A railtour that people said could never be run, it was, and this album a record of the trip.
Day One - 22 June 2003
Starting from Preston we travelled north to Edinburgh behind D9009. Upon arrival at Edinburgh the train reversed with 55019 in charge now onwards to Aberdeen. Here say D9009 called into action to reverse the train out of the bay platfrom for 55019 to continue onwards.
Day Two - 23 June 2003
We travelled overnight avoiding Inverness by way of Rose Street curve and onwards to Georgemas Junction for a short break, here the train reversed with 9 partaking in a run to Thurso. 19 again took over for the run to Wick. Another reversal 9 head back to Dingwall , for 19 to run to the Kyle of Lochalsh, here we reversed for the last time on day 2, 9 at the front to Aviemore.
Day Three - 24 June
After a relaxing night including watching some Blue movies (that is Deltics that were blue) we set off to Stranraer, via the outskirts of Glasgow, upon arrival at Stranrear 19 was brought back to life and we set off northwards stopping at Ayr to allow one passenger to disembark. Then followed the overnight run first to Fort William.
Day Four - 25 June
In the early hours just before/after it got dark we reversed and set forth to Malliag with 9 in charge, after a photo stop and a bit of early morning shopping, we returned to Fort william with 19. The with 9 it was onwards towards Oban, another reversal saw 19 takes to Oban for afternoon tea , before an option of a coach (i think not with rubber tyres, its metal for me) back to Fort Wiliiam for a bed.
Day Five - 26 June
The day dawned and so did the fact that 19 would not be working any passenger part of today, 9 was in sole charge for the sedate runback to Preston.
To sum the trip up I can only quote what has previousley been said "The events only began to sink in , during the following days, weeks and months".
The only question left is - when are we going again. |
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D9009 (55009) at Malliag 2000-01-01 00:00:00 |
D9009 (55009) at Fort William 2003-01-25 10:40:00 |
D9009 (55009) at Preston 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
D9009 (55009) at Preston 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
55019 at Aberdeen 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
D9009 (55009) on tha back of the train at Aberdeen 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
55019 at Huntly. 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
55019 at Huntly 2003-06-22 00:00:00 |
55019 at Preston 2003-06-22 12:00:00 |
D9009 (55009) on arrival at Edinburgh 2003-06-22 17:00:00 |
55019 at Huntly. 2003-06-22 22:00:00 |
55019 at Aviemore 2003-06-23 00:00:00 |
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