Epic GBRf charity tour aims to take electrics to Blackpool, Paddington – and Fort William!

by

GB RAILFREIGHT’S second four-day ‘mega-tour’ has been unveiled and will see a Class 56 making its passenger debut over the West Highland Line, a pair of Class 73s over the Forth Bridge, and AC electric locomotives running to London Paddington and Blackpool North.

Living up to its name – ‘GBRf 2018 – Out of the Ordinary’ – the train will start from London Victoria on September 20 behind a Class 66; possibly one of the 10 recently acquired from DB Cargo.

GBRf’s 2018 four-day charity railtour in September will feature the first passenger workings with AC electric locomotives into London Paddington and Blackpool North. One machine that could feature is the AC Locomotive Group’s No. 87002 Royal Sovereign, seen heading south towards York with a private GBRf charter on July 14, 2012. LANGTREE PHOTOGRAPHY

It will head for South Wales via Bristol, where a pair of Class 73/9s takes over for a run to the Celsa steelworks in Cardiff.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Railway reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.

Resident GBRf Class 08s will haul the train in the works yard, providing rare traction and track. The rebuilt ‘73s’ will then work to Didcot Chester Lane Junction, where an AC electric locomotive – No. 86101, 86401 or 87002 – will take charge for the run to Paddington.

Day 2 starts at Euston with a pair of Class 20s working via Bletchley and Bedford to Wellingborough Yard. A Class 66/7 will then head back south to West Hampstead Thameslink, where a further reversal will allow the Type 1s to take a circuitous route via Dudding Hill, Dartford, Tonbridge West Yard and Kensington Olympia to Acton Lane reception siding, where a pair of Class 73/1s takes charge for a rare loco-hauled
run to Waterloo’s former international platforms.

Read more in the March issue of The RM – on sale now!

Article continues below…
Advert


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


Article Tags:

About the Author