6th - 8th May 1977

British Rail (S.R.)
West Highland Rail 'n' Sail Safari Excursion

Locos Used at least 25049, 25109, 27005, 27007, 27044, 33002, 33017, 40019, 47083, 82006, 86034 & 86261
Stock Used [1] : load 14 including sleeping cars
[2] : same stock but less sleeping cars
Ship Used MV Columba

Route :

Date Loco(s) / Ship Stock Route
06/05 47083 [1] Basingstoke - Reading - Wokingham - Staines - Richmond - Clapham Junction - Mitre Bridge Jn
06/05-07/05 86034 [1] Mitre Bridge Jn - Watford Junction - Birmingham New Street - Crewe - Preston - Mossend Yard
07/05 25049 + 27007 [1] Mossend Yard - Oban (1)
07/05 MV Columba - Oban - Mallaig
07/05 27005 + 27044 [2] Mallaig - Fort William
07/05 - 08/05 ????? [1] Fort William - ???
08/05 ????? [1] ??? - Preston
08/05 40019 (3) [1] Preston - Manchester Victoria - (3) - Miles Platting - Denton - Stockport - Crewe
08/05 86261 [1] Crewe - ?(via WCML) - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Portobello Jn? - Bescot - Aston - Proof House Jn - Birmingham New Street
08/05 82006 [1] Birmingham New Street - (?reverse of outward route?) - Mitre Bridge Jn
08/05 33017 + 33002 [1] Mitre Bridge Jn - (?reverse of outward route?) - Staines - Woking - Fleet - Basingstoke

Notes :
(1) Stock went ECS to Fort William (sleeping cars removed) then Mallaig to meet passengers of MV Columba.
(2) Route confirmation required. Derrick Dear comments: The train was revised to depart Mallaig at 14.40 instead of 17.20 due to very bad weather experienced on the boat journey and many passengers suffering sea sickness.
(3) Banked from Manchester Victoria to Miles Plating by 25109.

Sources : Derrick Dear (Joined at Clapham Junction/left at Basingstoke) & David Sheppard

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from David Sheppard & Derrick Dear)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Basingstoke 17.32d ?   12.47a 14.02
Fleet - ?   12.32a ?
Woking - ?   12.15a ?
Reading 17.56d ?   - -
Wokingham 18.08d ?   - -
Staines 18.37d ?   11.49a ?
Richmond 18.59d ?   11.31a ?
Clapham Junction 19.15d ??.?? ~ 19.15   11.15a 12.40 ~ 12.42
Mitre Bridge Jn ? ?   ? 12.06 ~ 12.17
Watford Junction 20.03d ?   10.36a ?
Birmingham New Street 21.45d ?   08.42a 10.17 ~ 10.27
Crewe 22.45d ?   07.35a 09.07 ~ 09.18
manchester Victoria - -   ? 07.46 ~ 07.51
Preston 23.38d ?   05.33a 06.34 ~ ??.??
Oban 06.55a ~ 09.15d     - -
Mallaig 13.45a ~ 17.20d ??.?? ~ 15.08   - -
Fort William 19.05a 16.34   22.00d 22.09


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