West Highlander Steam Express 19-21st September

Currently in Mallaig with 62005.
Great run from Fort William in brilliant weather.
We crossed the Jacobite here, so two steam trains in Mallaig at the same time .

 

Arrived back in FW.
45407 will take us to Glasgow by the amount of coal in the tender.



Duplicate removed and this amended accordingly.

 

Understand TGM is fixed for tomorrow's journey.
We leave from Barnhill station at 7.37am and return via the G&SW.

 

Rare photo of two steam trains in Mallaig today.

 

Really good run today with 62005 to Mallaig, in absolute brilliant sunshine and warmth, which really brought out the autumnal colours of the lochs, the bens, the glens, etc.
Having the opportunity to see two steam trains at Mallaig was a bonus.
Journey from fort William was in the hands of 45407, and again we had the sun, as we powered over Rannoch Moor to our long stop at Crainlarich.
This was operational to allow two service trains pass.
The type 3 diesel was tacked on the end, to save a path.
45407 got us into Glasgow a bit early, just before 11pm, and because of the time of night, the strange sounds of a steam train rushing through the Glasgow suburbs in the dark, brought quite a few residents to their windows....
Early start tomorrow from Barnhill with TGM at 7.37am.

 

Train on time from Barnhill.
TGM with Gordon Hodgson driving.

 

TGM at Barnhill.

 

West Highlander at Nan Uamh

15131679730

 

A really very good photo indeed.

 

Took water at Dumfries, left 12.43, heading south in dry, occasional sunshine. 61994 in good form.

 

Arrived Carlisle on time.
TGM cruised all the way at line or loco speed, to its timetable.
Final leg Carlisle to Preston in the hands of Mick Rawlings.
Departure at 16.53.
Long overlay at Carlisle due to no path over Shap.

 

The departure time from Carlisle, and on the departure board at the station, is 15.53. I do hope JohnMc isn't lingeeing in a Carlisle pub!

 

48.5mph at Shap summit. (thanks to the Irish timers on board for this)

 

LNE K4 Class 2-6-0 No. 61994 'The Great Marquess' drifts through Hincaster with the returning 'West Highlander' railtour

 

What happened......................the rods are down! lol

 

Train has stopped lol

 

Its good to see the Gruesome Twosome are alive and well lol

 

Finally arrived into Preston just 5 minutes late - due us being looped at Plumpton, because of late running Pendo.
Fast run from Carlisle as you would expect with TGM cruising at maximum speed to keep ahead of following 100-125 passenger traffic.
TGM performed perfectly throughout the day; and was accompanied by John Cameron from Glasgow to Carlisle.
Photo at the end if the journey, with the driver Mick Rawlings on the phone to the signaller arranging the ECS back to Carnforth.

 

Glad all went well on the return.

Many thanks indeed for your reports. Much appreciated.