Do East Coast serve Inverness?

[Busaholic]

I was under the impression that the Cornish Rivera Express was London - Penzance and there was no return working? If there is then of course you're correct you would just have two and they'd go backwards and forward.

Return working 0844 Penzance to Paddington

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I am sure that there was another service some years ago that also went to Inverness called the Clansman, I think I traveled on it in the early 1980s from Euston. (I was going to Coventry), but I am sure that was the train I was on. It must have been diesel hauled for at least the Northern part of the journey.

I did do the Highland Chieften about 4 years ago, doing KGX to Aviemore & Return. I'd like to do it again this time all the way to INV, would like to do one of the KGX/Aberdeen services too.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Yes. One service each way everyday. Quite possibly the most famous named train still left running in fact - the Highland Chieftain.

I wouldn't say it was the most famous - I'd say the Flying Scotsman was.

True, but how many would hear 'Flying Scotsman' and think of the old 1930s set-up as opposed to specifically the 0540 Edinburgh-Kings Cross (which I'm assuming it is)? Highland Chieftain is synonymous with Kings Cross-Inverness.

I agree that the Flying Scotsman is probably the most famous, in its traditional 10am from Kings Cross slot. I am rather disapointed that the 10am from Kings Cross is no longer the Flying Scotsman, East Coast's biggest mistake probably. Unfortunately it isn't just a simple matter of restoring the name to the train, as the Northern Lights has nicked the 10am slot. A great shame.

Perhaps train operators should bring back name plates for trains then the world would be a bit more knowledgeable and this thread would be pointless.

Great idea, but it would cost money...

Also it would end up with something like The Cornish Riviera Express name on the front of an Oxford terminator, which might potentially cause confusion and bad press...

That's East Coast's other big mistake, branding a loco and DVT as the Flying Scotsman when they will inevitably spend alot more of their time on other services than on the Flying Scotsman. Unfortunately removable head boards suitable for today's pointy locomotives would be rather difficult, but that hasn't stopped First Great Western putting up window stickers with the train name on, and an associated logo (although the window stickers appeared to be missing the time I rode "The Red Dragon"). East Coast also use window stickers to list calling points, but sadly they don't seem to have the train name on them(at least, when I caught what I think was the Northern Lights (which arrived in Aberdeen in time to catch the 17:21 to Inverness I saw no indication whatsoever that it was a named train).

 

[Suraggu]

I agree that the Flying Scotsman is probably the most famous, in its traditional 10am from Kings Cross slot. I am rather disapointed that the 10am from Kings Cross is no longer the Flying Scotsman, East Coast's biggest mistake probably. Unfortunately it isn't just a simple matter of restoring the name to the train, as the Northern Lights has nicked the 10am slot. A great shame.

That's East Coast's other big mistake, branding a loco and DVT as the Flying Scotsman when they will inevitably spend alot more of their time on other services than on the Flying Scotsman. Unfortunately removable head boards suitable for today's pointy locomotives would be rather difficult, but that hasn't stopped First Great Western putting up window stickers with the train name on, and an associated logo (although the window stickers appeared to be missing the time I rode "The Red Dragon"). East Coast also use window stickers to list calling points, but sadly they don't seem to have the train name on them(at least, when I caught what I think was the Northern Lights (which arrived in Aberdeen in time to catch the 17:21 to Inverness I saw no indication whatsoever that it was a named train).

We do. The Highland Chieftain has the name on the destination card along with a Highland Stag and a 30 years logo marking 30 years of the service.

The Northern Lights has been seen on destination cards but it seems to be whether the right cards are picked up in London.
Also not every guard will announce the trains as "insert named train" nor does many stations which is a damn shame.

Although the Flying Scotsman 0540 ex Edinburgh does get announced at Edinburgh and Newcastle and onboard, if the guards feeling perky.

 

[crewmeal]

Also not every guard will announce the trains as "insert named train" nor does many stations which is a damn shame.

Agreed. However many charter trains have headboards at the front of locos identifying them. But I guess this is old fashioned and not likely to come back anytime now. I couldn't imagine a metal headboard on the front of an HS2 train saying 'The Birmingham Flyer'

 

[Peter Mugridge]

All this reminds me of Network South East's ill-thought out Northampton named express answer to The Master Cutler.... The PR department must have been asleep when that was done...

 

[Class 170101]

I am sure that there was another service some years ago that also went to Inverness called the Clansman, I think I traveled on it in the early 1980s from Euston. (I was going to Coventry), but I am sure that was the train I was on. It must have been diesel hauled for at least the Northern part of the journey.

You are correct. Latterly it started at New Street as the Highland Chieftain was the faster train from London to Inverness but before the Highland Chieftain existed it started at Euston.

Diesel haulage took place, so I am told, from Mossend, Scotland. Electric from the south to Mossend.

 

[cambsy]

I think the Clansman was one of the first trains in the 1980's to go over to 110mph operation when it ran with mk3's and 87's, if my memory is correct.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

You are correct. Latterly it started at New Street as the Highland Chieftain was the faster train from London to Inverness but before the Highland Chieftain existed it started at Euston.

Diesel haulage took place, so I am told, from Mossend, Scotland. Electric from the south to Mossend.

Ah, thank you for this info, that makes sense. Glad my memory served me well in this case.

 

[40012Railrover]

Ah, thank you for this info, that makes sense. Glad my memory served me well in this case.

1981 Timetable has the Clansman as:
1S59, 0935 Euston - Inverness
Watford Jn (09u51)
Coventry (1048)
Birmingham Int (1058)
Birmingham NS (1118)
Wolverhampton (1136)
Crewe (1220)
Preston (1304)
Carlisle (1412/1427) Water Coaches
Motherwell (1535)
Mossend Yard (1541/1551) Loco Change
Coatbridge Central (1557)
Stirling (1629)
Gleneagles (1652)
Perth (1714)
Pitlochry (1802)
Newtonmore (1902)
Kingussie (1908)
Aviemore (1923)
Inverness (2019)

Southbound service, 1M42, departed Inverness 1035, arriving Euston 2111. Stops as per Down service.

Train was discontinued between Birmingham NS and Euston in Later years. ISTR that for one year it did run Euston - Inverness Fridays only, and Paignton(!) - Inverness on Saturdays

Cheers

Mike

 

[DarloRich]

You would certainly be in trouble if we started talking of such services as the 'Cleveland Executive' then!

There is a blast from the past - and something of a misnomer! One Job on Teesside, there’s only one Job on Teesside

 

[backontrack]

1981 Timetable has the Clansman as:
1S59, 0935 Euston - Inverness
Watford Jn (09u51)
Coventry (1048)
Birmingham Int (1058)
Birmingham NS (1118)
Wolverhampton (1136)
Crewe (1220)
Preston (1304)
Carlisle (1412/1427) Water Coaches
Motherwell (1535)
Mossend Yard (1541/1551) Loco Change
Coatbridge Central (1557)
Stirling (1629)
Gleneagles (1652)
Perth (1714)
Pitlochry (1802)
Newtonmore (1902)
Kingussie (1908)
Aviemore (1923)
Inverness (2019)

Southbound service, 1M42, departed Inverness 1035, arriving Euston 2111. Stops as per Down service.

Train was discontinued between Birmingham NS and Euston in Later years. ISTR that for one year it did run Euston - Inverness Fridays only, and Paignton(!) - Inverness on Saturdays

Cheers

Mike

Interesting calling pattern. Newtonmore but not Blair Atholl?

Do you know whether the Mossend Yard stop was timetabled or not? And also, do you know what the stops were on the Paignton service? It could have run diesel for the entire journey.

 

[ainsworth74]

Carlisle (1412/1427) Water Coaches

How wonderfully quaint! I can't imagine that happening on a modern service...

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

1981 Timetable has the Clansman as:
1S59, 0935 Euston - Inverness
Watford Jn (09u51)
Coventry (1048)
Birmingham Int (1058)
Birmingham NS (1118)
Wolverhampton (1136)
Crewe (1220)
Preston (1304)
Carlisle (1412/1427) Water Coaches
Motherwell (1535)
Mossend Yard (1541/1551) Loco Change
Coatbridge Central (1557)
Stirling (1629)
Gleneagles (1652)
Perth (1714)
Pitlochry (1802)
Newtonmore (1902)
Kingussie (1908)
Aviemore (1923)
Inverness (2019)

Southbound service, 1M42, departed Inverness 1035, arriving Euston 2111. Stops as per Down service.

Train was discontinued between Birmingham NS and Euston in Later years. ISTR that for one year it did run Euston - Inverness Fridays only, and Paignton(!) - Inverness on Saturdays

Cheers

Mike

Thanks for that.
(The Paignton/Inverness must have been one of the longest routes going)

 

[30907]

Do you know whether the Mossend Yard stop was timetabled or not?

Times shown would have been in the Working TT.

 

[40012Railrover]

Interesting calling pattern. Newtonmore but not Blair Atholl?

Do you know whether the Mossend Yard stop was timetabled or not? And also, do you know what the stops were on the Paignton service? It could have run diesel for the entire journey.

Sorry - don't have Paignton - Brum stops to hand at the moment - I'll have a dig around.

The service was electric hauled from Birmingham to Mossend (Diesel from Paignton and from Mossend forward).

Back in BR days, I heard that there was a ruling (possibly a myth) that any service running more than 50 miles under the wires had to be electric hauled. This was why such services as Blackpool - Crewe had a loco change at Preston, since Preston - Crewe is 50.99 miles. Would probably have been faster just keeping the diesel on, and saving a 10 minute stop at Preston for a loco change!

Cheers

Mike
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
At the risk of straying off-topic, thinking about changing locos for short distances reminded me of the York-Shrewsbury Mails (and return service) which was diesel York - Stockport, Electric Stockport - Crewe, then a different diesel Crewe - Shrewsbury.

Cheers

Mike

 

[AJP62]

How wonderfully quaint! I can't imagine that happening on a modern service...

I remember this service in Carlisle well - while they were watering the set they also tapped the wheels! Same again with the southbound working - all hauled sets were tapped in Carlisle in those days (mid to late 70s I'm talking) though the Clansman was the only one routinely watered there but I suppose it was a long run.

In those days it used a routine Euston - West Midlands Mk2 aircon set so restaurant car and two or three first opens all the way to Inverness.

 

[455driver]

I remember this service in Carlisle well - while they were watering the set they also tapped the wheels! Same again with the southbound working - all hauled sets were tapped in Carlisle in those days (mid to late 70s I'm talking) though the Clansman was the only one routinely watered there but I suppose it was a long run.

In those days it used a routine Euston - West Midlands Mk2 aircon set so restaurant car and two or three first opens all the way to Inverness.

I can remember that happening in 1982, I have got a slide of the wheel tapper going about his business somewhere.