'The Jacobite' 2013

Wee gem there Henry.

Steven

 

Cheers Steven,

 

62005 is apparently heading back to Carnforth by road today.

 

Onboard video of 44871 returning the evening Jacobite to Fort William on August 14th.

 

Sure is Ralph!

 

Thanks Ralph. The whistle must not have been included with the sale of 76079 but you've got to smile when you hear it. That said, you can see the fireman covering his ears when it was blown going over Glenfinnan Viaduct haha.

 

The mill hooter......

 

I overtook 62005, sat on a low-loader, on the A9 and later on the M6 on Sunday. I assume it was heading back to Carnforth? Has something happened to it?

 

Reports elsewhere say it has broken stays.

David

 

Yeah, I think that I liked that whistle more on 76079. It is great to hear it.

 

Re 2005 in the latest NELPG News mag which came today it says on 17 August leaking stays and a bulge in the copper inner firebox was found. The loco was to be send back to Carnforth for repairs thought to be about 25 new stays and the bulge pulled back in. The problem area is the RH top rear corner so the cab roof and some cladding sheets will have to be removed. They HOPE the work will be finished in around 2 weeks the loco will then return to Fort William to take up its duties again.

 

Hope it all goes well. It's a lovely engine and well suited to the WHE.

 

My thoughts, pictures link and report is here;

http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/f513765616

“If a line were to be built it would have to be by spanning the valleys with stupendous viaducts and piercing mountain heights with enormous tunnels; deep cuttings would have to be blasted through the rock; and mile after mile of high embankments would somehow have to be piled on soft peaty moors.”

So says the WCRC leaflet available in Fort William, quoting the title of “The History of the Midland Railway”,first published in 1876. While Victorian diction and flamboyance with the language might be something worth quoting, WCRC are indeed proud to have an award winning service on one of the most scenic lines in the country; indeed the world. Ian Riley’s Black 5’s were the motive power for the trains this week, the K1 that I came to see and much adore, having returned south for maintenance. 45407 and 44871 were very much up to the task, being some of the best maintained examples of steam on the network. Even the locomotive owner was there, enjoying the atmosphere and working with the team on the train; while modesty not seeking the limelight he might deserve for owning, running and maintaining such fine locomotives, the track record of which many engine groups are more than envious to have.
Having made the trip to Scotland, it was great to see such a train in action amongst such great scenery. The amount of people watching the train came from far and wide and it was obvious of the importance the service had for the tourists and the local economy. While some enjoyed the spectacle of visiting an area, renowned for featuring a Wizard and a film others enjoyed the heritage aspect of seeing a British steam train from days past.

The Jacobite is world renown – its route, setting, friendly staff and the train itself make for a brilliant combination and lifetime experience. Perhaps the author of the History of the Midland Railway writing 137 years ago was more prophetic than he realised and I am sure would be impressed to find engines of Midland lineage working the line, alongside others, all these years later.

The leaflet ends quoting the book, “However, great the obstacle, they had simply one of four courses to take – to go over it, or go under it, or to go around it, or to go through it; but go they must.” Paraphrasing that seems the greatest tribute I can give to this sense of shared history and achievement. Today they had four options to take, they went over it, they went under it, around it and went through it. But go they must, Ian Riley and the WCRC team led, and I being proud and happy of my interest; followed.

Hope you enjoy.

 

Any news on 62005? If it's not back at FW by 23rd September, presumably something else will have to be sent up there, as 2 x Class 5s are required for the West Highlander to Oban and one loco is required for the Jacobite.

 

t

 

I've started a new thread for The West Highlander and responded there.