GBRf Rail Tour 2021: This time it's personal

[221101 Voyager]

That's just what I was hoping to do! Well done for getting tickets though.
If not Mk1s, what would be used instead?

MK2's perhaps?

 

[ABB125]

MK2's perhaps?

Maybe - but how many Mk2s are in existence compared with Mk1s? Is it enough?
Perhaps Mk3s are more likely, even though they don't have the same ambience.

 

[JonathanH]

MK2's perhaps?

If Mark 1s go, Mark 2s do as well. There seems little chance of one being removed from the railway and not the other. There is a chance of both being removed after 31 March 2023 when the derogation runs out although, no doubt, there are discussions ongoing. Behaviour of passengers on the tours with regard to the opening windows is a key issue.

Maybe - but how many Mk2s are in existence compared with Mk1s? Is it enough?

Riviera have more Mark 2fs in their fleet than Mark 1s now. However, I don't think that is the point. Effectively they are no concentrating on keeping sufficient Mark 1s available for the requirements of the tour operators.

The original GBRf four-day tour in 2016 ran with Mark 2fs. Some passengers had a bad experience with the air conditioning failing in one of the standard class carriages which led to GBRf making a point of using Mark 1s for the subsequent tours.

 

[Devonman2014]

If Mark 1s go, Mark 2s do as well. There seems little chance of one being removed from the railway and not the other. There is a chance of both being removed after 31 March 2023 when the derogation runs out although, no doubt, there are discussions ongoing. Behaviour of passengers on the tours with regard to the opening windows is a key issue.


Riviera have more Mark 2fs in their fleet than Mark 1s now. However, I don't think that is the point. Effectively they are no concentrating on keeping sufficient Mark 1s available for the requirements of the tour operators.

The original GBRf four-day tour in 2016 ran with Mark 2fs. Some passengers had a bad experience with the air conditioning failing in one of the standard class carriages which led to GBRf making a point of using Mark 1s for the subsequent tours.

The infamous coach B on the GBRF 15 tour !

If I remember correctly a load of ice lollies were dropped off at a station (Peterborough possibly) by one of the GBRF volunteer stewards family members on what was one of the hottest days of the four day tour.

 

[ABB125]

The infamous coach B on the GBRF 15 tour !

If I remember correctly a load of ice lollies were dropped off at a station (Peterborough possibly) by one of the GBRF volunteer stewards family members on what was one of the hottest days of the four day tour.

Sounds fun!
I was on the Fifty-Niner (Pathfinder Tours) in 2016, and on the return journey the lights stopped working in the carriage (Mk1) which I was in (it was February, so dark outside). No-one batted an eyelid!

 

[JonathanH]

rip is virtually sold out! Looks like I won't be going...

All the whole-tour options are sold, all First Class options too, as well as day 3 and 4 in Standard Class. Only days 1, 2 and N are available, in SC only (at the time of posting). I was hoping to do the overnight bit plus days 3 and 4. Boo hoo. Ah well - there's always next time, or the "follow it by car to take lots of pictures" option!

A small re-release currently back on the market (but not Day 3 other than as part of a whole trip standard class ticket). I wonder how long it will remain available.

GBRf Charity Railtours

Our site provides information on all upcoming GBRf Charity Railtour Operations, and includes an online shop where you can purchase tickets for travel when they are available.

www.gbrfcharityrailtours.co.uk

 

[fgwrich]

Possibly the last time this tour will run will Mk1 stock?

I don't see why it shouldn't, LSL, Riv & WCRC all seem to be working on ways to make them more compliant, likewise for the Mk2s?

 

[D6130]

I don't see why it shouldn't, LSL, Riv & WCRC all seem to be working on ways to make them more compliant, likewise for the Mk2s?

So is the SRPS.

 

[ABB125]

A small re-release currently back on the market (but not Day 3 other than as part of a whole trip standard class ticket). I wonder how long it will remain available.

GBRf Charity Railtours

Our site provides information on all upcoming GBRf Charity Railtour Operations, and includes an online shop where you can purchase tickets for travel when they are available.

www.gbrfcharityrailtours.co.uk

Only days 1 and 2 available now (in standard class). I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't be going on the train, but I may well follow it by car as a mini holiday!

 

[DanNCL]

An email has been sent out by GBRF to those with tickets this afternoon. There are a few changes to the planned itineraries, which I have listed below:

Day 1
Unchanged

Day 2
Now includes a visit to Marchwood MOD, with various shunting locos expected to be used for haulage around the site. Day now finishes at Kensington Olympia

Day N
Now begins at Kensington Olympia, with 73/1s hauling to Acton Lane Reception, swapped there for an 86 to take the train to Birmingham New Street then original itinerary resumes.

Day 3
Route unchanged. 33012 is no longer available, and no other 33 has been able to be sourced. As things currently stand the Oban trip is now likely to be the pair of 20s both ways, with a currently unspecified loco assisting on the rear, though this is subject to change.

Day 4
Unchanged

 

[DEAN MURPHY]

Is there a contact for this tour, as I’d like to see if there are any seats left available from people who now cannot go?
Any help apprecisted
Dean

 

[DanNCL]

Is there a contact for this tour, as I’d like to see if there are any seats left available from people who now cannot go?
Any help apprecisted
Dean

Any left will be advertised at https://www.gbrfcharityrailtours.co.uk/ticketoffice

There's definitely a possibility of a small number of people cancelling on day 3 now that the 33 has been removed.

 

[Kite159]

Starting the overnight leg at Kensington Olympia certainly makes things easier (and cheaper) for me.

 

[LA50041]

Starting the overnight leg at Kensington Olympia certainly makes things easier (and cheaper) for me.

Report on another forum that RTT is providing an enhanced coverage of GBRF21 as they did for GBRF18.

hope it’s ok to share the link?

Realtime Trains | GBRf 2021 - This Time It's Personal

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[43 302]

Report on another forum that RTT is providing an enhanced coverage of GBRF21 as they did for GBRF18.

hope it’s ok to share the link?

Realtime Trains | GBRf 2021 - This Time It's Personal

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I wonder what that will entail. Not like the allocations aren't already shown!

 

[Townsend Hook]

I wonder what that will entail. Not like the allocations aren't already shown!

I understand that RTT will have a GPS tracker on the train, something like that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2021 ==

Not quite sure how GBRf are planning to resource two 73/9s for the first day, assuming they’re coming from the five blue Network Rail contract locos (961-965). Two are planned to be on hire to Colas for the PLPR2 IM train working out of Eastleigh all week, another two are with the PLPR1 IM train on Merseyrail Monday and Tuesday night, but according to the STN their light engine move from Derby RTC to Tonbridge isn’t until the Saturday. So that only leaves one, assuming 100% availability which is a big ask with those 73/9s. Unless they’re planning to bring sleeper 73/9s south or something.

 

[43 302]

I understand that RTT will have a GPS tracker on the train, something like that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2021 ==

Not quite sure how GBRf are planning to resource two 73/9s for the first day, assuming they’re coming from the five blue Network Rail contract locos (961-965). Two are planned to be on hire to Colas for the PLPR2 IM train working out of Eastleigh all week, another two are with the PLPR1 IM train on Merseyrail Monday and Tuesday night, but according to the STN their light engine move from Derby RTC to Tonbridge isn’t until the Saturday. So that only leaves one, assuming 100% availability which is a big ask with those 73/9s. Unless they’re planning to bring sleeper 73/9s south or something.

I doubt many people would mind a 73/1 vice 73/9 pair!

 

[DanNCL]

I doubt many people would mind a 73/1 vice 73/9 pair!

I understand that RTT will have a GPS tracker on the train, something like that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2021 ==

Not quite sure how GBRf are planning to resource two 73/9s for the first day, assuming they’re coming from the five blue Network Rail contract locos (961-965). Two are planned to be on hire to Colas for the PLPR2 IM train working out of Eastleigh all week, another two are with the PLPR1 IM train on Merseyrail Monday and Tuesday night, but according to the STN their light engine move from Derby RTC to Tonbridge isn’t until the Saturday. So that only leaves one, assuming 100% availability which is a big ask with those 73/9s. Unless they’re planning to bring sleeper 73/9s south or something.

Could it be the yellow pair possibly?

 

[43 302]

Could it be the yellow pair possibly?

I forgot those existed to be honest. Are they even runners? All the CS ones are in Scotland afaik.

 

[DanNCL]

I forgot those existed to be honest. Are they even runners? All the CS ones are in Scotland afaik.

Yes. They regularly appear on Network Rail test trains. I’ve just looked up the numbers (as I’d forgotten them), 73951 and 73952.

 

[ABB125]

Yes. The regularly appear on Network Rail test trains. I’ve just looked up the numbers (as I’d forgotten them), 73951 and 73952.

Though of course their use on the tour does rely on Network Rail permitting their use.

 

[DanNCL]

Though of course their use on the tour does rely on Network Rail permitting their use.

It does indeed. I queried if it might have been them based on the information above that none of GBRF’s 73/9s are expected to be available.

On another note, do we have any idea which 91 is expected to be provided for Day 3?

 

[43 302]

On another note, do we have any idea which 91 is expected to be provided for Day 3?

I don't, but I'd put good money on it being a celebrity liveried one. Can't imagine it's a non LNER one either.

 

[DanNCL]

I don't, but I'd put good money on it being a celebrity liveried one. Can't imagine it's a non LNER one either.

It won’t be 91119 as that’s had it’s roof off for some major work to be done. If it’s expected to be one with a special livery then that probably narrows it down to 110 or 111.

 

[43 302]

It won’t be 91119 as that’s had it’s roof off for some major work to be done. If it’s expected to be one with a special livery then that probably narrows it down to 110 or 111.

Or 91101! Which would be especially fitting I would say

 

[Townsend Hook]

Could it be the yellow pair possibly?

Unlikely, they haven't left the RTC in about a year, to the best of my knowledge. Their non-availability is a lot of the reason why the GBRf 73/9s have been run so ragged, covering for them.

 

[JonathanH]

Unless they’re planning to bring sleeper 73/9s south or something.

Availability of those isn't exactly high at the moment, given they only managed to have two working this morning.

 

[rustbucket]

Availability of those isn't exactly high at the moment, given they only managed to have two working this morning.

Availability / reliability so poor they are using 66s on the sleeper and the 73s are just providing ETS

 

[43 302]

Availability / reliability so poor they are using 66s on the sleeper and the 73s are just providing ETS

I believe the 73s are still powering. The 73 is just there to connect to the Mk5 right?

 

[D6130]

Not quite sure how GBRf are planning to resource two 73/9s for the first day, assuming they’re coming from the five blue Network Rail contract locos (961-965). Two are planned to be on hire to Colas for the PLPR2 IM train working out of Eastleigh all week, another two are with the PLPR1 IM train on Merseyrail Monday and Tuesday night, but according to the STN their light engine move from Derby RTC to Tonbridge isn’t until the Saturday. So that only leaves one, assuming 100% availability which is a big ask with those 73/9s. Unless they’re planning to bring sleeper 73/9s south or something.

Perhaps they'll cancel a couple of Caledonian Sleeper portions and tell the passengers - sorry, guests - that it's due to staff shortages.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2021 ==

I doubt many people would mind a 73/1 vice 73/9 pair!

I think that would be a wee bit short of power in diesel mode!