“Tippies to Thurso and beyond”, January 85.
Brora tippies, 290185
To the enthusiast the magic of Scotland in the 80’s was steam-heat mileage,the air of the unexpected along with the sociable people and scenery.The Summer time week Scottish was part of our routine but many of us enjoyed the winter bash as well. In Winter, Scotland took on an even more special magic to me, gone were the backpackers, tourists and pringle sweater types the trains were quiet, but the power remained as solid as ever.Jan 85 was to contain all the classic ingredients.
As 87009 headed North with our lightly loaded Euston-FWilliam/Inverness overnite we woke at Motherwell where the snow was falling steadily. At Queen St we were still virtually asleep as we checked our Cowlairs portion loco (37039) before moving up the freezing platforms to join 37191 plus Ethel with the far more comfortable Mk 1’s at the head of the overnite stock which were added at Glasgow.
Our sleep was broken when the guard requested alarm call obliged minutes before arrival at Tyndrum Upper.We quickly gathered our gear and leapt from the cosy warm ETH of our Mk 1 to over a foot of level snow in crisp, clear sub-zero temperatures.From Tyndrum Upper the only bashers move was down the trail to Tyndrum Lower. This trail today had more ski tracks than footprints and our regulation hand held Adidas bags saw new use by being put in the ski rut and given a gentle push to see them ski down to the bottom of the hill.With no time for the famous Tyndrum full breakfast we waded through the snow to Tyndrum Lower where a right time ex Welsh 37184 arrived with the morning service from Oban steaming superbly to take us South. That day also saw mileage accumulated behind 37012/090/111 before returning to Glasgow to cover the rush-hour.
The best that evening was 27021 which gave a superb “Tip-Top” performance on the 1730 Carlisle. From Carlisle it was the usual dull booked 86 on the short formation of 1S81 the famous 2050 Carlisle-Perth.This had its usual G-force acceleration and we were so impressed we fell asleep only to be awoken by a real engine backing on in the form of 27056. Arriving at Perth we had the luxury of viewing several overnites before continuing with 27056 on the 0105 Perth-Aberdeen. Arrival at Aberdeen at 3 o’clock on a Saturday morning needs improving and the sight of 27005 already at the head of a steaming rake of Mk 1’s was enough for us.
The early afternoon saw us back in Dundee raking in 27023 and 046 on the circuit(Edinburgh-Dundees) The Birmingham crowds were up for the day on one of the long running Edinburgh Adexs renown for their low fares. We ended up in Glasgow where a big crowd had gathered for the 1650 Fort William service. We were puzzled as this would presumably be a steam-heat 37 or 27 at best. Before we could get the gen a grubby freight beast complete with salmon logo and Ethel came out of Queen St Tunnels. When 37133 arrived at Gairlochead we were even more amazed at a mass bail of syphon bashers.We were about to follow when they all piled on again after the”friendly”signalmen told them we were crossing the up at Arrochar. The Glen Douglas signalmen had other instructions the 1415 ex Fort William had “priority due nae heat”……What followed 20 minutes later will remain in our minds for a long time as 37250 with its frozen up,icicled, stock and a few ghost like passengers stormed passed us in the dark. Bashers from both trains bellowed “your bowled” ,yes we all were. We later found out 37043 had failed earlier in the day and a road coach had been put on for passengers wanting heat!!! .
Back at Larbert that evening for S81 we were pleased with 27051 steaming in. More witherings came from some bashers abroad. Our 27 had been paired up with 26015 for the return Birmingham “nedex” earlier that evening but had split from the 26 at Motherwell.26015 was one us Southerners all needed at the time I never did bash it! Awaiting the Edinburgh-Inverness overnite at Perth we gathered round a roaring brazier to keep warm in serious low temperatures.A hose was leaking water about 9 inches from the fire as it hit the ground it froze, despite the heat. On returning home we were to find it was below -20 in the Highlands that night. The strength of 47096’s boiler made our overnight a good night’s doss,only some smashed Pitlochary bound locals disturbing us with their noisy waking rituals
Inverness on a Sunday morning offers just one move, the Lairg papers. We were getting rumours that a bus may be laid on due to the late running of the overnight vans from the South.Fortunately 27055 was turned out and over an hour down we departed. By Dingwall our tip-tops boiler had died and our guard advised us to leave the train for our own safety.We opted for very cold mileage with 2pairs of trousers,3 jumpers ect in the retained heat of a declassified mk 2a bfk.1 of our number tried to stay awake by putting his weeks moves in the book but the severe cold saw him make errors.Out came the Tippex but he was finished when this had frozen also! Lairg was Xmas card material with snow,ice and fog the Dornoch Firth looked partly frozen up..Helping the guard offload the papers and general provisions it proved what a lifeline rail link this really was. After enduring that, we awaited at Inverness, the 1700 Edinburgh service with its booked pilot engine to Perth. As 1700 passed we started flapping as the 1620 Glasgow with 47546 had still not gone.Then came the announcement we are sorry for the delay but we are awaiting the OK to go via the highland line due to worsening weather conditions. Within minutes 47546 departed followed by us with a rateable combination of 37287 and 47096.At Aviemore we were delayed another hour while the plough cleared the line and 47096 was moved forward to refill her boiler.
We eventually moved forward and our 37/47 combination threw up the snow in spectacular style over Dromochter. Furthur South on double track we passed the Kings X-Inverness tram with an unidentified 26 piloting it! Later photo gen obtained makes it probable that xos 26006 piloted the tram that night, from at least Perth, Massive! With our train now hours late the planned moves were gone and at Perth we joined the first Inverness-Euston overnite which had been routed via Aberdeen to avoid the problems further North.
At Motherwell we joined the Euston-Fort William overnite and were awoken by the guard many hours later asking us where we were going to.”Tyndrum” came our bleary reply we had no idea where we were.”No your not, you’ll have to get the bus from Crianlarich”.apparently the Fort William snowplough had been derailed near Tyndrum.We flagged the bus for 37191 on the southbound Oban to spend a day on the Perth-Stirling routes 47’s as a fill-in for the rumoured 25044 on the 1730 Central-Carlisle.This duly produced and to celebrate Scot-Rail provided free tea and a letter apologising for the disruption to that mornings services due to the bad weather. As the train emptied after Kilmarnock there was a muffled bang and our rats steambag apparently flew past the window. Obviously we were no-heat but our rat stormed on.
Returning North on S81 27020 was the real engine from Moss End to Perth. We opted for the internal(Highland Line) overnite with 47546.Because of the severe low temperatures Scot-Rail had allocated pairs of locos on the Far North to cover for boiler failures and alike.37260/27005 on the 0630 Far North took us to Dingwall where we awaited 37114/27014 on the Kyle on the expected move to the Achnasheen crossing point for the Kyle back as we all did.The station staff asked us if we were doing this move,” yes” we replied.”Not today I’m afraid”they advised…”Our Kyle’s syphon had a faulty radio and this would swop power with 37025 off the incoming Kyle at Dingwall. Our 37 and etheling, unpowered 27014 was taken in bus-stop tradition to Muir Of Ord where an even better 26040/27054 followed on the inbound Wick/Thurso. I had to chuckle years later on reading in some mag that 27014 “may have got” to Kyle during this period, “some claim!”
At Inverness 27051/27055 were on the blocks with the 0740 ex Aberdeen,cursing our wrong move again, we were to see our luck improve…The pair were refuelled and watered and put on the 1130 service to Wick/Thurso.A pair of 27’s on the Far North was a rare event for us and an excellent mileage move. It is no exaggeration to say that the snow fences and barriers between County March and Altnabreac had drifts of snow some 10feet above the height of our train. Earlier the previous week some Welsh bashers had been stranded in Wick for several days the only way out being by air…Just 27055 returned us South for 47/4’s on the internal overnite move to Blair Athol our sociable guard waking us up as requested. Back at Inverness the 0630 Wick/Thurso was to produce an excellent 26008/040 steaming away.I bailed at Ardgay for a 37261 and 27055 again on the early morning up service. My reasons were simple I needed the syphon, but how I wish, looking back, that I had stayed on they 26’s.
47467 took us South to Edinburgh where 27010 was out on the Circuit. That night a rateable 85019 worked forwards from Carstairs on the Edin/Glas-Bristol V62 overnite.Detraining at Carlisle it was a short wait for 47578 on the Euston-Stranraer overnight. One of our groups slumbers was disturbed by a whistling 20192 backing on as pilot at Newton on Ayr. Thinking he had plenty of time as he thought he was at Ayr he had to run to make the train as we were right away from Newton in seconds..The 20 worked hard across the grades as we all struggled to stay awake for this quality haulage.
Returning from the usual cold and grey Stranraer Harbour we slept all the way to Glasgow behind 47562.Over in Edinburgh 27010 and 27045 were out on the circuit as was 37012 until it failed!.27054 later performed in style on the 1735 Glasgow-Perth, 27046 also appeared on the evening circuit before 81013 on the Edin/Glas- Bristol V62 overnite took us back to Birmingham and the rover was sadly over
Getting off 81013 at Birmingham all was quiet at 0620 in the morning with just a few 304/310’s of interest.I returned home using 85029 forward from Northampton on a morning cobbler. With the commuters fighting their way aboard and a packed coach of cheerless penguin suits it was as if 81013 had brought me from another planet not just 350miles North. oday the type twos have gone ,a few preserved, but most cut-up. Some of the Syphons and 47s survive but not in passenger service. The stock has also gone as have the overnites. Sprinters are the power today and not suprisingly the bashers have gone as well.
Phot-spot..
Former Landore machine 37184 arrives at Tyndrum Lower 0800 Oban-Glasgow QS, 250185
Steaming Crianlarich nicely, 37111 waits time with the 0840 Fort William-Glasgow QS, 250185
Former push pull machine, 27066 at Stirling, 260185
27055 had to fester around Inverness for some time before getting the RA to Lairg with the 0805 Papers. As described in the text, the return run was very cold , 270185
Snow, ice and snow at Lairg for the run round!, 270185
Teacup at the blocks!, 26040/27054 with the 0600 Wick-Inverness, 290185
Unforgettable!, 27051/27055 head for Forsinard with the 1130 Inverness-Wick/Thurso, 290185
27051 was detached at “gorgeous Georgemas” to work the Thurso portion of the 1130 ex Inverness, 290185
Rare by 1985, 26008 and 26040 pause for a Southbound service at Ardgay with the 0630 Inverness-Wick/Thurso, 300185
Moves and other gen from the time.
24/1/85 Th
081 2000 Euston-Birmingham LB-MK
87009 2100 Euston-Inverness/F.William MK-ME
25/1/85 Fri
47593 2250 Shrewsbury-York
37191} 2100 Euston-Fort William ME-QS/QS-TY U
DB97250}
47405 2100 Euston-Inverness
37039 2100 Euston-Fort William CO-QS
37192 0430 Edinburgh-Glasgow
47464 2350 Inverness-Euston
37184 0800 Oban-Glasgow TY L-ARR
37090 0820 Glasgow-Oban ARR-CRI
37111 0840 Fort William-Glasgow CRI-HEL U
37039 0950 Glasgow-Fort William
37012 1220 Glasgow-Oban HEL U-CRI
37090 1300 Oban-Glasgow CRI-QS
37192 1638 Glasgow-Dundee
47405 1725 Glasgow-Aberdeen
27021 1730 Glasgow-Carlisle CE-CAR
86252 2050 Carlisle-Perth CAR-ME
27056 2050 Carlisle-Perth ME-PE
26/1/85 Sat
27056 0105 Perth-Aberdeen PE-AB
47464 2030 Inverness-Euston
27005 0447 Aberdeen-Inverness AB-EL
47118 0600 Inverness-Aberdeen EL-AB
47614 0852 Dyce-Glasgow AB-DU
27023 1028 Dundee-Edinburgh DU-WA
47007 0918 Edinburgh-Dundee
27046 1018 Edinburgh-Dundee
47096 1118 Edinburgh-Dundee
47270 1218 Edinburgh-Dundee WA-KI
27046 1228 Dundee-Edinburgh KI-WA
47007 1418 Edinburgh-Dundee WA-HA
47701 1430 Edinburgh-Glasgow HA-QS
27020 1545 Glasgow-Carlisle
47443 1220 Inverness-Glasgow
47709 1325 Aberdeen-Glasgow
37012 1300 Oban-Glasgow
37133} 1650 Glasgow-Fort William QS-CRI
DB97521)
37250 1415 Fort Willliam-Glasgow
37192 1800 Oban-Glasgow CRI-QS
37191 1820 Glasgow-Oban
47469 2138 Glasgow-Perth QS-LA
27051 2050 Carlisle-Perth LA-PE
27/1/85 Sun
47434 1740 Fort William-Euston (to Stir)
37033 2330 Glasgow-Perth
47096 2325 Edinurgh-Inverness PE-IS
27055 0805 Inverness-Lairg IS-LA
27005} 1250 Inverness-Aberdeen
27048}
27055 1127 Lairg-Inverness LA-IS
47712 1615 Inverness-Glasgow
47546 1620 Inverness-Glasgow
37287) 1700 Inverness-Edinburgh IS-PE
47096}
47467} 1625 Glasgow-Inverness
47443}
47434 xxxx Glasgow-Dundee
28/1/85 Mon
47439 0105 Perth-Aberdeen
47460 1930 Inverness-Euston PE-ME
87002 1930 Inverness-Euston ME-MO
87031 2100 Euston-Fort William MO-ME
37111} 2100 Euston-Fort William (term Cri) ME-QS/QS-CR
DB97250}
37191 0800 Oban-Glasgow CR-QS
37012 2100 Euston-Fort William CO-QS
37250} 0800 Glasgow-Oban-term Dumbarton
37179}
37026d)
47540 0905 Aberdeen-Glasgow
37090 1220 Glasgow-Oban
47593 1325 Glasgow-Inverness
47270 1335 Glasgow-Inverness (to Perth) QS-PE
47434 1335 Glasgow-Inverness (ex Perth)
47460 1220 Inverness-Glasgow PE-ST
47610 1325 Aberdeen-Glasgow ST-QS
DMU 1638 Glasgow-Dundee
37111 1650 Glasgow-Crianlarich
37051 1715 Glasgow-Edinburgh
25044 1730 Glasgow-Carlisle CE-CA
86101 2050 Carlisle-Perth CA-ME
27020 2050 Carlisle-Perth ME-PE
29/1/85 Tues
47593 2330 Glasgow-Inverness
27020 0105 Perth-Aberdeen
47546 2325 Edinburgh-Inverness PE-IS
47211 0555 Inverness-Aberdeen
37260) 0630 Inverness-Wick/Thurso IS-DI
27005}
37114} 0655 Inverness-Kyle (to Dingwall)
27014}
37025 0710 Kyle-Inverness
37025 0655 Inverness-Kyle
37114} 0710 Kyle-Inverness DI-MU
27014}
26040} 0600 Wick/Thurso-Inverness MU-IS
27054}
27051} 0740 Aberdeen-Inverness
27055}
47460 1032 Inverness-Aberdeen
27051} 1130 Inverness-Wick/Thurso IS-GE
27055}
37114} 1055 Inverness-Kyle
27014}
37260} 1200 Wick/Thurso-Inverness
27005}
27055 1130 Inverness-Wick/Thurso GE-WI
27055 1800 Wick-Inverness WI-IS
37261 1730 Inverness-Wick/Thurso
47118 2045 Aberdeen-Inverness
47469 2350 Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh IS-BA
30/1/85 Wed
47610 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness BA-IS
08754 2305 Edinburgh-Glasgow/Inverness IS shunt Plat 2 to 4
47118 0555 Inverness-Aberdeen
26008} 0630 Inverness-Wick/Thurso IS-AR
26040}
37114} 0655 Inverness-Kyle
27014}
27051} 0600 Wick/Thurso-Inverness AR-IS
37261}
27003} 0719 Elgin-Inverness
27055}
37025 1055 Inverness-Kyle
37261 1130 Inverness-Wick/Thurso
47546 1020 Inverness-Euston
47460 1032 Inverness-Aberdeen
47007 0706 Edinburgh-Inveness
47211 1235 Inverness-Aberdeen
47467 1220 Inverness-Glasgow IS-QS
37090 1638 Glasgow-Dundee
37112 1650 Glasgow-Fort William
37111 1715 Glasgow-Edinburgh
37043 1735 Glasgow-Perth
47539 1730 Glasgow-Carlisle
47706 1800 Glasgow-Edinburgh QS-HA
47213 1728 Edinburgh-Dundee
DMU 1722 Glasgow C-Edinburgh HA-WA
47041 1918 Edinburgh-Dundee WA-HA
47528 0730 Penzance-Aberdeen
47040 1828 Dundee-Edinburgh HA-WA
27010 2018 Edinburgh-Dundee WA-KI
47269 2128 Dundee-Edinburgh KI-WA
47702 2230 Edinburgh-Glasgow WA-HA
47413 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol HA-WA
47708 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol WA-CA
85019 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol CA-CAR
31/1/85 Tues
47578 2110 Euston-Stranraer CAR-STR
20192 2110 Euston-Stranraer AYR-STR
47562 0730 Stranraer-Glasgow S|TR-CE
47702 1030 Glasgow-Edinburgh QS-HA
47269 1118 Edinburgh-Dundee HA-INK
37012 1028 Dundee-Edinburgh (term Invk-stk fail)
27010 1128 Dundee-Edinburgh INK-WA
27045 1318 Edinburgh-Dundee WA-HA
47040 1228 Dundee-Edinburgh HA-WA
47270 1328 Dundee-Edinburgh
47707 1430 Edinburgh-Glasgow WA-QS
DMU 1545 Glasgow-Carlisle (25044 boiler failed)
37039 1300 Oban-Glasgow
47614 1220 Inverness-Glasgow
37090 1638 Glasgow-Dundee
37112} 1650 Glasgow-Fort William
97250}
37192 1715 Glasgow-Edinburgh
27054 1735 Glasgow-Perth QS-PE
47460 1630 Inverness-Edinburgh PE-IK
27049 2018 Edinburgh-Dundee IK-BI
27046 2028 Dundee-Edinburgh BI-WA
47707 2230 Edinburgh-Glasgow WA-HA
47451 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol HA-WA
47704 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol WA-CA
81013 2020 Aberdeen-Bristol CA-NS (via BS)
1/2/85 Fr
87015 0627 Wolves-Euston NS-RU
074 0730 Rugby-Euston RU-NO
85029 0813 Northampton-Euston NO-LB
Any more Scottish gen during this wonderful week would be very welcome,,,,
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