5th - 7th August 1994

Pathfinder Tours
The Grampian Highlander

Locos Used 31119, 31134, 31203, 31224, 37240, 37275, 56101, 56104, 90132, 90135 & 90150
Stock Used 99723+99712+99716+99718+99722+99311+99720+99714+99710+99721+99717+99713

Route :
1Z18 : Bristol Temple Meads to Wick
1Z19 : Wick to Aberdeen
1Z18 : Aberdeen to Bristol Temple Meads

Loco(s) Route
31224 + 31203 Bristol Temple Meads - Cheltenham - Worcester Shrub Hill - Kidderminster - Birmingham New Street - Aston - Bescot - Bushbury Jn - Stafford - Crewe
90150 + 90132 Crewe - Preston - Carlisle - Mossend
56104 Mossend - Stirling - Perth - Aviemore - Welsh's Bridge Jn - (avoiding line)
37275 + 37240 (avoiding line) - Rose Street Jn - Lairg - Georgemas Junction 
37275 (1) Georgemas Junction - Thurso
37240 (2) Thurso - Georgemas Junction - Wick
37240 + 37275 Wick - Lairg - Welsh's Bridge Jn (rev) - (propel to) Inverness (rev) - Elgin - Aberdeen (overnight stop)
37240 (2) Aberdeen - Kittybrewster Jn
37275 (1) Kittybrewster Jn - Waterloo Goods
37240 (2) Waterloo Goods - Kittybrewster Jn
37275 (1) Kittybrewster Jn - Aberdeen
56101 Aberdeen - Dundee - Leuchars - Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh
90135 Edinburgh - Carstairs East Jn - Carstairs South Jn - Carlisle - Preston - Crewe
31119 + 31134 Crewe - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Bescot - Aston - Birmingham New Street - Bromsgrove - Worcester Shrub Hill - Cheltenham - Bristol Temple Meads (3)

Notes :
(1) 37240 at rear.
(2) 37275 at rear.
(3) Stafford - Bristol return route taken from timing sheet - actual route and haulage require confirming.

Source : John Armitstead (joined train at Bristol, left at Stafford)
Tour Review
(by Nigel Benning)

A tour that gave me the opportunity to clear the far north lines to Wick and Thurso, as well as enjoying plenty of traction. Given the fact the tour ran over two nights, the level of sleep/comfort that you could expect depended on how much you were prepared to pay for the tour. The cheapest option was to share a compartment of six, with the most expensive being where just two people shared a compartment. For the second night you could either sleep on the train at Aberdeen or spend the night in the Skean Du hotel at Aberdeen airport. I opted for the 4 per compartment option with a hotel room (which I expected to share although ended up on my own).

The tour started at Bristol TM on the Friday evening, but I joined at Birmingham NS having travelled up from Northampton. The first problem experienced was that the 31's had not been able to refuel as expected in Bristol. It was thought that they were low on fuel and would not be able to make it as far as Crewe so were uncoupled ready for a loco change. However, the powers that be changed their minds, the locos were reattached to the train and we departed just 11 minutes late.

The 31's were swapped for a pair of 90/1's at Crewe before we headed further north. At Mossend North Yard we stopped to swap the 90's for a 56. Initially we were delayed as no shunter was available, and then further whilst the driver waited for the consist details. Departure was finally made 46 minutes late. Our delay forced a 20 minutes pathing stop at Dalwinnie, which enabled some early morning photographs to be taken.

At Inverness, the plan had been to reverse into the station for the loco change and for the tour participants to have a short break. Instead, the loco change was made on the avoiding line in order to reduce the delay. As a result, our 55 minutes late arrival was reduced to around 25 minutes on departure as a pair of 37's dragged us further north.

At Georgemas Junction the loco's ran round to take us first to Thurso. On leaving GJ, we travelled around 100 yards before stopping for a further 15 minutes (possible loco problems?). Thurso was eventually reached 45 minutes late. Here you had the option of staying on the train as it travelled on to Wick, or take a coach tour to John O'Groats before rejoining the train at Wick. I opted for the latter as I felt I might as well see John O'Groats whilst I was in the area (it's nothing special - just a few bits and pieces to satisfy the tourists).

We departed Wick only a few minutes down and remained virtually on time all the way to Aberdeen. For those of us staying in the hotel, we detrained at Dyce for coach transfer to the nearby hotel. The remaining passengers stayed on the train for an overnight stay on board in Aberdeen. Next morning after breakfast, we were ferried by coach into Aberdeen to rejoin the train (thus missing out on the Dyce - Aberdeen section of route). The day started with a trip down the Waterloo Goods branch with 37240 and 37275 top and tailing the train. Back at Aberdeen we swapped these for 56101 which took us down to Edinburgh. Arrival here was early, but departure was delayed whilst a fault was fixed on our next loco (90135) before it was despatched from the depot.

Our 37 minutes lateness from Edinburgh was down to a 22 minutes lateness at Crewe. A quick loco change here to a second pair of 31's saw departure just 13 minutes down which was down to 10 minutes on arrival at Birmingham NS where I detrained.

The overall verdict, well it had been a long tour, but with 11 locos and plenty of mileage it was well worth it.

Route, Distances and Timings (Booked & Actual)
(provided by Nigel Benning & Alan Sheppard)

 

M.C Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual M.C
0.00 Bristol Temple Meads 20.03d ?   21.35a ? 146.72
0.46 Dr Days Jn 20/06 ?   21/32 ? 146.26
4.43 Filton Jn 20/13 ?   21/26 ? 142.29
5.62 Bristol Parkway 20.16a ~ 20.18d ?   21.22a ~ 21.24d ? 141.10
10.32 Westerleigh Jn 20/24 ?   21/16 ? 136.40
18.45 Charfield 20/34 ?   21/06 ? 128.27
31.70 Standish Jn 20/47 ?   20/52 ? 115.02
38.00 Gloucester Yard Jn 20/57 ?   20/46 ? 108.72
38.67 Barnwood Jn 21*03a ~ 21*16d ?   20/45 ? 108.05
44.30 Cheltenham Spa 21.22a ~ 21.24d ?   20.37a ~ 20.39d ? 102.42
51.41 Ashchurch 21/33 ?   20/27 ? 95.31
62.28 Abbotswood Jn 21/45 ?   20/19 ? 84.44
66.15 Worcester Shrub Hill 21.54a ~ 21.56d ?   20.11a ~ 20.13d ? 80.57
71.74 Droitwich Spa 22/04 ?   20/04 ? 74.78
77.56 Hartlebury 22/10 ?  
81.30 Kidderminster 22/15 ?  
88.09 Stourbridge Jn 22/32 ?  
96.33 Galton Jn 22/49 ?  
98.11 Soho South Jn 22/51 ?  
- Stoke Works Jn   19/58 ? 70.63
 - Bromsgrove   19/57 ? 68.50
 - Barnt Green   19/53 ? 65.07
 - Kings Norton   19/48 ? 59.79
 - Selly Oak   19/44 ? 57.65
100.12 Birmingham New Street 22.56a ~23.04d ??.?? ~ 23.15   19.27a ~ 19.36d 19.37 ~ ??.?? 54.34
100.68 Proof House Jn 23/06 ?   19/24 ? 53.58
102.68 Aston 23/09 ?   19/18 19/30 51.58
105.10 Perry Barr North Jn 23/19 ?   19/05 ? 49.36
109.47 Bescot Stadium 23/24 ?   19/00 ? 44.79
113.04 Portobello Jn 23/31 ?   18/55 19/13 40.62
116.32 Bushbury Jn 23/34 ?   18/52 19/10 38.14
130.09 Stafford 23.45a ~ 23.47d 00.03 ~ 00.05   18.35a ~ 18.37d 18.49 ~ 18.51 24.37
135.38 Norton Bridge 23/54 ?   18/30 ? 19.08
146.40 Madeley Jn 00/03 ?   18/21 ? 8.06
154.46
0.00		 Crewe 00.14a ~ 00.34d 00.34 ~ 00.51   17.46a ~ 18.10d 18.08 ~ 18.23

0.00
242.78
7.41 Winsford S.B. 00/42 ?   17/31 17/59 235.37
17.20 Weaver Jn 00/46 ?   17/26 17/52 225.58
24.11 Warrington Bank Quay 00/54 ?   17/19 17/47 218.67
27.47 Winwick Jn 00/57 ?   17/14 ? 215.31
35.71 Wigan North Western 01/03 01/22   17/07 17/37 207.07
45.45 Euxton Jn 01/11 ?   17/01 ? 197.33
51.01 Preston 01.16a ~ 01.18d 01.39 ~ 01.41   16.46a ~ 16.54d 17.23 ~ 17.25 191.77
71.79 Lancaster 01/38 ?   16/28 17/06 170.79
78.07 Carnforth North Jn 01/42 ?   16/22 17/01 164.71
91.07 Oxenholme Lake District 01/50 ?   16/11 ? 151.71
103.56 Tebay 01/59 ?   16/02 ? 139.22
123.19 Penrith 02/12 ?   15/46 16/28 119.59
141.08 Carlisle 02c29a ~ 02c44d 02.57 ~ 03.04   15c30a ~ 15c32d 16.10 ~ 16.12 101.70
149.65 Gretna Jn 02/54 ?   15/21 ? 93.13
166.74 Lockerbie 03/07 ?   14/59 15/48 76.04
180.48 Beattock 03/17 ?   14/50 15/37 61.67
190.72 Beattock Summit 03/24 ?   14/44 ? 52.06
198.78 Abington 03/30 ?   14/37 15/29 44.00

 

M.C Location Booked Actual
214.61 Carstairs 03/47 04/05
216.75 Law Jn 03/55 04/13
222.34 Holytown Jn 04/03 04/23
223.66 Mossend North Jn 04/06 04/25
224.19
0.00		 Mossend North Yard 04.08a ~ 04.18d 04.28 ~ 05.04
2.54 Coatbridge Jn 04/24 05/10
05.10 Garnqueen North Jn 04/30 05/12
14.60 Greenhill Lower Jn 04/40 ?
17.46 Larbert Jn 04/44 ?
26.29 Stirling 04/53 05.39a ~ 05.40d
31.24 Dunblane 04/58 05/46
41.33 Blackford 05/09 ?
57.22 Hilton Jn 05/24 ?
59.30 Perth 05c28a ~ 05c30d 06.11 ~ 06.14
66.43 Stanley 05/39 ?
74.72 Dunkeld 05/49 ?
87.62 Pitlochry 06/01 06/49
94.50 Blair Atholl 06/11 06/58
104.37 Dalnacardoch 06/24 ?
118.08 Dalwhinnie 06/42 07.30a p 07.49d
131.05 Kingussie 06/53 08/03
136.65 Kincraig 06/59 ?
143.04 Aviemore 07*05a ~ 07*18d 08/13
149.42 Carrbridge 07/27 08/25
158.22 Tomatin 07/39 ?
170.72 Culloden Moor 07/50 08/49
176.62 Millburn Jn 07/58 08/54
177.33 Rose Street 08.02a ~ 08.04d 08.57 ~ 09.09
177.52
0.00		 Inverness 08.07a ~ 08.45d DIV
1.50 Clachnaharry 08/50 09/15
07.51 Clunes 08/57 ?
13.04 Muir of Ord 09*03a ~ 09*04d 09.33 ~ 09.45
18.58 Dingwall 09*13a ~ 09*31d 09.55 ~ 09.56
31.37 Invergordon 09*46a ~ 09*47d 10/13
44.23 Tain 10*03a ~ 10*04d 10/38
57.70 Ardgay 10*21a ~ 10*52d 10/52
66.78 Lairg 10*39a ~ 10*40d 11.07 ~ 11.10
77.01 Rogart 10*55a ~ 10*56d 11/26
90.48 Brora 11*15a ~ 11*16d 11/45
101.40 Helmsdale 11*31a ~ 11*37d 12.00 ~ 12.07
125.69 Forsinard 12*14a ~ 12*17d 12.43 ~ 12.46
147.20
0.00		 Georgemas Junction 12*47a ~ 13*02d 13.15 ~ 13.48
6.50
0.00		 Thurso 13.15a ~ 13.25d 14.00 ~ 14.10
6.50 Georgemas Junction 13*38a ~ 13*39d 14.25 ~ 14.31
20.66
0.00		 Wick 13.57a ~ 16.15d 14.52 ~ 16.23
14.16 Georgemas Junction 16*36a ~ 16*37d 16.41 ~ 16.43
35.47 Forsinard 17*02a ~ 17*03d 17.11 ~ 17.18
59.76 Helmsdale 17*36a ~ 17*37d 17.51 ~ 17.54
70.68 Brora 17*51a ~ 17*57d 18.10 ~ 18.13
84.35 Rogart 18*15a ~ 18*16d 18.34 ~ 18.36
94.38 Lairg 18*33a ~ 18*34d 18.53 ~ 18.55
103.46 Ardgay 18*48a ~ 18*49d 19/10
117.13 Tain 19*06a ~ 19*08d 19.26 ~ 19.27
129.79 Invergordon 19*23a ~ 19*24d 19.43 ~ 19.44
142.58 Dingwall 19*38a ~ 19*39d 19.59 ~ 20.0
148.32 Muir of Ord 19*48a ~ 19*49d 20.09 ~ 20.11
153.65 Clunes 19/56 ?
159.66 Clachnaharry 20/04 20/24
161.38 Welsh's Bridge Jn 20.13a ~ 20.15d 20.31 ~ 20.33
161.77 Inverness 20.18a ~ 21.13d 20.35 ~ 21.17
162.54 Millburn Jn 21/15 ?
177.02 Nairn 21*29a ~ 21*30d 21/34
186.48 Forres Loop 21*42a ~ 21*44d 21.45 ~ 21.48
198.66 Elgin 21*58a ~ 21*59d 22/04
217.00 Keith 22/19 22/24
229.32 Huntly 22*32a ~ 22*35d 22/37
237.28 Kennethmont 22/44 ?
242.52 Insch 22/49 22/52
263.79 Dyce 23.10a ~ 23.12d 23.14 ~ 23.17
270.19
0.00		 Aberdeen 23.21a ~ 09.30d 23.27 ~ 09.30
1.59
0.00		 Kittybrewster Jn 09.35a ~ 09.40d 09.37 ~ 09.47
1.57
0.00		 Waterloo Goods 09.55a ~ 10.00d 09.59 ~ 10.03
1.57
0.00		 Kittybrewster Jn 10.15a ~ 10.20d 10.25 ~ 10.27
1.59
0.00		 Aberdeen 10.25a ~ 10.45d 10.33 ~ 10.48
16.13 Stonehaven 11/03 11/05
30.28 Laurencekirk 11/16 11/18
40.48 Montrose 11*25a ~ 11*30d 11/28
54.17 Arbroath 11/45 11/44
60.27 Carnoustie 11/52 ?
70.41 Camperdown Jn 12/00 ?
71.19 Dundee 12c03a ~ 12c05d 12.00 ~ 12.00
73.78 Tay Bridge South 12/11 12/06
79.46 Leuchars 12/17 12/12
91.26 Ladybank 12/29 12/23
100.10 Thornton South Jn 12/38 12/31
104.44 Kirkcaldy 12/44 12/36
110.24 Burntisland 12/51 12/42
116.65 Inverkeithing East up loop 13*00a ~ 13*07d 12/51
121.32 Dalmeny Jn 13/15 12/59
128.06 Haymarket West Jn 13/25 13/08
129.15 Haymarket 13/30 13/12
130.34
0.00		 Edinburgh Waverley 13.33a ~ 13.57d 13.16 ~ 14.34
1.19 Haymarket 14/00 14/39
2.45 Slateford Jn 14/03 14/43
11.74 Midcalder Jn 14/09 14/50
27.59 Carstairs East Jn 14/23 15/08
28.57 Carstairs South Jn 14/26 15/09

Timings continue in first table.

Distances shown do not allow for the "on the day" deviation at Inverness.

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