The Aberdonian - 2019

Looking at this on RTT suggests its a WCRC operation...

 

First short clip on youtube:



Smart departure from Haymarket.

 

Pity this was edited. Interested to see if the 37 was helping. Running is very smart if its all Tornado's doing.

 

Very smart departure.

Hope someone gets some good shots of her around Stonehaven / Newmill / Carron Water area.

 

In last carriage. The only times there was obvious 37 assistance was departing Thornton loop and from the stop outside Perth to cross over to the Dundee line.

 

Difficult to tell beyond Dundee. There seemed to be a slight series of shoves out of the station, thereafter there was some pretty steady acceleration up to about 66mph on the level. There also seemed to be a very gentle slackening at Balmossie, but it might have been a dip in the track. Still, there's been a fair bit of noise from the front over the course of the trip so far, even from where I am sitting.

 

Think I'm going to err on the side of assistance. It was all very smooth acceleration from Arbroath, then a hovering around 38 on Letham Grange Bank until the brakes were put on around the former Lunan Bay station, when there was a characteristic clunk from behind. Definite assistance north of Montrose around Hillside/Kinnaber.

 

Anyone know who is crewing (driver, fireman & traction inspector).

 

Shame. WCR diesel drivers do love to assist.

 

The gradients and curves are significant on the line.

I’m not at all surprised to hear there has been the odd shove.

This run will surely help the drivers route knowledge for next time.

 

Im sure the Nat Pres answer to Fyfe Robertson will fill in the details later

 

Oh don't start all that again.

 

What? Truth hurts? Just glad we stayed at home.

 

To be honest, I can see why, and also why the P2s were designed for the route. 1 in 90 and curves up to Kinnaber Junction is a test even with 10 on. Furthermore, it's a new locomotive over a rarely used route for steam, so definitely cause for caution. Consequently, the more trips run up here, the better.

The weather is excellent (a real surprise), and the scenery absolutely stunning. And being a West Highland fanatic, that's saying something. So glad I did it, and definitely third time lucky for myself and this route. Think I might try and get some A4 action, too...

 

Wouldn't be NatPres otherwise!
Will

 

Anyway Prince of Wales pub is pretty good. Cromarty Atlantic Drift is slacking the old thirst. Currently £3.70 for a pint of this, so no worse than York, and much better than Edinburgh.

 

Krakatoa is a mad (in a nice way) place with £2.90 a pint of Stewarts 80/-. Could stay here for the rest of the layover, but I feel I am blazing a pub trail for future trips...