The West Highlander 21-24 Sept 2013

Departure from Preston is now 10.13 please note. Much less hanging around for us long distance passengers. More the usual time too. The later departure from QS on Sunday is due to engineering work. One thing I really don't understand is the booked dinner in FW is for 16.30 and as we don't get back until 21.50 that could be a mite difficult! A slip of the pen I'm sure. Even if it is wrong a meal at gone 10pm is not a good idea as far as I am concerned. 62005 is still down for the run on the extension...ooops I nearly wrote Mallaig. Anyone seen this in on a trailer yet?

 

Well it's running the Lune Habitat on the next Saturday and I'm sure Mr Smith wouldn't want to break it for that would he. Be hell to pay.

 

Saturday's timings now here I presume:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54510/2013/09/21/advanced

 

Ignore what I said about the meal in FW in my last but one post. A senior moment I'm afraid.

 

The updated RTC page still shows steam over Shap on Tuesday afternoon, but the times in RTT for Tuesday's train only go as far as Carlisle. I can see why it might be expedient for 61994 to return to Thornton from Carlisle at lunchtime. GWR4090 hasn't linked any times for Sun-Tues from UKsteam.info, yet, so maybe there are still some changes to come?

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54581/2013/09/24/advanced is the second part of Tuesday.

 

Good-oh. Thanks.

 

62005 dep Carnforth Steamtown Wed evening to Fort William by road:

http://andrewstransport.smugmug.com...-2013/27387092_gssBtM#!i=2774503102&k=3GJ9sxZ

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Thanks for that. Just about the first positive news on this trip for sometime.

 

The Hotel meal for 1630 will be interesting, much the same as when i did the highlander in 2010 I suspect when walked in then left without eating and went into town after been ordered to be down for the meal at a specific time and then forced to sit at a table with people I didn't know when I could've sat at another with Some friends. Short of it was I had an argument with the waiters and decided it would me much easier next time to go have a meal in a pow camp.

 

It's a bit early for me but not far to go to The Alexandra. I gather quite a lot are in the Premier Inn. I'll make my mind up on the day. I assume if the Ben Nevis is used passengers would eat there surely. Glad I'm in the town for a change!

 

The premier IMHO is the best as you don't or didn't get dictated to (stayed there on the 2009 highlander) . Weather on Sunday eve is looking decent as is Monday,so hopefully a good journey for those on this years train. Give us a wave on rannoch moor on Sunday!

 

Plenty of pics and video's please guys!

 

Hope you are right. Fort William looks wet, wet, wet on BBC weather just now.

 

The etter I have received from RTC with the amended timings says Sunday evening dinner is now being served on the train. A bus will be waiting a Ft William station on arrival at 1540 to take those staying at the Ben Nevis hotel to book in and deposit their luggage in their room. It will then bring them back to Ft William station at 1630 and then be waiting again at the station at 2200 to return people to the hotel for the night.

 

Footage of The Marquess passing Bay Horse on Day One.



Hope you enjoy.

 

Footage of 61994 at Scorton, Salterwath , near Lockerbie and finally Beattock .

 

Fantastic day by all accounts from what has been seen. Cheers!
Who was at the regulator today?
Gordon Hogdson?(sp) John Cameron?

 

The "Marquess" leaning into the curve at Beck Foot.........LINK