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Day 7 : Saturday 01 September 2001

I'm awake by about 07:00. There's a faint acrid smell - like brakes. Then it gets stronger and the fire alarm goes off - we come to a stand at Dalwhinnie - smoke pouring from the bogies of our carriage. Brakes are isolated and we're on the move almost an hour later at 08:00. I'm not going to make the train back at Inverness and probably not the "Highland Cheiftain" at Aviemore, so I decide to get out at Kingussie. In the meanwhile, I enjoy the view - blue skies, high mountains with fluffy white clouds on the top.

The 08:42 arrives behind 43112 - it's been slightly delayed by the sleepers but not much - we depart at 08:45. Soon, I'm passing Dalwhinnie. Over the river on an elegant bridge south of Pitlochry. New EWS container flats at Perth Yard. Passengers for Glasgow are advised to change at Stirling instead. Monument and Castle at Stirling, semaphores at the station. Branching left at Larbert Junction, we hold up a 158 on a train from the Glasgow direction. Water coming over the lock gates on the canal west of Falkirk Grahamston. Edinburgh Waverley - we arrive 13 minutes before departure time. 90030 "Crewe Locomotive Works" is in the bay at the east end of the station. A Voyager and 08831 in GNER livery at Craigentinny. Near to the coast approaching Dunbar. Bass Rock visible to the north. The sea is deep blue, there are a few scattered clouds in the sky, the scenery along the clifftops superb. The sun reflects off the river at Berwick. Holy Island and Dunstanburgh visible in the distance. 13:00 arrival in Newcastle. 43096 is on the rear. 142050 is on the 13:10 to Morpeth. No driver, no guard, engines not running. They arrive at 13:08 and we're away on time for my last few miles.

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Timetable and Mileages

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Introduction Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Timetable Mileages

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Text and photographs Copyright J.D.Coleman 2001.

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