2021 Jacobite

Went onto WCRC booking site. Very confusing. No matter what class and/or combination of tickets I choose, when clicking on the days that said combo is allegedly available, I get a message that says that particular combination is unavailable on that date.

 

Yes that was my problem. If for example I select first it does only show a handful of dates but standard lists many dates.

 

Whole heartedly agree. May, June & October often bring some of the best and most settled weather to Scotland - have had some glorious weeks during these months. July and August can often be very wet and it is usually packed too. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule, had a shocking week last October up there, but a couple of weeks before this forum was awash with gorgeous images - it is all down to luck!

 

According to RTT Fridays Afternoon Jacobite was cancelled. Does anyone know why?

 

I think I've been lucky. I just managed to book 2 seats for Friday 15th October

 

Any idea of how many standard tickets are available on the day? For me it is a long way to come on the chance of getting a seat.
Since I am planning to go to the East Lanc Gala to travel behind and photograph nr 9 for one last time, it seems a good idea to continue on to Fort William. I dont' might which Black 5 I travel behind ( it has been the K1 in 2207 and again on the West Highlander in 2009) and a least a couple of days photographing which would be the first time for me.

 

I asked the quine this and she informed me “the guard doesn’t tell us how many seats are left”

This was on a high summer Sunday. There must have been about 60-80 queueing and the implied message from her was that none would be turned away.

The train also arrives at Ft Bill a good 45mins/1hr before departure. If you show up early I suspect you would be fine. When is the gala? Is it after the English schools go back?

I say you’ll be fine because that is my plan when I head back up. Show up early and take my seat.

 

A few from the last two days.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/51399114010/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/51398102856/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/51398361928/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/146487151@N02/51398362098/in/photostream/

 

From experience, get there at least an hour before departure and ensure you are towards the front of the queue. I believe one carriage is left unreserved (+ whatever is unsold in the rest of the train). It is then first come, first served from the brake van. If you can't get on the morning departure you should be able to travel on the afternoon. This happened to us a couple of years ago and we killed the time in the Ben Nevis distillery, which was very worthwhile!

Much of the pre-booking is taken up with coach companies, so it is pot luck with what is left. The other thing to look out for is whether they extend the season by a couple of weeks. They did this last year enabling us to book a trip.

 

A video from last weekend.

 

I've just realised I've failed to share any of my images from the last couple of months! I'll get round to a compilation of the season so far at a later date, two weeks annual leave so perhaps more to add, but here's a bucket list shot ticked off last night...

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

 

What a cracker!

 

Thanks. I have to say, I'm being rather fortunate on my trips up and can only pin that down to living only 3 hours from Glenfinnan and so having the luxury to chance my luck with no major issues. That evening was a rare cooler spell in amongst what has been a rather warm August/Start to September.

Here's one from last night, on the other side of the Loch.


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

 

Couldn't resist Wednesday's forecast for FW so here's 44871 making a spirited departure from Mallaig just after 17.00 on a warm sunny afternoon but cool enough for a nice column of steam. Worth the 8 hour round trip.

 

Working hard through the tunnels at the top of Loch Eilt.

 

45407 with this mornings' train coming out of Beasdale tunnel No. 3.

 

Hoping for some of that when I'm up there in a couple of weeks.

 

Nearly got bowled by a boat.........
The loch at Corpach was like a mirror as we waited for the morning train, then 10 minutes before the train was due a working boat passed by creating huge ripples, then Suters Lass appeared from Fort William and manoeuvred into position so the folks on board could take photos of the train. Mirrored loch totally gone!

 

Hardly any sunshine to be found last week!

 

That’s the Highlands for you. The weather is either good or bad with not a lot in between