One of the most prestigious events in the Railtour calendar every year, 'The Great Britain', chartered by the Railway Touring Company, always promises to be special occasion, as it tours the British Isles over numerous days. Now into its 15th iteration, the anticipation is no different, as the excursion would take on a 9-day tour around the UK featuring a variety of exclusive steam haulage throughout.
Day 1 saw Ex-LMS 'Black 5' Class 5MT - 44932 start proceedings, working the consist out of London Paddington on the Great Western Mainline to Reading, where the tour would take the Reading - Taunton Line. Once through Cogload Junction and onto the Bristol - Exeter Line, the tour would travel south beyond Exeter to Plymouth along the South Devon Mainlne. After a turning move, 44932 would then lead the tour back north to Bristol, concluding the days’ running.
44932 is first captured in the harsh morning light, hammering well on the approach to Hungerford. In the south-west, the ‘Black 5’ put in a powerful performance over the banks, striding up Whiteball and Rattery respectively. On the return working, 44932 took on Hemerdon bank in style, producing an impressive sound as it clambered up the 1-in-42 gradient. Finally, in the dying light, the tour is seen at speed north of Exeter, at Rewe.
Day 1 had been set to feature 35018 “British India Line” as the main traction, with a last-minute swap seeing the ‘Black 5’ spearhead proceedings. West Coast Railways Class 47 - 47802 would be present, in order to complete the turning move in the south west, and providing assistance when necessary on the challenging gradients.
All footage filmed on Saturday the 15th of April 2023.
26 авг 2024
