GBRf Rail Tour 2021: This time it's personal

[43 302]

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

Well it's planned on other days!

 

[ABB125]

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

More thrash...

 

[4-SUB 4732]

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

Well if Inverness is 1 73 vice 2 with a 66 on top, it could release one. Or they just don’t bother with EDs cos they’re a bit rubbish!

 

[43 302]

Well if Inverness is 1 73 vice 2 with a 66 on top, it could release one. Or they just don’t bother with EDs cos they’re a bit rubbish!

The fact that they are using sheds shows that they can't spare any be 73s as they can't get enough to use themselves!

 

[XAM2175]

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

The 73/9s are needed to couple to the Mk 5s and also supply ETH, neither of which the 66 can do on its own.

I can't say for sure whether or not they're providing tractive effort too, but I doubt the 66 needs help in that department

 

[Townsend Hook]

Update: no trip to Bromsgrove for the 86 up the Lickey on the overnight leg, thanks to pathing issues.

 

[DanNCL]

Timings are now confirmed for all legs of the tour. As mentioned above Bromsgrove has been removed from the overnight leg because of pathing issues. Also removed is Temple Mills on Day 1, replaced with a reversal at Bow West, and Bescot on Day 4.

Pickups and drop offs for all legs of the tour are confirmed as follows:

Day 1:
Departure from London Victoria at 09:45
Set down at Highbury & Islington at 21:38
Arrival at London Euston at 22:38

Day 2:
Departure from London Euston at 07:26
Set down at Clapham Junction at 18:46
Arrival at Kensington Olympia at 19:01

Day N:
Departure from Kensington Olympia at 19:04
Pick up at Watford Junction at 20:05
Pick up at Birmingham New Street at 22:05
Arrival at Exhibition Centre at 06:30

Day 3:
Departure from Exhibition Centre at 06:33
Arrival at Oban at 10:35
Departure from Oban at 12:52
Set down at Motherwell at 17:57
Set down at Edinburgh Waverley at 18:55
Set down at Newcastle at 20:45
Arrival at Carlisle at 23:15

Day 4:
Departure from Carlisle at 10:15
Pick up at Preston at 12:25
Optional leg stretch at Birmingham New Street alight at 15:01
Set down (and pick up leg stretchers) at Birmingham New Street at 16:17
Set down at Reading at 18:45
Arrival at London Paddington at 19:21

 

[sftfan1909]

Bow West doesn't appear to be the name of any junction or timing point that I can find, anyone have any idea where it is or is it just a general area description that's been given to keep it vague?

 

[DanNCL]

Bow West doesn't appear to be the name of any junction or timing point that I can find, anyone have any idea where it is or is it just a general area description that's been given to keep it vague?

The latter I think. It's mentioned in the email sent out to all booked on the train simply as "Bow West".

 

[43 302]

Update: no trip to Bromsgrove for the 86 up the Lickey on the overnight leg, thanks to pathing issues.

That's a shame. Was a huge selling point of the overnight leg for me. Would've still done days 3 and 4 but would have just taken a more leisurely journey up to Scotland.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

The latter I think. It's mentioned in the email sent out to all booked on the train simply as "Bow West".

Seems to refer to Bow Depot where the trains are loaded and unloaded of stone and spoil. Hence “rare track”.

If we’re coming down the Up Temple Mills or whatever the line is called between Stratford 11/12 and Bow Junction, then we dive in there, then come back out and run through 10A onto the Down Main out of Stratford.

 

[sftfan1909]

That's a shame. Was a huge selling point of the overnight leg for me. Would've still done days 3 and 4 but would have just taken a more leisurely journey up to Scotland.

There is still a fair bit of time built in to head north so with any luck we will get something to make up for it a little

 

[JonathanH]

There is still a fair bit of time built in to head north so with any luck we will get something to make up for it a little

Looks like the run via Cannock and the two locomotive changes (92 replacing the 86 then 20s replacing the 92) that take up the time - eight hours from Birmingham to Exhibition Centre otherwise seems very slow.

 

[Devonman2014]

If I’m reading this correctly once on train at Euston on Day 2 the next official break is Oban on day 3.

could we be getting a hour or 2 break on the WCML overnight run - Crewe loco change plus a break to grab food perhaps ?
All will become evident when details pop up on RTT etc

 

[JonathanH]

I’m reading this correctly once on train at Euston on Day 2 the next official break is Oban on day 3.

It does seem that way - it looks like that the Clapham Junction and Watford Junction stops would potentially allow passengers to make their own way between these stations to pick up provisions on the way (eg in Clapham Junction) but it would be a bit tight.

 

[DanNCL]

If I’m reading this correctly once on train at Euston on Day 2 the next official break is Oban on day 3.

could we be getting a hour or 2 break on the WCML overnight run - Crewe loco change plus a break to grab food perhaps ?
All will become evident when details pop up on RTT etc

It does seem that way - it looks like that the Clapham Junction and Watford Junction stops would potentially allow passengers to make their own way between these stations to pick up provisions on the way (eg in Clapham Junction) but it would be a bit tight.

There's an optional break in Southampton on Day 2 for those who don't wish to remain on the train for Marchwood. No timings have been provided for this which is why I didn't mention it above.

 

[sftfan1909]

There's an optional break in Southampton on Day 2 for those who don't wish to remain on the train for Marchwood. No timings have been provided for this which is why I didn't mention it above.

It's 11:45 to 15:46 at Southampton, you can view here https://www.gbrfcharityrailtours.co.uk/gb21d2

 

[Devonman2014]

There's an optional break in Southampton on Day 2 for those who don't wish to remain on the train for Marchwood. No timings have been provided for this which is why I didn't mention it above.

Admittedly that is an option but matchwood is rare track plus having a shunter or two in there is even rarer so although some may get off I won’t be ….

just wait and see what RTT shows up once loaded on there.

 

[DanNCL]

It's 11:45 to 15:46 at Southampton, you can view here https://www.gbrfcharityrailtours.co.uk/gb21d2

Thank you!

Admittedly that is an option but matchwood is rare track plus having a shunter or two in there is even rarer so although some may get off I won’t be ….

just wait and see what RTT shows up once loaded on there.

It is a bit disappointing that the only option for a mid day break on Day 2 is to miss Marchwood. I doubt many people will choose to miss out on Marchwood, I know if I was doing day 2 I wouldn't be choosing to miss out on it.

 

[FOCTOC]

Thank you!


It is a bit disappointing that the only option for a mid day break on Day 2 is to miss Marchwood. I doubt many people will choose to miss out on Marchwood, I know if I was doing day 2 I wouldn't be choosing to miss out on it.

Depends how desperate you are to red pen the line - Marchwood often features on tours. I'd be off like a shot at Southampton for a breather.

 

[Devonman2014]

Depends how desperate you are to red pen the line - Marchwood often features on tours. I'd be off like a shot at Southampton for a breather.

But never heard of a tour going Into There and using the sites private shunters, which will be a big draw to most - along with the line to those who haven’t done it.
A three hour visit into the site also insinuates quite a bit to be done in there if you are a “track” man.

 

[FOCTOC]

But never heard of a tour going Into There and using the sites private shunters, which will be a big draw to most - along with the line to those who haven’t done it.
A three hour visit into the site also insinuates quite a bit to be done in there if you are a “track” man.

Depends how full the yard is with MOD traffic and Freightliner sets. Won't be using Mulberry Halt either as its now unsafe.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

If I’m reading this correctly once on train at Euston on Day 2 the next official break is Oban on day 3.

could we be getting a hour or 2 break on the WCML overnight run - Crewe loco change plus a break to grab food perhaps ?
All will become evident when details pop up on RTT etc

No chance. This is part of the problem sadly of this particular itinerary, as at least last time there was a good chance to stock up in London if you agreed not to sit in Acton Lane getting the stock watered. As it stands its looking a bit desperate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2021 ==

Depends how desperate you are to red pen the line - Marchwood often features on tours. I'd be off like a shot at Southampton for a breather.

it’s not just the branch. It’s now the old MOD sidings which are a private port complex so this is quite large!

 

[FOCTOC]

No chance. This is part of the problem sadly of this particular itinerary, as at least last time there was a good chance to stock up in London if you agreed not to sit in Acton Lane getting the stock watered. As it stands its looking a bit desperate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2021 ==


it’s not just the branch. It’s now the old MOD sidings which are a private port complex so this is quite large!

I know, I'm quite familiar with it! It's run by a private concern, but still 100% MOD traffic into the port itself. How far into complex the charter goes remains to be seen, but 2hrs + going up and down the reception roads might get a tad 'old' for all but the most desperate! Given the choice, I'd be off at Southampton for a social pint or two and some half decent scran. There's precisely 0% chance of either of those whilst festering for the off from Marchwood.

 

[JonathanH]

This is part of the problem sadly of this particular itinerary, as at least last time there was a good chance to stock up in London if you agreed not to sit in Acton Lane getting the stock watered.

Even some time at Euston in the original plan might have allowed that (although any substantial shop is too far away really) just as it did at Waterloo three years ago.

 

[Kite159]

Even some time at Euston in the original plan might have allowed that (although any substantial shop is too far away really) just as it did at Waterloo three years ago.

From memory it was something like 15 minutes at Waterloo, enough time for people to make a dash to the Sainsburys/Tesco/Boots etc for food

Euston has a Sainsburys (although if it will have anything left that time of day is a gamble) or a M&S close to the station.

 

[FOCTOC]

From memory it was something like 15 minutes at Waterloo, enough time for people to make a dash to the Sainsburys/Tesco/Boots etc for food

Euston has a Sainsburys (although if it will have anything left that time of day is a gamble) or a M&S close to the station.

M&S right outside the station.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Looks like a few are off after Marchwood and rejoining at Clapham.

 

[Devonman2014]

Looks like a few are off after Marchwood and rejoining at Clapham.

That’s a good shout !! Missing a shunter or two at Eastleigh is a fair trade off to get a meal …

 

[Kite159]

It's a shame the night leg didn't begin at Clapham instead of Kensington

Purely from a selfish point of view