The Getting Wet Round Britian tour - Day 5 and 6

The Getting Wet Round Britian tour
Day 5 and 6 - Chasing the 'Northern Lights'

Friday, 27th August, 2004

The Class 40 Preservation soceity ran a railtour from Birmingham to The Kyle of Lochalsh. The first leg of the tour was hauled by 50031 to Preston. From there 40145 took over. Unfortunatley 145 suffered turbo problems and had to be taken off the train at Carisle. A 66 took the train forward to Motherwell where 2 class 37s took over.

Road Trip buddy for the tour Ewan Tait's pictures can be found at:
Carstairs to Dalwhinnie
Kyle to Greenloaning

	So after bailing out of the climbing Beatock shot, we headed north and went for the second planned shot of the day.
		The tour thrashes its way north through Larbert
	After a bit of gardening at one location and racing the setting sun at another we finally settled at Dalwhinnie and awiated the arrival.
		After a brief stop the tractors depart Dalwhinnie
	With the last Friday shot in the can, we headed off along the A86 and A87 for a few hours rest at Kyle of Lochalsh. Boredom lead to many things including a slideshow of the days photographs neatly perched on the dash board of my car for all to enjoy!
		The tour arrives at its destination

		The pair rest after tackling the Kyle line

		37427 Stands at the end of the line.

		37 and boats

		Now free of the stock the pair move forward to clear the points
	We left the tour before it departed Kyle and headed east driving until the sun came up. We found sunlight when we found Achnasheen
		The train arrives at Achnasheen

		Bravehearts estranged cousin decided gricing was the way for him.
	Then with the first daylight shots in the bag, we moved on to Garve
		The train approaches Garve Level Crossing

		Crossing the road at Garve

		A bit of thrash from a passing car.
	After Garve it was the Dingwall move.
		The tour arrives at Dingwall for the RETB token exchange

		The tour pulls away from Dingwall
	With Dingwall done a quick drive into Inverness and some shots over the canal.
		Approaching the Caledonian Canal Crossing into Inverness

		Crossing the canal to Loch Ness, but the only monster here are there tractors
	The tour reached Inverness
		Phil looks on wondering where his next fot will be

		The way Scotland should be, tractors in the North
	Tomatin Viaduct
		The tour begins its long trek south, seen here crossing Tomatin Viaduct
	Last stop for Ewan and I. Dunkeld. I nearly Dukilled the slow drivers on the A9. The 37s were exceeding the roads national speed limit by about 30% and we had a job getting ahead of them!
		The pair pause at Dunkeld

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