Boabarge 34

With the second of the new aircraft carriers coming together like a giant lego set, Boabarge 34 came up the Clyde to collect another section and transport it to Rosyth where it will be fitted into its location  on the Prince of Wales.

The barge was towed from Norway by Boa Udin, recognisable to some as ex-Svitzer tug Svitzer Pembroke.

On arrival at Greenock the barge was then handed over to local Svitzer tugs, Anglegarth and Ayton Cross for her journey upriver to Glasgow.

Fife Circle steam tour

Tornado has spent a lot of time in Scotland recently and I have been more than happy to go along to add to my collection of photographs of her.

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society tour today covered the Fife Circle with the morning tour running clockwise and then going the opposite direction in the afternoon.

This presented plenty of opportunities at a variety of locations throughout the day.

60163 Tornado approaching Kinghorn station

60163 Tornado passing through Kinghorn station

60163 Tornado at Cowdenbeath station

60163 Tornado at Jamestown

60163 Tornado crossing Jamestown Viaduct

60163 Tornado exits from one of the arches on the Forth Bridge

60163 Tornado high above South Queensferry

A tale of two boats

I have been slipping slightly with updating my blog recently. That doesn't mean that I have not been taking any photographs recently.

PS Waverley has recently started her summer season on the Clyde. I took some photos of her a couple of weeks ago passing Port Glasgow lighthouse. She is the world's last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer and is well loved wherever she goes.

A world apart from the varnished timbers of the paddle steamer is the luxury superyacht Eclipse. Delivered to Roman Abramovich in 2010, she is the worlds second largest private yacht.

She anchored off Greenock on Tuesday morning and remained there overnight before sailing to Rothesay Bay the next day.

I took these pictures from the Esplanade shortly before midnight.

The Royal Scotsman

A regular visitor in Inverclyde this year, I decided to add to my gallery of of Royal Scotsman pictures.

57316 came down light to haul the luxury train to her overnight destination.

Fort Matilda Station is a good location to catch her on a long curve of track.

Scotrail Steam Tour

Scotrail don't run may steam train tours and today's engine, 60163 Tornado, isn't a normal steam engine.

She was completed in the 21st century but is based on the Peppercorn A1's of the 1940's.

Many people took advantage of a reduced price ticket offer on the trip from Stirling to Inverness, and as many people turned out along the route to watch her passing.

 We had a great day as we followed the loco as far as Dunkeld & Birnam station.

Tornado passing Greenfaulds Station on her way to start the tour

Tornado approaching Blackford

Level crossing and signal box at Blackford

Enthusiasts watching Tornado passing through Dunkeld & Birnam Station

Tornado passing through Dunkeld & Birnam Station

Semaphore signals ensures the line is clear for Tornado to pass through

Dunkeld & Birnam Station building

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Silhouette on her first visit to Greenock.

The 122,400 tonne ship is currently on a 12 night cruise around the British Isles, and will be making a return visit to the Clyde in August.

The Royal Scotsman

The Royal Scotsman has visited Inverclyde several times this year and each time I've seen her she has had a different loco combination.

After starting the season being hauled by GBRailfreight engines, she is now using West Coast Railways locos.

Class 47 loco 47786 hauling the Royal Scotsman through Greenock Central Station

Enjoying the evening sun on the veranda of the Royal Scotsman

The Royal Scotsman passing through Greenock

57316 at the rear of the Royal Scotsman as it passes through Greenock