West Highlander Steam Express 19-21st September

Two hours at Crianlarich on Sunday night? Ouch!

 

I hope there's a pub nearby !

 

The Crianlarich Hotel, just down the hill from the station, is pretty good. I've eaten there several times when staying nearby, following previous West Highlander trips (but won't be up there this weekend).

By the way, don't rely on 45407+44871 keeping to the booked times. They may well run early in either direction. In Particular, if you want a shot above Oban you probably won't then get ahead of them before Tyndrum. Last year, IIRC, they were delayed on the outward run but shaved something like 10 minutes off the return schedule!

 

Thanks for the info, Mark. I take it, the Fives will run top & tail on day 2

 

I think they have to. IIRC, there's a bridge where only 1 loco is allowed at a time. It also means there's no need for a run-round at Oban.

 

Ian Riley has said on his forum they'll be top and tail to Oban, but doesn't know which way each loco will be facing.

 

And also a bogie leading over the lumps and bumps in both directions. I suspect what he really means is, he doesn't yet know which loco will be at which end of the train.

 

Just said elsewhere by Mr Riley - both top and tail tender first to Oban, chimney first towards Crianlarich.

 

Here we go.
Left on time Gordon driving.

 

Diesel 47245, being detached at Carnforth

 

Topped Shap at approx 32mph .
Good steady pace.
Did not stop at Penrith, shot through at 60.
Running about 5 mins early.

 

Into Carlisle about half an hour early.
Spoke to Gordon about missing Penrith and he said he had green signals all the way.
TGM going well.
Peter Walker taking over from Gordon.

 

Quick photo:

 

Watering at Lockerbie.
Arrived 17 mins early, missed out an operational stop in Quintinshill loop.
We are obviously not holding other trains up.....

 

LNE K4 Class 2-6-0 No. 61994 'The Great Marquess' approaching Scout Green with 'The West Highlander' railtour, GoG on the regulator

 

Cleared Beattock at 24mph before being looped to let a train pass.
Running a few minutes late due to a delayed departure from Lockerbie.
TGM running like clockwork cruising around 60mph.

 

"The Great Marquess" with day one of the "West Highlander"....... LINK

 

The Marquess at Oubeck Goods Loops and Shap Wells this morning:

Chris