Great Britain XIV 2022

Bahamas and Leander will be double heading the Grange over Sands to Cardiff leg of the GB tour

https://www.facebook.com/groups/254961991816701/permalink/984797015499858/

 

Its a private group so only visible to members.

Hopefully they will take the train from Grange as if so if uit works I will tke small person to see them, I know in the past it has sometimes been diesel hauled to Carnforth although from recollection that was because BIL was not gauged Grange-Carnforth.

 

Surely it will have a diesel on the front to Grange with the locos on the back and then the diesel will be detached from the rear back at Carnforth?

But the arrival at Grange the evening before should be steam only.

 

Revised loco Allocations
Day 1
6233 London-York
35018 York-Edinburgh
Day 2
46115 Edinburgh-Inverness
Day 3
46115 Inverness-Stirling
Day 4
46115/35018? Stirling-Stirling Forth Circle
Day 5
46115 & 35018 Stirling-Carlisle
45690 Carlisle-Grange Over Sands
Day 6
45596 & 45690 Grange Over Sands-Cardiff
Day 7
6233 Cardiff-Penzance
Day 8
Rest day in Penzance
Day 9
6233 Penzance-London

 

That's a bit of a Carnforth pool fest, surprised 34067 isn't making a cameo somewhere!

 

Day 4 is Scots Guardsman according to letter received from RTC today. Since I have only travelled behind the Scot once this is good news.

 

I agree. Maybe a wee bit disappointing that BIL won’t be used on the HML but as gauging issues could be a factor and the fact that Scots Guardsman has been up there before I understand that decision. I must also say that the sight of BIL on the ECML was not one I was expecting. Another highlight for me is the day 5 double heading over Beattock which will be spicy to put it mildly.

 

According to Railway Herald's railtours page (not always 100% reliable, of course) Tangmere is booked to haul The Northern Belle on Sat 23rd April, so not available for the Scottish section. Maybe she's 1st reserve for the later stages?

 

Based on the many curved balls thrown RTC's way in previous years (loco availability, failures etc) it will be interesting to look back and see how the actual event pans out against the plan.

 

There’s still time!

 

West Coast usually like to keep their newly overhauled locos close to home for a few months, so doubt she will stray too far from the North West for a little while.

 

Indeed, but the Carlisle to Grange leg might be a nice loaded debut!

 

When both locos were based at Dinting there was a leaflet published with the title 'Two Jubilees' (unfortunately I can't find it now) which expressed the hope the two would double head together on the main line in the near future. Not sure over 4 decades was what was intended. But a reminder to never give up hope.
Looking forward to seeing them together if it happens.

 

That was exactly the point I made to RTC and the two respective owners, when we were putting this GB together.

As I understand it, the two never actually steamed together at Dinting. The nearest was 5596 being in light steam, when 5690 arrived fresh from overhaul at Derby in September 1973, but was hurriedly returned to the shed (in embarrassment?), when the varied shades of maroon were compared! I remember being taken to see 5690 at Dinting, the day after it arrived; I've looked through the photos taken by my father and 5596 does not feature.

The visit was as pacification of a 9-year old, who had sat for nearly 2 hours, patiently waiting for it to pass through Hathersage, but had missed by 10 minutes - my father and elder brothers found it very funny, although I naturally didn't. I have, of course, made amends many times since, both at the lineside and on the footplate!

JS

 

Two shots of 5596 & 5690 together at Dinting. The side-by-side shot was Sept 1973 and the other is March 1974. Only 5690 was in steam. Although not clear in the photos, the shade of 5596's livery always seemed to have a hint of pink about it. Just slightly too light. I worked as a volunteer on site at Dinting in the early 1970s and lived just across the field from Dinting station in my early 20s. I saw 5690 in bits in Derby Works under overhaul before it headed in steam from there to Dinting. I'm not aware of the two locos being steamed together despite both being shedded at Dinting.

The sight of them being double-headed on the GB tour will be a real highlight, even though they have different liveries. Excellent planning by all concerned!

Dave C.