SKIRL OF THE PIPES no 6 10th to 12th May 1985
Thanks to Dave Spencer for the epic write up, speed log and phots
37180/37189 1720 Plymouth – Edinburgh RT BNS-Derby 100585
45013 1720 Plymouth – Edinburgh RT Derby-Newcastle 100585
37259/37121 1720 Plymouth – Edinburgh RT Newcastle – Millerhill 110585
26006/26002 1720 Plymouth – Edinburgh RT Millerhill – Edinburgh 110585
20149/20102 Edinburgh – Oban RT Edinburgh – Stirling (via Methil) 110585
26027/26036 Edinburgh – Oban RT Stirling – Oban (via Cowlairs N and Balloch Pier) 110585
37256 Edinburgh – Oban RT Balloch P – Dumbarton 110585
26036/26027 Oban – Edinburgh RT Oban – Queen St 110585
20149/20102 Oban – Edinburgh RT Queen St – Edinburgh (via Falk G) 110585
37121/37186 Edinburgh – Plymouth RT Edinburgh – Newcastle (via World!) 120585
47016 Edinburgh – Plymouth RT Newcastle – Orton Mere 120585
55022 Edinburgh – Plymouth RT Orton Mere – Wansford (and back) 120585
47016 Edinburgh – Plymouth RT Wansford – Leicester (via Posh) 120585
37189/37169 Edinburgh – Plymouth RT Leicester – BNS 120585
Believe it or not, this was the first “Skirl” tour that I took. For some reason I’d not been attracted to the others. It may be of course that 26’s were still available on service trains.
By 1985 26’s were getting rare and combined with new track both all time and for 26’s I decided to book. The only drawback by now was the stock which could be rancid as Western regions mark 1s were in the process of being strip light fitted with no blinds. So black bin bags and masking tape needed to be taken to cover over the lights should one get an antisocial coach!
On the Friday evening I came in via 304023 on the 20:58 from Walsall. Must have gone that way to avoid the Friday night clowns in Birmingham
Signs of the times were 47597 (ex 47026 Heap) on the 22:20 to Leicester and 31418 on an incoming Norwich. 25324 kept the rat flag flying on parcels.
37180 & 37189 arrived on the rail tour the 17:20 Plymouth-Edinburgh. I can’t remember the loading but believe this to be load 14 to Edinburgh.
The direct route was taken to Derby where the 37’s were removed and 45013 attached at rear to be routed via the Erewash Valley-Sheffield-Doncaster-York-Newcastle
Parcels traffic was being handled by 31451 whilst 31101 and 31280 were on the curve.
I believe Toton was passed slowly so the number crunchers could get their fix. My records show 08697 08702 08757 08829 20085 20136 20158 20180 25151 37135 37199 45052 56090 58012 58022 58024 & 58028.
Passing Chesterfield now on the 11th May, 47201 was passed working freight via the “Old Road”. Our tour was I believe unusually routed via Sheffield where 08870 & 37023 were viewed.
I have no notes of any observations at Doncaster (Must have dropped off) Scratched the new East Coast route for a 45.
York depot was passed slowly and the following were noted. On freight 31277 47285. Stabled or pilot 08337 08540 08657 08691 08707 31246 37132 37249 45111 45115 45122 (The Atomic Rooster ex D11) 45132 47145 47430 & 47533.
The tour was booked to avoid Darlington station but ground to a halt in the platform. Coach W18423 was defective and removed. Unhappy passengers decanted at stupid o clock and wedged in elsewhere.
08770 was Darlington pilot and pedal cart 31215 was stabled
56105 on Tyne Yard and at Newcastle the 03 pilots were 03063 & 03078.
37259 & 37121 took over the tour and coach E7918 was added so the passengers had to fight for the 1st class compos. This would not happen now, finding a piece of stock from out of the sky, Or in this case Heaton.
A perambulation around the Gateshead loop saw the following on shed 03066 08214 08258 08370 08802 08886 (08441 was noted and I have a question mark against 08274. 37079 37272 45019 45026 45139 45145 47403 47418 47497 and my least favourite 47, 47590 this became 57601.
Passing through Central station 47525 & 31467 were viewed.
Berwick on Tweed held “pot” 03370
At Monktonhall Jn a left hand arm signal was given as Millerhill yard was entered.
Top power in the shape of 26006 & 26002 were the locomotives to take the tour forward and I descended to ballast level in order to do photographic duties as organisers wanted a seminar shot. (Remember them?) MGR traffic was in the hands of 26003 and 26007.
26024 & 26004 were stabled so five out of seven “slow speeds” for spotters was not too bad.
Other locos stabled were 20063 20108 20204 20218 20220 20226 27056 27063 and not yet renumbered 27204. 37100 was also here. Yard shunters were 08421 08586 & 08791
The 26’s trundled the tour to Waverley via Niddrie Jn Craiglochhart Gorgie Jn and Haymarket Central whence the stock went empty to Craigentinny. No repeat of the events a year earlier when on the 4th May 1984 “alleged emcars” went into the carriage sidings on a DAA tour and 08881 was sampled through the wash plant. Breakfast (a proper one) being served in the sidings with well done “John Greggs” by the “Flying Scotsman” catering team.
Today the tour had at least one bun truck 1953 which served a mixture of grease fat and unmentionables as the “Melvin Menu” I think apart from drinks the buffet was flagged and during the break in Edinburgh I believe I walked down Princes St to Haymarket to visit the dairy for milk cheese and bread rolls (This was the standard move on rovers!)
At Craigentinny, the stock was split with four coaches working the Edinburgh-Oban (direct) portion behind 27056 (ex 27112) & and 27206
The remaining ten coaches 18659 18366 18571 13215 35125 18650 1953 18572 18775 & 18971 formed the Edinburgh-Oban via Methil and Balloch Pier behind 20149 & 20102
26041was viewed on ECS at Waverley along with 27059 pottering about. 08571 was on pilot duty.
The “West Highland” line would be busy today as 37121 & 37259 were utilised on a special to Fort William
I managed to get sixteen locomotives on Haymarket but didn’t visit. 20222 20206 27010 27017 27059 08718 37096 37245 47040 47064 47617 (ex 47149) 47406 47702 47708 26019 (long stored) 45145 was here (what had that worked in on?)
The 20’s performed in a businesslike manner running via Cardenden and Thornton where 08732 08761 and 20201 were viewed.
At Methil the tour reversed and I managed a shot of 20102. Another impromptu stop at Cameron Bridge saw another photographic attempt. Allegedly we were told that this was the last distillery in Scotland making the “water of life” solely from grain. No Samples were delivered, regrettably.
At Thornton I managed an out of the window shot of 47117 passing on the 11:28 Dundee-Waverley. This was my last 47 for sight on 4th August 1975 at Ipswich; I then took it into the “Street”,
Routing back was direct and near Rosyth HMS Eastbourne of 1958 Pennant number F73 a Whitby class frigate was in the process of dismantling.
Taking the Dalmeny-Winchburgh route the tour proceeded to Stirling. At Larbert 37081 & 27020 were viewed with 37063 observed at Stirling.
26027 and 26036 were the traction forward from Stirling and after some cropping I enclose a shot of 26027
Eastfield held the following locomotives 27055 37043 37108 37111 37288 47595 (ex 47268). The remains of fire damaged 27043 was still on site with 26002 & 26006 to work the Oban-Waverley ten coach portion (This service would miss Queen Street as the four locos an ten coaches wouldn’t fit!)
Taking the east to north curve at Cowlairs the 26’s had a good run to Dumbarton where 37037 was passed on the midday Oban-Queen Street. 37256 was attached to the rear for the drawback from Balloch Pier.
At Balloch the “infrastructure” at the blocks prevented a mass incursion and a judicious cropping gave a decent photo and even better. At the other end looks like a lot of neds could not be bothered to try for a shot due to the “currant bun” shining well. However I got a shot without too much glare.
After a drawback to Dumbarton the 37 was detached and the 26’s proceeded to Oban at 17:04. A ten minute waits at Craigendoran Junction for 37085 on the 14:15 Summer Dated ex Fort William to clear the single line
The schedule was maintained as far as Crianlarich Upper where the return Fort William-Newcastle was crossed. 37178 was also stabled here. (Wonder if this was a “thunderbird”?)
Leaving Crianlarich Upper at 18:33 another crossing was made at Dalmally with the 18:00 Oban-Queen St 37051 and 20089 much to the chagrin of a number of tour participants .
Oban was reached round about time (No Railtour Standard Time today) 4 minutes actually gained on schedule .
At Oban 37188 newly named “Jimmy Shand” was present along with the heating unit “Ethel 1” ex 25310. 27056 & 27206 backed on to the ten coaches to work back. Couldn’t get a photograph of these but made sure I got one of the 26s ensuring that I got McCaigs Folly in shot. That’s the classic Oban view.
| DUMBARTON-OBAN | ||||
| Arr | Dep/Pass | Ave Spd | Notes | |
| DUMBARTON | 17:04.25 | |||
| DALREOCH | 17:05.45 | |||
| BOWLING | 17:09.50 | |||
| Craigendoran Jn | 17:15.30 | 17:25.10 | TOKEN/CROSS | |
| HELENSBOROUGH UPPER | 17:30.30 | 23.6 | ||
| Rhu | 17:33.35 | 34.7 | ||
| Faslane Jn | 17:35.45 | 38.4 | ||
| Shandon | 17:37.50 | 38.8 | ||
| GARELOCHHEAD | 17:41.15 | 40.8 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| Whistlefield | 17:44.15 | 29 | ||
| Glen Douglas Summit | 17:52.30 | 32 | ||
| Glen Douglas SB | 17:53.30 | 26.25 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| ARROCHAR & TARBERT | 18:01.00 | 34.7 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| Inveruglas | 18:06.45 | 38.40 | ||
| ARDLUI | 18:13.05 | 40.8 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| Glenfalloch | 18:18.30 | 31.2 | ||
| CRIANLARICH UPPER | 18:31.20 | 18:32.50 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| TYNDRUM LOWER | 18:41.30 | 36.3 | ||
| Tyndrum Summit | 18:43.00 | 28.5 | ||
| Glenlochy | 18:48.30 | 49.5 | ||
| DALMALLY | 18:59.15 | 18:59.55 | 38.0 | TOKEN/CROSS |
| Loch Awe | 19:03.25 | 47.5 | ||
| Falls of Cruachan | 19:08.30 | 37.9 | ||
| Awe Crossing | 19:10.30 | 40.1 | ||
| TAYNUILT | 19:17.15 | 39 | TOKEN ONLY | |
| Ach na Cloich | 19:23.25 | 38.7 | ||
| CONNEL FERRY | 19:28.20 | 33.4 | ||
| Glencruitten | 19:34.00 | 31.7 | ||
| OBAN | 1940:30 | |||
| 26036 and 26027 | ||||
| Skirl of the Pipes Portion 2 | 11-May-85 | |||
| 10 Mk1 VB 346 tare 380 gross |
This Log shows the outward run.
Now at Oban I was on the “horns of a dilemma” In short I was spoiled for choice. What train do I take back?
Take the 27’s back and I get 26s from Eastfield to Waverley If I took the 26s then I would have the 20’s out of Queen St. The 27’s were in old numbers 27112 & 27206 both old push-pull locomotives and I’d had them for over 100 mile.
I flagged the main tour and opted for the “normal” service with the 26’s. After all in my book 26s take priority. The four coaches in no way would stretch the 26s compared with Two 27s on load ten. At Taynuilt the 18:18 Queen St-Oban was crossed and we were held a little longer.
The stop gave me a chance to get a photograph (Brucie Bonus Time). After reboarding the ZZZs kicked in and I don’t remember anything till arriving back in Waverley 20149 and 20102 working from Queen St via Falkirk Grahamston.
The ten coach portion was shunted on by 08581 which I never had.
Now its 12th May and in the phrase of the late Dave Rollason (Wellington) “After the Lord Mayors show comes the dustcart”.
It appears that control had done some swapping The 37’s off the Fort William were split and 37121 was paired with 37186 for the return journey to Newcastle via the world!
Routing was Waverley-Slateford-Midcalder-Holytown-Mossend Jns-Motherwell –Carstairs –Beattock –Carlisle-Blaydon- Gateshead-Newcastle.
At Carlisle I viewed 08912 27008 47415 47417 81013 86252 86312 and 45013 which had appeared here. Pity about 45013 that would have gone down well back from Newcastle . It had obviously worked over on the Saturday with no return working.
Heading past Gateshead viewable 08370 08802 08886 037078 31190 31268 37049 47409 & 47488.
Kicked out for the tour was 47016 which upset a lot of the punters! Rumour abounded that control were peeved about getting phone calls asking for more novelty!
47016 was an interesting loco in that it was originally wired series/parallel and earmarked for withdrawal in the early nineties. However apart from a month’s storage it survived until late 1998. Ending its days at Bescot it was withdrawn in late 1998. Had this loco been rewired?
Tyne Yard held 37193 and 37134.
York was full with 03089 08210 08337 08583 08657 08691 31426 31433 31451 47433 47489 45130 and 45105 (on ECS)
Doncaster held 08248 08331 08392 08582 31461 31284 40135 56110
Newark had 31206 stabled. The section to Grantham 11m 20s average speed 77.55 mph
Grantham was lumbered with 31327. 22 minutes to Peterborough average 82.85 mph Not bad for load 14.
Stabled at Peterborough 08258 08412 08549 25259 25268 31287 31458 47014 47319 & 56086.
At Orton Mere Deltic 9000 came on to work to Wansford and back. The Nene Valley was using some foreign steam so this was flagged as it was an extra to pay for.
Deltic 9016 was present as well as steam 34071 70000 & 73050.
47016 worked back to Leicester from Orton Mere so the “non event” continued. Stabled on Leicester were 20136 45117 56055 & 56070.
37189 came on but with 37169 which I took back to New St.
Mr P.Y.Thon (47538) was viewed at Bromford Bridge. Another heap was viewed at Proof House Jn being 47484.
This was a good tour, apart from the Sundays return; still I suppose that’s what you got from the Eastern Region at that time.
Thanks to Dave Spencer for the epic write up, speed log and phots
Leighton Lists 