2. Railways

A day trip to Mallaig

A few days before the class 37 bowed out on the Fort William sleeper, Johnnie and I took ourselves over to Edinburgh for a trip up to Fort William and back on the sleeper service. We also took in a jaunt to Mallaig as well. 26-27/5/2006
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  • It is twelve minutes past four in the morning and 37401 sits at Edinburgh Waverley waiting to back down on the Fort William portion of the Highland Sleeper from London Euston to Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen. 26/5/2006

    It is twelve minutes past four in the morning and 37401 sits at Edinburgh Waverley waiting to back down on the Fort William portion of the Highland Sleeper from London Euston to Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen. 26/5/2006

  • 67030 is coupled onto the Aberdeen portion, the Inverness has already left, which will depart at 0440 as 1A25 to Aberdeen.

    67030 is coupled onto the Aberdeen portion, the Inverness has already left, which will depart at 0440 as 1A25 to Aberdeen.

  • With the Aberdeen portion now gone, 37401 has come onto its four coach train of two mkIII sleepers and two mkII day coaches.

    With the Aberdeen portion now gone, 37401 has come onto its four coach train of two mkIII sleepers and two mkII day coaches.

  • Out on the road and 3 hours 10 minutes after we left Edinburgh, 37401 crosses Glean Viaduct on the Horse Shoe Curve on the West Highland line.

    Out on the road and 3 hours 10 minutes after we left Edinburgh, 37401 crosses Glean Viaduct on the Horse Shoe Curve on the West Highland line.

  • Still on the curve and 37401 passes over the second viaduct, the Horse Shoe Viaduct. Bridge of Orchy station is the next stop a few miles away.

    Still on the curve and 37401 passes over the second viaduct, the Horse Shoe Viaduct. Bridge of Orchy station is the next stop a few miles away.

  • 37401 passes Gorton Loop as seen from the back of the four coach train 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh - Fort William.

    37401 passes Gorton Loop as seen from the back of the four coach train 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh - Fort William.

  • The loop sees very little use these days, only if a road/rail maintenance vehicle needs to clear the line will the rail head have the turnouts move over.

    The loop sees very little use these days, only if a road/rail maintenance vehicle needs to clear the line will the rail head have the turnouts move over.

  • The tall North British Railway signalbox stood in this spot and controlled the sections to the south and north, the rubble from its demolition lies out of shot to the left. The signalman's families lived in houses beside the line situated just beyond the stop board.

    The tall North British Railway signalbox stood in this spot and controlled the sections to the south and north, the rubble from its demolition lies out of shot to the left. The signalman's families lived in houses beside the line situated just beyond the stop board.

  • Gorton Loop as seen from the back of the north bound sleeper.

    Gorton Loop as seen from the back of the north bound sleeper.

  • The first up train of the day crosses the sleeper at Rannoch station. 156450 departs with 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street.

    The first up train of the day crosses the sleeper at Rannoch station. 156450 departs with 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street.

  • Growling away from Rannoch station and 37401 raises the echoes as it climbs hard at 1 in 50 and is about to pass onto Rannoch Viaduct.

    Growling away from Rannoch station and 37401 raises the echoes as it climbs hard at 1 in 50 and is about to pass onto Rannoch Viaduct.

  • Eleven years ago I was standing on the high ground just beyond the loco photographing the sleeper coming off the viaduct at this spot.

    Eleven years ago I was standing on the high ground just beyond the loco photographing the sleeper coming off the viaduct at this spot.

  • The line twists and turns as it heads out over Rannoch Moor.

    The line twists and turns as it heads out over Rannoch Moor.

  • Having returned to my seat to enjoy the moor in comfort, I went back to the end vestibule to record the train near Monessie.

    Having returned to my seat to enjoy the moor in comfort, I went back to the end vestibule to record the train near Monessie.

  • The line passes through the Monessie Gorge carved out by the actions of the River Spean. At times of severe flood it has been known for the river to rise and flood the railway.

    The line passes through the Monessie Gorge carved out by the actions of the River Spean. At times of severe flood it has been known for the river to rise and flood the railway.

  • The gorge is only visible from the train. On the return trip driver John Hynd slowed the train right down so passengers could take in the sights. It has been known for him to bring the train to a stand here.

    The gorge is only visible from the train. On the return trip driver John Hynd slowed the train right down so passengers could take in the sights. It has been known for him to bring the train to a stand here.

  • Journey's end and 37401 stands at the headshunt of platform 1 at Fort William station. Johnnie and I head off to the supermarket nearby for breakfast.

    Journey's end and 37401 stands at the headshunt of platform 1 at Fort William station. Johnnie and I head off to the supermarket nearby for breakfast.

  • Later in the morning and Johnnie and I are back for a jaunt to Mallaig. 37401 has shunted and run round the train and is now shut down in platform 2. It will stay here all day.

    Later in the morning and Johnnie and I are back for a jaunt to Mallaig. 37401 has shunted and run round the train and is now shut down in platform 2. It will stay here all day.

  • We had a good run to Mallaig in a packed 156476. The highlight was Johnnie dropping his guts and blaming it on a poor dog nearby. The set had worked in as 1Y41 1018 Crianlarich to Mallaig.

    We had a good run to Mallaig in a packed 156476. The highlight was Johnnie dropping his guts and blaming it on a poor dog nearby. The set had worked in as 1Y41 1018 Crianlarich to Mallaig.

  • Watching me watching you. A grey seal pops its head out of the water for a look see in Mallaig harbour.

    Watching me watching you. A grey seal pops its head out of the water for a look see in Mallaig harbour.

  • The seal swims about in the harbour.

    The seal swims about in the harbour.

  • Mallaig's Severn class lifeboat Henry Alston Hewat lies tied up at its mooring in the harbour. The Severn class was introduced in 1995 at a cost of £1.8m each. They are 17 metres long, weigh 41 tonnes, with a range of 250 nautical miles and a top speed of 25 knots. It carries a crew of 6 almost all of which will be volunteers.

    Mallaig's Severn class lifeboat Henry Alston Hewat lies tied up at its mooring in the harbour. The Severn class was introduced in 1995 at a cost of £1.8m each. They are 17 metres long, weigh 41 tonnes, with a range of 250 nautical miles and a top speed of 25 knots. It carries a crew of 6 almost all of which will be volunteers.

  • Back at the station and 156476 sits quiet waiting for its 1439 departure time.

    Back at the station and 156476 sits quiet waiting for its 1439 departure time.

  • Back at Fort William and driver John Hynd is prepping his loco. He has placed his headboard on the centre lamp bracket.

    Back at Fort William and driver John Hynd is prepping his loco. He has placed his headboard on the centre lamp bracket.

  • 37401 comes to life and the English Electric 12CSVT powerplant coughs out the clag from the exhaust ports. A good run expected with the type 3 hauling four coaches as 1B01 1955 Fort William to Edinburgh sleeper.

    37401 comes to life and the English Electric 12CSVT powerplant coughs out the clag from the exhaust ports. A good run expected with the type 3 hauling four coaches as 1B01 1955 Fort William to Edinburgh sleeper.

  • We had a brilliant run away from the Fort and I stood at the window next to the loco all the way from Tulloch to Rannoch, climbing all the way to Corrour, wonderful. Now at Rannoch driver John Hynd walks forward to remove his headboard, he will work back to Fort William on the sprinter that crosses here. This was his last 37 turn on the sleeper.

    We had a brilliant run away from the Fort and I stood at the window next to the loco all the way from Tulloch to Rannoch, climbing all the way to Corrour, wonderful. Now at Rannoch driver John Hynd walks forward to remove his headboard, he will work back to Fort William on the sprinter that crosses here. This was his last 37 turn on the sleeper.

  • The climb to Corrour was just AWESOME, what a noise! Beyond Corrour John spotted a herd of deer with a massive stag, so he stopped the train so the passengers could get a good look. In the Cruach snow shed he slowed right down and revved the loco several times for the cranks on board to savour the sound. He is a true legend. 37401 stands at Rannoch waiting for the northbound sprinter.

    The climb to Corrour was just AWESOME, what a noise! Beyond Corrour John spotted a herd of deer with a massive stag, so he stopped the train so the passengers could get a good look. In the Cruach snow shed he slowed right down and revved the loco several times for the cranks on board to savour the sound. He is a true legend. 37401 stands at Rannoch waiting for the northbound sprinter.

  • The next day and it is ten minutes to one in the morning, 37401 has arrived at Edinburgh Waverley and will shortly attach the sleeper coaches to the other portions already in the station. 27/5/2006

    The next day and it is ten minutes to one in the morning, 37401 has arrived at Edinburgh Waverley and will shortly attach the sleeper coaches to the other portions already in the station. 27/5/2006

  • The day coaches will be removed from the sleepers and will not go to London. Johnnie and I head for the carpark and the drive back to Fife. What a fantastic day we just had.

    The day coaches will be removed from the sleepers and will not go to London. Johnnie and I head for the carpark and the drive back to Fife. What a fantastic day we just had.

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    Back at Fort William and driver John Hynd is prepping his loco. He has placed his headboard on the centre lamp bracket.
    37401 comes to life and the English Electric 12CSVT powerplant coughs out the clag from the exhaust ports. A good run expected with the type 3 hauling four coaches as 1B01 1955 Fort William to Edinburgh sleeper.