Railways Illustrated

Thanks for the memories!

GBRF Charity Railtours signs off with GBRF2021

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THE LATEST epic four-day charity fundraisin­g charter operated by GBRF Charity Railtours took place from September 2-5, raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK, which is the current charity partner of GB Railfreigh­t.

‘GBRF 2021: This Time It’s Personal’ was the third time the freight company put its weight behind such an ambitious tour programme, with the train travelling the length and breadth of the country, operating traction from various operators.

The tour saw a number of operationa­l challenges after a sickness bug broke out on board the train, which affected a number of passengers who were travelling aboard.

Despite the on-board problems, the tour continued for its duration. While the total sum raised by the train has not yet been announced, it is expected to have raised in the region of £100,000 for the cancer charity.

The charters have also brought about many examples of cross-industry co-operation, with competing operators willingly supplying locomotive­s and hence helping to make the tours so memorable.

The organiser has stated that GBRF 2021 will be its final tour, bringing down the curtain on what have been some of the most memorable UK rail charters in living memory while also raising significan­t sums of money for various worthwhile charities and good causes.

?? ?? One of the highlights of GBRF 2021 was the return to use of Locomotive Services Ltd 86101 Sir William Stanier FRS, which has not worked a passenger train since being sold by Electric Traction Ltd in November 2019. On September 3, the Class 86/1 heads through Berhamsted while working 1Z27, the 7.45pm Acton Lane Reception Sidings to Mossend Up Yard as far as Crewe, where it gave way to 92032. Noel Slack On the second day of the marathon GBRF tour, the 1Z26 Marchwood MOD to Acton Lane Reception Sidings is pictured entering Eastleigh East yard, where 08683 and 08511 were attached for a short distance of Class 08 haulage from the No.1 reception siding where the train was berthed and to allow removal of 59003. Steve Stubbs Please see From the Front Coach on page 42 for further details on GBRF 2021. Making a rare passenger outing on Network Rail metals, BR blue 31128 leads West Coast Railway’s 33029 through Burton Salmon at the head of 1Z24, the Carnforth to Scarboroug­h ‘Scarboroug­h Spa Express’ on September 16. The Class 31/33 combinatio­n was used by WCRC to mark the final SSE of the season. Dean Parsons
One of the highlights of GBRF 2021 was the return to use of Locomotive Services Ltd 86101 Sir William Stanier FRS, which has not worked a passenger train since being sold by Electric Traction Ltd in November 2019. On September 3, the Class 86/1 heads through Berhamsted while working 1Z27, the 7.45pm Acton Lane Reception Sidings to Mossend Up Yard as far as Crewe, where it gave way to 92032. Noel Slack On the second day of the marathon GBRF tour, the 1Z26 Marchwood MOD to Acton Lane Reception Sidings is pictured entering Eastleigh East yard, where 08683 and 08511 were attached for a short distance of Class 08 haulage from the No.1 reception siding where the train was berthed and to allow removal of 59003. Steve Stubbs Please see From the Front Coach on page 42 for further details on GBRF 2021. Making a rare passenger outing on Network Rail metals, BR blue 31128 leads West Coast Railway’s 33029 through Burton Salmon at the head of 1Z24, the Carnforth to Scarboroug­h ‘Scarboroug­h Spa Express’ on September 16. The Class 31/33 combinatio­n was used by WCRC to mark the final SSE of the season. Dean Parsons

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