2021 Jacobite

I had never heard that Banavie swing bridge was a problem. As a Black 5 has a lighter axle loading than either a K1 or K4 I would doubt that this would be the case. I always understood that the Mallaig turntable was the issue as a 5 could not be turned there. The same applied to the B1s until it was found that you could in fact just fit a B1 on it with inches to spare. By then steam only had a year or two left on the West Highland. I suspect that there was a local union agreement not to use locos that could not be turned at Mallaig and in the fifties there were a plentyful supply of 2-6-0s around to mean that there was no need to send a 4-6-0 out on the Extension. There was a short period in the mid '50s when Mallaig's table was out of use for repair and a trio (I think) of Ivatt Class 4s were drafted in as they were better suited of tender first running, having low cut tenders.

Peter

 

I mentioned the Mallaig turntable in an earlier post and I could well be wrong about the swing bridge, it was something I thought I’d read somewhere. I’ve been travelling 500 miles from home for the last 20 years to see Black 5s up there but I wouldn’t cross the road for a 37!!

 

Heathen.

 

The Ivatts were hopeless on the extension according to the Macbeths. Whether that statement would have included any non North British lineage loco I don't know. No mention of 76001.

 

A Spamcan perchance?

 

Seems that the Jacobite has a path in for tomorrow, supposedly for filming purposes. Will this be one of the Black 5s or one of the diesels currently at Fort William?

 

I was told by an ex-Network Rail guy that the reason the two Black 5s went north last week in advance of the Jacobite season was for filming purposes so the chances are this path is for the steamers.

 

I’m looking at going up there in May. Does anyone know the loco roster? I want to do a week when the K1 is on the morning train

 

Not sure if it's changed but this was from the start of March

 

Thanks for that, they have to roster support crews so I do t think it will have changed

 

Still the K1 on morning train next week, so I believe the above roster will be followed.

 

Just noticed this morning that Railcam now have a camera overlooking Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel - currently live on Youtube, will that last ?

 

Thanks Ralph
I thought it might be within the paywall, only noticed it going over my YouTube notifications this morning.
The pan down the Loch back to the viaduct is a great reminder how much I'm missing Scotland, though given the weather it's a good job it has the wiper !.

I suspect it's mounted on or by the radio mast on Mam a Chreagain, an easy(ish) walk up the access road (well it was last time I did it some years back ).

Scott

 

Well this wasn't a webcam ....

First mainline steam passenger trains of 2021 ...

A wonderful sight and sound. The wet conditions were actually welcome for a change as the strong rumour was they would be diesel hauled this week as it has been so dry up here. Hopefully the rain which has lasted on and off all day will put that risk to bed, and we are due some better weather later in the week.
There is virtually nobody here, certainly hardly any normal tourists watching, just another three people on the lineside that I saw.
Loadings were extremely light especially in the afternoon, but hopefully the word will get out the trains are back and running and the Scottish (and now English and Welsh) tourists will flock back up here.

Locations at Lochty bridge, Glenfinnan viaduct and Glenfinnan valley. The K1 pulled the morning train, 45407 worked the afternoon.


Welcome back mainline steam 2021 by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Welcome back mainline steam 2021 by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


Back on familiar ground by Phoenix Images, on Flickr

 

A good picture of 45407 on Glenfinnan Viaduct in today’s Times, illustrating a Covid story - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...b?shareToken=09eb78af022c6bde0c5f0e867ecba4da


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

How long have they been stopping on the viaduct for ? Is this for both runs ?