West Highlander

Just had a look at the Oban webcam - peering through the mist and rain you can see that the West Highlander has arrived - no Indian Summer this year!

What a shame as there is nowhere like the highlands when the autumn weather is right, and nowhere more unpleasant when it isn't

 

44871 will work the Jacobite; 45407 will work the West Highlander back south (both days) and return to FW, immediately thereafter. No need for any other locos to be involved.

Thanks, as ever, to Ian R, for stepping into the breach.

JS

 

Thanks for the info Mr Shuttleworth, and a big thanks to Riley International Rescue. And yes, Oban in the wind and rain is miserable. Walked up to McCaig's Tower, got soaked and nearly blown off the viewing platform! Still, nice breakfast on the train this morning, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage pattie, black pudding, fried potatoes, mushrooms, toast. Said no to the baked beans

 

Make sure you get to the Grog and Gruel when you get to Fort Bill - you will probably be too late to eat there, but it has the best beer and atmosphere in the Highlands.

Anything's better than the Ben Nevis or Alex residents' lounge

 

Completely agree; compulsory visit for anyone in the area! I remember discovering it on my first visit to Fort Bill following recommendation from the B&B landlady, then finally managing to convince the staff some time in the early morning that I really had to leave in order to be conscious the following morning!

 

Its a lot cheaper travelling standard and eating at the Crianlarich hotel during the water stop!

 

I prefer the Crofters, the G&G is a bit upmarket for me. I prefer the old 'spit and sawdust' places.

 

Thanks TBF, we'll go there tonight with the 2 Daves, Chris and John, who all send you their best wishes.

 

44932 returned to Carnforth tonight (Sun) under its own steam. Two pix here:

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16210594_LwMnqv#1473867265_3vhZ28b

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Any gen on what actually went wrong with 44932 ?.

 

Video footage of 45407 & 44871 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i77Q8uXHReM

 

Like the rods-your learning

S

 

More footage here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8afDeNSW1Y

A bit of bog standard effort in poor weather not helped by dodgy titles. The first clip is westbound & the second obviously on the climb out of Oban. Unlike last year at least all the action was in daylight!

 

Completely as per forecasts the weather in Scotland is reported as vile and National Rail is showing bustition between Helensburgh and Dumbarton along the north bank where the met office are reporting gusts up to 72mph - so presumably - trees down.

Any reports ?? I am awaiting a telephone call from the train at the moment

 

To quote Scot-rail forum "Steamin through Bowling at 18:55." & "Through westerton 19.05." so is it a case of the Black 5 goes where electrics fear to tread?

 

Safe to say electrics and water don't match... a flood of water would surrey trip the electricity leaving the unit stranded on the line, with little chance of rescue.

 

What you might call "non kilt weather"...................

 

45407 arrived at Carnforth on time with the West Highlander. Apparently it had a problem north of Carlisle, where 37706 was put on the rear. 47270 took the train forward to Crewe with 47786 on the rear. Four pix here:

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Short video of 45407 coasting towards Carnforth with 37706 on the rear doing most of the work from Carlisle to Carnforth I understand . Stevehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctNeBh4UQRQ