The 'Great Britain XIV' is a railtour with a difference. Nine days touring throughout Britain and with a whole range of different locomotives pulling the service. This shot was taken last Friday, on the first day of the tour, as the train passed through York.
The tour had started in London at Kings Cross, pulled by locomotive 'Duchess of Sutherland' and taking a rather meandering route to York, where the locomotive was changed, and in this shot 'British India Line' makes a rather dramatic start with clouds of smoke and steam erupting from it's chimney, and the wheels slipping a little, as it pulls out of platform 10 on it's way to Edinburgh.
The future of steam locomotives at work is threatened by the shortage of suitable coal. The last producer in this country recently closed, and coal from Russia is no longer available due to sanctions. Trials are taking place with various biofuels, so hopefully that might be a possible way forward. I and many others would miss the drama of steam locomotives at work if a solution isn't found.
So, the nine day tour continues, with today (Tuesday) being day 5, and the tour is running from Stirling to Carlisle and Grange over Sands. Three locomotives are being used on different parts of the route. For those of you who would like to try this trip next year, now would be a good time to start saving, since tickets are over £3000.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Several of you commented on the price of this railtour, and I agree it is rather expensive, though the price does include overnight hotel accommodation and all meals. Still, for me there is just as much fun taking photos as there is riding. Their itinerary today (Wednesday) is Grange-over-Sands - Carnforth - Preston - Warrington Bank Quay - Chester - Chirk - Shrewsbury - Hereford - Llanvihangel Summit - Newport - Cardiff, and the train was due to be pulled by two steam locomotives.
I think it most unlikely that Mallard will be restored to run again - it last ran in 1988. There are other locomotives of the same type, and one of them (Sir Nigel Gresley) has just had a major overhaul and will be back on the main line very soon. Flying Scotsman is due a light overhaul to prepare it for 2023 when it will be very busy on the main line as it reaches 100 years old.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Several of you commented on the price of this railtour, and I agree it is rather expensive, though the price does include overnight hotel accommodation and all meals. Still, for me there is just as much fun taking photos as there is riding. Their itinerary today (Wednesday) is Grange-over-Sands - Carnforth - Preston - Warrington Bank Quay - Chester - Chirk - Shrewsbury - Hereford - Llanvihangel Summit - Newport - Cardiff, and the train was due to be pulled by two steam locomotives.
Ian
I think it most unlikely that Mallard will be restored to run again - it last ran in 1988. There are other locomotives of the same type, and one of them (Sir Nigel Gresley) has just had a major overhaul and will be back on the main line very soon. Flying Scotsman is due a light overhaul to prepare it for 2023 when it will be very busy on the main line as it reaches 100 years old.
Ian
Thank you Vesna - I love a chance to get a photo of a steam locomotive!
Ian