The Great Britain XVI 2024 44871, 45407 & 34067

Hello & Welcome to Harnetty Railways
In this video we see the biggest event on the mainline steam calendar The Railway Touring Company's the 9 day Great Britain railtour the 16th Great Britain since the 1st 9 day tour was launched back in 2007.
We capture 4 of the 9 days of the tour while round the north of England.
There was a threat that due to West Coast Railways's dispute with the ORR regards to the central door lock situation the trip would not go ahead.
Thankfully however the 9 day trip went on ahead with only 3 air brake fitted locos Ian Riley's black 5 twins in 44871 & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier & West Coast Railways's own 34067 Tangmere.
We start on the preview with 45407 heading to Carnforth 10A on a stock move from The East Lancashire Railway via Copy Pit bringing back the stock that was hired in to the ELR for The Legends of Steam Gala back in March to cope with demand & the support coach from Chris Beet's 45690 Leander at the rear of the consist.
We move onto the main event as we see 44871 & 45407 double head through Winwick Junction with day 2 from Cheltenham to Lancaster via The Lickey Incline & the WCML.
We move onto the next to see Tangmere head north over The Settle & Carlisle from Hellifield.
Originally it was supposed to have gone northbound over The Cumbrian Coast but due to damaged on the line east of Grange Over Sands the trip was rerouted to go via The S&C.
We see Tangmere in fine fettle as she heads north through Settle station in a rare burst of sunshine & in between the rain showers.
We pass the trip at Carlisle were the loco change took place as we see the black 5's head north to Glasgow Central via Dumfries at Annan.
A few days later we see the preparations as we see Tangmere head north with support coach from Carnforth 10A to Carlisle ready to take over from the Black 5's which was bringing Day 7 of the tour from Edinburgh via Beattock earlier that morning.
We see the Black 5 head south to the sheds at Carnforth 10A for their overnight halt.
42 minutes later we see Tangmere head for Merseyside with the trip from Carlisle via Shap.
We next see her at Lancaster as she accelerates away after a water stop.
We end seeing Day 7 at St Helens Central or better known in BR Days as St Helens Shaw Street as we see 34067 Tangmere heading towards Liverpool for the 1st time in her preservation career.
We end our review of The Great Britain XVI at Edge Hill as we see 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier running solo from Liverpool to Chester via Runcorn & The Halton Curve due to not enough space at Liverpool to have 3 locos & 11 coaches.
So 44817 ran light engine from Preston to Chester via the WCML as far as Warrington were he would rejoin the train a little later on.
We end by seeing 45407 climbing Edge Hill bank for the 1st time since December 2008 putting on a great show as he climbs towards us.
Thanks for the company during the chase of the GB XVI trip of @blackcountrysteamvideos8021 & @crunchynutsteamfilms5043
Thanks for reading enjoy the film.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Fantastic set of clips there Richard. Good to see you at Edge Hill as always. Regards, Dan

[@harnettyrailways]

Thanks Dan

[@SimonTog]

Nice video Richard :)

[@Linesider1]

Fabulous sequence Richard, really well covered. Love the Edge Hill shot, great choice of angle.

[@harnettyrailways]

Cheers Dave. I loved the edge hill angle ever since I did Leander 3 years ago in the same spot this will do me with the locos coming up on the long straight as they climb up the bank.

[@LiamsLocos]

As always good clips Richard!! Have to catch up again soon mate, another great watch Regards, Liam

[@harnettyrailways]

Thanks Liam we will Catch up again at some point.

[@JoshHodginsTrains]

Wow