The West Highlander 21-24 Sept 2013

All I can say is wow. I don't like seeing this tour end. 61994's Performance on the WCML was phenomenal.

 

After the disappointment of losing 46115 on this, it did of course work out wonderfully well and as we have seen here the loco was faultless. Peter only seemed in trouble on the climb to County March and as he said later it was some bad coal. We just about got over the top after being down to walking pace at the summit and then coasting over the top, thankfully without coming to a stand. Certainly memorable stuff all round. Good to meet up with Alberta at Arisaig-nice to meet you face to face Mark. 62005 performed straight out the box as people have got in the habit of saying and apparently no problems. Must have been tight to get her ready in time. When was the last time a steam hauled passenger train was on the extension? Three locos in steam at Crianlarich too was something unusual too. John Cameron was kidding the photographers at Fort William that he had bought it. How does he keep going like he does? Makes me feel tired just watching him! All great stuff. Just a couple of pics attached at Crianlarich and Glenfiinnan.

 

Oh, forgot to say, TBF was at County March and Crianlarich.

 

Missed a bit out in my first post about this. Should have read 'when was a steam hauled passenger train last on the extension in the dark?' Teach me to read it again before posting! Another pic from Dumfries too

 

2007 ? I remember speaking to someone who travelled on it and he advised me most of the journey was in the dark. He said 61994 struggled on the climb to Helensburgh Upper in the morning, so they arrived a lot later at Fort William.

 

My shots are now up at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/sets/72157635880575465/

Locations:
Beattock
Rannoch Moor (Snowshelter)
Locheilside
Corrour
Loch Awe
Oban
Crianlarich

Nice to meet you at Arisaig,Peter.

Cheers,
Mark

 

Looks like you were at the same spot as I was video-ing from on Monday evening- close to the road, near the end of the cutting south of Crianlarich. Were you one of the lads with the Fiat Abarth? Wasn't it a fantastic glint?

 

Great photo's Mark, looking forward to some video now that people have hopefully taken!

 

Ah,yes that was us,racing back from Oban at the last minute! I was the one in the white t shirt...

The glint was superb wasn't it! Nice to meet you,even if we didn't know it!

 

Cheers Ian,will put my video on at some point over the next couple of days.

 

Day 1 featuring both the climbs of Shap and Beattock plus Ravenstruther and Alexandra Parade



Day 2 with action on the West Highland Line at Whistlefield and Achallader and then on the extension at Corpach and Glenfinnan

More to come...

 

That set of photos is just stunning. Worth all your hard work I'm sure. You must be pleased.

 

Many thanks Peter,i'm happy enough,we could've done with a bit more sun but it wasn't raining and that's more than good enough for me up there!

 

Day 3 with the slow climb round Horseshoe curve to County March summit, the Black 5s to Oban and 61994 at Ardlui



Day 4 at Loch Kilbirnie and Kirkconnel

 

Someone made the full effort to get all 4 days of the run, really impressive.

 

Thanks, was well worth effort

 

Well after a wedding on Saturday and recovery on Sunday, my honeymoon began on Monday with a cheeky little detour via Kinbuck for No. 46115 on the Ryder Cup charter, and then to East of Dalmally for the Black 5's returning from Oban alongside River Lochy before booking in to our log cabin in Ardgarten ( which, in a great surprise, provided a lovely evening's entertainment of listening to No. 61994 depart Arrochar station and watching the steam between the trees as the K4 battled the climb in style ).

So, here are the quick two photos from the River Lochy :