Cathedrals Explorer 2014/Highlands and Islands Explorer.

Just got back from doing the Kyle leg of this. A very good trip, and worth going out of my way to travel from York to Inverness to do it- stunning scenery, a fair amount of snow on the Munros and it kept at least to time all the way through, arriving at some locations up to 10 mins early. 6 carriages meant that 45407 wasn't taxed too much on some of the 1:50 gradients. Even the rain held off for most of the outward journey... Also some rare track on the return as per GBVII, where the tour was routed around the avoiding line at Inverness on the return to reverse into Platform 1. A long water-pathing stop at Achnasheen on the return reminded everyone of how bleak the terrain through which the railway passes is. Very much like Rannoch, Corrour and Bridge of Orchy in some places. Last I saw of the tour was seeing 44871 out this morning on the Dunrobin leg before I returned south via an afternoon pub stop in Edinburgh.

I'm glad I did it, however I'm going to be controversial by suggesting that SD should concentrate on maximising the steam mileage in Scotland by dieseling it from London. Most of the routes south of the border get regular appearances by steam in any case; it is the Scottish leg that is the main draw. That would also mean that locomotives stay based roughly where they are pooled, reducing LE moves south if the requested loco is out of position. A 5-day trip could thus include a whole day to take in the Far North line, with steam from Carlisle/Edinburgh, possibly to include Aberdeen, which I notice was absent from the final revision of this tour. Now for the timetables and slide-rules!

 

Look like Steam Dreams is the right title for this trip,you dream about steam when being behind diesel haulage

 

Currently sitting in Gartshore Loop with 954 miles of steam behind us and 758 miles of steam to go and much of it over proper hills rather than the pimples they call gradients further south. Disappointing not to get steam over Beattock, but most passengers seem quite happy with what we've got (there aren't many moaning "enthusiasts" on board).

 

and the original plan did not include Beatttock at all. Day 1/2 or Day 8. Day 1 London to Troon via S & C, Day 2 Troon - Perth - Inverness via Highland line and Day 8 Fort William - Berwick - Durham. Probably too ambitious for Steam all the way? ( although they managed to get paths for long distances in a day when they used DBS) and using Tornado for some of the days ?

 

Hence why I say they should abandon steam further south in favour of a more comprehensive itinerary in Scotland. If you can get the passengers to Scotland with the minimum of delay, then there's plenty of options for steam once you get there. However, if SD start tours further away from London and allow passengers to make their own way to the start point, that would solve a few problems from a steam point of view.

 

Next years Explorer is to Ireland. The London to Holyhead for Ferry to Dublin outward and return and has the note "Depending on timings this leg may not be steam hauled"

There tours are always likely to start from London. It agree it might be better to abandon steam at the startand end of a trip to Scotland and have say "Les Ross" ( or a Deltic or a Western) Euston to Carnforth or Kings Cross to York

 

Caught up with the tour today on the Oban leg, however the sun gods conspired not to play today plus one of the Black 5's was not turned as expected so the Oban leg was barely worth covering. A shame but you can't get everything!
Here are some shots around the horseshoe curve under the shadow of Ben Dorain, it is a very special place.


InspiringImages -20140514-711.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr


InspiringImages -20140514-717.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr


InspiringImages -20140514-710.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

 

Both Black 5ss were turned. Ran double headed boiler first from FW to Crianlarich, top and tail tender first to Oban, top and rail boiler first back to Crianlarich, then top and tail tender first back to FW.

 

Day 7 in the big brother house ...

I must admit I have lost track of what actual day we are on, I think its Thursday?!?

So today was road to the Isles day with both the Jacobite and Cathedral explorer on the road to Mallaig. The weather was yet again not the best but light enough and the locos certainly put on a show. I found a few new spots and researched a couple more for future reference, I've certainly got through a bit of walking in the last couple of weeks!

InspiringImages -20140515-1113.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-1120.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-721.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-722.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-723.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-718.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

InspiringImages -20140515-719.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

 

Some great photos here all,great work!

Thanks to all at SD,WCRC and all the loco crews for the hard work in making this tour possible,it's really been enjoyable from what my dad said,who traveled on the train from Sun-Tuesday.

My shots from Saturday-Wednesday are now up at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/sets/72157644282217928 (27 images)


44871 Invershin Viaduct



Rogart


Bridge of Orchy


Cheers,
Mark

 

Cracking shot Mark, completely agree - best conditions I've been graced with for steam at Bridge of Orchy and you did well to hide us behind the bush!

 

Cheers,much appreciated!

 

In addition to the above shot, my own attempt from a few seconds before, sadly I wasn't paying attention to the rapidly growing shadows from the cutting or I would have moved back to Mark's position!

 

You can't complain about that really! Super shot I'd say.

Cheers,
Mark

 

Is it me just cracking up, or are those locos starting to look just a little bit grubby?

Wow. Getting on towards what a Black 5 should look like!


PS. Sincere apologies to all those who spend so much time turning out mainline steam locos in supershine condition. I just like to see them grubby and filthy as they were in their day. But of course I understand why they cannot go round looking like that for today's market.

 

So I said farewell to the tour today, the weather cleared rapidly in Fort William but did not look so good over towards the horseshoe curve so I decided to head west after grabbing the tour at Menassie gorge and then followed the Jacobite in lovely conditions.
I cannot wait to come back to this area again, the first of many visits I hope.

Menassie gorge

InspiringImages -20140516-726.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

Glenfinnan waterfalls

InspiringImages -20140516-1206.jpg by inspiring.images, on Flickr

Beasdale tunnel


Beasdale tunnel by inspiring.images, on Flickr

Morar - the final climb ...


Morar - the final climb ... by inspiring.images, on Flickr

 

Yes its a stunning part of the world, and I look forward to a steam southbound SRPS tour over the West Highland line soon. Having ticked off the Kyle line on Sunday, I now have a long and patient wait for Edinburgh-Inverness via Aberdeen, or an Inverness/Dingwall to Wick (maybe with Thurso thrown in!) without having to book on a long-winded multi-day tour. One can but dream...

 

Through Moss crossing (north of Doncaster) bang on time

 

Some outstanding work on here with this tour. Caught up with 60009 at Gamston curve

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/14205894274/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/

http://simonlathlane.zenfolio.com/