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It's July 1998 and the
Fort William bound "Deerstalker" is about to enter the West Highland Line at
Craigendoran. |
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The northbound
"Deerstalker" is passing Ardoch which is located about a mile east of Cardross Station. July 1998. |
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After leaving the
Glasgow to Helensburgh line, the West Highland line climbs steadily through
Craigendoran and Helensburgh. This scene shows the train approaching the
bridge over Redgauntlet Road in Craigendoran. July 1998. |
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With the River Clyde in
the background, the northbound
"Deerstalker is seen here about half a mile east of Cardross Station. July
1998. |
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Now on to May 2001.
This is Fort William Station and this mid morning scene shows the train now in
National Express ScotRail colours. The formation is ready for its evening departure
south. |
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In 2001, the Guard's
accommodation is no longer located in a MK.1 full brake vehicle. Recently
converted Mk.2E Brake Unclassified Open (BUO) vehicles provide accommodation for the guard and also for non
sleeping car passengers. May 2001. |
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Catering facilities on
Caledonian Sleeper trains are provided in a Mk.2F Restaurant Lounge Open
(RLO) car. May 2001. |
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The Fort William
portion of the Caledonian Sleeper service normally provides two Mk.3
sleeping cars. May 2001. |
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On to June 2003 and we are
back at Ardoch in the very early morning. |
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At Craigendoran,
the "Deerstalker" commences the steep climb to Helensburgh Upper
Station. Unfortunately the train time and the high tide time did not
coincide resulting in a less than photogenic view of the foreshore. June
2003. |
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Just west of Ardmore
East level crossing, the "Deerstalker" will soon leave the relatively flat
Glasgow Helensburgh Line for the steep grades of the West Highland Line.
June 2003. |
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This view from the A814
Dumbarton to Helensburgh road on a fine June 2003 morning shows the
"Deerstalker" having just crossed Ardmore East level crossing and slowing for the junction at Craigendoran. |
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The reign of the Class
37 on the "Deerstalker" is scheduled to end with the commencement of the
summer timetable on the 11th of June. This view is at Westerton on the 7th
of June 2006. (Photo: David Black) |
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The Summer
2006 timetable is in operation and Class 37's on the "Deerstalker" are no
more. After many years of service on West Highland services the Fort William
Sleeper is now in the charge of the Class 67. This view is at Westerton in
July 2006. |
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Forward
nine years to 2015 and the Caledonian Sleeper has a new image. This is
London Euston just before departure. June 2015. (Photo: Peter Mills). |
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A welcome
awaits in your compartment. The nightcap is not compulsory but is usually
very much appreciated. June 2015. (Photo: Peter Mills). |
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For the
journey between Edinburgh Waverley and London Euston a motive power change
takes place. In this instance a Class 92 rests during the day awaiting its
return to London. October 2015. |
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Forward
another year and
another change of motive power on the Deerstalker. Just why a Southern
Region third rail electro diesel is deemed suitable motive power for this
service is bizarre. Usually a Class 66 diesel electric locomotive leads this
consist, a somewhat excessive amount of power for just four passenger cars.
October 2016. |
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If the intending
passengers for the Caledonian Sleeper checked out the motive power on their
train and saw a Class 73 locomotive they may assume that they had imbibed in
one dram too many or they were boarding the ghost of the Night Ferry and not
the London bound Caledonian Sleeper. October 2016. |
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This image illustrates
the straight electric capability of the Class 73 electro diesel. The third
rail collector shoes are of course in the retracted position. No doubt the
straight electric capability of the locomotive would be useful if the
Deerstalker was ever diverted from the West Coast main line via Southport to
Hunts Cross or between Watford to London Euston. October 2016. |
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The regular Mk.2e Brake
Unclassified Open is absent on this occasion and has been replaced with
9526, a Mk.2f Brake Standard Open car still in the colours of Inter City.
October 2016. |
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The regular sleeper
reception Restaurant Lounge First car has been replaced with 1203, a Mk.2f
Restaurant First Open also still in the colours of Inter City. This car is
present to provide sustenance to sleeping car passengers. October 2016. |
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However the Mk.3a 10650
SLED (Sleeping Car Either Class Disabled) is shown in the colours of the Caledonian Sleeper service.
October 2016. |