Fort William sleeper Friday 19 August 2011

[tel]

Hi all, is it possiable to find out which way the above train went after leaving Edinburgh heading to Fort William, especially the lines around Glasgow. Thanks

Tel

 

[Buzby]

Usual route is via Falkirk High to Bishopbriggs then it branches off on the single tracked link at Cowlairs then via Ashfield to join the line to Dalmuir, Dumbarton then on to Helensburgh Upper, Tyndrum and finally Fort William. (At least when I was last on it!).

 

[tel]

Yes thats the usual route, but can i find out which route it too on the date in question? Thanks

Tel

 

[Buzby]

I’ve dug out my travel diary and I’ve used this route on 4 occasions; Sept 2009, March 2012 and August 2016 & 2022. Since some three years have passed and this route is still active, I’d suggest it would be a reasonable assumption - especially since there aren’t any relevant pathways north to Fort William other than through Dalmuir. The only viable possibilities East-West were a reversal at Stirling*, or Shotts and Carstairs (Airdrie wasn’t opened up then).

*There was an issue at Falkirk High as I recall.

 

[MrEd]

Before the Fort William sleeper was diverted to run via Airdrie and Glasgow Queen St Low Level in 2014, one route that 1Y11 often took was via Falkirk Grahamston and then via Cumbernauld and Stepps past Springburn to Cowlairs, then via Ashfield to Westerton to join the North Clyde Line. The timing from Waverley to Westerton was 1h 6mins which took into account the route via Cumbernauld.

The southbound (1B01) always used the Cowlairs chord and the direct route via Falkirk High. The northbound often also ran this way if running late (as long as no engineering works), as it still does if no engineering possessions and crews have the requisite route knowledge.

In those days the train stopped at Westerton to enable passengers to/from central Glasgow to connect with the North Clyde electrics.