Far North Line in the snow

[brad465]

While it might be possible to clear the line if ploughing clears more lying snow than fresh snow lands, the long range forecast suggests the snow fields up there will be around a long time. Here is the forecast for Inverness, which barely gets above freezing, and this will be warmer than the rural snow-covered valleys and hills affecting the railways discussed:

Inverness - BBC Weather

14-day weather forecast for Inverness.

www.bbc.co.uk

(Image of the weather forecast for Inverness for the next two weeks, consisting of most days ranging from -3C to 4C with sleet)

 

[swaldman]

My thought was "what would we do if we didn't still have them running?"

What other - more recent - locos are there that could do their job, just as well or better, in these conditions?

I don't think there are any more recent locos with the same RA?
But I guess, why design or build them when the 37s still work!

 

[D1511]

Extra axles.....less load than a 26 or 27 had. Perfect for dodgy colliery branches and the spongy highland line

 

[skyetraveller]

Any nice 37 pics then?

Will this do?! Strathcarron tonight about 1830 (long dwell owing to RETB issues). Still waiting for them to come back from Kyle....

 

[QueensCurve]

View attachment 195396Will this do?! Strathcarron tonight about 1830 (long dwell owing to RETB issues). Still waiting for them to come back from Kyle....

A very nice picture, thank you.

 

[8ace]

View attachment 195396Will this do?! Strathcarron tonight about 1830 (long dwell owing to RETB issues). Still waiting for them to come back from Kyle....

large logo as well! Great pic tyvm

 

[JohnMcL7]

68s have RA7 don't they?.....and about 2000hp more grunt than a tractor.

I don't know if it's true but I read some claims that locomotives with a central driving position like the 68s not being suitable for the ploughs and I don't know what availability is like to get six 68's up here this week.

Here's the two 37's coming into Inverness in miserable weather but the first time I've actually seen the ploughs in use, something I've always wanted to see when I used to see the ploughs sitting around in Millburn yard in the 80's.

 

[D1511]

Great pics both. Thank you for posting!
That looks like a lot of snow in Strathcarron. Is the A890/896 still open to Lochcarron & Shieldaig?

Also, i forgot these ones are RA5.....its only the ballasted ones that are RA7, so a 68 wouldn't be suitable irrespective of driving position

 

[DarloRich]

Here's the two 37's coming into Inverness in miserable weather but the first time I've actually seen the ploughs in use, something I've always wanted to see when I used to see the ploughs sitting around in Millburn yard in the 80's.

Did those two 37's run up from Barrow Hill on Monday?

 

[InvHst]

View attachment 195396Will this do?! Strathcarron tonight about 1830 (long dwell owing to RETB issues). Still waiting for them to come back from Kyle....

Now coming back later today due to drivers hours

 

[skyetraveller]

Great pics both. Thank you for posting!
That looks like a lot of snow in Strathcarron. Is the A890/896 still open to Lochcarron & Shieldaig?

Also, i forgot these ones are RA5.....its only the ballasted ones that are RA7, so a 68 wouldn't be suitable irrespective of driving position

Yes we've had more than 12 inches of snow since January 1st, in several batches. I feel sorry for the ScotRail station services boys who have cleared the platforms every day only for another three inches to come down an hour later!

The main roads have stayed open thanks to some heroic efforts by the gritter and plough drivers. There have been some temporary blockages but everyone has got there in the end. The minor roads are another matter though, some folk haven't been able to get out for almost a week.

 

[D1511]

Yes we've had more than 12 inches of snow since January 1st, in several batches. I feel sorry for the ScotRail station services boys who have cleared the platforms every day only for another three inches to come down an hour later!

The main roads have stayed open thanks to some heroic efforts by the gritter and plough drivers. There have been some temporary blockages but everyone has got there in the end. The minor roads are another matter though, some folk haven't been able to get out for almost a week.

That sounds like a great effort by the ploughing crews to keep the roads open up there - it looks as bad as I've ever seen it.
Shieldaig is one of my most favourite places on planet Earth, so I'm pleased they're not cut off. John's caravan might be a bit chilly, but wee Frosty the Jack Russell will be having fun in the snow! I'm looking forward to my next trip up there.......it must look particularly stunning at the moment, albeit very inconvenient for the locals.

 

[H F Stephens]

Did those two 37's run up from Barrow Hill on Monday?

Yes.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes.

thanks - a long pre ploughing chug!

 

[DesDobramento]

There are two snowblowers parked at Rutherglen, both are kept notionally operational.

The newer one you mention was last used in 2019 though. The other older one, goodness knows when.

I have a strong recollection that one snowblower was based in Perth (at least up to 2020) which is perhaps nearer some likely and more regular areas for heavy snow than Rutherglen. The snow blower had a converted Mk 2 TSO for company - the yellow-painted ADB977869, converted from revenue stock (5858) in the early 1990s and used for a variety of purposes since.

977869 seems to have last been reported as an early occupant of the Eastriggs repair facility when that came on stream in 2024. Any updates anyone?

 

[Forty29]

Yes.

First time 37424 has been on the mainline for a few years now?

 

[38Cto15E]

The night time photo is stunning, after seeing the clarity of a night time photo I will gladly stay in home and watch the telly.

 

[Rover]

skyetraveller, that is a stunning photo!

 

[skyetraveller]

skyetraveller, that is a stunning photo!

Thank you! It was taken with my cheapo Samsung phone and not edited in any way. I also have a nice video of the train leaving but as it's about 150mb and we only have good old fashioned copper wire out here in the sticks I can't upload it to anything....

 

[Bald Rick]

That looks like a lot of snow in Strathcarron. Is the A890/896 still open to Lochcarron & Shieldaig?

Yes we've had more than 12 inches of snow since January 1st, in several batches. I feel sorry for the ScotRail station services boys who have cleared the platforms every day only for another three inches to come down an hour later!

The main roads have stayed open thanks to some heroic efforts by the gritter and plough drivers. There have been some temporary blockages but everyone has got there in the end. The minor roads are another matter though, some folk haven't been able to get out for almost a week.

More importantly is the pub next to the Station open, or is it a trip down to the Lochcarron hotel?

 

[Starmill]

Spectacular photos all!

 

[Struner]

More importantly is the pub next to the Station open, or is it a trip down to the Lochcarron hotel?

I suspect you’ll have to be a “hotel resident” - but then again, perhaps there’s no other choice (seem to remember somebody telling me the Thistle bar is closed in winter );

 

[skyetraveller]

More importantly is the pub next to the Station open, or is it a trip down to the Lochcarron hotel?

It's open from March to the end of October but for four months its a trip to the Lochcarron Hotel (although not recommended)

 

[D1511]

I suspect you’ll have to be a “hotel resident” - but then again, perhaps there’s no other choice (seem to remember somebody telling me the Thistle bar is closed in winter );

I think it used to be open on a Friday and Saturday evening in winter - there are some very popular hills nearby so there are still quite a lot of hillwalkers around at this time of year. I'm sure I've been in there after a winter corbett outing in the past. Not sure if it still is though.

Edit: apparently not!

 

[skyetraveller]

I suspect you’ll have to be a “hotel resident” - but then again, perhaps there’s no other choice (seem to remember somebody telling me the Thistle bar is closed in winter );

Yes sadly its shut in winter but we must be grateful the "Bothy Bar" is open for eight months. The Thistle Bar is now the restaurant for, yes, hotel residents and pre-booked plebs only.... They do deliver though which comes in handy!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==

Anyone know why 37619 (I think, with no station lights on it was very dark!) was sent light engine down the Kyle line in the wee small hours today? It came through Strathcarron at around 0030 and back a couple of hours later. It was normal service all day yesterday, there was no more snow (in fact a thaw) and no wind or other severe weather. Not complaining though....always good to be woken by a 37 outside the window! Nothing on RTT.

 

[Forty29]

Could have been 37610 or 37419 both been ploughing recently. 37619 doesn't exist.

 

[JohnMcL7]

It was 37419 I believe and doing NR line checks according to a discussion on FB

 

[ShadowKnight]

why design or build them when the 37s still work!

At some point soon they will stop working and snow will still be around.
Given the age of the 37s I think it would be good to start thinking about which newer locomotive could similarly perform such a role.

 

[Deepgreen]

At some point soon they will stop working and snow will still be around.
Given the age of the 37s I think it would be good to start thinking about which newer locomotive could similarly perform such a role.

Pairs of Class 43s - their front ends already have a semblance of a plough profile!

 

[Hairy Bear]

Cannot be central driving position, driver needs to look out.