19th February – Central Scotland Day 3 and The West Highland Line

Today was the last day we had in Scotland and really early on we had decided we would return on the sleeper. We also decided that the return would be from Fort William. The West Highland line has been a line I have wanted to do ever since I was a kid. This all meant we needed to be at Fort William in time for the sleeper to Euston and therefore off of Glasgow Queen Street at 1221! So only a few hours using the Central Scotland ticket but we felt we had got good value anyway.

We left Edinburgh at 0926 on two winning 156s and went on the Carstairs route for a change of scenery. We got off at Bellshill and caught another winning 156 behind to Glasgow Central. Once here we headed to the lower levels and headed west to Exhibition Centre, then to Partick before heading back to Queen Street. A winning 318, and 320 were picked up as we headed west but a dud 334 (had it earlier in the week) took us to Queen Street. Once here we grabbed lunch and waited for our train. The train was showing on the board but there was no sign of it! I was getting worried about it leaving on time but it rolled in a couple of minutes before it was due to leave and we left on time.

I am going to say it now. This was the best and most enjoyable train journey I have ever taken! Yes its slow but the weather was fantastic and the views after we left Helensburgh Upper we stunning! They got better and better! The train split at Crianlarich as the first portion went to Oban. We then continued to Mallaig. Wow! Words can not describe it! Although we needed to be at Fort William we had time to head to Glenfinnan. I had done the Fort William – Mallaig route before on the Jacobite but my dad hasn't. At least this way he could see the Famous Glenfinnan viaduct. The two 156 units that had got us this far (although they had split at Crianlarich) we both winners too.

We returned on a dud 156 to Fort William. We had a bit of time so we headed into town for a curry and a pint in each of the two Cask Marque pubs.

Back at the station we got on the train and found our berths. It was then time to head to the lounge car. The train was in charge of 67004 (a dud). Pity it was now dark so we couldn't see the views again! At Rannoch we had a little wait for a passing service and driver change. I was invited out by the driver and we had chat for a while. The unit arrived and with the driver swap complete I headed back to the lounge car. Shortly before 2300 we headed to the berths. The rest of the journey was relatively easy. I woke at 0100 when the various sleeper portions we being shunted about in Edinburgh but apart from that not a bad sleep.

Great day and up until the 90 took over at Edinburgh (a winning 90024) 373 miles we travelled.