31601 and 31602 roll into Ardlui station enroute to Oban with a railtour from Wigan.
A quick drive into Glen Falloch to see the pair of Brush type 2 locos climbing the 1 in 84 grade towards Crianlarich.
A side on shot of the locos at the head of 1Z63 0515 Wigan to Oban railtour. It was organised jointly by A1A Charters and Railtours Northwest.
After a stop at Crianlarich to exchange the radio token and loco crew, 1Z63 continues on its way to Oban. Here the pair of type 2 locos take their train along the Oban branch through Glen Lochy.
The approach to Oban station is a 1 in 50 decent to the water side station. The train drops down the steep grade passing over the turnout which let to the loco shed and goods yard.
The Fragonset pair of Brush type 2 locos stand at the end of their journey.
McCaigs Folly stands prominant on the Oban skyline. Driver Neil Young reverses the pair back to run the locos round the train.
Unfortunately the wheelbase of the two locos were about 18 inches too long to clear the cross over turnouts, so the pair had to be split. 31601 crosses first and passes 31602.
The pair were rejoined and refuelled from a road tanker. The return run to Wigan left at 1435 as 1Z64. 31602 leads the pair and the train into Taynuilt station to cross a service train.
The hills around the eastern end of Loch Awe are covered with sun and shadow and echo to the sound of the two English Electric 12CV powerplants as the railtour comes into view.
31602 and 31601 cross the low Orchy Viaduct over the River Orchy near to the point where it flows into Loch Awe. The hills in the background are a patchwork of light and shadow.
A quick drive to get ahead of the train sees the pair pass over Crianlarich Junction. The original Callander and Oban Railway came in on the right hand track, now just a short spur. The left hand line was a later one built by the North British Railway to join with the West Highland line between Glasgow and Fort William.
A final view of the train and 31602 and 31601 lift their 12 bogie load up the brief 1 in 66 pull out of Crianlarich station before the decent through Glen Falloch. The two 1,470hp locos thrash away in good style with a fantastic sound track.
