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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. geoff_in_chester

    geoff_in_chester New Member

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    Tornado leaves Waverley. Only a limited view available from the Mound due to trees and the unavoidable overhead wires.
    P1050451 (2).JPG .
     

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    geoff_in_chester, May 1, 2025
    #261
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Currently taking water at Helmsdale. An opportunity to confirm that a steam locomotive was actually attached at Wick.

    What a difference a few days make. On Sunday a Black 5 was blasting all over Pembrokeshire on a warm spring day. Today, after overnight rain on a cool and cloudy day another Black 5 is silently picking its way south from Wick with the occasional wisp of smoke drifting by the window.

    Such are the joys of trying to operate steam on a railway in our variable weather conditions

    20250501_123850.jpg
     
    Big Al, May 1, 2025
    #262
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  3. charterboy

    charterboy New Member

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    If only you had MK1s so the steam could drift in through the open windows and you could hear the steam loco......instead of MK2 coffins where the air conditioning isn't working properly

    Suspect the 11 degrees in Wick was appreciated today
     
    charterboy, May 1, 2025
    #263
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  4. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Phone grab at Tain whilst waiting to shunt over for water. Lovely day chasing so far, with 45407 doing a fair share of the work everywhere we’ve seen it.
     

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    2857Harry, May 1, 2025
    #264
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Today to Wick was about the destination and the journey. There is really nothing better when those two combine well. So today was great. So much so that you can accept the compromises that were part of it all that I won't unpack as what I said first trumps all that.

    Thank you Kelly and the team including WCRC for doing something that isn't easy.
     
    Big Al, May 1, 2025
    #265
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  6. GW 5972

    GW 5972 New Member

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    I have to agree that we have had a memorable GB in spite of all the problems Kelly and her team have faced.
    For weeks now I have worried that the drought conditions would result in having no steam at all, but at least we have avoided that. While previous GB’s may have been better I still feel that Kelly performs miracles with the hand she is dealt and the limited resources available and long may she continue.
     
    GW 5972, May 1, 2025
    #266
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  7. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
    45407 Rogart     by Harry Bradley, on Flickr

    The sun decided to have a day off today, so much of the trip along the Far North Line was in cloud.

    45407 did its fair share of the work today which was pleasing, and even some rain in Inverness tonight!
     
    2857Harry, May 1, 2025
    #267
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  8. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    A great day out on immensely rare track, with something for everyone. In my case, there was the matter of completing the lines north of Inverness for steam haulage with the Wick - Georgemas Junction section, as well as wandering around the locality at the longer stops. Indeed, I was pleased to lead the charge into the rather lovely pub at Tain station! For diesel aficionados, there was the rare experience of a Class 47 on passenger duties in the Far North. But what was really special was being able to pass through the stunning scenery. I have loved the bleak wilderness of the Flow Country since the first time I passed through it. This was on the last steam special over the route in 2016, which took us to Thurso. It was therefore rather wonderful to renew the acquaintance. Therefore, thanks to all who made it happen during this unprecedented dry spell.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, May 1, 2025
    #268
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  9. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Word on the street is 34067 has failed FTR, and as such the Edinburgh to Newcastle leg will be diesel
     
    2857Harry, May 2, 2025
    #269
  10. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    RalphW, May 2, 2025
    #270
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  11. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Is there a reason they couldn't just leave 60163 on the front all the way back to the Toon as if she is doing the leg south from there tomorrow she will need to run to Heaton (I assume) LE anyway?
     
    GWR4707, May 2, 2025
    #271
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  12. jonathonag

    jonathonag Well-Known Member

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    May possibly be to do with support crew/owner rep hours. Otherwise, as you say, a servicing stop then onwards to Newcastle with the train would probably be more suitable than the 4am path from Joppa tomorrow morning.
     
    jonathonag, May 2, 2025
    #272
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I see this also removes Tangmere from the Blackpool trip on 10/5 that is now cancelled. So this must be a serious failure that is not a quick fix.
     
    Big Al, May 2, 2025
    #273
  14. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Yes I would think so. That Blackpool trip doesn’t seem to be having much success
     
    2857Harry, May 2, 2025
    #274
  15. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    ......or Tangmere.
     
    Big Al, May 2, 2025
    #275
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  16. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    No longer on website so I assume now cancelled.
     
    Gladiator 5076, May 2, 2025
    #276
  17. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Yes. See RTC 2025 thread, post #131 this morning.
     
    6960 Raveningham Hall, May 2, 2025
    #277
  18. Waterbuck

    Waterbuck Member

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    Alongside Tangmere at Joppa

    20250502_161347.jpg
     
    Waterbuck, May 2, 2025
    #278
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  19. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Does anyone know the fire risk assessment for tomorrow?
     
    Johnb, May 2, 2025
    #279
  20. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Red for the North East/East Coast, Amber for Anglia.
     
    2857Harry, May 2, 2025
    #280
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