The Jacobite 2019

Is this the article in question:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49282832

It's not the most helpful of BBC reports on the facts in fairness.

 

Yes, that's where I got the information from.

 

Ardlui area landslide seems to be the problem.Scotrail forecasting reopening 22 August This is WHL not the extension

 

The tree was a separate incident that occurred today, I believe around Arisaig, but James would be better placed to confirm that.

There's also been another landslip on the WHL itself, this time on Glen Douglas it would appear.

 

I renewed my acquaintance with the Mallaig extension on Saturday, having not travelled on the Jacobite for 5 years . We enjoyed an afternoon trip with 45212, having failed to get on the morning service with 62005, despite getting there an hour before departure! There are a limited number of pay on the day seats, with the rest of the tickets now booked up to 6 months in advance. It really was incredible how busy the service is, the guard said it was a quiet day too! Quite often the queue is back to the booking office, right down the platform - for just a handful of tickets each day. I suspect West Coast could quite easily run a third or fourth train each day.
It is easy to see why this is so popular though (ignoring Harry Potter) , the scenery is out of this world, 45212 had to work very hard (Beasdale was thunderous), the train was relaxed and staff friendly - we had clear blue sky and 25c too - the train was almost too hot! Standing by a window (head in!), as the train charges back to Fort William alongside loch Eil, Ben Nevis looming & getting closer and closer, has to be one of the best steam experiences out there.
I hope it is not another 5 years until I get to go again - that K1 has still avoided me!

 

It's been several years since I last did The Jacobite and I had been planning to go last month, using the recently re-vamped Caledonian Sleeper, in order to "kill two birds with one stone". Unfortunately all the problems Serco have had with the new coaching stock put me off so I'll try and get up there once the sleeper is operating normally with all the teething problems ironed out. It'll probably be next year now.

 

Monsoons permitting -- this is from the Network Rail disruptions this morning !

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx

Heavy rain has caused extensive damage to the railway at various locations between Ardlui and Tyndrum. This is causing disruption to trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich / Oban.

Network Rail has advised that the line between Ardlui and Crianlarich won’t reopen until Thursday 22 August.

Some train services should be introduced between Crianlarich and Oban from Monday 12 August once engineers repair flood damage around Tyndrum. A final timetable will be confirmed in the coming days.

Caledonian Sleeper - The Highland Sleeper will not run between Edinburgh and Fort William.

 

You could try driving, about seven hours for you and north of the border through some magnificent scenery. To get their most out of a visit a car is essential in the Highlands

 

Are you planning being up there for the last week, John

 

Yes I’ll be there. I don’t know what the weather will do but I’m sure the beer and the company in the Grog will still be good.

 

I would agree and disagree with this statement. If you want to see the best of the Highlands a car is certainly useful, but I have done several holidays on rover tickets which encompass the rail, Citylink coaches and excellent CalMac ferries.
The classic circular of course being:
-Sleeper to Fort William
-Jacobite to Mallaig
-Ferry Mallaig - Armadale (Skye)
-Bus Armadale - Broadford - Kyle of Lochalsh
-Kyle to Inverness.
-Inverness to Glasgow / Edinburgh.

The majority of this is covered by a Highland Rail Rover, except south of Aviemore (+ Jacobite ticket). Last time I did this however I did Inverness to Edinburgh by the Highland Chieftain, 1st class, (breakfast included) for £50 advanced ticket!

If anyone knows a better trip by public transport please let me know!

 

Just returned from a few days in the Highlands for the final week of a two train operation to Mallaig. The morning train was hauled by LNER K1 No.62005 and the afternoon service by LMS 5MT No.45212.

Video Available Here

Images taken from all the video clips can be found here.

 

Excellent clips Simon,great zooming and action all the way,thats the way to do it.Nothing in GB compares to the scenery in the Highlands.

 

Completely agree...first class work!

 

Did something happen on Monday? On RTT return journey showing as cancelled.

 

I seen somewhere that the Black 5 failed at Mallaig, 37 was sent to rescue it, although that failed on route back to Fort William

 

Autumn well on the way!

 

Some cracking bits of sunshine over the last four days have meant a chance to expand the album of shots I have of the line, again with my lucky engine which accounts for 90% of my sunny shots up here!

I'd imagine it could be the same again today, but sadly work intervenes! I guess we all have to return to normality at some point.....roll on the final week!

Black 5 No. 45407 - Craigag Wetlands by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' - Lochailort by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45157 'The Lancashire Fusilier' - Fassfern by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' - Glenfinnan Summit. by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

Black 5 No. 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' - Kinloid by Jonathon Gourlay, on Flickr

For anybody coming up between now and the final days, a few things to take note :

Progressively the road between Lochaber High School and Corpach Industrial Estate, there are progressive road resurfacing works taking place between now and the 11th October. Most of the work appears to be taking place overnight, however it does mean rough surface to drive on during the day and if last week's work near the Linnhe Caravan Park is anything to go by, very severe ramps at which I wouldn't be taking at any more than 5mph! The tyres did have to be checked after those ones.....

Also, I've noticed that the overflow car park at Glenfinnan appears to have had gates fitted and been locked closed over the last four days, so parking space is at an even higher premium now.

 

Crackin shots Jonny, see you up there for the last week?

 

Thanks Henry! Certainly will be up the final week again, however will miss the last day due to a wedding nearer Glasgow.