April 19th 2026

19/4/2026

The Great Britain XVIII
Day 1 - 18.04.2026
Bill Elston, Paul Barlow, David Tozer, Ron Westwater, Clive Smith, Howard Sprenger, Roger Winnen, Julian Stephens, Joe Birchall, Jon Hird, Claire Sheppard, Roger Salter, Jonathan Harbage, Oli Monk & Tim Hughes

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 is 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 leading the tour past Respryn. 18.04.2026, copyright Howard Sprenger.

The railtour passes through Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.

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.

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.

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'. 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.

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.

34028 at Trevingey level crossing 19.04.26 copyright P & R K Jenkin

Many thanks everyone for the photographs, and well done to all involved in returning steam to the far west after many years absence.

'The Britannic Explorer'
Martin Scane, Jon Hird, Roger Salter & Joe Birchall

66742 and 66748 pass through Exeter St. Davids en route to Penzance with Belmonds 'Britannic Explorer'. 18.04.2026, copyright Martin Scane.

66742 and 66748 double head 'The Britannic Explorer' through Coombe St. Stephens. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

66742 and 66748 pass Gwinear Road en route to Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.

66742 leading the Penzance - Fowey leg of 'The Britannic Explorer' past Truro. 18.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.

'The Britannic Explorer' passing through Carlyon en route to Fowey. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks both - this weeks 'Britannic Explorer' somewhat overshadowed by the steam tour.

Devon Duffs
Clive Smith

Two tone green liveried 47810 & 47805 at Torquay with the 5Z24 13.56 Goodrington - Crewe ECS off the previous day's Paignton - Windsor & Eton Riverside Statesman tour. 17.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive.