Railtours with K4 61994 The Great Marquess

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:47 pm

With the Railway Touring Company switching TOC from West Coast Railway Co. to EWS, their planned use of The Great Marquess on the 'North Briton' tour whilst in Scotland has been cancelled as EWS no longer allows vacuum braked only locos on their trains.

So it is good to see that SRPS Railtours have just released details of 2 sets of railtours in Scotland with The Great Marquess.

1. Alloa & Stirling. Finally due to re-open on 15 May 2008, this line has not seen regular passenger trains for 40 years, so it will be a special event to travel by steam on the re-opened line prior to regular passenger trains from 19 May 2008 - http://www.srps.org.uk/railtours/rt-080515.htm

2. Forth Bridge. Travel on a steam train over the most famous railway bridge in the world - http://www.srps.org.uk/railtours/rt-080518.htm

See you there!

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Thu May 15, 2008 6:50 pm

On 07 Oct 1968 passenger services were withdrawn, and on 04 Oct 1993 freight services were also withdrawn, from the Stirling to Alloa line. Although technically still available as a freight route, a full rebuild has just been completed, behind schedule & over budget as is the normal practise these days.

To celebrate the re-opening, the Scottish Railway Preservation Society arranged a total of 4 trains, top & tailed with K4 61994 'The Great Marquess' and Deltic 55 022 'Royal Scots Grey', to run today on the official re-opening.

First train was for Transport Scotland, Minister of Transport, Local Councillors, etc. with the next 3 trains being sold out excursions for the general public.

Here's the K4 waiting at Alloa for the 2nd train.

Here's the K4 at Stirling after arriving with the 2nd train. Note the abundance of semaphore signals - how long will they last?

This was my first train being pulled by a Deltic. I am aware of their reputation for being very smoky, and occasionally having exhaust fires. Our departure from Stirling back to Alloa was greeted with an amazing amount of clag, more so than our previous steam departure. Here's 55 022 waiting at Stirling to take the 2nd train back to Alloa.

And just look at all that oil that gets pushed out of these locos!

Sadly the sun was not out today.

Thanks for looking. Hoping to get one of the K4 leaving the Forth Bridge on Sunday with the 2nd Fife Circle excursion - I'm travelling on the 1st excursion.

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Thu May 15, 2008 6:53 pm

Great stuff, hadn't heared about this, certainly was a great idea.

bungle80a · Post by **bungle80a** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:26 pm

I heard from an SRPS volunteer it was 62005 doing the trips on Sunday.

Where is the Great Marques being kept? Bo'ness?

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:58 pm

K1 62005 was due to take an ECS from Carnforth to Fort William on 13 May 2008. And the Jacobite is due to start on 19 May 2008 with 62005 & 45407. So it would not seem likely to be on the Fife circle the day before, but things do change.

K4 61994 & A4 60009 are shedded at Thornton Junction in Fife, close to owner John Cameron's home. Here's a photo of them going home after taking part in 'The Great Britain' last year - http://andrewgirdwood470.fotopic.net/p43171084.html

And here's a posting on the shed - http://railways.national-preservation.c ... 49&t=13765

MuzTrem · Post by **MuzTrem** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:38 am

Nice pics Chris

ACLR · Post by **ACLR** » Fri May 16, 2008 11:10 am

great pictures Chris thanks for sharing them

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:48 pm

So seating in the last coach, all the windows open as the sun is shining, enjoying the gentle drift of aroma from steam, oil & coal, passing by. Brilliant.

K4 waiting to depart eastbound from Edinburgh Waverley, via the Edinburgh Suburban Circle to the Bridge.

Crossing the Bridge northbound, with the Forth Road Bridge far left.

Approaching Cowdenbeath from the east.

Approaching cutting just south of Jamestown, with towers of Forth Road Bridge ahead.

Crossing the Bridge southbound.

The magnificent Bridge, currently being repainted with North Sea Oil rig developed paint, which should last 20 years plus.

And the K4 on the 2nd tour northbound.

At least I can now start my new job with a big steam injection.

Thanks for looking.

bungle80a · Post by **bungle80a** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:45 pm

Great pics matey. Looks like you had a good day.

Good luck with the job!

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:23 pm

Yet more superb pictures, thanks Chris.

ACLR · Post by **ACLR** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:29 pm

great pictures Chris thanks and good luck with the new job

bungle80a · Post by **bungle80a** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:51 pm

Turns out the Marques and the Deltic were held at Bo'ness from Thursday til Sunday. Rather mysteriously, Marquess was pulled out of the shed on Sunday morning (or Sat night, not sure on that one!) and Morayshire was very quickly pushed in! There was only about a minute for anyone who happened to be there to get a pic of the 2 side by side! If you want to see a piccy of them, you'll have to talk nicely to PTLRcecil and see if he can oblige as his dad got a couple!

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Railtours with K4 61994 The Great Marquess

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