2. Railways

West Highland Railway variety

A couple of days before the class 37's were taken off the Fort William sleeper service I headed up to Crianlarich and the County March for a day of wonderful variety of trains and traction. Also some photos from trips out for steam workings.
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  • 0730am and the residents of Crianlarich get their wake up call, the throb of an English Electric 12CSVT 1,750hp powerplant. 37401 departs the junction station.

    0730am and the residents of Crianlarich get their wake up call, the throb of an English Electric 12CSVT 1,750hp powerplant. 37401 departs the junction station.

  • The Fort William portion of the Euston to Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William sleeper, 1S25 2125 off London, crosses the River Fillan. This leg runs as 1Y11 0450 from Edinburgh. I would ride the train the next day.

    The Fort William portion of the Euston to Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William sleeper, 1S25 2125 off London, crosses the River Fillan. This leg runs as 1Y11 0450 from Edinburgh. I would ride the train the next day.

  • A quick drive to the County March to record 37401 slugging up the final few yards of the 1 in 63 climb to the summit. The track just ahead of the loco looks interesting!! Shortly after this shot the driver shut the power off :-(

    A quick drive to the County March to record 37401 slugging up the final few yards of the 1 in 63 climb to the summit. The track just ahead of the loco looks interesting!! Shortly after this shot the driver shut the power off :-(

  • In just a few days time this view will be history.

    In just a few days time this view will be history.

  • The loco is now pretty much ticking over as it will pass over the summit and then drop hill all the way to Bridge of Orchy.

    The loco is now pretty much ticking over as it will pass over the summit and then drop hill all the way to Bridge of Orchy.

  • Down in Glen Falloch, just south of Crianlarich, and something new is heading north. 67009 is recorded with two vans in tow working 5Z06 0647 Mossend to Rannoch crew training run.

    Down in Glen Falloch, just south of Crianlarich, and something new is heading north. 67009 is recorded with two vans in tow working 5Z06 0647 Mossend to Rannoch crew training run.

  • The train will reach Crianlarich very shortly and will exchange the radio token.

    The train will reach Crianlarich very shortly and will exchange the radio token.

  • The type 5 loco sits at Crianlarich station waiting to cross a southbound passenger train. Stob Coire Bhuidhe rises some 2,785 feet and forms the background.

    The type 5 loco sits at Crianlarich station waiting to cross a southbound passenger train. Stob Coire Bhuidhe rises some 2,785 feet and forms the background.

  • 156478 forms 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street and crosses the viaduct above the village of Crianlarich. The trackbed of the original Callander and Oban Railway lies just beyond the gate.

    156478 forms 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street and crosses the viaduct above the village of Crianlarich. The trackbed of the original Callander and Oban Railway lies just beyond the gate.

  • With the sprinter clear of the single line section from Tyndrum Upper to Crianlarich, and the respective tokens exchanged, 67009 sets off for Rannoch. In a few days time the locals will have a different alarm sound to get used to!

    With the sprinter clear of the single line section from Tyndrum Upper to Crianlarich, and the respective tokens exchanged, 67009 sets off for Rannoch. In a few days time the locals will have a different alarm sound to get used to!

  • The short train crosses the Fillan Viaduct and just catches the sun as clouds blow about. 10 seconds later and the whole scene was lit...typical.

    The short train crosses the Fillan Viaduct and just catches the sun as clouds blow about. 10 seconds later and the whole scene was lit...typical.

  • Another quick drive to the County March to record the crew training train on the climb to the County March. The class 67 was about to replace the ageing but popular class 37 on sleeper duties and these trains were for the Glasgow and Fort William men to train on them.

    Another quick drive to the County March to record the crew training train on the climb to the County March. The class 67 was about to replace the ageing but popular class 37 on sleeper duties and these trains were for the Glasgow and Fort William men to train on them.

  • The two walkers on the West Highland Way seem oblivious to the train behind them.

    The two walkers on the West Highland Way seem oblivious to the train behind them.

  • After another quick drive this time to Bridge of Orchy, I'm in time for 67009 running into the station for its token exchange.

    After another quick drive this time to Bridge of Orchy, I'm in time for 67009 running into the station for its token exchange.

  • 67009 departs after exchanging the radio token for the section to Rannoch where the train will terminate and the loco run round for the return.

    67009 departs after exchanging the radio token for the section to Rannoch where the train will terminate and the loco run round for the return.

  • And back to Glen Falloch for the daily enterprise working to Fort William from Mossend, 6Y15 0823 off the freight yard. The weather had turned at this point and it was chucking it down.

    And back to Glen Falloch for the daily enterprise working to Fort William from Mossend, 6Y15 0823 off the freight yard. The weather had turned at this point and it was chucking it down.

  • Milepost 43 is at the County March Summit where there is a very short level section. 67009 takes its vans south as 5Z07 1112 off Rannoch to Mossend. It is downhill now all the way to Crianlarich and the slope in the track is most noticeable.

    Milepost 43 is at the County March Summit where there is a very short level section. 67009 takes its vans south as 5Z07 1112 off Rannoch to Mossend. It is downhill now all the way to Crianlarich and the slope in the track is most noticeable.

  • The crew trainer passes over the summit, note the uneven track ahead of the loco.

    The crew trainer passes over the summit, note the uneven track ahead of the loco.

  • 66107 crossed 67009 at Tyndrum Upper and continues on its way to Fort William. The train passes the up distant board for the station.

    66107 crossed 67009 at Tyndrum Upper and continues on its way to Fort William. The train passes the up distant board for the station.

  • A lone walker on the West Highland Way slogs on as 66107 passes with its load of four empty bogie bolsters for the aluminium traffic and 10 tanks of alumina for the plant.

    A lone walker on the West Highland Way slogs on as 66107 passes with its load of four empty bogie bolsters for the aluminium traffic and 10 tanks of alumina for the plant.

  • Despite the Summer Solstice being just four weeks away, fresh snow had fallen within the last few days. It is evident at the summit of Bein Dorain as 156496 reaches the summit with 1Y44 1035 Mallaig to Crianlarich. Global Warming??

    Despite the Summer Solstice being just four weeks away, fresh snow had fallen within the last few days. It is evident at the summit of Bein Dorain as 156496 reaches the summit with 1Y44 1035 Mallaig to Crianlarich. Global Warming??

  • 156496 caught in the sunshine at the County March.

    156496 caught in the sunshine at the County March.

  • 156478 is caught in sunshine as it heads up the last few hundred yards of the climb to the County March Summit.

    156478 is caught in sunshine as it heads up the last few hundred yards of the climb to the County March Summit.

  • It forms 1Y43 1439 Crianlarich to Mallaig having split from an Oban portion at Crianlarich. It appears that a passenger has just flushed the loo!!

    It forms 1Y43 1439 Crianlarich to Mallaig having split from an Oban portion at Crianlarich. It appears that a passenger has just flushed the loo!!

  • The first up train of the day from Mallaig climbs the 1 in 55 gradient of the Horseshoe Curve with an unknown class 156 Sprinter forming 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street. 14/10/2006

    The first up train of the day from Mallaig climbs the 1 in 55 gradient of the Horseshoe Curve with an unknown class 156 Sprinter forming 1Y42 0605 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street. 14/10/2006

  • The set passes a pway hut beside the track.

    The set passes a pway hut beside the track.

  • Sitting on the hillside looking down on one of the two viaducts on the famous Horseshoe Curve. 156474 passes over as it heads for Fort William and then Mallaig. The working is 1Y41 1019 from Crianlarich, it split from a Glasgow to Oban train at Crianlarich.

    Sitting on the hillside looking down on one of the two viaducts on the famous Horseshoe Curve. 156474 passes over as it heads for Fort William and then Mallaig. The working is 1Y41 1019 from Crianlarich, it split from a Glasgow to Oban train at Crianlarich.

  • A closer look at the set as it curves sharply off the viaduct.

    A closer look at the set as it curves sharply off the viaduct.

  • The line runs at the base of Beinn a Chaisteil and is about to pass below an occupation bridge. See https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Loco-hauled-on-the-West-Highland-Railway/i-36sWSZh/A and https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Loco-hauled-on-the-West-Highland-Railway/i-3pbGTdw/A

    The line runs at the base of Beinn a Chaisteil and is about to pass below an occupation bridge. See https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Loco-hauled-on-the-West-Highland-Railway/i-36sWSZh/A and https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Loco-hauled-on-the-West-Highland-Railway/i-3pbGTdw/A

  • Now the set is passing over Auch Gleann Viaduct still dropping downgrade at 1 in 55.

    Now the set is passing over Auch Gleann Viaduct still dropping downgrade at 1 in 55.

  • One last photo of 156474 as it runs along the lower flank of Beinn Dorain. Bridge of Orchy station is a couple of miles away.

    One last photo of 156474 as it runs along the lower flank of Beinn Dorain. Bridge of Orchy station is a couple of miles away.

  • In Glen Falloch to the south of Crianlarich and 156485 heads north with an unknown working. 14/10/2006

    In Glen Falloch to the south of Crianlarich and 156485 heads north with an unknown working. 14/10/2006

  • EWS type 5 66105 comes along Glen Falloch with 6Y15 0823 Mossend to Fort William Enterprise freight service. It conveys oil in 7 TTA tanks and alumina in 13 OCA tanks.

    EWS type 5 66105 comes along Glen Falloch with 6Y15 0823 Mossend to Fort William Enterprise freight service. It conveys oil in 7 TTA tanks and alumina in 13 OCA tanks.

  • A side on view of 66105 as it passes, it will cross the south bound steam hauled ECS of the Jacobite stock at Crianlarich, see https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Steam-on-the-West-Highland/i-xwXP6sW/A and click right. 12/10/2009

    A side on view of 66105 as it passes, it will cross the south bound steam hauled ECS of the Jacobite stock at Crianlarich, see https://www.jules-merlin27.com/Railways/Steam-on-the-West-Highland/i-xwXP6sW/A and click right. 12/10/2009

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    Down in Glen Falloch, just south of Crianlarich, and something new is heading north. 67009 is recorded with two vans in tow working 5Z06 0647 Mossend to Rannoch crew training run.
    The train will reach Crianlarich very shortly and will exchange the radio token.
    The type 5 loco sits at Crianlarich station waiting to cross a southbound passenger train. Stob Coire Bhuidhe rises some 2,785 feet and forms the background.