Jacobite Steam Express

The Railway Touring Company ran the ‘Jacobite Steam Express’ from Glasgow to Fort William and return over the weekend of 3rd / 4th September 2005 to replace B1 61264 with Class 5 45407, 45407 travelling out on the Saturday and 61264 returning the train on the Sunday.

SC1 :  45407 approaches Crianlarich early in the morning of 3rd September on the outward run.

SC2 :  After a water stop at Crianlarich, 45407 climbs across Rannoch Moor near Loch Tulla towards the summit of the line at Corrour.

SC3 :  On arrival at Fort William, the train made a return trip to Mallaig with K1 62005, which actually proved to be this locomotive’s last run prior to withdrawl  for repair due to firebox cracks.  It is here rounding the curve at Arieniskill with Lochan Dubh in the background.

SC4 :  62005 returning from Mallaig at Torran nam Meirleach on the approach to Kinloid.

SC5 :  On the Sunday 61264 returns the train to Glasgow, seen at 3 locations round the Horseshoe Curve between Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum, the first of which is crossing the viaduct over Gleann Ach-innis Chailein.

SC6 :  Further round the curve, 61264 now crosses the viaduct over Glen Coralan.

SC7 :  61264 is climbing round the side of Beinn Odhar as it leaves the Horseshoe Curve.

The following images were taken during the week of 5th – 9th September of the ‘Jacobite Express’ – a regular daily (except Saturdays) return steam hauled train between Fort William and Mallaig, using 45407 after its arrival from Glasgow.

SC8 : 45407 runs alongside the still waters of Loch Eil heading for Mallaig.

SC9 : 45407 approaching the end of Loch Eil heading for Mallaig.

SC10 : 45407 climbing out of Glenfinnan heading for Mallaig.

SC11 : 45407 crosses the viaduct at Loch Nan Uamh photographed from the point at which Bonny Prince Charlie landed during the Jacobite uprising.

SC12 : 45407 climbing Beasdale Bank on the run to Mallaig.

SC13 : 45407 leaving Mallaig on the return journey.

SC14 : 45407 approaching Kinloid on the return from Mallaig.

SC15 : 45407 climbs away from Loch Dubh towards Polnish Church on the return from Mallaig.

SC16 : 45407 runs round Lock Eilt on the return from Mallaig.

SC17 : 45407 emerges from the second tunnel at Creag Ghobhar on the return from Mallaig.

SC18 : 45407 approaches Corpach on the return from Mallaig. It is at this point that the Caledonian Canal from Loch Ness emerges into the sea of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil.

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