Sprinter 158702 runs into Dingwall station and slows for its station stop. This working is 2H56 0802 Wick via Thurso to Inverness. The ivy clad building behind the fence is the base of the former station water tower.
At least 6 or 7 people boarded the already busy train with three more stops before Inverness is reached. 30/12/2019
The last day of 2019 is cold and fresh and brilliantly sunny. A trip out to Invergordon as it has been a very long time since I last photographed here. 158715 enters the station loop passing the site of the north signalbox with 2H56 0802 Wick via Thurso to Inverness. 31/12/2019
Under a clear blue sky the driver brings his train in and will come to a stand by the station canopy.
Business is brisk but there is time as up and down trains cross here and the down train has yet to arrive.
Pockets of snow lie on the mountains above Dingwall in the distance. The up side buildings are all boarded up and disused whilst the down side buildings have long gone replaced by bus type shelters. The down train is approaching leaning into the curve.
Up and down trains cross at Invergordon with 158718 coming to a stand while the guard of 158715 closes the doors to be ready for the off once the driver is given the radio token to Dingwall.
As 158718 clears the station, 158718 waits its time. The working is 2H63 1041 Inverness to Wick via Thurso.
The set now departs Invergordon with Fearn being the next stop. The last time I photographed here was on my son Ross' 1st birthday on 3rd March 1988 when 37421 worked the 1135 from Inverness to Wick splitting at Georgemas. I want that train! 32 year old Ross was with me on this day.
The afternoon light is very poor at this time as 158710 passes the private house that was Edderton station. The service is 2H57 1400 Inverness to Wick via Thurso. Edderton station opened on 1st October 1864 with two platforms and a loop. It closed on 13th June 1960 with the loop gone and the up platform somewhere under the mass of green bushes.
Just beyond the unit is Balblair Distillery which was founded in 1790 and rebuilt in 1895 to be nearer the railway. The green area to the left of the unit was once a short siding for use by the distillery.
With the last of the usable light virtually gone as the sun had dropped below the hills to the west, 158717 slowly runs into Tain with 2H62 1234 off Wick to Thurso, reverse and back to Georgemas Junction, reverse again and head for Inverness.
The set departs Tain passing where the turnout used to be which took a spur onto the turntable that was once at the station. Beyond the bridge was Tain's two road loco shed, 60C in BR times, a sub-shed of Helmsdale. My last photo of 2019. 31/12/2019
My first photo of 2020 and 158711 runs into Fearn station with 2Z95 0955 Inverness to Tain, an STP path. The former staggered down platform is located under the trees and long grass to the right of shot. 2/1/2020
The set comes to a stand at the deserted station, the main building of which is now a private residence. The guard has opened the door to check for passengers for the short run to Tain.
The guard stands at the door and surveys the cold and empty platform.
About 20 or so minutes after the previous photo and 158711 returns after its short station dwell at Tain, probably long enough to exchange radio tokens. Now the set approaches the road over bridge at the station on a falling 1 in 100 gradient.
One person waits to join the train, 2Z92 1115 off Tain for Inverness.
The passenger takes the large step to board the unit as the guard looks down.
The driver powers up for departure on the falling 1 in 300 gradient and Fearn falls quiet again. This was my last railway photo of 2020 as Covid wreaked havoc on the World. At the time of writing this caption, April 2021, I have yet to point my camera at a train!! 2/1/2020
