Jacobite 2015

Thanks for the explanation, good tradition!

 

The steam bash got to be a bit of a social event over the years and for me and others a week in the Highlands became a something of a habit. Why do we do it? You get soaking wet tired out from all that yomping over the bog but just occassionally it all comes together and you come back with images seen on this thread.
I did email Pat Marshall earlier in the year and she said there was a possibility of a charter next year, so let's hope. I can understand that they've had a lot to worry about in 2015 and such things would not have been a priority.

 

I said I wouldn't head up again this week....

So firstly, here's one I hadn't edited at first from Tuesday, but begin to feel this is the most powerful shot of my set :

Black 5 No. 45407 - Loch Linnhe by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

And then, I fell back on my word....a slight mess up of holiday leave found myself off work tonight, so another trip to the sunny West Highlands was made!

Black 5 No. 45407 - Glenfinnan Viaduct by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45407 - Glenfinnan Waters by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

Looking at the stunning photos posted on here over the past few weeks, I've been toying with the idea of heading up to the Highlands for the last 3 Jacobites next week. The weather isn't particularly promising, with 3 days of rain. Should the forecast change, I'll probably head up. Can anyone confirm which engine will be on the trains next week?

Thanks in advance

 

62005 next week. Then 45407 and 44871 work the SRPS tour back on the 24th. 37xxx should drag 62005 and stock back in the morning of 24th as well.

 

Fanastic, thanks!

James

 

I'm told that the K1 is taking the stock south with the 37 on the rear to Craigendoran. The diesel then runs round to lead from there. But that move is a week away yet so this could change.

Peter James

 

Question for anyone that might know: Is the loco for the final week of the Jacobite still facing West (towards Mallaig)? I'll be up photographing it for a couple of days next week with a day riding it, so a bit of forward planning will be useful. Thanks in advance.

 

The loco always faces Mallaig but we did persuade Pat Marshall to authorise facing east for two days after the bash a couple of years ago. There is a good reason for it, every traveller wants see the engine and take the family photo in front of it and it's better if its right way round. Not possible at Mallaig as it's off the end of the platform

 

Many thanks for that! It's the way round I was hoping, going on the excellent shots i've seen on here & elsewhere online. Will plan accordingly.

 

14 years of going up for the bash has taught me not to take any notice of the weather forecast which is very localised. I've been soaked in driving rain at Glenfinnan and later in the day sat outside the pub in Arisaig in my shirtsleeves. The stunning picture taken by our friend from Cowdenbeath looking over Loch Linnhe was probably taken on an iffy weather day.
The K1 is booked for the week so we have the only engine that's correct for the line so I will be there whatever.
To illustrate what I've said here's a shot on Rannoch Moor in a gale force wind and driving rain, such that half of the people didn't get off the train, I'll let others decide if it was worth the soaking.

 

If that's the 2009 bash I remember it well. Was a tad breezy to say the least.

 

It was, I remember being warned about 60 mph winds on the Moor but when we got off it didn't seem to bad, then the train moved out of the way!

 

I remember the guard telling us that as she had to get up early so as the train could get up to Rannoch in time to cross the sleeper, we could bloomin' well get out and take some photographs.

 

Quite the opposite infact. Was the first day of witnessing frost on the ground, but wall to wall sunshine. The only iffiness was the fog slowly burning away as the light managed to rise above the Ben. Absolutely stunning, I don't think the weather will be beaten next week...

Not that it'll stop me trying. I've got the week booked off work, having already intended to do the K1's week following the bash. With the latter not happening, I just have to push a bit more for something special!

 

Not that it'll stop me trying. I've got the week booked off work, having already intended to do the K1's week following the bash. With the latter not happening, I just have to push a bit more for something special![/QUOTE]

I think that's why we all go, there are some unique weather patterns and cloud formations up there, did you go a couple of years ago with the fog and mist around Corpach? I got the sun on the K1 with the top of the Ben poking up out of the mist over Fort Bill. You have the advantage of travel it's almost 500 miles for me to get there

 

They appear to have a stowaway at the moment....

https://www.facebook.com/westcoast.railways/posts/499666143534016

 

As Jonny has said we had some very special weather last week. Two friends and I stayed in a lodge at Corpach for the midweek and with a little bit of help from Ian Riley and crew we had a huge number of opportunities over the four days we were there.

The full collection can be found at https://flic.kr/s/aHskntfXYq

A few samples:

The very best of Scotland - Loch Eilt by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Corpach and the mirror like Loch Linnhie by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Dream reflections on the RIver Lochy by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Glenfinnan waterfall in the long shadow of the Ben by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Browns in Autumnal Morar by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Out of the mist into the light ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Autumn, steam and the highlands, the UK at its finest by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

Not such good weather this week but my shot of 62005 crossing Glenfinnan viaduct this afternoon.

 

A very fine effort in the murk of this afternoon. I don't do tender first but saw this as I walked back down the Glen from the shooting lodge. There was some nice sunshine on it across Loch Eil this morning and would have been at Glenfinnan if it hadn't left 2 min early.