I was up for the first train to leave Kings Cross for Edinburgh. Being a Sunday it wasn't as early as I had hoped but it was very cheap. I left London on time at 0855 behind a winning 91. This was to be my first experience of the entire East Coast route. At was all new for me beyond Doncaster and it certainly is scenic after Newcastle. Due to some engineering works outside of York we were delayed by about 20 minutes for the entire journey. Once I arrived at Edinburgh the confusion started.
I had never been to the station before and with all the refurbishment works going on it was confusing at first. Anyway I found a train heading to Glasgow and got on that. I didn't go to Glasgow as I wanted to drop my bag off at the hotel (couldn't do that until 1400). I got off at Haymarket and then went back to Edinburgh. I did this a couple of times before dropping my bag off.
After that I decided that today would be to get in some route. Again all route in Scotland (apart from Mallaig to Fort William, but my ticket wouldn't go that far!) was new for me. I went to Glasgow via Falkirk High. Passing Eastfield reminded me of when i was younger and my dad took me there to look round. No units then but plenty of Class 26s. How it has changed (wouldn't even be allowed to look round now!). I then returned to Edinburgh via Aldgate covering the recently opened connection between Bathgate and Aldgate. It was then back to Glasgow for some dinner and a few drinks.
I had dinner in the Camperdown Place which is just outside Glasgow Queen Street station. Due to the close proximety of other Wetherspoon pubs I went for a drink in another three (The Crystal Palace, The Sir John Moore & The Society Room). After this I looked at going on a bit of the suburban Glasgow network. I went as far west as Helensborough Central before heading back towards Dalmuir. It was from here I would be meeting what I would hope to be one of the biggest winners of the 3 day rover.
So the last train of the day was the London Euston bound sleeper from Fort William which calls at Edinburgh (to be joined to other portions) It arrived in the pouring rain (it had been dry until about an hour before) and was indeed a big winner. Only 67s with cast iron brakes can operate to Fort William and in rolled 67009. New for haulage obviously but also sight (only 011 I have seen before).
The Fort William portion is the first to arrive into Edinburgh on a Sunday night. I learnt from a member of Network Rails station staff the ETA of the other portions and decided to stay half an hour to see all the portions turn up and be coupled to the 90 due to take the train to London. This 90 was also a big winner. my penultimate 90 for sight. Pity my final one is rotting in Crewe with little chance to see it.
The next bit of the sleeper to arrive was the Aberdeen portion. This was bought in by Royal skip 67006. Not required for anything but photos were taken. The final part from Inverness was a winner for sight. 67004. I was happy. So headed back to the hotel. Plenty of new units today and some more loco haulage winners. A good but tiring day but this was nothing yet.
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