West Highlander Steam Express 19-21st September

Footage of 61994 near Scout Green, Todhills, Beattock bank and finally on the way towards Elvanfoot.

 

Arrived Glasgow 5pm, about a few minutes down, after losing some time after leaving Lockerbie.
This being probably due to the signallers letting a freight train go in front, which we passed at a later loop.
TGM made steady progress up Beattock bank - which I am sure will have been videoed.
Good run after being looped at Beattock, cruised most of the way at maximum speed.
Said a brief hello and thank you with John Cameron at Glasgow, and he mentioned they did have a bit if a problem with fire at one point.
According to the WTT we had two "operational" stops booked at Penrith and Quintinshill, which I assume where insurance in case we lost time, but they were not needed at that point.
I must admit TGM is a fine sturdy "beast" with 7 coaches on.
Photo of TGM at Glasgow Central platform 1, which turned a few heads, particularly passengers who came off a Pendilino which may have been tailing us, and arrived on platform 2.
Tomorrow it's Fort William via Crainlarich and Oban....

 

Amazing really. With all the aggro about steam around York, here, in 2014, we see a fairly small 2-6-0 limited to 60 mph trusted with running up one of UKs premier main lines, including going over two formidable banks from steam days.

Fingers firmly crossed for the rest of the trip.

Lovely footage too, thanks for posting it here.

 

Lovely footage Steve. Lucky with that Pendo at Todhills!

 

Really good point made.
When we were looped it was more or less 100mp passenger trains and 75mph freight trains whizzing past every 3-5 minutes.
Very trustworthy of NR - not like that lot over the other side if the Pennines at York. But I digress.
A lot if pressure on the WCRC engine crews to keep to schedule. Well done chaps.

 

John, I assume you had a good trip up. We are now in Glasgow, getting our strength back, in preparation for our epic chase to Oban & Fort William. Keep a look out for us at Arrochar. Regards, Liam

 

Thank you for the kind comment as 61994 ran well with Gordon and Peter on the regulator with a fine performance from the crews also .

 

Thanks Alan , I was hoping 61994 would come to a stand and restart but she got a single yellow but like you say it could have been worse !

 

I was watching BBC News 24 about the Scottish issue at around 11AM yesterday, and whilst a reporter was discussing the consequences of the vote for Carlisle, I heard 61994's whistle just before they returned to the studio. Took me a while to remember that this was running.

 

A few union jacks and saltare flags in Glasgow last night, but quite calm!
Problem this morning with TGM overnight, so a diesel is being substituted to Crainlarich for the moment. They are trying to find a substitute steam engine for the onward journey to Fort William.

 

Hi Liam, it's a diesel to Crainlarich . TGM has had problems overnight. They may get it into traffic for the afternoon leg .

 

Latest update.
TGM has leaking tubes.
A black 5 will haul the train from Crainlarich to Fort William.

 

Very sad. But she did her job on the main line yesterday and didn't cause any problems to other traffic.

Now't wrong with a Black 5 standing in now, IMHO.

 

Latest updates.
Black 5 today, or both to Fort William this afternoon.
Black 5 will take us back to Glasgow on Sunday.
Monday TBA.

 

Back on track 44871 T/F leading 45407 T/F rear on time from Crianlarich to Oban

 

Dep Oban 45407 leading, 44871 at rear

 

44871+45407, still top and tail, brought The Westhighlander into Fort William bang on time this evening

 

Thanks to Panniertank for keeping you up to date.
My coms went - down, or should I say O2 connectivity is rubbish, even with good signal.
Long day, and black 5s to the rescue.
Had an inkling this morning when at 7.15, we were told our train was departing from Queen Street Low Level, which we told the staff steams trains could not go there!
As reported earlier TGM had leaking tubes, so it was a diesel to Crainlarich.
For the rest if the day we had the twin Black 5's doing there bit, as well as the leg onto Fort William.

Just a couple of photos, one at Rannoch and one at Crainlarich.

 

Very good day yesterday, with the weather playing ball. Shame about the, Marquess, but the Fives put on a good show, especially when departing, Tyndrum Lower & the ferocious climb out of Oban. I Assume it will be the Black Five today ? Will be heading to Glenfinnan today. Current Conditions in Banavie, are still , calm & bright.

 

We have been told it will be a Black 5 to take us back to Glasgow.
However, we left a diesel lurking at Crainlarich, which brought us up on Saturday.
So speculating, the black 5 is replaced at Crainlarich by the diesel, and we get a steam engine for Monday.
No news in that yet, unless TGM is fixed.
Of course the Black 5 today could take us back to Glasgow, then back to Preston, if they are stuck for motive power on Monday.