The Jacobite 2020

Yes, the late, great Fletch was firing that day and, needless to say, had plenty of words for it afterwards!

5972 actually behaved very well in the West Highlands and flew up Beasdale with the filming train; it didn't do so badly either with the normal Jacobite set, on the handful of occasions we used it.

In going to Arisaig, it also became the furthest west-travelled GW loco - without the aid of a boat (so 6000 and 4079 don't count!).

JS

 

Comparing them both on the morning train the K1 certainly has the edge on the hills, you'd have to work 212 harder to achieve the same speeds on the climbs and even then the curves would still take a tad more speed off - The last few curves on Beasdale and that last curve at the top of Kinloid particularly. The K1 will also walk away quite happily off the viaduct where as with all the fives it's nice to have a bit of momentum coming off there as it's really steep up to Glenfinnan. On the other hand it won't quite be as smooth and the whistle is too high pitched. (Sorry Pete, facts )

Put 45212 on the afternoon train though and it's like the car from Blues Brothers (Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration), it's a monster.

 

I'd almost like to encourage a return to the Highlands for No. 5972. The wife wouldn't mind seeing her crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct in reality.

 

If that were to happen she might need to be prepared to pick her spot there a week in advance

Peter

 

And have the car parked even further in advance...

It's insane how much the tourism numbers have increased in the area each year, especially the Autumn. Fingers crossed it's not long until it's all back. While sometimes we get a little irritated at not being able to park at Glenfinnan anymore (unless you turn out a good hour or two before the train), I think we were all happy in what position it was elevating the tourism sector and economy of the area to.

 

On a photo charter there would be almost zero interest but on the Jacobite Glenfinnan would look like a capacity crowd at Wembley

 

Not sure how this plays out on the west coast, but on the east coast there is a definite pattern of weather. I know the west coast gets a lot more rain that we do over here.

Winter can hang on well in to May, but there is often a mini heatwave around Easter. June and July are relentlessly wet, and then going through late August and September is by far and away the driest and calmest weather of the season. This is of course my own opinion, but I see this pattern repeated annually in West Aberdeenshire.

Having spent a lot of time in England/Derbyshire over the last 5 years I don’t see quite the same pattern, but I do now understand why Scotland has a reputation for wetness. School holidays in June and July are in this writers opinion some of the worst months to make a trip north, which is when so many in the south take a break. Late autumn and early winter (late September) is (to me at least) is the best. Frosty mornings, cloudless days, and low/no wind. The last call before the sna shows up. Christmas can often yield incredible clear blue calm days as well, but you are down to some 6 hours of daylight then.

It’s 11pm here, clear, and enough light in the sky to go for a walk. Longest day isn’t far off. I think I'll make a trip to Shetland in the near future.

 

A fair summation of overall weather and one with which I would concur, living in Derbyshire but having spent a lot of time in the West Highlands during the last 25 years. The 400-mile difference in latitude makes a big difference for daylight; on the other hand, the terrain can create its own micro-climate and it is not unusual to have four seasons in one trip to Mallaig!

It worth pointing out that ground conditions and hence fire-risk are more of a concern to us. Spring can be dry and cold, which is encourages fires, as there as no new growth of vegetation until May/June. High season can be very warm (and wet) but fire-risk reduces dramatically towards the end of July, as new growth takes hold. In the early autumn, the weather is probably at its best but the early morning dampness of the dew and frequent mist is retained for much of the day.

JS

 

Positive news: "Scottish tourism sector could reopen on 15 July"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52998176

 

Latest from the nice people at West Coast, posted today

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/news/covid-19-update-the-jacobite

Fingers crossed

 

Looking at the on board layout plan for social distancing it looks like the max amount of passengers is 34 per carriage. Are we going to see silly loading's to make up for the loss of earnings on each train, or are predicted numbers expected to be low due to the potential no shows, which would make it easier to spread out the passengers on each train ?

 

When you say silly loadings, do you mean extra coaches? If so that’s not possible, more than seven coaches in the down direction is too long for the loop at Glenfinnan. The afternoon train cannot load time more than six otherwise it can’t pass the returning morning train at Glenfinnan. The enginemen who have commented on here may also say something about the challenge of getting heavier loads up some of the gradients on the line

 

Seven coaches are the max you can run round at Mallaig - that more than anything else is the limiting load factor unless you have another loco to shunt release there.

Peter

 

James or Peter, have you plans for the morning Glenfinnan stop,in normal circumstances its a very busy Platform?

 

Would it be a lot to ask for another coach with a chimney first engine either end of train.

 

Lengthen the loops and bring on the double headers.

 

There would be a crash if we didn’t stop

 

LOL Matt,I meant the customary stop for the Museum etc and policing same.

 

Haha I know mate. I’m sure the planners are leaving no stone unturned and making sure everything will work in this new normal.