Strathspey Railway

Doesn't stop the boys at the Waverley route heritage assoc now does it

 

Does anyone know which way 46512 is facing today please? I'm hoping to see the GBIX go through then go out to Broomhill behind the Ivatt (my last trip was hailed by the 31 on a rather cold and wet day last May...!), and my plan depends on which way she faces.

Many thanks to anyone who can help!

James

 

Smokebox out of Aviemore.

 

Fantastic, thanks a lot!

James

 

Headed up to Aviemore yesterday evening, had a chat with a couple of the guys.

Repair work to 828 is progressing smoothly, with the tender wheels having had their expired tyres removed ; have now been sent away for new tyres to be fitted.
46512 is currently the only operational steam locomotive on the railway. Due to the high mileage, some uneven wear has occurred on the tender wheelsets so will be turned to face South (tender first out of Aviemore) for the remainder of the season bar limited occasions when required to face North.

A lot more information available on the 60B - Aviemore Shed Facebook page.

The summer Evening Dining Service also kicked off last night for the 2016 season, and rightly so saw glorious sunshine with the Cairngorms still holding on to their winter jacket!

Ivatt No. 46512 'E.V.Cooper Engineer' - Granish Moor by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 'E.V.Cooper Engineer' - Croftnahaven by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

Evening all,

I'm heading up to the Strathspey again tomorrow, and was wondering if anyone knew whether 46512 was, as per Jonathon's previous post, facing Aviemore still or whether she had been turned again?

Many thanks in advance,
James

 

Doesn't Jonathon's previous post show the loco facing Broomhill, i.e. running chimney first from Aviemore to Broomhill? When I was there in mid-August, it was facing the other way, i.e. chimney first from Bromhill to Aviemore. However, I couldn't say if it will have been turned again since then.

 

No. 46512 was turned mid May to face South, and is to face that way for the remainder of the season expect for occasions pre-arranged if requested (Wedding specials etc..).

Was turned to face North for the opening of the evening diner trains that Wednesday I was up, and then was pnce again turned to face South the following morning.

Hope this helps.

 

Further update from the shed foreman indicates that as of today, the Ivatt has again been turned to face North and will do for the remainder of the season.

 

Any news on the WPR Barclay? Last I heard it was out of service early due to wasted crown stays. Any plans to overhaul and bring her back into service?

 

Having said that, the population of Forres is more than double that of Aviemore and Grantown combined. I stayed there a few years ago while doing some work at RAF Kinloss (now Kinloss Barracks) and it's an attractive old town.

 

A visit up to Strathspey yesterday found ourselves blessed with some sunshine, snow and a short nightshoot I held with 'In Search of Steam charters' at Aviemore shed last night. I've included a few from the day, but many more yet to sort through! Certainly a good way to wind down for the end of 2016.

Ivatt No. 46512 'E.V.Cooper Engineer' - Boat of Garten by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Aviemore Shed by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 and 2F No. 57566 - Aviemore Shed by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

 

After a lot of hard work by the shed staff, Caledonian Railway No. 828 returned to revenue earning service this weekend which coincided with some glorious sunshine throughout both days :

Caledonian 812 No. 828 - Aviemore Speyside by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Caledonian 812 No. 828 - Broomhill by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

This follows on from our successful photo charter weekend of 2017, that saw what is believed to be the first nightshoot on location at a station in the Highlands of Scotland, but also some spectacular sunshine on the Sunday :

Ivatt No. 46512 - Boat of Garten by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Boat of Garten by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Croftnahaven, On The Banks Of The River Spey by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Broomhill by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Croftnahaven by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Ivatt No. 46512 - Fisherman's Crossing by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

With 828 commencing the 2017 season of steam on public services, she's now rostered to haul trains on the following dates :


On the Traditional Sunday Luncheon Dates, 828 will haul the 10:30 and 13:00 services while Ivatt No. 46512 will handle the 12:30 and 14:45 trains.

For more information : https://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk

 

A happening well worth to be mentioned!

https://www.facebook.com/Strathspey.Trains/posts/10156563523865409

 

I’m heading over to the Aviemore area tomorrow afternoon and my trip may well coincide with the 1230 from Aviemore. Can anyone please advise which engine will be on the front and which way it faces please?

Thanks in advance,
James

 

I assume looking at the time you've posted, that you mean today (Thursday 25th).

Should be No. 828 today as required to be up at Boat of Garten tonight for cooling before being split and transported to Bo'ness early next week. As for which way she'll face, I'm unsure. She was facing North at the weekend, but I believe she's required to face South for road transport and so may well have been turned already, if not being turned during or right after the services today.

 

Thanks for your help Jonny, it was indeed 828 and it had been turned to face south by the time it got back to Aviemore for the 12:30 departure.

Sadly my lens had another one of its little fits earlier so no proper photo from the arrival, however this was taken my phone. It was also my first time seeing her in person, a very handsome locomotive polished to within an inch of its life. Full credit to the team on shed, she looked superb.



James

 

Nice photo James. Reason she looks so nice falls mainly to one of the Spey drivers who has spent two full days this week cleaning her before her holiday. He and I will both then attack her on arrival at Bo'ness to finish off the job, along with any other support crew not preoccupied by the FTR. Can't have No. 419 outshining her bigger cousin!

 

Hello friends of the railway,

I came across the Strathspey Association Website, where you can find the links to the strathspey related Railway Blogs (pway, Black 5 Restauration, and many more)
http://www.strathspeyrailwayassociation.co.uk/news/

The last two versions of the Express Back-Edition of 2018 Mention the construction of a cover for several vehicles (Project undercover) and the planned construction of a proper maintenance facility in Aviemore.
http://www.strathspeyrailwayassociation.co.uk/news-express/

Is someone here, who can give us more details about the planned investments?

Regards

 

There are some news concerning the project "Rail to Grantown".
http://strathspeyrailwayassociation.co.uk/SRCTGeneral-Info-PresentationNov18.pdf

Hopefully the scottish government realizes the importance of this development.