Up Scotland 19th-22nd Jan 2010

Fortunately the really severe weather North of the border had eased for our visit but frozen lochs and 2 feet of level snow in the hills create a lasting impression….

Findhorn Viaduct, Carrbridge, 190110

Perhaps our Caledonian Sleepers are unique in that on waking you are greeted with a landscape like this early in the morning, the power is 67009, no class 26 snow pilot today then!

Inverness, 190110

Whilst the gronk waits to back on, 37401 rests between plough duties

“PB” was on hand to phot a fairly complex shunt involving turning the skip via the station triangle, 67009 looks out of place in the far North platforms

Aviemore, 190110

170410 looks good in the snow as she leaves with 0918 Inverness-Glasgow

Cairngorm, 190110

In blowing snow and severe windchill skiers are nedding around as Car 2 climbs the Cairngorm railway

Aberdeen, 190110 thanks to “PB”

Also with modified horn positions like 401, 37425 looks the part in Aberdeen’s bay

Carrbridge, 190110

Containers rest precariously at the North end of Carrbridge station after the earlier derailment. The derailed “shed” is wrapped in green cling film, perhaps like 27043 Patterson’s tip beckons?? Aviemore-Tomatin was being worked as a long single block section due to signalling damage for the first few days of our visit.

Forsinard, 200110

“froth free” at Forsinard!, 158701 waits to cross the up Far North train at this lonely windswept location!

Many Far North stations retain old structures, the old North box (1894 built) is seen here possibly for PW use, the frame resides in the RSPB estate office on the platform, the unit is 158714  

Inverness, 220110

67011 with a right time arrival at Inverness with S25 despite the weather and Carrbridge problems……….

Kyle, 221010

Kyle and its not raining!, 158714 at the blocks

Euston, 231010

90020 back at the Euston blocks with a credible right time M16, the Inverness portion was delayed 50 minutes awaiting connecting passengers caught up in problems caused by the 1715 Ardgay’s   Dingwall derailment. “Awaiting  connections” like much of Scotland reminds you of a proper joined up railway……..

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