The Jacobite 2016

While up in Scotland seeing 60103, I couldn't resist visiting the Highlands for the first day of two-train operations of the Jacobite. I got to 2 locations for 44871 and 45407 on my first visit to Fort William, one of 44871 at Corpach (photo 1) and 45407 at Glenfinnan Viaduct (photos 2 and 3)



I'm hoping to return to see more of the Jacobite later in the year... hopefully I'll get some sunny shots next time!

James

 

Stunning set of pics there James, well done.

 

If that was your first visit to the west Highland Line please beware it gets very addictive! I started going on the annual charter in 2001 and have been every year since. Good set of pics btw

 

Thanks John. I can see why it gets addictive, it's a beautiful part of the world... I've got a week off at the end of July and in the middle of September and the plan is to head back to Fort William. If I go back next year as well, you'll know I've caught the WHL bug!

Thanks a lot!

James

 

Remember if you go in July take plenty of insect repellent, the midges up there don't take prisoners! I usually go up for the last week of the season in October, along with a lot of the other former charter participants and then phot the SRPS special to Glasgow on the way home. It's become a bit of a social occassion now with a lot of us to be found in the Grog and Gruel in the evenings.

 

Heading up for a week next week wednesday to wednesday and just curious if pay on the day if available on the services? Also does anyone know what locos are running over the next 2 weeks?

 

From a list I was shown before the season started :-
w/c 17/7 --- 44871 / 45407
w.c 24/7 --- 62005 / 44871
w/c 31/7 --- 45407 / 44871

caveat -- this was the plan at the beginning of May, it will depend on availability - so don't shoot the messenger !
edit >> Last week's roster of 62005 / 44871 tied in with what was seen on TL
For pay on the day, turn up at the station and see the Train manager/guard. Enjoy whatever turns up and don't forget the midge repellant.

Scott

 

Barring loco failures they should work to this pattern as support crew accommodation has to be booked up well in advance. One tip, don't depress yourself by looking at the weather forcast, Highland weather goes it's own way and can be very localised. I've got soaked in driving rain at Glenfinnan and got a shot at Kinloid in unbroken sunshine on the same day. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for all the info! The hope was that going mid week meant that we would see all 3 locos and that seems to have worked as planned Repellent already acquired!

 

It's not the midges you have to worry about (dreadful though they are!) I came away from Beasdale bank in May with not one but three ticks attached to my legs....I just thought they were insect bites with a bit of dried blood on top, the power shower at the b&b removed two, but it wasn't until I was home over 72 hours later that I found out the little black dot I'd just removed from my leg was alive Trip to the doc's next morning for a couple of strong antibiotics to be on the safe side (NHS recommends that if the tick has been there for more than 24 hours)
Been on Beasdale many times and never had that happen, I noticed that in the Lochaber News the other week a doctor was warning people about how to remove ticks.

 

If you are interested I've just posted some pictures on the Photo section, if you are unfamilair with the line it may give you one or two ideas

 

Yes, ticks are a much greater threat to your long-term health than the temporary inconvenience posed by the midges. I don't seem able to venture up to the West Highlands these days without acquiring at least one, and I pick them up in other areas too, e.g. North Yorkshire Moors. Many camping and outdoor shops sell cheap plastic tick removers which look useless but actually work a treat.

 

Thanks for all the information, just had a fantastic run behind 45407 on the pm train, certainly very loud! Will look forward to my trip next year

 

By the looks of it the PM train never got back from Mallaig, reports of a landslide which is blocking the line and road.. Hope everyone is alright up there!

 

It's confirmed No. 45407 and afternoon stock are currently at Mallaig, currently unable to return to Fort William.

West Coast have updated to say that this mornings (12/08) Jacobite shall run Fort William to Crianlarich and return. They'll give further notice later today regarding the afternoon Jacobite and this weekend's operations.

To bring up and interesting point, it was exactly a year ago yesterday that No. 45407 hauled the AM Jacobite to Crianlarich due to a similar issue on the extension.

 

It doesn't look as if the track bed has shifted so hopefully it won't take long to clear

 

Ah the joys of the highland summer !

Pulled from the Network Rail current disruptions :-

Incident created
12/08/2016 05:06
Last updated
12/08/2016 05:17
Route affected
DownloadMapof route afected

Between Mallaig and Glasgow Queen Street


Train operator affected
ScotRail;
Description
A landslip has occured between Mallaig and Fort William. This is disrupting trains between these stations. Trains may start / terminate at Fort William.

Road replacement transport is running between Mallaig and Fort William however, the A830 is blocked because of the landslip. The road conditions are expected to change throughout the day but a diversionary route is in place. This means that journey times will be extended.

Disruption is expected to continue until end of service.

You can follow this incident on Twitter using #Mallaig
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Have some sympathy for passengers having to take the bus replacement - it's a very long way round !

 

Wonder what time the passengers at Mallaig yesterday got back to Fort William, given that buses would probably have to be sent out - it makes it a slow as well as long journey via the Corran Ferry.

 

and an expensive one for anyone in a car, it was £7 last time I used for a journey of about 300 yds