70000 'Britannia's Great Eastern Mainline return in chaos - 28/05/2024

In a year that's seeing many locomotive classes returning to their former stomping grounds, Tuesday 28th May 2024 would see Locomotive Services' BR Britannia no 70000 'Britannia' make a welcome comeback to the Great Eastern Mainline with a Steam Dreams Excursion from Windsor & Eton Riverside to Norwich and return, it was the first time since 2018 that a Britannia Class took on the GEML

Starting out in the East London suburbs we set up initially at Romford before noticing the Brit had been held outside Forest Gate for a considerable amount of time, with rumors circulating it was eventually discovered part of the OHLE has fallen onto the locomotive and thus had to await a Network Rail Mom to rectify the issue, having decided on seeing where the train was stranded ourselves we eventually made do with a footbridge infront of the stranded Brit where after a 90 minute delay finally set off, the train would however make a very brief stop in Forest Gate station to drop off the NR Mom before setting off again, following the fiasco 'Britannia' continues east and is next seen flying through Manningtree near the River Stour

The return leg sees 70000 storming through Stowmarket level crossing with a good blast on the whistle, followed by Manningtree once again at a more closer angle as she cruise over the River Stour before opening up over the junction, finally 'Britannia' is captured at Hackney Wick taking on a short but steep incline into the station following a standing start from Channelsea Jc and provides a great soundtrack as she heads back to Windsor

Certainly an interesting day had whilst very uncertain in the morning, the turnout of a Britannia on home ground was truly a sight to behold!

00:00 Forest Gate
04:03 Manningtree (Outward)
05:25 Stowmarket
06:05 Manningtree (Return)
07:18 Hackney Wick