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Directory: /pix/new/12_dec17-gb2
Last update: Wed 17 Dec 17:25:53 GMT 2025
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| GB_17_Day_2_Fishguard_45212. More crowds, better behaved, welcomed the GB17 at Fishguard Harbour, from where ferries travel to and from Rosslare, in Ireland. 27th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 72_GB_17_Day_8_Peterborough_45212. With the hot tender axle box repaired, Stanier Class 5 No.45212 had made its way from Cardiff to Peterborough to take the GB17 train on from Peterborough, into East Anglia. 3rd May 2025 roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 74_GB_17_Day_9_Norwich_45212. The generally good weather which had accompanied the GB17 train for eight days, ended at Norwich, with rain and cloudy skies; No. 45212 brings the empty coaches into Norwich station. Due to engineering works, the last day would see the train routed differently from the original plan. GB17 ran via Lowestoft, Ipswich, Bury St.Edmunds and Ely, to Peterborough then down the ECML to London, Kings Cross. 4th May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 74_GB_17_Day_9_Norwich_45212 4.5.2025. The last day of the GB17 train started off with rain. No.45212 brings the empty carriages into Norwich station. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 76_GB_17_Day_9_Stowmarket_45212. Having taken water in a loop, 45212 brings the GB17 into Stowmarket station, to pick up passengers. 4th May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 76_GB_17_Day_9_Arlesey_45212_water_stop. At Arlesey, with 37 miles (59km) to go to journeys end at London, Kings Cross, No.45212 makes the 21st and last water stop by the GB17 train. Other halts for water had been planned but were cancelled due to the no-availability of the rostered steam locomotives. 4th May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 79_GB_17_Day_9_Kings Cross_45212. The Great Britain XVII, an epic railtour, ends with arrival at London, Kings Cross. In nine days the train travelled the length and breadth of mainland UK, covering 2500 miles (4000km) in the process. Class 5 No.45212 poses beside an AZUMA electric multiple unit of operating company LNER. 4th May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Wick_45407. Stanier Class 5 No.45407 THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIER is a regular resident locomotive for the annual Jacobite steam trains which run between Fort William and Mallaig in western Scotland. To work the GB17 from Wick to Inverness, the 4-6-0 had been towed by diesel 37516 LOCH LAIDON, from Fort William, via Glasgow, Perth and Inverness to Wick, a distance of around 350 miles (560km)! Here the two locomotives are seen after 45407 has joined the GB17; 47832 will remain coupled to the rear, while 37516 will follow, light engine, back to Inverness. 1st April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Wick_45407_name_plate. The name plate of 45407 was applied after the locomotive was privately purchased in preservation. The Lancashire Fusiliers regimental crest bears the Latin inscription OMNIA AUDAX, which translates to Daring in all things. The crest also shows the Roman numerals XX, from when the regiment was previously known as the 20th Regiment of Foot. 1st April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Wick_County_March_summit. With a few downward undulations, the railway from Wick climbs for 31 miles (50km) to County March Summit, at 708 feet (216 metres). Scattering a small herd of Red Deer, 45407 is going flat out as it climbs the final 1 in 60 (1.67%) gradient to the summit, with Cnoc nan Gall mountain (Hill Of The Strangers) in the distance. Note the snow fences, which the passengers were told, have not seen snow for some years, an unprecedented result of climate change. 1st April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Helmsdale_45407. After 60 miles (96km), the GB17 stopped for water at Helmsdale. There, 45407 is seen without the GB17 headboard, which had been removed at the request of photographers. That was in an attempt at re-capturing a 1950s scene, when many Scottish Region locomotives had the signature blue painted background to front number and shed allocation plates. The latter shows 65J, which was the code for the long-closed Fort William depot - the town where 45407 is based for operating the annual Jacobite steam trains. Under the shed plate are the letters SC, which indicates the engine has a Self-Cleaning smoke box. 1st May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Tain_45407_water_stop. After a further 57 miles (91km) toward Inverness, No.45407 made another stop for water at Tain. 1st May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 69_GB_17_Day_8_Church_Fenton_station_45407. HOW IT ONCE WAS: 7. Frpom 47 years earlier, Church Fenton station on 29th April 1978, when it still retained canopies over its platforms and the North Eastern Railway signal box still stood and functioned - canopies and signal box long since removed. The ubiquitous Stanier Class 5, No.45407, double-heads a smoke-obscured sister, No.44932, as they dash through Church Fenton, to take the line for Leeds, with a York to Carnforth enthusiasts special train. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_4_Carnforth_film_clip. HOW IT ONCE WAS: 2. From 70 years before, a scene from the 1945 film Brief Encounter, directed by David Lean, from a screenplay by Noel Coward. The two main characters, played by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, walk to the train which will part them forever. The LMS locomotive, Stanier 2-6-4T No.2429, was based at Carnforth at the time, but for any British railway enthusiast there is a glaring continuity error. The story is supposedly set in the South East of England, but the train destination boards all display towns in Lancashire and Yorkshire! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_6_Wick_County_March_summit_snow. HOW IT ONCE WAS: 4. From 130 years ago, during the times when, every winter, there WAS snow at County March Summit! 1895, with two Highland Railway locomotives attempting to force a path through snow lying about 15 feet (4.5 metres) deep. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_7_Inverness_56038. HOW IT ONCE WAS: 5. 72 years earlier, a photograph taken from almost the same position as the previous image. Ex-Caledonian Railway Pug 0-4-0ST No.56038 (1908 - 1959), acting as the Inverness pilot locomotive, was shunting by the carriage sidings section of Loch Gorm workshops. 7th April 1953. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_5_Edinburgh_60163. Day 5 of the GB17 would comprise a route from Edinburgh, cross the Forth Brdge, then go via Dunfermline, Stirling and Perth, then over the Highland main line to Inverness. Waiting to depart from Edinburgh Waverley is the £3 million locomotive, LNER Class A1 Pacific, No.60163 TORNADO. Built entirely from scratch and completed in 2008, it was the first British-constructed steam locomotive, of any gauge, for 37 years. The building in the background was opened in 1902 as the North British Railways Station Hotel. It is today The Balmoral Hotel, with Category 2 Listed status. 30th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_5_Edinburgh_60163_cabside. The cab side of No.60163, with a brass plate showing that it was the two thousand, one hundred and ninety-fifth engine built at Darlington, completed in the year 2008. The appellation RA 9 indicated the Route Availability of the locomotive, a limitation of weight. RA 9 is the highest, meaning 60163 may travel over only the heaviest load bearing tracks, up to a maximum axle-loading of 24 tonnes. 30th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_5_Edinburgh_60163_TORNADO_nameplate. 60163s smoke deflectors carry its name TORNADO, bestowed upon it by Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons which at the time, flew Panavia Tornado aircraft, all since retired. The crest centred upon a bull, with the motto DETER, is for RAF Station Marham, where the last two squadrons to operate the aircraft - No.IX (B) and No.31 - were based. 30th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_5_Edinburgh_60163_TORNADO_dedication_plate. Mounted on 60163s deflectors, below the nameplate is this dedication plate. It shows the locomotive was formally named by the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, now Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. 30th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_5_Kingussie_60163. On the Highland main line at Kingussie, 60163 pauses for water. Passengers mingle with the many townspeople who came to see a rare steam locomotive at their station. 30th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_7_Inverness_60163. Day 7 of the GB17 saw No.60163 return with the train from Inverness, over the Highland Main Line to Perth, before turning east, then south to run via Ladybank and re-cross the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh. There, 34067 TANGMERE was scheduled to take the GB17 on to Newcastle but the Pacific was unable to run so diesel 53714 once again substituted. Attempting to make up lost time the 60 years-old locomotive achieved a speed of 100mph (160kph) south of Berwick. 2nd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_7_Slochd_viaduct. Soon after passing Slochd Summit, and descending at 1 in 70 (1.43%), No.60163 brings the GB17 across the 109-feet (33.2m) high, Slochd Viaduct. 2nd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_7_ Aviemore_60163. While TORNADO takes water, one of the engines support crew has the laborious task of pushing forward coal in the tender, a job made marginally easier by the absence of overhead electrification catenary. 2nd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 56 GB_17_Day_7_ Aviemore_Perth_60163. From Druimuachdar Pass, it is a 52 mile (83km) journey, mostly downhill, to the GB17s next water stop at Perth. The stations very long Platform 4 allows 60163 to halt only partly under the overall roof, positioned for access from a water hydrant on the opposite Platform 3. 2nd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 58 GB_17_Day_7_ Aviemore_Perth_60163_arch. Perth station remains mostly as it was rebuilt in the 1890s, featuring such things as pedestrian archways connecting Platform 4 to Platforms 5 and 6. TORNADO is seen through one such arch. 2nd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 64 GB_17_Day_8_Newcastle_60163. Day 8 of the GB17 saw a complex journey which started at Newcastle, along the ECML to Durham, then a turn east to run through Stockton, in a salute to that place seeing the birth of public railways, 200 years before. Continuing on, the GB17 rejoined the ECML at Northallerton, to proceed via York and Doncaster, before another turn east for the lines though Gainsborough, Lincoln, Sleaford and Spalding, before rejoining the ECML north of Peterborough and a stop there to change locomotive. The magnificent and ever-reliable TORNADO was once again at the head of the train for the above route; she is seen here before departure, at Newcastle station. 3rd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 66 GB_17_Day_8_York. For many years, no passenger train has passed through York station without stopping, but the GB17 did! Hundreds of bemused waiting passengers grabbed their smart phones to capture the spectacle of TORNADO hurrying past, chime whistle sounding all the time. Superb! 3rd May 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 70_GB_17_Day_8_Sherburn_in_Elmet. After taking water at Church Fenton, 60163 turned east at Sherburn Junction, towards Selby, before heading south again at Hambleton Junction, for Doncaster. TORNADO is seen near Sherburn-in-Elmet. 3rd May 2025 roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 71_GB_17_Day_8_Peterborough_60163. 60163 TORNADOs fast and faultless performances on the GB17 train came to an end at Peterborough. The locomotive is a tribute to those who built and maintain her. 3rd May 2025 roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| 80_GB_17_Day_9_Kings Cross_60132. THE WAY IT ONCE WAS: 9. Sixty three years before, at Kings Cross. Class A1 Pacific No.60132 MARMION, built October 1948, withdrawn June 1965, has brought in an express from Newcastle. The 49 members of Class A1 were all scrapped, occasioning the building of the replica 60163 TORNADO, which featured so highly in the running of the GB17 tour. June 1962. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| Organised by The Railway Touring Company and operated by West Coast Railways, the Great Britain XVII train, ran between 26th April and 4th May 2025, over various routes in England, Wales and Scotland; it was to be steam-hauled as much as possible. On Day 1, the 26th of April, the train ran from London, via Guildford, passing Portsmouth, Southampton, Salisbury and Bath, to Bristol, hauled by Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2, No 35028 CLAN LINE, seen here at London Victoria. The consist was nine coaches with, coupled to the rear end, Brush Type 4 diesel No.57314 CONWY CASTLE, as assistant locomotive. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_1_Haslemere. CLAN LINE takes water at Haslemere. 26th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_1_Haslemere_water. CLAN LINE takes water at Haslemere. 26th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_1_Bristol_35028. CLAN LINE brings the Great Britain XVII train into Bristol Temple Meads station, right on time, after a fine performance, with speeds reaching 75mph (120kph). 26th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_4_Carnforth. Day 4 of the GB17 would see Bulleid Battle of Britain 4-6-2, No.34067 TANGMERE, travel from Carnforth on a rare north-bound journey around the pretty Cumbrian coast, to Carlisle. After a reversal the train would continue east, along the Tyne Valley line to Newcastle, then north up the East Coast Main Line (ECML), to Edinburgh. Here, TANGMERE rolls into Carnforth station with the empty coaches. 29th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_4_Carnforth_signal_tower. The first station at Carnforth was opened by the Furness and Midland Junction railway in 1867, with a major rebuilding being carried out in a couple of years leading up to 1880. One stunning architectural relic of those early days is the Furness Railway signal tower, long disused but since 1983, protected as a monument by a Historic England Grade 2 Listing 29th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_4_Parton. TANGMERE winds the GB17 around the scenic Cumbrian coast, near Parton. Visible in the distance is the former Scottish county of Kirkcudbright, now part of Dumfries and Galloway. 29th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| GB_17_Day_4_Carlisle_34067. TANGMERE brings the GB17 into Carlisle station which once was known as Carlisle Citadel. With the assistance of trailing diesel No.47832, the train was turned on the triangle at Carlisle Upperby, where the loco also took water, before returning to the station and pick up the passengers for the journey on to Newcastle. 29th April 2025. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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