With the ongoing situation of WCRC no longer having an exemption in regards to CDL fitted stock, Railway Touring Companies Annual “The Great Britain” railtour would have a very different look this year as it began it’s journey out of London for a week of travelling across the UK.
With the CDL fitted Mark 2 stock requiring Air Braked locos, it would be down to Ian Riley’s duo of Black 5’s to cover the majority of the trip, with 34067 Tangmere being used on two legs of the holiday excursion in the north. Day 1 would head out of London Victoria with 44871 at the helm, and go on a Kent circular, travelling to Margate via Rochester & Faversham, before heading back towards the capital via Dover & Maidstone. The tour would then head to the GWML via Kensington Olympia to travel onto Southall where fellow classmate 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier" would be waiting to attach to the train. The duo would then lead the tour to Cheltenham Spa to end the first day.
Starting out at Sittingbourne, 44871 gleams in the sunshine as it powers away from a pathing stop at Newington. Following its circuit round the coast, the train is next captured at Barming, where it was hoped the engine would perform well on the steep grade, but being on the hot end of a service train, was chasing yellows and therefore passed cautiously. The next shot comes from West Ealing as 44871 powers away from Acton Jn on the final bit of her solo journey to Southall. With the sorting of locomotives having taken longer than planned, the next shot comes from Didcot Parkway as the duo slow for a yellow signal. It was intended to film the pair at Goring, but the late running and need to get our train to the final location required us to be at Didcot. Finally, we headed to Kemble, as the pair charge through the station, both their whistles sounding, as they head for the westbound climb to Sapperton Tunnel.
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