Noddy's Trip Reports

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day with some new track & locos scored

 

[FQ]

A pain about the 09s but, apart from the 66s, it sounds like a good time ! Those tractor... individuals sound completely ridiculous though - a disgrace to the rail community.

Vote 86401!

 

[Techniquest]

Aside from the farce with the 09s, that looked like a beast of a day!

I'd have done the same regarding the 68s, not wanting to get bowled out I'd have watched them going for the noise but would have stuck to the tour!

 

[noddy1878]

10th September 2016: GBRF 15 Day 3
There would soon be a problem with the planned use of 86401 to Edinburgh. In what must have been one of the worst periods on the east coast mainline for a while regarding it’s wires, something had pulled them down for the second time in a week by the time the tour was to pass through.

This meant we stopped at Peterborough and would be dragged via the Joint Line to Doncaster. Still not asleep by the time we had stormed up to Edinburgh, I got out to find what would be taking us on the 91 odd mile detour.

20160910-Peterborough-86401 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160910-Peterborough-66706 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

66706 was attached to the front. So another winning 66 so I was happy. Sorry Quinn but I have absolutely no issue if they chuck 66s out the I need for haulage. I don’t go after them as such but if its another red line the book I am not turning them down.

We soon set off once more and thankfully the noisy lot at the back calmed down and some kip was got. Not good kip but to be fair I don’t really remember arriving into Doncaster where the 66 was taken off. I woke up as we got into Newcastle but I tried not to stir too much so as to not wake myself properly.

By the time we got to Edinburgh we were 3 minutes late which wasn’t too bad. We were a lot further down than that at one point after the diversion.

20160910-Edinburgh-86401 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

We had a little under 2 hours after our arrival at 0619. I noticed that the new Spoons above the station was open at 0600 so headed there straight away. I was pretty near the front of the queue so not too bad. I ordered my large Scottish breakfast (love the flat sausages) and waited while the queues got bigger and bigger. I don’t think the staff knew what hit them! The wait wasn’t too bad (I had time after all) and eventually my breakfast arrived. The queues continued to grow and things got worse. Something broke in the kitchen and that was it! Game over! I didn’t find this out though until I had already gone. Glad I got in early!

Once I was done I had an hour to kill. I popped into Sainsbury’s to get some supplies. I also went to get some beers for the train later but I wasn’t allowed to as it wasn’t 1000! I pondered going off to look out for some trams but there was a chill in the air and didn’t fancy standing around. So I headed back to the station (where it wasn’t much warmer) and wondered round there to see what was kicking about. Not a lot that I needed. I saw one 158 I needed heading to Tweedbank so I couldn’t even do a leap to Haymarket on it.

Shortly before the ECS for the tour was due to arrive I went and got into place to get a photo. According to RTT the train had left Craigentinney on time but nothing appeared. In the end we had waited a full 30 minutes before the train came in. By now there was a sense of urgency and everyone needed to get on the train. I never got a photo as I would have been in the wrong place (I was on the other side to try and get photo) so I just boarded. I was at the front end of the train and I was glad of this. That would be the sound of the 20s for longer!

So, already 30 minutes down, 20096 and 20107 left Edinburgh. The noise through the tunnels was immense. We had an absolutely stonking run up the East Coast of Scotland and we made up most of what we lost. The pair of choppers were performing admirably! At Aberdeen there was a short stop where most people got off for a leg stretch. I tried to get some photos but this was proving difficult as we were right at the limits of the platform. Never mind.

We all got back on and onwards we went. The weather was glorious as we sped along the single line sections along the top! The 20s were doing so well we ended up being looped to wait for a service train. At that stage we were 17 up! but we lost all that in the loop!

We arrived into Inverness 6 minutes down in the end through no fault of ours.

20160910-Inverness-20096 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

With just under an hour, I went off in search of food and drink! I headed off to a craft beer shop. A few others had the same idea including one of the guys on the table I was at. We had’t even discussed this on the train so was pure coincidence! After that I popped to McDonalds. It was busy and started to regret it. I needn’t have worried. I got my food ate pretty quickly and got back to the station. I had time to go to the far end in search of a picture of the 47. No such luck, it was beyond the end of the platform and curved away!

With that I went found my seat once more and cracked open a beer! It was soon time to be off and an on time departure now saw 47739 in charge of the train. Our route south was through Aviemore and we had another good run. More stunning Scottish scenery we arrived into Perth where there was plenty of time for a leg stretch. I also finally have proof of what was hauling us!

20160910-Perth-20096 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160910-Perth-47739(2) by Steven Booth, on Flickr

Once more we were off. One of the guards on the train had now done his stint and knowing one of the guys who was sat in my bay joined us for the journey home. At this point I heard many funny stories about various things and it certainly kept the journey back to Edinburgh in the dark entertaining! We also learnt that we were 30 late this morning off Edinburgh because Craigentinney weren’t helpful or ready in getting the stock off the depot! RTT was a bit presumptuous about it leaving as it hadn’t even moved!

We continued south through Stirling, Croy and turned just after Eastfield towards Springburn. After passing through Bellgrove, it was then new track as we headed towards Shields Junction over the Clyde on the freight only line through the city. We got here 5 down and again other trains causing the delays. 47739, like the 20s before it performed brilliantly.

It was now the 20s back in charge and although we lost more time here we were soon off, once more crossing the city and back through Bellgrove. This time we continued towards Edinburgh on the Airdrie and Bathgate line. I was struggling to stay awake towards the end, after being on the train for nearly 38 hours! Once we got to Edinburgh I went and got some photos.

20160910-Edinburgh-20096 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160910-Edinburgh-47739 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

It was then to find the hotel. My mate was joining the tour for the next day and had already checked into the hotel. He was going to meet the tour but after his previous couple of days dossing on trains and not having a proper bed since we had been in Sittingbourne, he had already told me he wasn’t coming out and reception would have my key! No problems were had and I soon found myself in the room and getting ready to crash out!

By far and away the most mileage heavy day of the tour. 822 miles travelled in all and I picked up another four 4 winning locomotives.

 

[FQ]

Understood with the 66s - I can't stand the thought of travelling on them though. I would have been absolutely furious to be on 401 and have one of those awful things come on the front and take 86 mileage away from me!

The Scotty bit sounds great - 20096 and 107 are my fave 20s and are both absolutely hellfire.

 

[noddy1878]

Understood with the 66s - I can't stand the thought of travelling on them though. I would have been absolutely furious to be on 401 and have one of those awful things come on the front and take 86 mileage away from me!

The Scotty bit sounds great - 20096 and 107 are my fave 20s and are both absolutely hellfire.

I still got 396 miles off the 86! The 20s were absolute hellfire! Better than the two I'd had earlier in the tour!

 

[alexf380]

Now fully caught up with the first three days of the tour and it does sound absolutely incredible! Glad you're enjoying yourself.

 

[noddy1878]

Now fully caught up with the first three days of the tour and it does sound absolutely incredible! Glad you're enjoying yourself.

I really did enjoy myself! Glad thats come across! Here is the last day of the tour!

11th September 2016: GBRF 15 Day 4

No rush to be up this morning as the tour wasn’t off until 0912. A really good nights sleep had been had. I had a look out the window and what a view (if a little far away!). https://twitter.com/ee50fan/status/774851824201371653 Only had a photo on my phone and posted it on twitter.

Once we were both ready it was off to get breakfast. The Booking Office Spoons issues had been resolved and was calm this morning. Another large breakfast was devoured (I had had nothing last night!) and it was off down to the platforms. Was this really 2016? A pair of 20s, a 47 and an 86 in the bays at Edinburgh!

20160911-Edinburgh-20107, 20096 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160911-Edinburgh-86401, 47739 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

It was soon time for the next leg of the tour. This time 87002 was in charge and we were looking forward to a good run down the West Coast Mainline.

20160911-Edinburgh-87002 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

Unfortunately we got held at Carstairs and it transpired that an engineering train had been running late and let out in front of us. Cheers to the signaller! We staggered until Abington where it was looped and once more we were off. The only problem now was the Pendolino bearing down on us! We then slowed to be looped at Lockerbie. So much for a good run!

After a Wigan we veered to the right and were on our way to Liverpool (this bit was new to me behind a loco). We arrived 14 down and it was off to get some supplies for the rest of the trip as there would be no other opportunity.

20160911-Liverpool Lime Street-87002 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160911-Liverpool Lime Street-59003 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

Next in charge was 59003 as we prepared to head across the country to the East Coast Mainline. We traversed back past Edge Hill and continued through towards Runcorn. After Acton Bridge we took the (new for me) curve for the line to Altrincham.

Once we got to Stockport it we headed up the line towards Denton. This was the new track for me too. We came to a halt at Denton Junction . After a while it was announced that there was a tree on the line beyond the junction (lucky it was beyond) and we would now be heading up towards Ashton Moss Junction and backwards Manchester! So I still need the bit of track between Denton Junction and Guide Bridge but that is easier to get than the way we went! This was adding time to the journey now and there was a long way to go still! Some people even asked if they could reroute the tour a more straightforward way but where told no!

We obviously didn’t go into Manchester. We took the freight curve (new for me) for the line towards Hebden Bridge. We continued along this diverted route then towards Healey Mills and on to Wakefield Kirkgate (everyone keeping up?). it was then a meander towards the East Coast Mainline via Knottingly. I have no idea how but we only arrived 13 minutes late at Doncaster. 59003 would come off here and 92043 added to the train.

20160911-Doncaster-59003 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160911-Doncaster-92043 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

The first winner of the day, 92043 set off southbound and it was straightforward until we got to Finsbury Park. We made our way up to the the North London Line via Copenhagen Junction. We then (the quickest I think I have ever done it too) made our way towards Willesden. We came off and joined the West Coast Mainline for a short period of time before making our way into the the yard at Wembley.

Here 92043 was taken off the train and two 66s were added at either end of the train. First up and officially the last loco for the tour, 66779, GBRF final class 66 was in charge as we headed back towards London and onto Acton Mainline via Acton Canal Wharf (another tiny bit of new track as I gradually knock all these connecting curves in the Willesden area). At Acton Mainline we continued on towards Ealing Broadway and West Ealing where we turned onto the Greenford branch.

For the last bit of new track for the tour, we turned at Greenford South Junction and joined the line back towards Paddington art Greenford East Junction. Finally, 19 minutes late we arrived into Paddington.

20160911-London Paddington-66779 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

For many this was the end. For me another winner waited, 66715.

20160911-London Paddington-66715 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

The coaching stock for the tour was on its way to Eastleigh and there was one final move that could be made to Reading. We arrived 14 minutes late and with that it was the end of an excellent four day tour.

20160912-Reading-66715 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

GBRF did an absolutely brilliant job throughout raising over £125k for charity. There was one annoyance (the one involving the gronks) but they didn’t have to do this. They did and should be commended. The final day saw me get another 571 miles off the tour. In total the tour travelled over 2,200 miles (there were a few bits that amounted to chains to be honest, I couldn’t get exact mileage for) and picked up 15 new locomotives.

I can’t say how much I enjoyed the tour and will do whatever I can to do it again should a similar thing be repeated and I can get time off work. So with the end of the tour done it was time to head home. All I had to do now was wait until 0039 for the Night Riviera back to Plymouth.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like an excellent tour

 

[FQ]

Vote 87002! One of my favourite locos still alive today. Sounds like a fun route back too - the tree on the line certainly gave you a fun route!

 

[Cowley]

That was a great read. Reminded me a bit of the old 'Skirl o the Pipes' tours that they did in the 80s - loads of miles, loads of locos, loads of knackered people by the end of it!

 

[Techniquest]

What an amazing couple of days! Bit of a farce with having to divert a couple of times, but Brewery Curve (the bit you did towards Hebden Bridge) is not a commonly covered curve so well done! I still need it myself!

I need so many of those locos it's unreal, the only definite dud will have been 47739.

The craft beer shop in Inverness will be getting visited by me in May Sounds well worth a visit, hopefully not too chingy!

 

[andyb2706]

I'll be honest, I'm trying to catch up with alot of the reports on here so I've only read the last two days.....but what a cracking last two days! I think I would have enjoyed a trip like this as well. Great reports and great photos.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

What a smashing tour!

Agree with you re 66s. Not desperately exciting, and I won't deliberately chase them, but happy enough if one turns up (at a gala, for instance).

Did the Brewery Curve in 1978 behind 40042...

 

[47403]

Just caught up with this lot Noddy, congrats on clearing the 395s and I think the 357s, bear with me was a helluva lot to take in. I don't know how you manage to walk in a straight line after doing all them Spoons, I'd be at least slightly merry. What a cracking read it was with some excellent photos too. Done well all round, clearing lines and god knows how many winners for haulage on that holiday.
Having been on the Scottish leg of the tour, I can certainly confirm, that 20096 &20107 stole the limelight and that comes from a 47 fanatic. The thrash through the Tunnels out of Waverley was absolutely staggering, I was in coach J and you could feel the vibration in the seats in the front coach. Also Aberdeen, what happened there? Did the driver over amp the 20's because the driver certainly thrashed the guts out of them as we left before a sudden lurch into proceedings.

I wanted to day 4 too but couldn't get the time off to do it, The 87 and the 92 was the big draw for me on that. Hopefully GBRf 16, will be a goer next year, with another spin and win multi traction tour.

Top read indeed

 

[noddy1878]

Sounded like an excellent tour

It was!

That was a great read. Reminded me a bit of the old 'Skirl o the Pipes' tours that they did in the 80s - loads of miles, loads of locos, loads of knackered people by the end of it!

Exactly the tours I've heard about and so wished I had managed to do!

What an amazing couple of days! Bit of a farce with having to divert a couple of times, but Brewery Curve (the bit you did towards Hebden Bridge) is not a commonly covered curve so well done! I still need it myself!

I need so many of those locos it's unreal, the only definite dud will have been 47739.

The craft beer shop in Inverness will be getting visited by me in May Sounds well worth a visit, hopefully not too chingy!

Tomlinsons Beer Shop. Easiest thing to do is just google Craft Beer Shop in Inverness.

I'll be honest, I'm trying to catch up with alot of the reports on here so I've only read the last two days.....but what a cracking last two days! I think I would have enjoyed a trip like this as well. Great reports and great photos.

Thanks. It was a great four days!

What a smashing tour!

Agree with you re 66s. Not desperately exciting, and I won't deliberately chase them, but happy enough if one turns up (at a gala, for instance).

Did the Brewery Curve in 1978 behind 40042...

I wasn't even born then!

Just caught up with this lot Noddy, congrats on clearing the 395s and I think the 357s, bear with me was a helluva lot to take in. I don't know how you manage to walk in a straight line after doing all them Spoons, I'd be at least slightly merry. What a cracking read it was with some excellent photos too. Done well all round, clearing lines and god knows how many winners for haulage on that holiday.
Having been on the Scottish leg of the tour, I can certainly confirm, that 20096 &20107 stole the limelight and that comes from a 47 fanatic. The thrash through the Tunnels out of Waverley was absolutely staggering, I was in coach J and you could feel the vibration in the seats in the front coach. Also Aberdeen, what happened there? Did the driver over amp the 20's because the driver certainly thrashed the guts out of them as we left before a sudden lurch into proceedings.

I wanted to day 4 too but couldn't get the time off to do it, The 87 and the 92 was the big draw for me on that. Hopefully GBRf 16, will be a goer next year, with another spin and win multi traction tour.

Top read indeed

I heard (but don't know how accurate this was) some idiots were hanging out the window.

I have also heard that they aren't doing a GBRF 16 but possibly looking at a multi-day tour for the year after. It was the 380s and 395s. Done the 357s earlier in the year.


Now for a bit more!

12th September 2016
Not surprisingly I was not alone waiting for the sleeper. A lot of people had made their way back towards London (my mate included as he went to meet his missus for travel to Bulgaria the next day) but some were heading west. Bizarrely one of the guys on my table (for day 2 and 4 of the tour) was doing this too. We chatted until I train came. Our reserved seats were in different carriages so we said our goodbyes until maybe one day we’d meet again.

My favourite, 57605 arrived, to add another 200 odd miles to it’s total mileage. Once back in Plymouth I set off for home. I got in just after 0600 and made a cup of tea and got breakfast. My missus was soon up and we started to get our stuff together for our holiday. This wasn’t the end of it.

Just after 0915 our taxi (not walking with two suitcases) arrived and it was back to the station. With our two together railcard we got good priced tickets so it was 1st to London. 43197 and 43154 arrived on time and we boarded and found our seats. It was soon apparent that there was a problem. They couldn’t release the brakes. We were offered the choice to get the train behind (that would have overtaken any way as we were going via Bristol.

I was so tired though I couldn’t be bothered to move. We were in no rush and it meant we could make use of the 1st class for longer. After 40 minutes the fitter (who hadn’t long arrived) managed to fix the problem. No more issues were had and off we went arriving into Paddington 40 minutes late.

The first thing was to lose the luggage. We headed over to Euston on 21476 and 21475 and checked our luggage into the handy (but expensive left luggage facility). It was then onto 11013 and 11014 to Green Park before 133 and 412 to Hyde Park Corner. For the next 4 or so hours we had a walk round, went window shopping and got dinner.

We were at Leicester Square when we decided to get back to Euson. 51537 and 52538 took us to Euston on the Northern Line. We still had a little time so we visited the Euson Tap for a drink before heading to the platform the highland sleeper would be leaving from.

As we walked up the platform I met the guy who I’d spent two days of the tour with and had both been on the sleeper the night before to Plymouth. He was heading north! Although we were heading to Fort William, he was heading to Inverness. Small world! Once more we said our goodbyes. I saw that 90048 had bought the ECS in and 90047 would be leading us away so got some photos before we checked in.

20160912-London Euston-90048 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160912-London Euston-90047 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

When we checked in on board, I confirmed the time breakfast would be and headed to the lounge car for a drink. After a short while we were off, once more another night on a train for me, although this time in a bed!

It wasn’t long before we turned in. I was knackered so wasn’t long before I got to sleep. The only winners for the day (not that I was going after them) were four LU units. Not complaining about that! With all the travel to and from the capital I had also managed 856 miles.

 

[Kite159]

A busy day on route to Fort William

 

[FQ]

I can't believe you went from London to Plymouth just to come straight back again! Good way to get the mileage!

 

[noddy1878]

I can't believe you went from London to Plymouth just to come straight back again! Good way to get the mileage!

I needed to get home to get whatever I needed for the second half of my holiday. I wanted to take as little as possible for the tour and I succeeded as I only took one bag!

 

[Techniquest]

The odds of meeting that guy again so soon must be crazy! Looks like quite a good time in London, you must have got a reasonable kip on the sleeper to be able to endure such a long day afterwards mind!

A long First Class journey like that must have been quite welcome and enjoyable after such a crank fest of a tour, nice and chilled out. Agreed on the logistics of going back to Plymouth to pick up your bags for the holiday, makes a lot of sense. I'm going to struggle on my week's crank fest with bags, I can see a need for at least two decent size bags!

 

[47403]

Wow. In and out after that marathon, not surprised u zonked out. I'd have been running on empty. Hat off to.you too. Bet Mrs Noddy would've been on holiday mode, ie-sprightly and ready for the.off and you barely alive. Dragged window shopping too, oh dear!. Enjoy.your hols, look forward to the rest.

 

[noddy1878]

The odds of meeting that guy again so soon must be crazy! Looks like quite a good time in London, you must have got a reasonable kip on the sleeper to be able to endure such a long day afterwards mind!

A long First Class journey like that must have been quite welcome and enjoyable after such a crank fest of a tour, nice and chilled out. Agreed on the logistics of going back to Plymouth to pick up your bags for the holiday, makes a lot of sense. I'm going to struggle on my week's crank fest with bags, I can see a need for at least two decent size bags!

Very welcome first class journey it was. I did my ALR with two bags and not massive ones either. It can be done but really must take the bare minimum. I have most of what i need electronically so it reduces the need to carry books etc around which helps.

Wow. In and out after that marathon, not surprised u zonked out. I'd have been running on empty. Hat off to.you too. Bet Mrs Noddy would've been on holiday mode, ie-sprightly and ready for the.off and you barely alive. Dragged window shopping too, oh dear!. Enjoy.your hols, look forward to the rest.

The window shopping thankfully didn't last long and to be fair she had/had let me do a lot so I just went with it (too tired to argue at that point anyway! )

13th September 2016
I didn’t even wake en route to Scotland on the sleeper. In fact it wasn’t until Edinburgh where the splitting of the train woke me. It wasn’t long before I was back to sleep either. Eventually my alarm went off at 0700, half an hour before breakfast was due based on what I was told the night before. I was feeling a lot more awake than I expected too!

It didn’t arrive at that time, in fact it didn’t arrive at all! We were bought our drinks at 0800 (so even that was late) and the way we were handed them it was made out that she’d be back with the rest. After another 30 mins I went and found the host when we would get our breakfast. She looked at me a bit blank and asked for my name. She checked her sheet and said we wouldn’t.

Something had clearly gone wrong. I showed her my email confirmation which stated I had ordered and paid for breakfast. She wasn’t exactly apologetic and said she would sort it. 10 minutes later she arrived with two bacon rolls (not the full works that was ordered) and other bits and pieces she could find. Now she apologised and gave me the number to ring customer services to get my money back. I didn’t do it then but I did the next day and I did get my money back. However, how an order that I placed and got confirmation from somehow didn’t end up on their checkin sheet is beyond me. Surely its all automated?

Anyway moving on. En route to Fort William I stuck my head out the window and looked forward. Something wasn’t right. I only got a glimpse but it didn’t look like a pair of 73/9s. Interesting. Will have to wait and see what was going on when we arrived.

We arrived on time and was pleasantly surprised and quite pleased to see a 66 leading a 73/9. Quinn will be having a fit now but it was two winners and seeing as though long term it will be a pair of 73/9s and the 66 are in theory harder to get I would take it. It was 66743 leading 73970.

20160913-Fort William-73970 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

20160913-Fort William-66743 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

It was now more about the holiday and less about the trains, that said the train related shenanigans didn’t end here. For the next few days we would be using public transport so trains were still involved.

We headed to the spoons and got a drink. We had time to kill until we could off load the suitcases and get showered and cleaned up. I won’t bore everyone with the details most of the rest of the day involved a walk (quite a bit of the holiday was walking to be fair). We ended up heading out to Neptune’s Staircase which is near the beginning of the Great Glen Way. I spotted a cheeky train move here which the missus agreed to do.

We caught 156447 from Corpach to Lochielside for the short wait for a pair of 156s. This time 156476 and 156457 to Banavie. That was three new shacks in the book!

It was then a walk back to Fort William for dinner and not as early an night as you’d expect was we ended up in a great pub for quite a while!

So that was Tuesday! Two winning locos, three new shacks and 178 odd miles travelled.

14th September 2016
Today saw us go for one of the most remote walks we’d ever done. Onto winning 156445 at 0744 we travelled onto Corrour, famous from it’s appearance in the awesome film Trainspotting (nothing to do with trainspotting!!).

20160914-Corrour-156445 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

We then set off on a 10.5 mile walk to Rannoch. We were very lucky with the weather as there was no rain and it even cleared up to the point the sun came out. On the trek we saw 6 people over the course of the walk.
I will add what is obvious but what a stunning landscape and was great to see it from a different viewpoint (i.e. not from the train!).

When we got to Rannoch we had over an hour to kill here and surprisingly it went quite quick. I’d rather a wait than a rush and miss the train to be fair. We killed some of the time by visiting the delightful cafe on the platform and having a look in the small museum there. Time was also shortened when I could hear something coming from somewhere! I came out of the station building and was greeted by 66099 arriving with a fuel train.

20160914-Rannoch-66099 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

It had to wait before it could proceed as our train was on the single line section ahead of it. 156474 and 156445 arrived and it was onto Fort William. For later on I had a little plan to get what may have been a winning loco! I know GBRf had been changing the 66s on the sleeper portions around so was hoping that the up working from Tuesday night was different. I had managed to persuade the missus we could visit Spean Bridge as there was a pub on the station. Again she agreed (good to me she is!) so that was the plan!

We arrived into Fort William and my hope was confirmed!

20160914-Fort William-73970, 66737 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

The 66 had been changed (73/9 the same) but I had already had it before! Oh well! The good run and to end at some point! At least I’d get a new shack in the book. Oh and the pub on the station was a good one!

So the day ended with one winner, 78 miles travelled and three new shacks in the book.

 

[FQ]

I would certainly have been having a fit if I saw a 66 on the front (even with an ED). Shame about the brekky mix up but at least you got your money back.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good couple days in the West Highlands

 

[Cowley]

Interesting goings on in Scotland these days. Great read and great photos, especially 73970 and 66737 at Fort William, still can't get my head around 73s being up there.

 

[Techniquest]

73s in Scotland still looks odd to me too, it must be said. Funky though!

Some good times were had up in the West Highlands, clearly, and some good beers too. Good to know about the cafe at Rannoch and the pub at Spean Bridge, good way to fill a long fester while shack scratching!

New shacks, good company, winning locos and winner beers, an excellent combination!

 

[Cowley]

73s in Scotland still looks odd to me too, it must be said. Funky though!

They do look pretty funky, especially with snow ploughs. They were thinking of fitting them when they were based in the south just for knocking fallen palm trees out of the way

 

[Iskra]

Some great trips with some cracking haulage scored.

I'm eyeing up that Fort William move

 

[55013]

Fantastic stuff.
The mention of Trainspotting (the film) reminds me that the sequel is on its way.
The iconic scene you mention is echoed in the trailer, with 156445 used (I paused it and it looks like 156445, but I'm not 100%): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RK7Cre-SS4

 

[37038]

66s and 73/9s are a semi permanent fixture. 73s all have to go to Brush again for alternator attention at some point.

If what I hear is true, FW sleepers could be busier with cranks for a while