 |
The Great Britain rail tour has now become an established fixture in the main line steam calendar, with the itinerary being tweaked slightly every year to add variety. The 2011 tour was run effectively in the reverse direction to previous years, heading initially up the East Coast Main Line into Scotland then running down the West Coast Main Line into Wales and the West Country before heading back to London.
Number 60019 Bittern looked stunning in its new LNER blue livery as number 4492 Dominion of New Zealand as it headed north from Kings Cross to Tyne Yard, where fellow A4 number 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley took over for the run on to Edinburgh.
Day two and number 46115 Scots Guardsman took the helm from Edinburgh to Inverness.
Wick was the starting point on day three, passengers being bussed to the most northerly point of the 2011 tour before riding back to Inverness behind Black Fives number 44871 and 45407.
The fourth day was the usual day trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh and return with number 61994 The Great Marquess in charge.
Day five saw the commencement of the journey back south, the two Class Fives returning to action en-route to Glasgow.
The route the next day took the tour from Glasgow on to Preston and number 46115 Scots Guardsman once again took the reins.
Great Western motive power was introduced on the seventh day in the form of number 5029 Nunney Castle, the 4-6-0 pressing on towards Bristol.
The penultimate day saw number 70013 Oliver Cromwell and a third Black Five number 45305 introduced to the fray as the pair made their way to Penzance.
After traveling back to Bristol diesel hauled the previous day, the tour was completed on day nine with number 5029 Nunney Castle hauling the train into Paddington.
With coverage of all nine days, enjoy some of the best steam action, taking in a selection of Britain’s harshest gradients, including Drumochter, LLanvihangel, White Ball, Dainton and Rattery. |
