A brief return to the lineside

On a hot and sunny day Ross and I head north from Tain up the Far North Line to Forsinard stopping off at the stations along the way. This is the first time I point my camera at a train for some 18 months due to Covid.

Sprinter 158714 approaches passing the milepost 114 mile from Inverness. The working is 2H63 1041 Inverness to Wick via Thurso.

The set is about to cross a C class road on an ungated level crossing and is moving slowly doe to the crossing and the request stop station on the other side.

This is is Kildonan station, a shadow of its former self and now a request halt. It used to boast a passing loop, two signalboxes, a single siding goods yard and a watder tower. Today the former down platform still survives as does the wooden platform shelter. I'm not sure about the water tower base though.

158714 clears the former up platform which had a large main building now completely swept away. This was the first time I had been to Kildonan.

Down at Helmsdale and tghe hot sunny weather inland has been replaced by cloud and a fine drizzle. 158723 runs in and passes stone blower DR80215 parked up in the former goods yard.

The set comes to a stand beside the former Highland Railway south signalbox. It now houses radio equipment possibly for the radio signalling to the in cab radio. The service is 2H62 1234 Wick via Thurso to Inverness and is around ten minutes down.

158723 departs Helmsdale with no train to cross. The station building is now a holiday let with the proceeds benefitting the station. The building, footbridge and signalbox are all grade B listed.

The 60 foot turntable pit at Helmsdale shed 60C.

Stone Blower DR80215 is parked up between jobs. Whilst here Ross showed me the remains of Helmsdale loco shed, the remains of the coal stage and the 60 foot turntable pit.

Moving down to Dunrobin Castle station and 158702 runs in with 2H57 1400 Inverness to Wick via Thurso.

The Swiss Chalet style building was built as a private station by and for the Duke of Sutherland to serve his Dunrobin Castle residence just across the road. It is listed grade B. The station contains a small museum but was closed on this day. Two foreign travellers have waved the train to stop.

158702 gets away and passes the siding and dock where passengers would have boarded and alighted from the Duke's private coach. Goodw would also have been dealt with here.

The set passes the spot where a small shed stood to house the Duke's private coach. His private loco was shedded at Brora and later Golspie.