The lines we did, the Highland Line-Perth-Inverness
Intro
My first trip on the Highland line was back in July 1958 but unfortunately being 10 months old i have no idea of the power! Having family in Inverness allowed frequent visits, free board! and a good few “Freedoms” based in Inverness.
The scenery continues to impress and with the sleeper you get the delights of waking up at Dalwhinnie or wherever, a world apart from Euston and i continue to do the Highland line a few times each year.
A few failures, railtours, farces too all hopefully detailed below. There is still the air of the unexpected with unreliable 73s currently on the sleeper so i can hopefully build on my loco tally a bit more.
Failures
47193 – August 2nd 1975 –
47193 one of Crewe’s finest had worked the 13 coach Clansman North from Mossend and arrived Inverness about 10 down. As I approached the loco on the platform smoke started billowing from the 47’s bogies and through the top. The driver quickly pulled the fire switch and the smoke quickly vanished.
40123 – September 1st 1977 –
40123 had put in a characteristically noisy run North on the 1740 Edinburgh – Inverness. We were checked at Tomatin for an up train. On departure the loco thrash was suddenly silenced by a loud bang. A few attempts at a restart failed and about 50 minutes later 26013 arrived from Inverness to haul us into Inverness well late.
47419 – May 29th 1982 –
The down “Internal Overnight” was already well late after 47149 had failed at Larbert with the Glasgow – Inverness portion, 37096 assisting to Perth. 47419 on the combined train then failed at milepost 34 South of Blair Athol. After a long, long delay 27037 took us forward to Blair Athol before returning to its up van train. 27111 and 27038 then arrived from the North and worked us forward several hours down.
47467 – January 18th 1989 –
47467 was low on power at Pitlochry on the up “Internal Overnight” after a short delay 47641 assisted forward.
47790 – October 25th 1997
47790 on the down “Royal Highlander” overnight sleeper slipped to a stand on frosty rails at Struan North of Blair Athol. After a long delay 47773 arrived from Perth to bank us to Dalwhinnie from where 47790 went forward unassisted.
47733 – July 24th 2001
47733 on the down “Royal Highlander” overnight sleeper failed at Dunkeld with the driver getting out and kicking the loco after a restart failed! 47758 arrived from Perth to take us forward well late.
Other Highland line bits
5330} 1720 Glasgow QS – Inverness August 71
5333}
I was recently reminded of this first solo Highland line trip. I had travelled solo aged just 13 from Leighton Buzzard including a taxi from Glasgow Central to Queen St. I was dressed in my rancid Sunday best brown suit and with a fiver pinned in my top pocket for emergencies!
47476 Feb 76
A rare for me daylight Winter Highland line run with 47476 battling through thick snow from Carrbridge to Dunkeld, wonderful sights and sounds
40050 Sep 77
On a weeks Freedom me and a mate sampled 40050 in full song from Perth to Inverness on Sep 7th and Sep 9th 1977. On Sep 10th on 40050 on the 0815 Inverness – Glasgow we all bellowed over Scholdt with a damn good flail at the “German Soldier’s Helmet” rock formation just South of the summit too. The unique rock formation survives today and still gets a wave on passing
37287 and 47096 Jan 27th 1985
The snow was very thick and the wind was causing severe drifting over Drumochter. We were checked at Aviemore waiting for the independant plough to clear the lines. 37287 and 47096 were uncoupled and moved forward to top up 47096’s strong boiler before we departed 2 hours down.
Over Drumochter we crossed the down Highland Chieftain tram with a 26 piloting it! 26006 was on Inverness spare the next morning and it is highly likely this was the HST pilot that stormy Sunday night
My Highland line loco haulages full list
5330} Queen St-Inverness 1725 Glasgow – Inverness -/8/71
5333} -/8/71
5340} Inverness-Perth 0820 Inverness – Edinburgh 1/8/72
5344} 1/8/72
2 days earlier on July 30th 1972 5330 and 5344 arrive at Inverness with the down “Royal Highlander” from Euston
5116} Perth-Inverness 1725 Glasgow – Inverness 1/8/72
5333} 1/8/72
5344} Inverness-Waverly 0820 Inverness – Edinburgh 4/8/72
5333} 4/8/72
24130} Queen St-Inverness 1735 Glasgow – Inverness 31/7/75
26033}
47193# Perth-Inverness 0940 Euston-Inverness 2/8/75
# caught fire on arrival at Inverness
26021} Inverness-Queen St 2345 Inverness-Glasgow 3/8/75
27011}
40061 Perth-Inverness 1735 Glasgow – Inverness 4/8/75
24116} Queen St-Inverness 1735 Glasgow – Inverness 6/8/75
26012}
24113} Inverness-Queen St 1635 Inverness – Glasgow 7/8/75
26014}
26025} Queen St-Inverness 1735 Glasgow – Inverness 9/8/75
26011}
40115 Inverness-Eastfield 1215 Inverness – Glasgow 13/8/75
47467 Moss End-Inverness 0940 Euston-Inverness 29/1/76
Probably off a Highland line working, 40063 whistles into Lochgorm depot on January 31st 1976
47467 Inverness-Moss End 1030 Inverness-Euston 4/2/76
40123# Perth-Tomatin 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 1/9/77
# failed on full power with a loud bang.
26013 Tomatin-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 1/9/77
25078} Inverness-Perth 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 3/9/77
25233}
26031} Haymarket-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 3/9/77
26034} 25227} Inverness-Perth 2345 Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh 4/9/77
25241}
26028} Waverly-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 6/9/77
25076}
40050 Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 7/9/77
47427 Inverness-Perth 1030 Inverness-Euston 8/9/77
40050 Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 8/9/77
47516 Inverness-Moss End 1030 Inverness-Euston 9/9/77
40167 Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 9/9/77
40050 Inverness-Perth 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 10/9/77
26012} Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 10/9/77
26043} 40167 Inverness-Edinburgh 2345 Inverness-Edinburgh/Glasgow 11/9/77
47274 Perth-Inverness 2320 Glasgow/Edinburgh-Inverness 13/9/77
47141 Inverness-Aviemore 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 25/9/80
40081 Aviemore-Newtonmore 0945 Inverness-Edinburgh 25/9/80
47104 Newtonmore-Aviemore 0905 Glasgow-Inverness 25/9/80
47544 Aviemore-Inverness 0945 Edinburgh-Inverness 25/9/80
47544 Inverness-Kingussie 1642 Inverness-Edinburgh 25/9/80
40081 Kingussie-Aviemore 1525 Edinburgh-Inverness 25/9/80
47472 Aviemore-Inverness 0935 Euston-Inverness 25/9/80
40165 Inverness-Aviemore 0945 Inverness-Edinburgh 26/9/80
47550 Aviemore-Kingussie 1040 Inverness-Euston 26/9/80
47011 Kingussie-Aviemore 0905 Glasgow-Inverness 26/9/80
47210 Aviemore-Inverness 0945 Edinburgh-Inverness 26/9/80
47467 Perth-Inverness 0935 Euston-Inverness 29/5/81
47053 Inverness-Perth 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 1/6/81
47419# Edinburgh-Blair Athol (m/p 34) 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 28/5/82
# failed here
27037 m/p 34-Blair Athol 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 29/5/82
27111} Blair Athol-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 29/5/82
27038}
47403 Inverness-Aviemore 1430 Inverness-Glasgow 29/5/82
47546 Aviemore-Inverness 1322 Edinburgh-Inverness 29/5/82
47570 Kircaldy-Dunkeld 1710 Edinburgh-Inverness 30/5/82
37035} Dunkeld-Perth 1745 Inverness-Edinburgh 30/5/82
47434}
37035 piloting 47434 arrives at Dunkeld with the 1745 Inverness – Edinburgh on May 30th 1982
47109 Perth-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 1/6/82
47160 Inverness-Perth 1430 Inverness-Glasgow 1/6/82
47570 Larbert-Inverness 1735 Glasgow-Inverness 2/6/82
26023}Inverness-Stirling 0830 Inverness-Edinburgh 3/6/82
26027}
The late Tony Ewer catches 26023 and 26027 prior to departure with the 0830 Inverness – Edinburgh after a 47 had blown up on an earlier diagram on June 3rd 1982
47469 Stirling-Inverness 2310 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 2/8/83
47416 Inverness-Perth 1430 Inverness-Glasgow 2/8/83
47595 Perth-Inverness 2310 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 10/4/84
47467 Inverness-Perth 1030 Inverness-Euston 10/4/84
26003} Edinburgh-Inverness “Grampian Highlander” 2130 St.Pancras-In’ess RT 17/11/84
26007}
26003 and 26007 an xos duo swing onto the Mighty Culloden viaduct with the epic RESL Grampian Highlander tour on November 17th 1984
47096 Perth-Inverness 2325 Edinburgh-Inverness 27/1/85
37287#} Inverness-Perth 1700 Inverness-Edinburgh 27/1/85
47096#}
# delayed 2 hrs at Aviemore awaiting snow plough to clear Drumochter
47546 Perth-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 29/1/85
47469 Inverness-Blair Athol 2350 Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh 29/1/85
47610 Blair Athol-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 30/1/85
47467 Inverness-Queen St 1220 Inverness-Glasgow 30/1/85
26041} Edinburgh-Inverness “Sutherland Highlander” 1710 Cardiff-Thurso RT 4/5/85
26032}
26032} Inverness-Edinburgh “Sutherland Highlander” 1225 Thurso-Cardiff RT 4/5/85 26041} 47614 Perth-Inverness 2330 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 12/12/85
47006 Perth-Inverness 1803 Glasgow-Inverness 20/6/86
47473 Inverness-Stirling 1650 Inverness-Glasgow 22/6/86
47470 Moss End-Inverness 2055 Euston-Inverness 18/9/87
47640 Inverness-Moss End 1930 Inverness-Euston 27/9/87
47644 Perth-Inverness 2325 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 14/1/89
47643 Inverness-Queen St 1625 Inverness-Glasgow 14/1/89
47570 Inverness-Aviemore 1935 Inverness-Euston 16/1/89
47622 Aviemore-Inverness 1803 Glasgow-Inverness 16/1/89
47546 Inverness-Queen St 2340 Inverness-Edinburgh/Glasgow 16/1/89
47563 Perth-Blair Athol 2325 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 18/1/89
47467 Blair Athol-Perth 2340 Inverness-Edinburgh/Glasgow 18/1/89
47641# Pitlochry-Queen St 2340 Inverness-Edinburgh/Glasgow 18/1/89
# assisted due low power on 47467
47470 Waverly-Inverness 2325 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 18/1/89
47644 Inverness-Queen St 0655 Inverness-Glasgow 19/1/89
47704 Carstairs-Inverness 2205 Euston-Inverness 20/6/90
47643 Carstairs-Inverness 2110 Euston-Inverness 17/1/91
47518 Inverness-Waverly 1010 Inverness-Euston 18/1/91
37285} Waverly-Inverness 1440 Edinburgh-Inverness 17/8/92
37251}
37221 Inverness-Haymarket 1015 Inverness-Edinburgh 20/8/92
37510} Waverly-Inverness 2055 Euston-Inverness 16/8/93
37113}
37113} Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 19/8/93
37510}
37683} Carstairs-Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 18/8/94
37685}
The magic of the Sleeper, 37683 and 37685 climbing into the hills near Struan with 1S25 on August 18th 1994
37427 Inverness-Aviemore 1015 Inverness-Edinburgh 24/8/94
37262 Inverness-Aviemore 1015 Inverness-Edinburgh 25/8/94
Ex “Stratford rubbish” in 37262 at Inverness with the 1015 to Edinburgh on August 25th 1994
37088 Aviemore-Inverness 0925 Edinburgh-Inverness 25/8/94
37184 Inverness-Aviemore 1015 Inverness-Edinburgh 26/8/94
37184 Inverness-Waverly 1015 Inverness-Edinburgh 27/8/94
37685} Waverly -Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 19/4/95
37240}
47763 Waverly -Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 16/5/96
47791 Waverly -Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 27/3/97
47790 Inverness- Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 30/3/97
47790# Waverly -Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 25/10/97
# slipped to stand at Struan (frost)
47773 Struan-Dalwhinnie 2130 Euston-Inverness 25/10/97
47790 Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 26/10/97
47790 Waverly-Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 8/4/98
47767 Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 12/4/98
47565#} Waverly-Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 29/10/98
47756#}
# pilot due leaf fall
47565#} Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 1/11/98
47756#}
47634 Waverly-Inverness 2110 Euston-Inverness 5/4/99
47634 Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 11/4/99
47773 Waverly-Inverness 2130 Euston-Inverness 20/4/00
47764 Inverness-Waverly 2020 Inverness-Euston 23/4/00
47733 Waverly-Dunkeld (fail) 2105 Euston-Inverness 24/7/01
47758} Dunkeld-Inverness 2105 Euston-Inverness 24/7/01
47733(d)}
After 47733 failed at Dunkeld, 47758 assisted the Euston – Inverness sleeper forward seen here on at the blocks on July 24th 2001
47791} Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 25/7/01
47733(d)}
67003 Waverly-Inverness 2105 Euston-Inverness 8/4/03
67010 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 10/4/03
67025 Waverly-Inverness 2105 Euston-Inverness 25/2/04
67015 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 26/2/04
67024 Waverly-Inverness 2030 Euston-Inverness 2/8/04
67008 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 6/8/04
67007 Waverly-Inverness 2115 Euston-Inverness 01/3/05
67008 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 03/3/05
67009 Waverly-Inverness 2115 Euston-Inverness 28/2/06
67014 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 03/3/06
67015 Waverly-Inverness 2115 Euston-Inverness 15/8/06
67004 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 17/8/06
67012 Waverly-Inverness 2013 Euston-Inverness 27/2/07
67012 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 1/3/07
40145 Linlithgow-Georgemas Jn 2159 Linlithgow-Thurso Railtour 23/6/07
40145 rests at Perth before tackiling the Highaland and Far North lines overnight on June 23rd/24th 2007
67009 Inverness-Waverly 2040 Inverness-Euston 26/6/07
67030 Waverly-Inverness 2115 (23/01) Euston – Inverness 24/1/08
67011 Waverly – Inverness 2115 (18/2) Euston -Inverness 19/02/08
67011 Inverness – Waverly 2040 (22/2) Inverness-Euston 22/02/08
67007 Waverly – Inverness 2115 (21/7) Euston – Inverness 22/07/08
67007 Inverness – Waverly 2038 Inverness – Euston 25/07/08
67009 Waverly-Inverness 2115 (22/1) Euston – Inverness 22/01/09
67030 Inverness-Waverly 2038 Inverness-Euston 23/01/09
67011 Waverly-Inverness 2115 (09/3) Euston-Inverness 10/3/09
67011 Inverness-Waverly 2038 Inverness-Euston 12/3/09
67009 Waverly – Inverness 2116 (18/1) Euston-Inverness 19/01/10
67011 Inverness-Waverly 2046 Inverness-Euston 22/01/10
67007 Inverness-Waverly 2046 Inverness-Euston 20/01/11
67007 Waverly-Inverness 2115 (14/2) Euston-Inverness 15/02/11
67007 Inverness-Waverly 2046 Inverness-Euston 17/02/11
67030 Waverly-Inverness 2055(10/7) Euston-Inverness 11/07/11
67004 Inverness-Waverly 2046 Inverness-Euston 14/07/11
67030 Inverness-Waverly 2046 Inverness-Euston 16/11/11
67024 Waverly-Inverness 2115(16/1) Euston-Inverness 17/1/12
67024 Inverness-Waverly 2047 Inverness-Euston 19/1/12
67011 Waverly-Inverness 2115(24/4) Euston-Inverness 25/04/12
67027 Inverness-Waverly 2044 Inverness-Euston 24/01/13
67004 Waverly-Inverness 2115 (9/10) Euston – Inverness 10/10/13
67030 Inverness-Waverly 2044 Inverness-Euston 15/10/13
67004 Waverly – Inverness 2115 (15/1) Euston – Inverness 16/1/14
67009 Inverness – Waverly 2044 Inverness – Euston 20/1/14
67011 Edinburgh – Inverness 2115 (5/3) Euston – Inverness 6/3/14
37259} Crewe – Kyle 1Z50 0140 Crewe – Kyle “Lochalsh Highlander” RT 25/4/14
37423}
37423} Kyle – Crewe 1Z51 1608 Kyle – Crewe Rtn Railtour 25/4/14 37259}
67028 Waverly – Inverness 2057(18/1) Euston – Inverness 19/1/15
67015 Waverly – Inverness 2116 (2/3) Euston – Inverness 3/3/15 67007} Waverly – Inverness 2116 (21/10) Euston – Inverness 22/10/15 67011}
67007} Aviemore – Inverness 2116 (23/10) Euston – Inverness 24/10/15
67011}
67015 Waverly – Inverness 2057 (28/2) Euston – Inverness 29/02/16
67012 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2028 (1/5) Euston- Inverness 2/5/16
67012 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2044 (2/5) Inverness – Euston 2/5/16
66733} Waverley – Inverness 1S25 2057 (8/1) Euston – Inverness 9/1/17
73971(idling)}
66740 and 73966 at Inverness with 1S25 on January 12th 2017
67013 Waverley – Inverness 1S25 2115 (14/3) Euston – Inverness 15/3/17
67020 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057(6/8) Euston -Inverness 7/8/17
67020 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2044 Inverness – Euston 9/8/17
67007 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057(3/12) Euston -Inverness 4/12/17
67007 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2044 Inverness – Euston 5/12/17
Open Mk III doors on the up sleeper at a mild Inverness with 67007 powering on December 5th 2017
67018 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057 (14/1) Euston – Inverness 15/1/18
67007 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057 (4/3) Euston – Inverness 5/3/18
67007 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 6/3/18
67030 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2026 Inverness – Euston 6/5/18
67005 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2026 (3/6) Euston – Inverness 4/6/18
67030 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 6/6/18
67007 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057(6/1) Euston – Inverness 7/1/19
67007 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 10/1/19
67007 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057(3/3) Euston – Inverness 4/3/19
67007 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 5/3/19
67007 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2026(28/4) Euston – Inverness 29/4/19
67007 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 30/4/19
67002 Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057 (1/9) Euston – Inverness 2/9/19
67002 Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 4/9/19
73969} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2057 (2/2) Euston – Inverness 3/2/20
73970}
73969 and 73970 at Inverness after working the 2057 “Caledonian Sleeper” from Euston on February 3rd 2020
73970} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 7/2/20
73969}
66727} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115 (15/3) Euston – Inverness 16/3/20
73966}
66727} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2044 Inverness – Euston 17/3/20
73966}
66738} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115 (29/6) Euston – Inverness 30/6/21
73971}
The train crew are in deep discussion as 66738 and 93971 rest after working the 2115 “Caledonian Sleeper” from Euston on June 30th 2021
66743} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2026 Inverness – Euston 4/7/21
73971}
66737} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2100(10/10) Euston – Inverness 11/10/21
73967}
66737} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 15/10/21
73967}
66743} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2100 (7/11) Euston – Inverness 08/11/21
73969}
66708} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 10/11/21
73969}
66742} Waverly -Inverness 1S25 2115 (21/2) Euston – Inverness 22/02/22
73966}
66742} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 24/02/22
73966}
66742} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115(14/3) Euston – Inverness 15/3/22
73966}
66739} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2035 Inverness – Euston 21/3/22
73971}
66733} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115 (6/6) Euston – Inverness 07/06/22
73966}
66737} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 13/06/22
73966}
73966} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2050(5/2) Euston – Inverness 06/02/23
73971}
67023} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 08/02/23
73966}
Good to see “Skips” back on the Highland line, 67023 and 73966 at Inverness with the 2045 Inverness – Euston on February 8th 2023
66303} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2015 (14/3) Euston – Inverness 150323 73967}
66760} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2040 Inverness – Euston 200323 73966}
66301} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115 (8/1) Euston – Inveerness 090124 73971}
66771} Inverness – Waverly 1M16 2045 Inverness – Euston 110124 73968}
40013 Crewe – Inverness 1Z13 0812 Crewe – Inverness “Whistling Highlander” Railtour 240224
A fantastic sight and sound 40013 rests at Inverness with whistling all round, a fantastic moment, February 24th 2024
66739} Waverly – Inverness 1S25 2115 (18/3) Euston – Inverness 190324
73971}
Highland power – my list
24113/116/130 3
25076/078/227/233/241 5
26003/007/011/012/013/014/021/023/025/027/028/030/031/032/033/034/040/041/043/044 20
27011/037/038/111 4
37035/088/113/184/221/240/251/259/262/285/287 11
37510/683/685 3
37423/427 2
40013/050/061/081/115/123/145/165/167 9
47006/011/053/096/104/109/141/160/193/274 10
47403/416/419/427/434/467/469/470/472/473/516/518/544/546/550//563/565/570/595/610/614/622/634/640/641/643/644 26
47704/733/756/758/763/764/773/790/791 9
66301/303/708/727/733/737/738/739/742/743/760/771 12
67002/3/4/5/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/18/20/23/24/25/27/28/30 .. …………………………………………………………………………21
73966/967/969/970/971 5
TOTAL 140
The lines we did, the Highland Line-Perth-Inverness, the Stations and much more!
History
The 118 mile Highland line between Perth and Inverness via Aviemore and Carrbridge was opened as a through route in 1898. This scenic line climbs high into the Cairngorm mountains with signposted summits at Drumochter (1484 ft) and Schodt (1315ft). There are numerous spectacular viaducts with perhaps the Findhorn viaduct (nr Tomatin) and Culloden the longest/highest.
The bleak, wild snow covered Drumochter on January 30th 1985
Slochd summit from a passing train on April 25th 2014
As far as Aviemore the line was largely double track but the 1960’s route rationalisation saw the line largely singled throughout. The 8 mile Aberfeldy branch from Ballanluig closed in May 65, the much longer Aviemore – Granton – Keith Jn branch closed on October 1965.
Stations
Today there are 10 surviving stations about half still staffed. From Perth Northward they are Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Blair Athol, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Carrbridge and Inverness.
Until May 65 there were loads of now closed stations serving small communities, the platforms like those at Daviot still survive. The long closed 16 stations Northwards from Perth include:
Luncarty (closed June 1951), Strathord (closed April 1931), Stanley (closed June 1956), Murthly (closed May 1965), Dalguise (closed May 1965), Guay (closed August 1959),Ballinluig (Jn for Aberfeldy branch, (closed May 1965), Killiecrankie (closed May 1965), Struan (closed May 1965), Dalanraoch (closed May 1965), Dalnaspidal (closed May 1965), Kincraig (closed May 1965), Aviemore – Keith Jn branch (closed Oct 1965),Tomatin (closed May 1965), Moy (closed May 1965), Daviot (closed May 1965) and Culloden Moor ((closed May 1965).
Highland power
Class 24’s/26’s often in pairs or in mixed pairs started Highland Line operation in 1960/1961 replacing Black 5’s. By the early 70’s and especially with the introduction of the Euston – Inverness “Clansman” in May 1974 saw class 47s become more common on the Clansman and overnight Euston services. From 1975 class 40s became regular performers and occasions pairs of class 25’s and 27’s worked passenger turns too once the 24s had gone in 1976.
40050 personally has sharp Highland memories as we sampled her on the full length of the Highland line 3 times in early Sep 1977
40050 Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 7/9/77
40050 Perth-Inverness 1740 Edinburgh-Inverness 8/9/77
40050 Inverness-Perth 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 10/9/77
Bringing back the memories of the late 70’s, 40145 at Perth with a SRPS tour from Linlithgow to Thurso on June 22nd 2007
Class 26’s in pairs and a few pairs of 27s continued on occasions through much of the 80’s. Class 37s became regular passenger power singly by day and in pairs by night from 1989-1994 too.
Sprinters and HSTs replaced loco hauled daytime Highland line services from 1995 leaving just the Sleeper to and from Euston which became solid 47 hauled from 1996. Class 67’s then worked the Sleeper from 2003-2019, then 66’s and 73’s or pairs of 73 if available. So the Highland still has some interesting passenger power, long may it continue!
Improvements
By the late 70s North Sea oil related freight traffic on the Highland line and passenger traffic had grown considerably and delays due lengthy single line selections became a real problem. Compared with the monumental cost of improving the parallel A9 to trunk road status the improvements have seen some resignalling and eventual reinstatement of 23 miles of double track from Blair Athol to Dalwhinnie.
Shack scratching
Getting the Highland line shacks in first started for me in 1972. By 2012 with Carrbridge finally scratched it was Pitlochry the last one me to get in during Nov 2021.
5116} Perth-Inverness 1725 Glasgow – Inverness 1/8/72
5333}
47570 Kircaldy-Dunkeld 1710 Edinburgh-Inverness 30/5/82
37035} Dunkeld-Perth 1745 Inverness-Edinburgh
47434}
37035 and 47434 arrive at Dunkeld with the 1745 Inverness – Edinburgh on May 30th 1982
43144/43032 Aviemore – Pitlochry 1249 Inverness – Edinburgh 09//11/21
43150/43139 Pitlochry – Inverness 1333 Edinburgh – Inverness 09/11/21
After 49 years, the last Highland line shack falls! 43144 with 43032 up front leave Pitlochry with the 1249 Inverness – Edinburgh on November 9th 2021
Autumn shades and fading light at Pitlochry as 43150 and 43139 arrive with the 1333 Edinburgh – Inverness on November 9th 2021
47469 Inverness – Blair Athol 2350 (29/1) Inverness -Glasgow/Inverness 30/1.85
47610 Blair Athol-Inverness 2305 Edinburgh/Glasgow-Inverness 30/1/85
The classic (rancid) 2am leap at Blair Athol off the Internal overnight along with sleeper attendants and other train crew.
170406 Inverness – Dalwhinnie 0918 Inverness – Glasgow 22/1/09
170393 Dalwhinnie – Aviemore 1011 Glasgow – Inverness 22/1/09
Did a bit of lochside walking then due late running, sheltered from the snow in the atmospheric brick bothy at Dawhinnie station
67015 at a wintry Dalwhinnie with the 2115 Euston – Inverness “Caledonian Sleeper” on February 29th 2016
The legendary “bothy” (waiting room) at Dalwhinnie on June 30th 2021. Unfortunately it cannot offer passengers and bashers shelter from the storms due Covid closure!
40081 Aviemore-Newtonmore 0945 Inverness-Edinburgh 25/9/80
47104 Newtonmore-Aviemore 0905 Glasgow-Inverness 25/9/80
Didnt want to get off 40081 as she was making a fine racket, return North was much less rateable power!.
47141 Inverness-Aviemore 0815 Inverness-Glasgow 25/9/80
40081 Aviemore-Newtonmore 0945 Inverness-Edinburgh 25/9/80
A 90 minute fester at busy Aviemore was rewarded with 40081 out of Aviemore
47792 at Aviemore with the 2130 Euston – Inverness “Royal Highlander” on March 3rd 2015
170434 Inverness – Carrbridge 1722 Inverness – Glasgow 17/1/12
170402 Carrbridge – Inverness 1510 Glasgow – Inverness 17/1/12
This was a tight plus but late running of the down service helped. Steve Wolverton bailed here in the mid 80’s and said how he whittled away the long fester watching red squirrels playing on the far end of the platform!
Highland freight at a wintry Carrbridge, 37610 and 37611 with a flask for Georgemas Jn/Douneray on January 21st 2015
5340} Inverness-Perth 0820 Inverness – Edinburgh 1/8/72
5344}
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