Vic 32

Watching the black smoke come out of her funnel reminds me of watching the tales of Captain Para Handy in the TV comedy Vital Spark: of the adventures of Para and his crew as they travel about the West of Scotland on board the little puffer.

Vic 32 has been restored and plies her trade nowadays carrying passengers on short holidays and day trips around the Clyde and Western Isles.

Here she is taking a party on a day trip from Glasgow 'Doon the Watter'.

In Search of Steam

Today was always going to be a gamble with the weather. The forecast was for heavy rain all day. We headed over to Helensburgh to catch steam loco 62005 on her way to Fort William for the start of the Jacobite tour season.

Unknown to us at the start of our journey, the engine had broken down at Beatock Summit and had to return to her base.

All was not lost however. Passing Helensburgh Pier we saw Vic32, a delightfully restored little steam puffer. The weather didn't improve but we did brave the rain for a few minutes to catch a few pictures of her leaving the pier.