The Grampian Highlander from Nov 1984 remembered
Not the best of starts with 86325 taking messrs Evans, Chapman and myself South on that “solid roarer train” 1A76. At Pancras “the Buzzard” joined off a unit from his Leagrave home…after that it was sit back and enjoy the power, scenery and craic , the ching back then was just £25
Amazing that its 27 years since this tour now! A few more memories from “TC”with thanks
My first trip to Scotland was on RESL’s “Easter Highlander” in April 1984. Having done a couple of “Freedom of Scotland” tickets in between, the “Grampian Highlander” was a tour that had to be done.
I remember there was large turnout of Bedford cranks (at least 4!), for this tour. 25057 was well recieved, a clawback for a couple after it burst at Bedford on the “Easter Highlander”. The 40’s had only months left in service, and the 46’s had even less, so the use of 46026 from Derby was appreciated, although I would have preferred required 46045, which was at York. The Peak men advised that 46026 had come from Severn Tunnel to work this train. On arrival at Newcastle, 46026 retired to Gateshead Depot, and was withdrawn.
With 31175+31106 now in charge, sleep beckoned, tomorrow was going to be a long day! The consist of many RESL tours included the inevitable buffet with hard orange seats plus and a restaurant car. I remember crashing out on one of those RESL tours in the restaurant car, no one was booked in there, so you could stretch out a bit. All I remember was the rattling of the crockery and cutlery. Might even have been this tour.
Stumbling off the train at Edinburgh to be greeted by 26003+26007 was a bit like still being in a dream. This is because there is a chap from Bedford, who at the time was down to two 26’s for haulage. Trouble is, he was still in Bedford!
26003+26007 were superb over the Highland mainline, although I don’t think Inverness appreciated getting a pair of NB 26’s in November. With the return being overnight, Inverness had to supply some power for us.
27008 took us from Inverness to Dufftown, Burghead, and Elgin East Goods, and back to Inverness. We lost loads of time on the Dufftown branch as we kept slipping. Back at Inverness, we all headed for the chippy!
26026+27004 were both dud for me, although others in our group were quite happy. Personally I would have preferred 26034+26041 which were on the Aberdeen route, but we passed them.
After a fitfull nights sleep, we ended up at Glasgow Central, having ran via Aberdeen and Edinburgh. 26026+27004 followed the 20’s to Gourock, and then worked back to Edinburgh. Mega mileage of this mixed pair!
Back at Edinburgh, 47009 took over for the run south. The lack of a driver trained on 31’s meant we were getting the 47 to Newcastle, Haymarket wanted it back though. I was hoping 46045 might appear at Newcastle, and although we got a Peak forward, it was 45042. I later found out 46045 was on the Leeds – Portsmouth to Birmingham, with a sizeable crowd of Peak men aboard!
I was impressed with 31404 forward from Derby as it was my last 31/4 for haulage, although it was in steam heat mode on this tour.
Verdict: one of the classics, even better when they pick up / set down at your local station as well!
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From Neil Evans “Here’s a memory form the Grampian Highlander tour for you. 46026 backs on at DY, on it’s last run, and someone from Leighton Buzzard shouts out “Wagon!” Can’t think who……..???!!!”
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2 depot logs from the trip
Inverness depot ect, 171184
08568, 08621, 08717, 08754, 20125, 26026, 26031, 26032, 26034, 26035,
26038, 26040, 27004, 27005, 27008, 27050, 27063, 37031, 37035, 37264,
47012, 47118, 47206, 47517, 47520, 47541, 47614
Eastfield, 181184 Su (we were all bussed to ED from Central)
08343, 08348, 08564, 08575, 08721, 08738, 08755, 08938, 08952,
20009, 20022, 20039, 20048, 20064, 20095, 20111, 20115, 26021
27026, 27043, 27051, 27103, 27206, 37011, 37027, 37033, 37037,
37039, 37081, 37085, 37090, 37112, 37147, 37149, 37157, 37164
37175, 37184, 37188, 37190, 37237, 47005, 47469, 47586, 47604,
47610, 47710, 97250, 97251, 97252 (all 3 Ethels)
16/11/84 Fr
86237 1714 Euston-Northampton
85031 1718 Euston-Northampton
81008 1745 Euston-Northampton
85039 1815 Euston-Northampton
86325 1730 Birmingham-Euston LB-EU
25057}2130 St.Pancras-Inverness Railtour SP-DE
25034}
46026 2130 St.Pancras-Inverness Railtour DE-NE
46 deputising for an absent boilered 40, this was 46026’s last class 1 turn, and “LADY” went well too
17/11/84 Sa
31175} 2130 St.Pancras-Inverness Railtour NE-WA
31106}
26003} 2130 St.Pancras-Inverness Railtour WA-IS
26007}
Fantastic, xos over Drumochter and some cretins were moaning about the lack of train heat!
08717 2130 St.Pancras-Inverness Railtour IS plat 1-2
47550 1020 Inverness-Euston
27008 1255 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour IS-KE
47108 1235 Inverness-Aberdeen
47520 1220 Inverness-Glasgow
47120 1140 Aberdeen-Inverness
47210 1340 Aberdeen-Inverness KE-IS
We leapt at Keith, the organiser asking us “if we were sure we wanted to?”, with hindsight Fickes was right, sections of the Dufftown and Burghead lines 27008 did are lifted now.
47012 1435 Inverness-Aberdeen
37264 1730 Inverness-Wick/Thurso IS-MU
37035}1755 Inverness-Kyle MU-DI
26031}
Rare 26 to Kyle by this time and we had to leap at Dingwall to make return tour!
37025 1710 Kyle-Inverness DI-IS
47108 2047 Inverness-Aberdeen
08717 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour IS plat 4-1
27004}2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour IS-GC (via Ab,Ed)
26026}
26034} 2040 Aberdeen-Inverness
26041}
18/11/84 Su
20116} 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour GC-GO
20015}
27004} 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour GO-WA
26026}
47001 1317 Edinburgh-Dundee
47009 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour WA-NE
Last minute “ped” replacements as no peddle car trained driver available, 47009 removed at Newcastle as Scotrail wanted it back!
45042 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour NE-DE
31404} 2130 Inverness-St. Pancras Railtour DE-SP
31206}
088 2302 Euston-Northampton EU-LB
We were about 2 hrs late on return, can’t remember why and few cared. 31404/206 went like the wind on the final leg, we felt as if we were still doing 80 plus at Kentish Town and was a fitting end to a truly classic RESL tour
Tour photspot
Plenty “Teacup thrash” on hand from 26003 and 26007 nearing Drumochter with the tour mid morning on 171184
Former Cricklewood machine 47206 and 60A resident 27005 on the sidings South of the station on 171184 now occupied by Morrisons
“Tippy” 27008 is about to slip to a stand leaving Keith on the steep leaf strewn climb towards Dufftown. 3 attempts saw 27008 valiantly make it, unfortunately we’d got off, so these are unique phots!
Loco hauled to Gourock, 20015 and 116 are photted by the tour crowds
More Grampian Highlander phots
26003 and 26007 swing onto Culloden Viaduct on the descent from Daviot into Inverness, 171184
37031 is a long way from home at Inverness
The late Neil Webster, 20015 and 303108 at the blocks at Gourock, 181184
08938 getting the attention of the 65A paint crew, 181184
Thanks to Craig Simmons for this view of 31106 and 31175 plus 27004 and 26026 at Waverly on 181184. The 31’s didnt work due staffing issues, 47009 deputised
Any more “Grampian Highlander” memories to share??
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