmere.

 

is Tangmere repaired? There’s a Black 5 going to Carnforth on Monday isn’t there?

 

I believe so, but we will find out for definite tomorrow. I assume that if it is repaired it will still have to have an FTR today. If not, then 45407 will have to deputise.

 

34028 on the outskirts of Bridgwater on day 2 of the tour.https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/55217237511/in/dateposted-public/

 

GB XVIII slowing down before the Severn Tunnel at Pilning.

https://flic.kr/p/2s8oLjH

 

Beloved GB steam train to pass through Greater Manchester for first time - where and when to see it - Manchester Evening News https://share.google/dcx9IlmPL6PeIszLo

 

A very close call at Parson Street but it all adds to the excitement doesn't it

https://www.flickr.com/photos/163779836@N03/55217927999/in/dateposted-public/

 

A poster on the WNXX Forum has said: "Nothing in steam at Steamtown on Sunday at 19.50, so presume no Tangmere. Dunno what will happen on Monday".
Perhaps Eddystone will haul the Chester to Carlisle section?

 

Came through Salop with plenty of pressure for the ascent of Hencott

​

...along with some interesting occasional sparks from the brakes of the type 4 on the rear.

 

Towards the end of a long day, a blue hour reflection at Stokesay.

 

Under a waxing Moon, 34028 forges past Felhampton, on the way to the summit at Little Stretton.

Almost dark as the Sun had set ages ago, there was but a smidgen of data on the histogram.............



Cheerz,

Alan

 

WCRC must have been teasing - Tangmere it is:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/Northwesttrains/North-west-trains-2026/i-ZLSCSv7

34028 ran to Steamtown earlier with 47826.

Andrew N

 

Does the stock return to Steamtown from Carlisle this evening with Tangmere? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U80443/2026-04-20/detailed

Looks like there's a move back to Carlisle tomorrow morning, presumably by the loco(s) taking the train onwards to FW?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U80446/2026-04-21/detailed

 

34028 hauled 47826 from Chester to Carnforth due to a power fault with the 47 (from Hereford).
Did anyone get a photo?

 

Unrebuilt Bulleid Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 No. 34067 Tangmere passes through the former Cheshire Lines station at Greenbank on Monday 20th April 2026 with the Railway Touring Company's Great Britain XVIII railtour, running from Chester to Carlisle.



Cheers.

 

34067 takes the Mickle Trafford line as it shunts the empty stock from the Chester Middle Yard to the platform at Chester station this morning in gorgeous weather conditions.