West Highlander Steam Express 19-21st September

Have started this new thread for the West Highlander four day steam sojourn from the 19th – 21st September, as I am Looking forward to travelling on this.

Starting now at Preston, to Fort William via Glasgow and Shap with 61994. Then to Mallaig and back with 62005, and 61994 back to Glasgow, via Crainlarich, for a quick nip down to Oban and back, from there, with 44871 and 45407, and rejoin 61994 to Glasgow. Finally the home run with either 46115/45699 via Dumfries to Preston.

Quite a hectic schedule for WCRC, particularly at Crainlarich, where there will be 3 steam locomotives, plus crews, hustling around the station. Good photo opportunity for anyone in the area on the 20th September.

Would be interested in hearing on anyone who travelled on this in 2013.

 

With 11 days to go, has anyone come across any timings, other than the outline ones initially published by RTC?
Expecting an updated outline version from RTC with other details about the journey in the post soon.
Thanks.

 

Shall TGM be ready or shall something else be at the head of the train.

 

Hopefully times come out soon ! Have a lot of planning to do.

 

Just had an email from RTC apologising that they are had expected final timings this week, but that they are still awaiting these from NR!

 

I'm just a little surprised that this topic hasn't gained a little more traction. Does anyone know if 61994 will be ready? The K4 hasn't seen any action Since her problems surfaced on the first Welsh Moutaineer 2 months ago.

 

Received the itinerary today.

Here goes:

Friday 19th September: Preston - Glasgow

Preston depart 09:14, arrive Glasgow Central 16:56. There are water stops at Carnforth 09:49am, Lockerbie 13:42 and Carstairs 15:47. Locomotive is 61994 TGM.

Saturday 20th September: Glasgow – Oban - Fort William

Glasgow Queen Street depart 07:37, water stop at Craigendoran at 09:48, and arrival at Crainlarich is 10:59. Loco is 61994 TGM.

Crainlarich depart 11:30 for Oban arrive 13:27. Depart Oban 14:14 and arrive back at Crainlarich 16:17. Locos 45407 and 44871.

Crainlarich depart 16:34 and arrive Fort William 19.55. Loco 61994 TGM

Sunday 21st September: Fort William – Mallaig – Glasgow

Fort William depart 09:00 to Mallaig arrive 10:48. Depart Mallaig 12:50 arrive back at Fort William 14.47. Loco 62005

Depart Fort William depart 15:30 arriving Glasgow Queen Street 22.47. Loco 61994 TGM.

Monday 22nd September : Barnhill depart 07.38, arrive Carlisle 13:26 – assume this is still via Dumfries as planned. Depart Carlisle 15.53 arriving Preston 18:10, with a water stop at Carnforth 17:19. Loco – yes you have guessed it 61994 TGM.

Pity it wasn’t 46115/45699 as planned for this leg, as I guess 61994 and its crews, will be “wheezing” a bit after the previous hectic three days.

RTC have advised that due to locomotive availability, and gauging issues ,there have been some alterations to the motive power and routes, i.e the swop of the Oban/Mallaig days for example.

Hoping to keep a bit of a commentary as the tour goes.

 

Thanks for the info. Happy to see the departure time from Queen Street on the Saturday has been put forward a hour ! So, the Fives will be working Saturday instead of Sunday ? Shame they can't get the Scot or Jube up North for you.

 

Interesting situation on Sunday. Tour due out of Fort William at 9am, Jacobite at 10.15. Then for 25 minutes there'll be two steam hauled services at Mallaig!

 

Yes, pity about 46115 - which I guess is still marooned at York, and we not know why 45699 was not available. But being realistic, by using 61994 for the return leg, as it is already in Glasgow, makes economic sense, and availability of engine crews, as they will have three engine crews working on the Saturday. Better, operationally, than having 61994 heading back as a light engine, and going the other way 46115/45699.

Interesting comment below, about two steam trains at Mallaig at the same time - not sure if Mallaig can manage 300 visitors, plus the ferry traffic at the same time! I know the area well having been there many times - there will a long queues at the "chippies"! On the plus side, the two hours spent there will be a bit more entertaining watching the train movements.

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There's a ferry due to arrive at 11.45 and depart at 12.40. Jacobite arr 12.26, West Highlander dep 12.50. Yep, it's going to be busy there!

First time two steam hauled services have been at Mallaig at the same time since steam days?

 

Rats, I was hoping that Galatea would get her first time over Beattock in case the K4 wasn't ready. What a shame in my opinion.

Those Jubilees make a great sound over Beattock

 

Wouldn't have been going via Beattock anyway. Return was always advertised as via the G&SW route to Dumfries.

 

I would love to see a Jube do day 1 again sometime because Leander put on a real show 2009 and 2010 and that did go over Beattock. That was what I was trying to say.

 

Still no official times yet. Wonder if NR, are struggling to find a 50mph path. Or is it, 60mph, for TGM.

 

Although I have the published times from RTC, I could not find any WTT timings on RTT yet as well;, but some have been published for other steam operations on Saturday 20th September?
I understand TGM is OK for 60mph - and we will be making water stops at Carnforth, Lockerbie and Carstairs, which will allow us to be overtaken by other services.
Also notice that WCRC will be rather busy on the 20th September as well.
With three other steam trains to Chester, Holyhead, Welsh Marches, plus the West Highlander three locomotives in use, plus four sets of rolling stock, and at least 9 engine crews plus support crew, plus stock positioning, plus catering crews, will have required some considerable logistical planning.
Well done WCRC.

 

The timings you posted would be provisional, which is my guess. Though hopefully the times will be posted before you reach the highlands. I'd imagine WCR will be stretched to the max, this weekend. Look forward to reading your commentary, while chasing the tour.

 

Will try to post update via iPhone/iPad, subject to O2's coverage, but the hotels have wi-fi, so I plan an evening update.
Will your chasing include the West Highlands? Crainlarich on the 20th looks interesting.

 

Yes, were doing, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Which will be followed by our trip on the Jacobite on the Monday.

 

Times

Day 1 : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50700/2014/09/19/advanced

Day 2 : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50706/2014/09/20/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50707/2014/09/20/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50708/2014/09/20/advanced


Day 3 : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50713/2014/09/21/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50714/2014/09/21/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50714/2014/09/21/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50715/2014/09/21/advanced


Day 4 : http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50696/2014/09/22/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50697/2014/09/22/advanced