West Highlander

If 46115 work day 1,2 and 4, Then the light engine movement on day 3. That's 4 days of hard work for 46115, would she manage? Or will something else haul the tour other days?

 

Got to be two locos out of oban. Going to be minimum of seven on, so no go with one loco whatever it is surely.

 

Oh dear - right again! :jaw: - sorry about that

And yes- Glencruitten made itself known last year, so I do hope this year's passengers will not have a 22 and a half hour day between Fort Bill, Oban and Glasgow.

Ishan't

 

46115 going round the curves at Greenfield, Rhu, Pulpit Rock and Craig an Arden should make interesting viewing. Out of interest how much heavier than a Black Five is a Scot?

 

Just received my confirmation from RTC this trip is on for sure and that, yes 46115 is on the run to Fort Will as well as the out and back from Preston to Glasgow. My word it's a busy few days for Mr Smiths finest!

 

As I said in an earlier post we had trouble last year with the Marquess and that's got much smaller drivers and over 3,000 more tractive effort.

 

Well one only has to read histories of the West Highland to hear drivers of that time criticise engines that were "too tall in the wheel" - Is she double headed on the return? that looks to be the plan as far as Garelochead - and probably top and tailed out of Oban so as not to stress structures between there and Crianlarich as was insisted on with the Msrquess last year.

That still leaves her single handed up to County March outbound - 47 in rear???

 

If I've read camraman's post correctly, 46115 works Preston - Glasgow, Glasgow - Fort William and Glasgow - Preston. Presumably that means 1 x Black 5 Fort William - Mallaig - rtn, and 2 x Black 5s Fort William - Oban - Glasgow.

 

My letter from RTC spells it out as:

46115, Preston - Glasgow
46115, Glasgow - Crianlarich

44871 + 45231, Crianlarich - Oban and return

46115, Crianlarich - Fort William
46115, Fort William - Glasgow
46115, Glasgow - Preston via Dumfries

First time for a Royal Scot on the West Highland Line

 

Is it not possible to double head 46115 and 45231 down to Glasgow as 5231 will have finished Jacobite duties and could save a light engine mOvment?

 

Either UK Steam Info, and RTC's brochure, or the letter are wrong. The publicised itinerary is out to Fort Bill and Mallaig - back via Oban which would indicate as a sensible roster

6115 - Crewe to Glasgow - Fort Bill
5231 Mallaig and Return
5231??? and 4871 Fort Bill - Oban & South - or + 6115 Crianlarich to Garelochhead
6115 - Glasgow to Crewe

If it isn't two locos to Oban then either some stock will have to be stored at Crianlarich or I'll be in the B & B business for those averse to late nights

 

The letter makes no mention of Mallaig. It is clear about the two Black 5's to and from Oban. The RTC website (and obviously the brochure too) does not yet reflect any changes, not even to the dates.

 

The itinerary has changed with Oban being visited on the outward run, Day 2 which is a Sunday and which presumably means both Jacobite locos can be used as there is no Sunday Jacobite service on that date. There ARE two Black 5 locos booked to go to Oban 44871 + 45231. Having spoken to RTC it seems the trip to Mallaig is now on the morning of Day3 {Monday] prior to the return to Glasgow, worked by one Black 5, presumably the one not on Jacobite duties. This working will no doubt pass the service Jacobite somewhere on the Mallaig extension. The train is now steam hauled all the way back to Glasgow.

 

Well worth watching!

 

just received an itinery from RTC for this and shock horror, no reference to a run to Mallaig! Just seen latest update on Steam Info and it's pencilled in fot the Monday.

 

I just rang the RTC office and got told there's now no trip to Mallaig. "We couldn't get a path so we have come up with a new itinerary that's just as interesting". What they seem to mean by that is that instead of getting the trip to Mallaig, we get to do absolutely nothing at all on the Monday morning.

No mention of a price reduction though........