West Highlander Steam Express (3/9 - Day 1)

Farce or not, I have no objection to spending a day in Oban - sun, seafood from the "Green Shed" with Calmac ferries (and free wi-fi) next door and then a top n tail run to Crianlarich. 61994 is apparently too heavy for a bridge here and there on the Oban road - so they are coupling her on the back.

Good job we are 09.53 away tomorrow - I've had quite enough of this 05.30 nonsense.

Looks like a storm is blowing up from the west though!

Yes - I do think there will be a careful analysis of this tour - commercial sales cannot override physics, and I have never seen a loco simply stop with no trace of a slip at that point against full boiler pressure. Immovable object - resistible force

 

Any news about train leaving Oban??? Stood waiting at Glencruiten crossing

 

45407 with todays first ill-fated departure from Oban:
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Just had a text from a friend aboard. He says that they are now in Crainanlarich after Great Marquess rescue 6hours late and should take then to Glasgow but have now run out of coal!
Looks like being a late night!

 

Diesel now taking them onto Glasgow after some intensive shunting to get the stock back in right formation.

 

Left oban at 20.41, 6hr 23mins down & off crianlarich at 23.39 7hr 2min down.

 

Stalled on climb up to Glen Douglas as well, but managed to get going again. According to Alberta, "one of the single most brilliant performances ever"! Last text received at 01.52 this morning and they still weren't in Glasgow!

 

Feel very sorry for all involved. Can't wait to read TBirdFrank's observations on all this !!

 

Just to let all know, we arrived back at queen street at 03:12. What a day, one we will all remember for highs and lows. Fantastic driving by Pete Walker and for john Cameron and team on K4 for for pulling out all the stops to get us home.

Well done to all, and for making history on gettng first gresley engine to oban.

 

Leander gave us a spirided run through the Nith Valley in the stunning Autumn sunlight. But boy are we paying for it now! 3 1/2 hrs on 'Kingmoor Loop with only dubiuse sandwiches to eat. !!!!!!!

 

Leander alongside the River Clyde near Abington this afternoon.

Oh very nice just love steam in the landscape shots and this is a cracker Sir.Well done.

 

3 1/2 hours surely there's a path earlier than waiting all that time ?

Brian

 

We are out on time just leaving published time. 15:37

 

Leander racing through the Pennines Wonderful!

 

I don't think that it was being suggested that 2 coaches should have been removed, but one might well have been a good idea. Lots of folk stand during the more interesting steam sections so something might have been arranged. The K4 took 8 out to FW so some condensing may have taken place for day 3. Perhaps the train should have been a top and tail working from the outset for the run to Oban and return.

Regardless of the problems, it sounds like it was a most interesting tour. I wonder if the Marquess would have been defeated by the start from Oban? Doubt it some how.