The Jacobite 2016

Accommodation booked ! 4x4 rented ! Bring it on !

 

That must be the much talked about Sanity Clause. But as we all know there really ain't no Sanity Clause!

 

Great stuff!

 

According to the WCR jacobite page, the loading for the Xmas services is 4 + buffet car. Does the support coach go with the loco ? I can't remember.

 

It doesn't on the normal Jacobite service

 

That's what I thought. Looking like load five then.

 

Or load 6 - 4 TSOs, buffet, and brake. Santa needs a grotto to sit in when he's not handing out presents!

 

Is Santa on board, I had assumed thee grotto was at Glenfinnan Station

 

On RTT there appears to be a private charter Sunday 18th Corrour to Spean Bridge and Monday 19th Spean Bridge to Corrour.
Times and associated ECS moves are here:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54767/2016/12/18/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54768/2016/12/18/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54766/2016/12/18/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54769/2016/12/19/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54771/2016/12/19/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54770/2016/12/19/advanced

 

The private charter is the reason the Santas are running, the locos and stock are already there so it's a good opportunity to test the market.
I understand the private charter is a rich American business man who wants a steam train ride to the restaurant at Corrour Station. Wouldn't have thought he would have time for that now he's President elect!!

 

Any idea if today's movements were indeed steam ?

 

Confirmed as No. 45407 and load 4. Should be same again today.

Sadly weather is a bit poor so I've decided against sitting out on Rannoch Moor for four hours in the rain. Appears our first romance with winter steam up here after many decades will be met with very poor weather, however I hope West Coast have found the bookings to be suitable and that the program is looked on as successful.

 

Thanks for the info Jonathon.

 

Load six for today, 1st train was half full second train has sold well apparently. Weather not too bad, plenty of sun about, none around at the right time. The wind is pretty fierce with 50mph gusts around Glenfinnan. According to my phone weather app, snow is due to arrive from 2pm onwards !

 

Is the steam unassisted? I had heard suggestions of a diesel on the back.

Met Office says heavy rain at 3pm. Wonder who (if anybody) is right.

 

Steam unassisted, not a diesel in sight

 

It's the Highlands, no point in looking at a weather forecast

 

Maybe, but the webcam and rainfall radar suggest they got it right this time.

 

45407 glints as she leaves Corpach this morning:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/insearchofsteam/31652449721/in/dateposted-public/