Black 5

Today's the day .......................... for a close encounter

Sadly we had to leave Morar today and return home - but at least that meant a return journey along the beautiful West Highland line. 

Most of the line is just a single track which means that only one train can be on a stretch of line at any one time - and the only place where trains can pass each other is in a station.  Imagine then the joy of pulling into the station at Glenfinnan to come directly alongside the cab of the LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No 45407  - commonly known as the Black 5 steam locomotives.  It had just come over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (where no doubt there had been many keen photographers waiting to capture it in full flight) and it was on its way to Mallaig in its guise as The Jacobite.  For a few minutes I was eyeball to eyeball with the driver.  I could see right into the cab and watch the fireman stoking the boiler with coal.  How good was that?!

Another good thing that I have so far forgotten to tell you - is that my return fare from Glasgow to Morar on the West Highland Line cost the princely sum of £1.  It was a present from ScotRail to all its Club 50 members who renewed their membership ...............................