Item 2377
34028 'Eddystone' works:
The Great Britain XVIII
18-19.04.2026
The prestigious 'Great Britain' tour returned to Cornwall this year. The first leg of the UK-wide steam-hauled railtour made its way to Penzance on Saturday 18th behind Bulleid Pacific 34028 'Eddystone' with WCRC class 47 47826 on the rear.
The locomotive was taken to St. Blazey to be turned and serviced at the M Power Kernow facilities, ready to work back north on Sunday morning.
This was the first steam tour west of Par for a number of years.
The locomotive was taken to St. Blazey to be turned and serviced at the M Power Kernow facilities, ready to work back north on Sunday morning.
This was the first steam tour west of Par for a number of years.
The first leg of the Great Britain XVIII railtour, 1Z10, ran yesterday from Paddington to Exeter, led by WC class 34028 EDDYSTONE and tailed by 47826. Seen here passing Bathpool running a few minutes early. 18.04.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
34028 1326 Exeter to Penzance passing Gissons Exminster. 18.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
34028 ‘Eddystone’ top and tail with 47826 the 1326 1Z12 Exeter St David’s to Penzance The Great Britain XV111, seen passing Exminster. A glorious sight. 18.04.2026, copyright David Tozer.
Eddystone topping rattery bank (still doing a fair clip). 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
A broadside view of the steam tour at Rattery. 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
Crossing Saltash viaduct just as the clouds parted,what a great view this is (even though I say so myself). 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
34028 'Eddystone' crosses St Germans Viaduct with the 1Z12 13:26 Exeter St Davids - Penzance leg of "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 18.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
34028 crosses Cornwalls tallest viaduct, St. Pinnock with The Great Britain XVIII. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
34028 leading the tour past Respryn. 18.04.2026, copyright Howard Sprenger.
The railtour passes through Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
The railtour passes through Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
34028 passing Par Signal box. 18.04.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
34028 approaches Holmbush Crossing, St. Austell. 18.04.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
47826 on the rear at Holmbush. 18.04.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
34028 approaching Truro. 18.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
34028 passing the engine house at Wheal Busy, Scorrier. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A photo of the steam train taken from Barncoose Road overbridge. 18.04.2026, copyright Claire Sheppard.
34028 heading west at Marazion Marsh. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
The tour beneath the station roof at Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
The tour beneath the station roof at Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47826, the support coach and 34028 passing through Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47826, the support coach and 34028 passing through Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47826 leads 34028 and its support coach past Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
The ensemble head to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
The ensemble head to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
34028 arrives at St. Blazey for turning and servicing using the M Power Kernow facilities. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
34028 pulls onto St. Blazey turntable. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
Team M Power get stuck in and turn the heavy locomotive on the St. Blazey turntable. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
34028 on the St. Blazey turntable with the roundhouse behind. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Whilst the steam loco was being turned, 47826 ran to St. Blazey signal box and went back again to run round the support coach in the up goods loop at Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The locomotive is reversed over the pit at St. Blazey so that servicing work can begin. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
Servicing 'Eddystone' at M Power Kernow, St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
Servicing 'Eddystone' at M Power Kernow, St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
With servicing complete, 34028 is brought back onto the turntable so that a grab lorry can replenish her tender with coal. Duncan of M Power tells the driver where to stop. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
34028 on the turntable at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
34028 on the turntable at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
The light fades at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Darkness falls at St. Blazey as the lorry refills 34028's coal supplies. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
34028 at Par with its support coach and 47826, turned and ready to depart back to Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The Great Britain XVIII
Day 2 - 19.04.2026
Day 2 of the Great Britain XVIII saw 34028 lead the tour away from Penzance on its journey North to Chester.
Early doors at Penzance sees 34028 and its support coach in Platform 4 at Penzance. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
34028 heads away to collect the coaching stock. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
34028 and the railtour await departure from Penzance platform 1 as the crowds gather on the platform. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Departure from Penzance at 0920. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47826 on the rear of the train passing Penzance signal box. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Superb morning light as 34028 powers 'The Great Britain' through Marazion Marsh. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
34028 powering past Trevingey level crossing, Redruth. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
A big crowd of onlookers at Trevingey. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
47826 on the rear at Trevingey. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
Today I went out to see the Great Britain XVIII with 34028 and 47 826 on their way back up, making for an impressive sight and sound as they climbed the 1 in 78. I’m pretty sure this is the first steam excursion to Penzance in 4 years. 19.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
The spectacle of 34028 climbing through Tywardreath on the Great Britain 18 tour on 19.04.2026. Copyright Craig Munday.
In glorious morning sunshine 34028 'Eddystone' crosses Largin Viaduct with the 1Z10 09.20 Penzance - Chester "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 19.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A drone shot of the tour crossing East Largin viaduct. 19.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Ron also joined the gallery at Largin - A shot of 1Z10 0920 Penzance to Chester over Largin Viaduct..what a marvellous sight it was. 19.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
Sadly with no visible exhaust, 34028 drifts across St. Germans viaduct. 19.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Good light at Forder as 34028 returns the tour. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
34028 'Eddystone' crosses Blatchford Viaduct near Ivybridge with the 1Z10 09.20 Penzance - Chester "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 19.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
34028 Eddysone 0920 Penzance to Chester on Cornwood viaduct running about 5 minutes late. 19.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
A fine sight as 34028 rounds the curve at Teignmouth. 19.04.2026, copyright Martin Scane.