All-Line Rover 1998 (or some 37's, no 50 and a 55)

Day 2 : Monday 21 September

I wake up as we go through the tunnels between Haymarket and Waverley (about 03:30). There are lots of bumps during the shunting at Waverley. I'll be surprised if most people aren't awake now! It's a while before we set off to the sound of an English Electric diesel. A pleasant sound to fall asleep to!

It's now 06:45 and we're west of Glasgow. It's foggy and the tide is out. We stop at Helensburgh Upper at 06:55 and a few passengers get off. The train formation is two sleepers, two seating and one brake. There is a discussion between the train crew and two Railtrack people before we set off. The next stop is Garelochead. The low cloud is starting to lift and the mountains are visible in the dawn. It gets a bit wet as we climb, rising above the mist - the valleys are still shrouded but the mountains stand out - the lochs are lakes of mist instead of water. The rising sun is starting to turn the tops of the mountains red - it's very scenic.

It's 07:50, time for breakfast - a pot of tea, orange juice, corn flakes, oakcakes, croissant, cheese and marmalade. What better place to have breakfast? Wonderful scenery and the sound of the 37 on the front!

There's a 10 minute stop at Crainlarich. Time to stretch my legs and take some photographs and for the driver to have a cup of tea. The train engine is 37430, with an non-Scots name - "Cwmbrân".

37430 "Cwmbrân" at Crainlarich.

Nameplate of 37430 "Cwmbrân" at Crainlarich.

At 08:50, we cross 156447 at Bridge of Orchy. Then it's full power for the start out of the station! When we arrive at Fort William, "The Jacobite", with BR Standard 4 75014 at the head is waiting to leave for Mallaig.

BR standard 4 75014 at Fort William with "The Jacobite" to Mallaig.

After the passengers have disembarked from the sleeper, 37424 draws out the stock and stables it on one of the adjacent roads.

37424 at Fort William with the sleeper stock.

156453 and 156495 form the 12:03 to Glasgow. It's very nice to be able to see out through the centre cab window as the driver has left the blind up. I talk to him when we stop at Spean Bridge. It's even better to look out from the second man's seat! As well as the wonderful scenery, I get a much better appreciation of the curvature and changes in gradient. I chat with the driver and watch the view forward until just before Crainlarich, where there is a crew change.

Cruise boats ply Loch Lomond. Loaded OTA's wait at Arrochar and Tarbet. It's still slightly misty when we reach the Clyde. 75 alongside the estuary feels like we're really flying! Until we get a signal check at Cardross level crossing that is. After that, there are a succession of checks, as we follow a stopping electric service. We arrive at Queen Street, yet another station undergoing refurbishment.

156453 (r) and 158716 (l) at Glasgow Queen Street.

158738 is the 16:25 to Aberdeen. The small first class area in the 158 doesn't seem much different from "Standard" class, apart from the different upholstery. There certainly doesn't appear to be any more room! We leave slightly late, as the 16:18 to Maryhill was in front of us in the platform and the passengers were not let on to the platform for our train until 16:20.

The work on Cowlairs chord looks pretty much complete. It's nice to have an explanatory notice for the works that can be read from the train. Past the site of Eastfield depot. Nothing much to show that there was a depot there. We pass two short 56-hauled freights between Dunblane and Perth, where I alight.

158738 at platform 2 at Perth with an Aberdeen train.

Perth station is eerily quiet - just a few passengers, a stabled EWS-liveried 47 and the starlings. It has been refurbished though, and looks nice. A few more passengers arrive nearer the departure time of the Inverness train, and the station looses it's cathedral-like air.

43108 arrives at platform 4 at Perth, with the 17:55 to Inverness.

I've caught the "Highland Chieftain". 43108 is on the front, 43095 on the rear. Complimentary tea or coffee on leaving Perth. I think I could get to like refurbished 1st on an HST. Talking to the steward, he tells me that he used to be a sleeper attendant. He enjoyed it apart from the hours.

I find the Highland main line north of Blair Atholl reminiscent of the WCML between Lancaster and Carlisle. The scenery is similar - the track winds along the valley with rounded hills on both sides. We pass the first southbound service since Perth in Drumachter Pass.

After Dalwhinnie, the scenery becomes much more dramatic. By Newtonmore, it's back to the more rounded shapes again, with the setting sun turning the hills pink. We cross another Scotrail service between Kingussie and Aviemore at 19:25. Is this the late 19:10 departure from Aviemore? It's dark now, so I miss the scenery north of Aviemore. We pass the Aberdeen service just before we arrive at Inverness.

Three 37's are in the yard, along with MGR's, tankers and vans. 156's and 158's are inside their depot. 47756 "Royal Mail Tyneside" is on the sleeper. The driver thinks I'm nuts, when I mention that I'd come from London via Fort William and I'm now taking the sleeper back to London! I fall asleep to the sound of the 47 climbing back toward Aviemore.

47756 at the head of the sleepers at Inverness.

Day 3 (Tuesday)

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