This weekend has seen the Train Goups & Charters team in Scotland. A corporate group of 350 was provided with a private train from London to Edingurgh on Thursday, and we've arraned their return travel in two large groups for Friday and Sunday. So, what to do on our free day on Saturday? I know - let's go ride some more trains!
Staying in the delighful city of Stirling presented the opportunity of a significant 'track bash'around that middle bit of Scotland, using the remaining and beloved InterCity 125 sets, now shortened by Scotland and branded InterCity 7's. These 4-car units are really comfortable and with their two power cars, they're Scotrail on steroids! Our first journey took us up to Perth and then alonside the ever widening River Tay to Dundee. With fine views of the Tay Bridge, the line converges with the one from Edinburgh before entering Dundee station. From here the railway line hugs the East Coast of Scotland all the way to Aberdeen, passing wide sandy beaches and rugged clifftops. A pause at Arbroath reminded me to mail home some 'Arbroath Smokies' to enjoy next week as a reminder of the trip - the 'smokies' being kippers, for which the town is rightly famous.
A change of trains at Aberdeen and another '7' onwards to Inverness. Theline between Aberdeen and Inverness is single track for much of its length, although clearly engineered for a 2-track railway. Doubtless a cost-cutting measure at some point. The line passes the Chivas distillery at Keith, where huge compounds of empty whisky barrels make an impressive sight.
After a short stop in Inverness it was disappointing to learn that the train to Glasgow Central, our return train to Stirling, was a 'set swap', with the '7' being replaced by a 3-car moderish diesel unit of drab design. Still, the made short work of the climb from Inverness up into the mountains to Aviemore and the South. This line was clearly built as a single track one with passing places for much of its length. The engineering works are impressive, with cuttings drive through solid rock and rivers crossed in deep ravines. Clearly a remote part of the country, although the sense of isolation is really only complete on the few ocassions when the main road from Inverness to Perth takes a rare detour away from the route of the railway.
Having set out just after 09:00 we returned to Stirling about 30-minutes short of of full 12-hours, with 'train-lag' finally setting in. Still, managed to get a cheeky Nandos in before heading off for a night's rest. Now looking forward to a return run down the East Coast Mainline this Sunday afternoon.
Finally, just have to say what a nice little place Stirling is. A whistle stop bus tour of the sights really makes me want to return soon for a proper exploration. The castle looks very interesting and has commanding views across the wide river valley below. A pit stop at the pub also saw pints of real ale available for a mere £2.63! The place gets more remarkable by the minute!
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