The Lancashire Fusilier

I hadn't realised how long it's been since our last trip up the West Highland Line.

The rain had almost put off our trip but the forecast was for drier weather by early evening.

Hopefully, we set off for up the A82 and made it to Tyndrum before steam loco 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier" was due through Upper Tyndrum Station.

The rain had about ease off by the time we arrived, however, the dreaded midges had also come out to enjoy the still evening air.

After a short stop at Tyndrum, she made her way to Crianlarich where the tour ended. As 45407 headed back to Fort William, the coaches were hauled back south by West Coast Railway's own diesel loco "Loch Laidon" 

Flying Scotsman at Linlithgow

Well, I think the 3:30am alarm was worth it to see the Flying Scotsman before she picked up her passengers for the journey south.

The world's most famous steam train had been on display at Bo'ness yesterday and was due back on to the network line at 06:40 so an early start was required.

Having picked our chosen location for the pictures, we learnt this morning that the Glasgow to Edinburgh line has recently been electrified adding unsightly pylons to the bridge over the River Avon at Linlithgow.

However, I'm happy with today's pictures as she picks up speed out of Bo'ness Junction.

North York Moors Railway

While the main aim of my trip to Yorkshire was to see the Flying Scotsman, I enjoyed seeing the regular traffic on the North York Moors railway.

The 18 mile heritage railway runs from Pickering to Grosmont through a beautiful scenery which I had not expected.

Along the route we stopped at Levisham and Goathland stations, the latter being famous for TV and film appearances as Aidensfield and Hogsmeade.

I look forward to visiting the area again in the future to visit locations which I did not fit into my tight schedule.

Class 37 diesel loco passing a signal near Levisham Station

Looking dead ahead

45428 steam loco "Eric Treacy" taking up the rear

Levisham Station

A happy carriage in a siding at Levisham

Firebox glowing on 76079 at Goathland Station

Please can I have some coal mister?

76079 waiting at Goathland

Back home at Grosmont and the embers have been dumped in the pit

Evening DMU ready to depart from Grosmont

A busy scene at Goathland Station

Goods wagons in one of Goathland's sidings

Not a great photograph but a reminder of where my dad spent most of his working life

Class 101 DMU

Getting 45428 ready for next day

Diesel loco 7628 "Sybilla" parked outside of Grosmont

Class 28 loco 3814 awaiting restoration

The Flying Scotsman

It may seem ironic that a Scotsman should travel to England to see The Flying Scotsman but I did, and had a very enjoyable visit to the North York Moors Railway.

The record breaking steam loco has just completed a ten year overhaul at a cost of £4.2 million and the public came out in their masses, both to travel on the train and also to see her along the entire length of the heritage line from Grosmont to Pickering.

The Flying Scotsman is due to come to Scotland in May and I'm sure the crowds will come out to see her when she comes north of the border.

Steam trains

With going down to North York Moors Railway next week to see the Flying Scotsman, I've been getting in the mood by looking over my past steam photos.

This has also given me an idea of what has worked previously and what wasn't so good.

Here are some of my favourites.

Caledonian Railways No 828 approaching Broomhill Station on The Strathspey Railway

Black fives 45407 and 44871 on the West Highland Line north of Tyndrum

Steam loco 60009 Union of South Africa crossing the Forth Bridge

46233 Duchess of Sutherland at Culross coastal path

NCB No 7 in her more common War Department colours as WD75254.
She is hauling a pair of  Calledonian Railway carriages from 1921

62712 Morayshire prepares for an evening trip at Bo'ness railway station

NCB No 19 passing the signal box at Bo'ness Station

K1 class steam loco 62005 at Dumbarton Central Station

60163 Tornado at Blackford

60163 Tornado crossing Jamestown Viaduct

60009 Union of South Africa on the Borders railway line

Furness Trust No 20 steam loco at Bo'ness Steam Gala day

Double header on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway line