Jacobite 2011

A well put together video. You made good use of the conditions to get shots which, if the sun was out, would have been against the light. The one location I've not managed to do is between the tunnels at Beasdale. Haven't found the way up yet.

 

Why do they need the extra stock? Thanks

 

Between the tunnels is fairly easy to get to (when you know). If coming from Fort William, follow the road along the shore of Loch nan Uamh, then it'll take a sharp right hand bend and climb up steeply away from the loch until the line passes under the railway just after the top tunnel. About mid-way up this climb between the loch and the railway bridge is a layby on the right hand side (I've a feeling the most recent roadworks have essentially removed the original large layby, but there's still a place you can pull off the road. From the layby climb up the hillside to the east and once you're over the top, you should see the line running between the two tunnels. It's a fairly steep pull up from the layby, but there are a few tracks you can follow that make it easier, so you're at least not wading through bracken.

 

My final shot from a week in FW:

http://www6.clikpic.com/Neilscottuk/photo_7867501.html

 

That is a beast of a photograph Neil! Cracking =] Hope you've had a good week.

Looking forward to our trip up now =]

Si

 

Thanks Simon, I had a great week even if it did rain every single day! If you like Black 5s the next few weeks are going to suit you fine. Good luck!

 

Waited at Corpach on Monday to see the return working in appalling weather. Gave up when train about 50 late (or very early, I suppose!). Think many trains in the area delayed or cancelled that afternoon. Roads were bad, fallen trees etc, so can image that rail conditions were poor. Any idea what time it did get back to Fort William on Mon 23rd?

 

Monday was the worst day of the week. My Father and I almost got blown away waiting for it to arrive at Morar (my Mother waited sensibly in the car!). No idea what time it arrived back but the WHE didn't seem to be too badly affected by the weather. Trains were running normally the next morning.

 

My hotel owner in Nairn even knew there had been problems on the Monday. He said that they had six attempts at getting away from Mallaig but how true, I don't know. Talking to the support crew on Tuesday, I was told that they ran out of sand and it eventually got back to Fort William at 18.00 but didn't delay any other trains as none were running! There was some delay on the Tuesday due to late-running Scotrail trains but 61994 seemed to be on song and no hint of any problems from those on the footplate so I was surprised to hear it did not run on Wednesday. Anybody know what the 'firebox problems' are?

I had originally tried to book for the Monday or Wednesday but the train was full so I had to go on Tuesday. Guess I was lucky for once!

 

Is it likely to be two different locomotive to work the two trains, or the orginal locomotive from the main train?

 

Only 44871 is coming up.

 

Any news on 61994.
H

 

Any news on what is working the Jacobite this week ?

David

 

Not sure. But the times of the evening 'Sundowner' have chnaged for this week at least. Must have not been making Arisaig in time to cross the 1815 ex Mallaig. Now sits at Glenfinnan for an hour and has less time at Mallaig too.

 

From pictures I have just seen, 61994 has been on the morning services this week.

 

Any news on loadings for the evening train vs the day one?

 

It was 5 coaches when I did it. Guard said he had about 134 on it the first night and 126 on it when I went. Not bad considering no publicity and short notice.

 

There was an add in the Scotsman yesterday for the evening run. Any indication when 44871 will move from fort William, I'm guessing it'll be the Saturday or sunday. Is likely to head to the north York shire moors?