The GREAT BRITAIN II
Narrated by Jonathan Schofield

The Railway Touring Company’s mammoth Anglo Scottish railtours have proved so popular that The Great Britain II became the third of these steam hauled rail adventures, following on from the original Great Britain and the North Briton.
Staged during April 2009, once again the cream of Britain’s steam locomotive fleet came together to head the train along some of the country’s most impressive rail routes, both in terms of the scenery offered and the challenging gradients provided for the crews in charge the engines that were used over the eight days.

London’s Victoria station was the departure point, with the first leg of journey being hauled by No. 34067 Tangmere to Bristol. On day two Tangmere was joined by No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell as the pair worked the train from Penzance to Bristol.

Tangmere was back in sole charge the following day as the Severn Tunnel was used to venture on into Wales, The Great Britain II finishing the day in Preston. The fourth day was to present two of the most notorious climbs on the UK rail network, Shap and Beattock, as No. 46115 Scotts Guardsman took over for the Preston to Glasgow leg. A pair of ex LMS Stanier class 5s Nos. 45231 & 45407 were at the helm on day five, the Highland main line, with all its scenic splendor, being used for the journey on to Inverness. As with the two previous railtours, a day excursion to the Kyle of Lochalsh was arranged with No. 61994 The Great Marquess in charge.
The journey back south commenced on day seven, a route via Aberdeen and Dundee being taken from Inverness to Edinburgh, with the two class fives featuring once again. The final day witnessed No. 60009 Union of South Africa on the East Coast main line between Edinburgh and York, the end of the steam hauled section of the trip back to London.