19th & 20th February 2010

Statesman Rail
Winter West Highlander

Locos Used 47786 'Roy Castle OBE' & 47804
Stock Used 17080+3231+3188+1659+3314+3345+3344+3340+1250+6054

Route :
1Z53 : Birmingham International to Fort William
1Z54 : Fort William to Birmingham International

Date Loco(s) Route
19/02 47804 (1) Birmingham International – Stechford – Proof House Jn – Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton – Stafford – Stone – Stoke-on-Trent – Macclesfield – Stockport – Denton Jn – Philips Park West Jn – Manchester Victoria – Salford Crescent – Bolton – Horwich Parkway – Preston – (via WCML) – Motherwell – Mossend – Whifflet South Jn – Blairhill – Glasgow Queen Street (LL) – Partick – Yoker – Dalmuir – Dumbarton – Craigendoran Jn – Arrochar & Tarbet – Crainlarich – Rannoch – Fort William
20/02 47786 (2) Fort William – Rannoch – Crainlarich – Arrochar & Tarbet – Craigendoran Jn – Dumbarton – Dalmuir – Westerton – Summerston – Cowlairs – Springburn – Gartcosh – Coatbridge Central – Mossend – Motherwell – Carstairs – Lockerbie – Carlisle – Petteril Bridge Jn – (via S&C) – Settle Jn – Hellifield – Clitheroe – Daisyfield Jn – Blackburn – Bamber Bridge – Preston
20/02 47804 (1) Preston – Euxton Jn – Horwich Parkway – Bolton – Salford Crescent – Salford Central – Manchester Victoria – Ashton Moss North Jn – Denton Jn – Heaton Norris Jn – Stockport – Macclesfield – Stoke-on-Trent – Stone – Stafford – Wolverhampton – Birmingham New Street – Proof House Jn – Stechford – Birmingham International

Notes :
(1) 47786 on rear.
(2) 47804 on rear.

Source : Gordon Jakes

Tour Review
(by Gordon Jakes)

The tour was originally planned to call at Thame Bridge Parkway but the final routing was non stop through Birmingham New Street. This was probably made possible by the 05.25 departure from Birmingham International (an hour earlier than originally planned). Similarly the proposed pick-up at Manchester Piccadilly was changed to Manchester Victoria and the train was routed via Denton Junction and Ashton Moss North Junction.

The route northwards from Manchester was as planned excepting that the route through Glasgow took the unusual route through Glasgow Queen Street (Low Level) and Yoker. There was a stop south of Shieldmuir for 15¼ mins due to the compressor failing on 47804. Brakes were powered from 47786 thereafter.


47804 during a pause at Preston on the outward leg (photo: Gordon Jakes)

A delay occurred south of Motherwell when the brake compressor on 47804 failed and the brakes thereafter had to be powered from 47786 at the rear. Although we were only 20 minutes late at Motherwell and no further delay was encountered through Glasgow, unfortunately we lost our planned path on the single line north of Craigendoran Junction. Time was lost awaiting the clearance of the 10.10 service from Mallaig (we were held in the West Highland loop at Craigendoran Junction) and also at Helensburgh Upper (reason not given).

On leaving Helensburgh Upper our train was over 45 minutes late and we were warned of the potential problem of having to complete our journey from Spean Bridge to Fort William by bus/coach. In the event and by virtue of some excellent running this delay was clawed back to 14 minutes by Corrour. Some further time was lost at Tulloch due to the closure of the loop to facilitate platform works and as a consequence arrival at Fort William was 18 minutes late (buses not required). Under the circumstances this was an excellent result.

On the return leg, the train departed Fort William on time and the northbound sleeper train hauled by 67007 was passed at the first token exchange point of Spean Bridge. We were then advised that due to industrial action by Scotrail staff there were no further trains to be passed on the single line as far as Craigendoran Junction. Hence we had the line to ourselves and could proceed without interference. The planned stop at Rannoch was achieved and we were able to proceed at a sedate pace across Rannoch Moor enabling a good view of the many deer in the vicinity.


47787 in the sunshine and snow at Rannoch (photo: Gordon Jakes)

The overnight temperature in Fort William (-10ºC) had managed to freeze the water for the hot water boiler in the Kitchen Car. Coffee and tea were thus unfortunately off the menu and an extended stop was necessary at Ardlui to sort out the water system which had by then begun to unfreeze. Arrival at Craigendoran Junction was some eight minutes behind schedule but a clear run through the suburbs of Glasgow meant that arrival at Motherwell was right time.

The route through Glasgow took the conventional sleeper route from Craigendoran Junction as far as Gartcosh Junction whence we turned south to Gartsherrie South Junction, Coatbridge Central and Motherwell. Progress down the WCML to Carlisle was marked only by stops in Carstairs Down Platform and in Abington Up Passenger Loop to facilitate the passage of a Pendolino and a Super Voyager respectively. Arrival at Carlisle was early by some 7 minutes which extended the planned leg-stretch break.

The tour had originally planned to continue southwards down the WCML to Preston but due to engineering work blocking this route we were booked to divert via the Settle and Carlisle route. Traveling over this route was an added benefit but unfortunately by the time Ribblehead was reached dusk had fallen and the remainder of the journey home was concluded in the dark.

Two signal stops approaching Daisyfield Junction and further delay at Farrington Curve Junction and into Preston meant that arrival at Preston was some 15 minutes behind booked time. A smart reversal at Preston and good running en route halved the delay by arrival at Manchester Victoria. The train was on time by arrival at Stockport and despite being looped at Macclesfield to pass a Cross Country Voyager and a signal stop approaching Stone Junction, arrival at Stafford was achieved within two minutes of booked time.

Gordon Jakes

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Gordon Jakes)

M.C Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual M.C
0.00 Birmingham International 05.25d ?   23.16a ? 126.77
8.18 Birmingham New Street 05/36 ?   23/03 ? 118.59
21.08 Wolverhampton 05.54a ~ 05.57d ?   22.34a ~ 22.45d [P3] ? 105.69
36.33 Stafford 06.13½a ~ 06.15d ??.?? ~ 06.25   22.15a ~ 22.18d 22.17 ~ ??.?? 90.44
41.58 Norton Bridge 06/22 06/35   22/08 22/07½ 85.19
45.40 Stone 06/29 06/41   22/03 22/02 81.37
52.49 Stoke-on-Trent 06.39½a ~ 06.42d 06.50½ ~ 06.52   21.50a ~ 21.53d 21.49 ~ 21.50 74.28
59.02 Kidsgrove 06/50½ 06/59½   21/43 21/42 67.75
64.50 Congleton 06/55½ 07/04   21/38½ 21/38 62.27
72.37 Macclesfield 07.03a ~ 07.06d [P1] 07.11½ ~ 07.13½ [P1]   21.22a ~ 21.29d [P3] [U&DPL] 21.24 ~ 21.28 [P3] [U&DPL] 54.40
82.11 Cheadle Hulme 07/18 07/23   21/07 21/06 44.66
83.06 Adswood Road Jn 07/19½ ?   ? ? ?
83.76 Edgeley Jn No.1 07/21 ?   ? ? ?
84.41 Stockport 07.22½ ~ 07.25d 07.27 ~ 07.28½   21.00a ~ 21.03d [P1] 20.59½ ~ 21.01 [P1] 42.36
85.16 Heaton Norris Jn 07/28 07/31   20/58 [SL] 20/57½ [SL] 41.61
? Ash Bridge Jn ? ?   20/55 ? 41.00
89.26 Denton Jn 07/37 07/40   20/49 20/50 37.51
91.40 Ashton Moss North Jn SB 07/43 07/45½   20/43 20/45 35.37
95.32 Philips Park West Jn 07/50 07/51   20/37½ 20/39½ 31.45
97.11 Manchester Victoria 08.07a ~ 08.15d [P6] 07.07 ~ 08.15 [P3]   20.25a ~ ??.??d [P3] 20.33 ~ 20.35½ [P3] 29.66
97.70 Salford Central 08/18 08/17   20/22½ [Up Bolton] 20/31 [Up Bolton] 29.07
98.70 Salford Crescent 08/25½ [P2] 08/26½ [P2]   20/19½ 20/29 28.07
107.61 Bolton 08.37a ~ 08.39d [P4] 08.38 ~ 08.41 [P4]   20.00a ~ 20.04d [P3] 20.15½ ~ 20.17 [P3] 19.16
110.50 Lostock Jn 08/43½ ?   ? ? ?
114.15 Blackrod 08/47½ ?   ? ? ?
119.31 Chorley 08/52 08/54   19/52 20/03½ 7.46
122.42 Euxton Jn 09/00 08/57½   19/48 20/00 4.35
127.77 Preston 09.07a ~ 09.28d 09.06 ~ 09.28   19.29a ~ 19.41d [P3] 19.44 ~ 19.52½ [P3] 0.00
113.27
- Farington Curve Jn   19/25 19.36 ~ 19.52½ 111.58
- Lostock Hall Jn   19/22 ? 110.16
- Blackburn   19/12½ 19/22½ 101.16
- Daisyfield Jn   19/11 19/21 100.49
- Langho   19/02½ 19/07 96.07
- Clitheroe   18/53 ? 90.32
- Horrocksford Jn   18/48½ ? 89.78
- Hellifield   18/29 18/31 76.64
- Settle Jn   18/24 18/25 73.40
- Ribblehead Station (up)   18/11 18/11½ 60.64
- Blea Moor SB   18/08 18/09 59.45
- Garsdale   17/59 17/59 51.31
- Ais Gill Summit   17/56 ? 48.27
- Kirkby Stephen   17/47 17/47 41.37
- Crosby Garrett   17/43 ? 38.23
- Ormside   17/37½ 17/36 33.20
- Appleby   17/35 17/34 30.62
- Kirkby Thore SB   17/28 17/29 26.02
- Culgaith Crossing SB   17/25 17/26 23.29
- Lazonby & Kirkoswald   17/17 17/18 15.34
- Low House Crossing SB   17/09 17/10½ 8.29
- Howe & Co Sidings SB   17/05½ 17/05½ 5.07
- Petteril Bridge Jn   16/59 16/59 0.72
148.75 Lancaster 09/46½ 09/47½  
150.67 Morecambe South Jn 09/48 09/49  
155.03 Carnforth South Jn 09/51 09/52  
168.06 Oxenholme 10/02 10/02  
(175.16) Grayrigg DPL 10*09 ~ 10*16 10/10  
181.29 Tebay North 10/23 10/15½  
200.15 Penrith 10/40 10/32½  
218.04
0.00		 Carlisle 10.55a ~ 10.58d 10.48 ~ 11.02   16.27a ~ 16.55d [P3] 16.20 ~ 16.55 [P3] 0.00
125.61
8.57 Gretna Jn 11/07½ 11/13   16/16 16/11 117.04
(10.13) Quintinshill DPL 11*11½ ~ 11*22 11.17 ~ 11.28   ? ? ?
25.66 Lockerbie 11/38 11/45   16/03½ 15/59 99.75
40.11 Beattock North // South 11/49 11/54½   15/53½ 15/50 86.22
49.64 Beattock Summit 12/06 12/09   15/46 15/43 75.77
(57.70) Abington DPL 12*15 ~ 12*25 12/16   15*25 ~ 15*35 15.26½ ~ 15.32 (67.71)
73.13 Carstairs South Jn 12/39 12/27½   15/13 15/09½ 52.47
73.49 Carstairs 12/39½ [DM] 12.29 ~ 12.40½ [Loop]   15.02 ~ 15.11 [P2] 15.06½ ~ 15.08 [P2] 52.12
76.12 Lanark Jn 12/41½ 12/46   14/59 15/01 49.49
84.14 Law Jn 12/48 12/53   14/50 14/52 41.47
87.59 Shieldmuir ? 13/13   ? ? ?
89.38 Motherwell 12c55 ~ 12c57 [P2] 13.20 ~ 13.21 [P2]   14c41 ~ 14c43 14.41 ~ 14.44 36.23
91.08 Mossend South Jn 13/01 13/25   14/38 ? 34.44
91.45 Mossend North Jn 13/02 13/25   ? ? ?
93.70 Whifflet South Jn 13/08 13/29   14/34 14/34 31.71
- Coatbridge Central   14/30 14/32 30.74
- Gartsherrie South Jn   14/28 14/30 29.73
- Gartcosh Jn   14/25 14/26 28.50
- Springburn   14/14½ 14/16 21.77
- Cowlairs West Jn   14/12½ 14/13 21.34
- Cowlairs North Jn   14/11 ? 21.16
- Westerton   14/02 14/06½ 13.24
95.12 Sunnyside Jn 13/12 13/34  
100.36 Shettleston 13/19 13/40  
102.78 Bellgrove 13/24½ 13/43½  
104.13 Glasgow Queen Street LL 13/27 13/46  
105.72 Finnieston East Jn 13/30½ 13/50½  
107.55 Hyndland East Jn 13/36 13/56½  
108.74 Scotstounhill 13/38½ 13/58  
109.32 Garscadden 13/39 13/58½  
111.17 Clydebank 13/43 14/00  
112.36 Dalmuir 13/46 [P3] 14/03 [P3]   13/55 [P2] 14/01½ [P2] 13.24
118.77 Dumbarton Central 13/53 [P2] 14/13 [P2]   13/47½ 13/54 6.68
119.27 Dalreoch 13/54 14/14   13/46½ 13/53 6.41
125.65
0.00		 Craigendoran Jn 14/03 14.27 ~ 14.44 [WH Loop]   13/38 13/46 0.00
99.38
2.09 Helensburgh Upper 14t08 ~ 14t11 14.49 ~ 14.57   13t31 ~ 13t33 13.39½ ~ 13.41 97.29
8.77 Garelochhead 14t23 ~ 14t27 15.09½ ~ 15.13½   13t10 ~ 13t19 13.26½ ~ 13.28 90.41
15.20 Glen Douglas 14/44 15/27   12/59 13/13 84.16
19.46 Arrochar & Tarbet 14t53 ~ 15t03 15.36 ~ 15.38   12t43 ~ 12t45 12.59 ~ 13.04 79.72
27.44 Ardlui 15/17 15/52½   12/28 12.31½ ~ 12.44 71.74
36.24 Crianlarich 15t41 ~ 15t44 16.10½ ~ 16.14½   12t08 ~ 12t10 12.10 ~ 12.11½ 63.14
41.26 Upper Tyndrum 15t57 ~ 16t00 16.26 ~ 16.29   11t54 ~ 11t56 11.55 ~ 11.58 58.12
48.69 Bridge of Orchy 16t16 ~ 16t19 16.42½ ~ 16.43   11t33 ~ 11t35 11.38 ~ 11.39 50.49
64.37 Rannoch 16t49 ~ 16t52 17/09   10t32 ~ 11t10 10.38 ~ 11.06½ 35.01
71.55 Corrour 17/09 17/23   10/20 10/24 27.63
81.06 Tulloch 17t28 ~ 17t31 17.41 ~ 17.46   09t57 ~ 09t59 10.01½ ~ 10.03½ 17.58
? Roy Bridge ? ?   ? 09/50 12.02
90.57 Spean Bridge 17t46 ~ 17t52 18.02 ~ 18.04   09t33 ~ 09t39 09.33 ~ 09.43½ 8.61
98.69 Fort William Jn 18/06 18/24   09/18 09/20 0.49
99.38 Fort William 18.09a 18.27   09.15d 19.16 0.00


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