The Jacobite 2018

One loco for Jacobite, true, but aren't there multiple other demands in the same period elsewhere which might impinge on the available time to get engines readied for the 2019 season?

 

7/12/2018 is the last Friday of the working timetable dates. Separate schedules were created for the SO and SuO WTT trains as they had different start and finish dates. If the trains were to run ThFSO, special traffic (STP) schedules could be created for those days.

Cheers, Neil

 

Hello all,

Photos and report here from a trip to Scotland to see the Jacobite, which will be the first of many releases following a return to updating the backlog for the website.

https://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/f167134874

Returning to the Jacobite in Scotland saw me see an operation that often repeated the success of what I saw some years ago. Now the two train operation has become very much established during the high season, the stock and engines also being very much the same, even the nice brochure quoted previously on my last trip still showed many of the details, including the passage from, the History of the Midland Railway written in 1876. However, scones and artisan cheese selections might be a new addition.

The Jacobite prides itself on offering a number of experiences – it gives an insight into travel from yesteryear, a journey with stunning panoramic views and a chance to share an experience with loved ones that will forever remain memorable. While many still were coming for the locations in a Wizards film, many were also taking in the sight, sound and smell of steam engines at work with WCRC’s ‘vintage’ carriages as their own brochure describes. Here, WCRC find engines that have a fitting nod to the lines past. This week saw Ian Rileys engines 45407, running as 45157 The Glasgow Highlander and 44871 joined by North East Locomotive Preservation Groups K1, 62005, my personal all-time favourite engine. My last trip saw the K1 absent and on the first day there, it looked as if Riley’s time might have jinxed my return to Scotland to find 45157 standing on the front of the train. With the K1 needing more time to be prepared, the first day saw the two Black 5’s take on the line in splendid form. The following two days saw K1 take the morning train, with 44871 the latter.

It was interesting to note the crews and see them go about their work, both supported by WCRC. NELPG had a crew with Driver John Hunt, the man who literally has written the book about working and driving the West Highland Extension, ‘Driving the Jacobite’ on the controls for the first workings out of Fort William. On the second journey the Riley crew that was led by Driver Matthew Earnshaw who demonstrated with extraordinary skill that the future of steam can be assured if crews and a new generation can master the art of their forbearers. Both displayed the usual, traditional and excellence in both working their engines, but also speaking to passengers and letting them photograph and view the engine at both the start and end of the journey. It was endearing to see that the many visitors, including many foreign nationals, were saw locomotive operation, performance and support crew teamwork at its very best. Even train crew service was excellent, with friendly welcomes and help to get tickets for the days travel. The fact that the morning service was often booked is a testament to the popularity of the service that might get people wanting the vantage point that the wizard saw from the film, but gets them leaving with an experience of railway travel never to forget.

For me personally, it was a delight to see the K1. It sounded and performed excellently when seeing it at work. The Black 5’s too were great performers and the mix of Eastern and Midland traction this time, gave the line a wonderful feel of the lines history that has often changed with different operators. Last time I came to Scotland, and followed the crews of the Jacobite. Again I quote from the aforementioned Victorian literature that still adorns the West Coast Leaflet,

“If a line were to be built it would have to be by spanning the valleys with stupendous viaducts and piercing mountain heights with enormous tunnels, deep cuttings would have to be blasted through the rock; and mile after mile of high embankments would somehow have to be pilled on soft peaty moors.”

Thus, I managed to get to some other interesting locations chasing the Jacobite, along the route, including the photos between the Beasdale Tunnels and climbed onto peaty moors to get a vantage point that often saw me sinking through the ground and having feet and shoes completely soaked. It was all worth it to witness such engines and crews at work and fate would see sun, K1 and vantage point combine for the photo of the NELPG machine returning to Fort William over Glenfinnan viaduct.

The leaflet continues,

“However great the obstacle, they simply had four obstacles to take – to go over it, or go under it, or to go round it, or to go through it; but go they must.”

I followed these two very different crews, but with both completing the task to the same high standard, often getting a nice wave as again they saw me proudly capturing the moment on camera. I chased after them, over streams and peaty ground, round hills and onto cuttings; but go and chase I must. Again I was happy with my interest. Again I followed the Jacobite.

 

Here Mr Hat is, I believe, your good self observing proceedings at Arisaig on the 9th Aug:-

Peter James

 

Ha! Tis indeed!

Loving the moment of just seeing K1 prepped and ready to go - loving the idea of a dry pair of socks! I saw you over those few days there but often busy at work - didn't think that you got me in photo as well!

 

Where was the hat at the caravan site crossing near Leyburn last Saturday.Mind you did leave it late

 

Think you might have answered your own question!

 

A few from over the first weekend of September.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/44477986801/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/30588822658/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/43502678215/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/43485135755/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/43485135895/in/photostream/

 

Reason for cancellations of the winter Jacobites has been given, lack of time to perform maintenance and final tyre turning after end of regular season operations :

https://www.scotsman.com/news/trans...rry-potter-train-trips-at-christmas-1-4797122

This certainly highlights the issue of what a dry season we've had in Scotland in comparison to previous years.

 

Presumably not viable to hire a rake from the likes of SRPS, DRS, or Riviera? Real shame all round.

 

Unsure of DRS or Riviera, but the SRPS rake usually has various of it's consist used for the Santa Specials and Black Bun Specials during December, with other carriages receiving winter maintenance.

 

A few days at the end of this week, among some truly awful forecasts, to try and get the best we could of the K1's last week which also coincided nicely with the last week of the afternoon trains.

A hardy bunch of 10 or so of the usual faces, waiting out most of the days in rain and cloud....but glimmers of hope came through, if few and far between!

Black 5 No. 45157 'Glasgow Highlander' - Polnish Chapel by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Peppercorn K1 No. 62005 - Loch Eil Outward Bound by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Peppercorn K1 No. 62005 - Glenfinnan by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Peppercorn K1 No. 62005 - Corpach by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45157 'Glasgow Highlander' - Morar by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

 

Or why not just use a portable wheel lathe?

Used by other TOCs

 

I would imagine this would be down to the facilities available at Fort William itself. There's only one shed building made available to West Coast for the use of the resident steam locomotives, could it be guaranteed that the floor surface/rails/pit in the shed would be suitable to take the associated machines/toolings to conduct such wheel turning?

Edit : I should also state, this shed isn't owned by West Coast. I believe it's currently owned by DB, and should also point out that it doesn't have a roof. Is it suitable to conduct such activity on 7 Mk1's worth of axles in such conditions, especially at an unfavourable time of year weather wise.

 

Can anyone please advise which Black 5 will be on next week's services please? I'm on holiday nearby and fancy capturing the Jacobite on a couple of days.

Thanks in advance, James

 

It's never 100% certain but it's booked for 45212 from tomorrow and 45407 for the last week

 

Thanks John!

James

 

Two from today's Statesman Jacobite,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/44598208764/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/45272038092/in/photostream/

The change in conditions from September is incredible. Loch Shiel on Friday stretched all the way to the A830 and was lapping against the road and the boardwalk was under about 3 feet of water!

 

They look good Karl,you up next week?

 

If you're going, I'll see you in the Grog Henry! The forecast doesn't look brilliant but it never dies up there