The Jacobite 2020

I think the drivers see the climb up the Mhuidhe going the other way as more of a challenge and with the change in gradient at the top more pronounced, running tender first it guarantees the firebox crown will remain covered. Apollo 12 will be able to confirm or deny that.

 

Thanks Peter. Not a vast mileage, but it's a long time to be away from a well-equipped workshop I guess!

As for 35 days - was that straight in a row, or were there breaks? 35 days straight definitely sounds impressive from a reliability point of view. What's the water quality like up there?

Tom

 

The Jacobite gradient discussion ...

Starts roughly here: https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/the-jacobite-2020.1417535/page-10#post-2580489

Tom

 

The K1 works the vac braked morning train on a week on week off basis (Sun - Sat). The dual braked Black 5s work the air braked afternoon train and the morning train alternatively with the K1.

The loco seems to go 28 days (four weeks) between washouts without much trouble.

I do not think that turning the locos would make any difference to the tyre wear - afaik it is pretty even on both sides. What does seem to make a difference is the season's weather - a dry summer aggravates the wear quite noticeably, whereas a very wet season is much kinder as far as tyre wear goes.

Peter

 

The biggest reason for chimney first to Mallaig is the passengers boarding their train see the loco at the start of the journey facing the right way!

 

Kinloid yesterday with 44871 back in action after recent repair. Superb weather.

 

That’s down 1 in 50, did you ask god for the exhaust?

 

Yes.

 

Well, that would be a trick for Ian Riley to perform from 400 miles away at the works...

John Hunt and Matt Earnshaw are the much obliging crew this week.

 

Good to be back in the Highlands and not a bad first day ...


Whose afraid of Beasdale bank ... by Phoenix Images, on Flickr

 

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

 

As Ive said on here before Duncan, you're adding a new dimension,keep them coming!

 

Thanks Henry, hopefully see you here in the next couple of days?

 

Auto correct working overtime again

 

Despite a cloud and rain forecast on the BBC last night, the micro climate of the West Highlands delivered another run mainly in Sun. Thanks to Matt Earnshaw and John Hunt for some help on another shot, but nothing needed arranging for this beautiful scene at Glenfinnan waterfall.


Autumn at Glenfinnan waterfall by Phoenix Images, on Flickr

 

A small selection of images taken from Wednesday through to Saturday this week below. Great to be up there once again and good to see a number of people, most of whom are on here, you know who you are.

Big thank you to foot plate crew John Hunt and Matt Earnshaw for providing a little extra steam on numerous occasions, even if the sun didn't shine!


















Richard

 

A few of my own from this week, with thanks to John Hunt and Matt Earnshaw for their efforts with exhaust arrangements. Sadly, yesterday's long climb to the top of the hills above Loch Sheil (opposite Glenfinnan Viaduct) proved fruitless with the sunshine remaining 100 metres North of the structure for the entire duration of my time up there....

Black 5 No. 45212 - Lochy Viaduct by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 44871 - Borrodale by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 44871 - Lochy Viaduct by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 44871 - Glenfinnan by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr