Whistling Highlander

[Masbroughlad]

The Class 40 hauled Whistling Highlander from Crewe to Inverness on 24th Feb.

Does this train formation from Realtime Trains represent a class 40, the Intercity Mk3 set and trailing loco? Or is a shorter / alternative coaching set being used?

Looking forward to a great trip this weekend.

 

[Townsend Hook]

The Class 40 hauled Whistling Highlander from Crewe to Inverness on 24th Feb.

Does this train formation from Realtime Trains represent a class 40, the Intercity Mk3 set and trailing loco? Or is a shorter / alternative coaching set being used?

Looking forward to a great trip this weekend.

Timing loads are generally not particularly useful for forecasting train formations like that.

 

[50002Superb]

 

[M&NEJ]

I saw this pass Lancaster and followed it throughout the day on RTT; which leads me to a question about regulation on the single-track sections of the Highland main line.

The railtour was scheduled to pass 1B30 (14:32 Inverness - Edinburgh) at Pitlochry at 14:33.

In practice the railtour was 11 - 14 minutes late at Dunkeld & Birnam (the passing loop before Pitlochry) so there was a choice: either delay the railtour and let 1B30 advance on time; or delay 1B30 and keep the railtour moving to Pitlochry. In the event control or the signaller chose to delay 1B30 by 18 minutes, which surprised me.

Would this be because the loop at Dunkeld & Birnam was too short for the railtour? Thanks to anyone who's in the know!

 

[12LDA28C]

I saw this pass Lancaster and followed it throughout the day on RTT; which leads me to a question about regulation on the single-track sections of the Highland main line.

The railtour was scheduled to pass 1B30 (14:32 Inverness - Edinburgh) at Pitlochry at 14:33.

In practice the railtour was 11 - 14 minutes late at Dunkeld & Birnam (the passing loop before Pitlochry) so there was a choice: either delay the railtour and let 1B30 advance on time; or delay 1B30 and keep the railtour moving to Pitlochry. In the event control or the signaller chose to delay 1B30 by 18 minutes, which surprised me.

Would this be because the loop at Dunkeld & Birnam was too short for the railtour? Thanks to anyone who's in the know!

No, the loop at Dunkeld would easily accommodate the tour. I imagine the signaller would be looking further ahead at where either the tour or 1B30 were next due to pass anything and the knock-on effects further up or down the line of delaying either train.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The tour ended up 5 minutes early at Inverness, and 1B30 pulled back to 4 down by Edinburgh, so it looks like the regulation worked (but not necessarily for intermediate passengers on 1B30).
The tour southbound today (via Aberdeen) is pretty much on time at Falkirk.

 

[50002Superb]

It would be early down the WCML but had to let a service train in front at Carlisle.

It’s been a very smooth journey

 

[M&NEJ]

No, the loop at Dunkeld would easily accommodate the tour. I imagine the signaller would be looking further ahead at where either the tour or 1B30 were next due to pass anything and the knock-on effects further up or down the line of delaying either train.

That makes sense, thanks!