Inverness
Area
The Highlands of
Scotland attract many photographers every year but I believe that many are put off by the
lack of traffic. When comparing the activity that may be photographed on the South
Wales Mainline or Stafford to that encountered in the Inverness area and many will opt for
quantity.
The Inverness area should be explored for its diversity of scenic locations not to mention
the semaphores and other facinating equipment. There is freight traffic and I wish
to outline what you will find if making a trip into the area.
Starting with the Far
North Line, you need not travel too far to find a location that would make a superb
diarama or layout model. The swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal adjacent to
Muirtown Basin is only a two mile drive from Inverness Station. (NH 648466).
A bridge keepers' signal cabin and small fishermans' cottages crowd the line offering some
quite unique photographs. Drive along the A862 from the town centre to Clachnaharry
and find some parking along this road before it crosses the line. Be aware that this
is a dangerous road and regular speed trap patrols are made by Northern Constabulary, so
proceed and park with care.
Once on location you
will find a superb footbridge offering views of the line in both directions. The
swingbridge and cabin can be approached on foot from the canal towpath and adjacent roads.
Good bridges are found on the Far North Line at NH 541458 at Wester Lovatt. This
bridge is on a quiet lane off the B9164 which in turn is found off the A862.
This line offers a procession of Class 156 and 158 Sprinters, a service which may be
bolstered as Scotrail explores the marketing opportunities of Dingwall and Beauly.
These areas are developing very quickly.
The one time daily
return freight from Inverness to Elgin and return no longer runs. The 6A08 07.10 ex
Inverness (passing Nairn at 07.25) and the 6H54 16.05 ex Elgin passing Nairn at 16.35 has
been replaced by a weekly freight run as extensions to the 6H56 to and from Georgemas
Jnct.
The 6A08 at Nairn (07.10 ex Inverness
Yard)
Grain traffic to Roseisle is
seasonal and runs during the autumn and winter months. Traffic patterns are variable
but generally the train runs from Inverness at 12.55, after connecting with the Highland
Mainline Enterprise. It runs to Elgin, runs round and returns to Alves Junction
which can be seen from the main A96 road. (NJ 126617). Photography from the
bridge is possible, but be aware of the traffic.
Better still would be to catch the train at Forres station, drive along the A96 to Alves
village, taking the first right turn onto the minor road leading to Cloves. A good
overbridge can be found several yards down this track.
The grain traffic runs to the maltings visible from the B 9089 Kinloss - Burghead road (NJ
121654). A good lens is required (about 200mm) but the train can be photographed
there as the line beyond the road bridge is used as a headshunt. Once the train has
departed the maltings for Elgin, it can be photographed again at several locations on its
return to Inverness.
A useful tip is to
make contact with the signalman / woman at Nairn station. This spot is famous for
its wierd signalling arrangements that has since been abolished. The signaller can
advise you of any movements and times. Forres has an impressive signal box and
station with semaphores. This location is worth a visit at any time to photograph
local passenger trains on Inverness Aberdeen services. Class 158s are favourite with
through workings to Kyle being provided by Class 156s.
Inverness yard itself is difficult to observe, but a favourite trick of mine is to use
small step ladders to look over the wall from the B865 road to observe the south side of
the yard (between the A9 at Raigmore and Inverness Town Centre, half a mile from the
station). This wall has several holes and gaps in it making observation and
photography a simpler affair. Always check this location for clues as to what
freight is about to leave and which line it will take.
Inverness Yard now
receives coal in BFL containers, Blue Circle cement traffic, general goods in ferryvans
and VGAs and most recently swap bodies for Safeways. Timber is loaded at Inverness
(and Nairn as trial loads) and other traffic is exchanged here.
Note: Useful OS
1:50000 maps:
No. 27 Nairn and
Forres.
No. 26 Inverness and Strathglass area.
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Highland
Mainline
Culloden Moor and the Viaduct.
Only a few miles to go for the Down Sleeper
The Highland Mainline
is what it suggests, a major artery from the south serving the Highland and North of
Scotland. The traffic found on this route is the equivalent to a secondary mainline
and it is on the increase.
Traffic on the Highland Mainline has changed significantly
in the last few years with the introduction of Highland Enterprise services some run as
required freight traffic and the appearance of GNER livery. Perhaps the return of freight
will bring the photographers flocking back to an area that has seen little in the way of
locomotive hauled trains in recent years.
I have spent some time at the lineside during 1999 in this
area, thinking that a return of freight traffic other than timber is welcome. I was
unprepared for the sight of Safeways swap bodies, one supermarket has seen the light at
last, and hopefully the recent rail crisis has not frightened too many freight customers
away.
There are a number of excellent locations on this route, but be aware that the 1980s
resignalling scheme undertaken at Inverness means that spectacular semaphore signals can
only be photographed at Aviemore and Kingussie, southwards. One of my favourite spots has
to be Dunkeld, with its superb backdrop of trees and semaphore signals. Dalwhinnie and
Kingussie are spectacular spots too, but the landscape along the line between Carrbridge
and Culloden viaduct runs through classic highland scenery and is mostly accessible from
the A9.
The
line is single track throughout its length except for the lower section near Perth and the
extended loop on the incline to Drumochter and Dalwhinnie. The loops are located in most
stations, except on the northern section of line were loops become more common. The
passing loops within the Inverness Power Signalling Centre area include Carrbridge, Slocht
Summit, Tomatin, Moy and the short stretch of double track from Culloden to Inverness.
The
loops are a logical place to gauge operations, but as I have observed, the loops are just
that and not short stretches of double track. For example, at Carrbridge the mainline runs
through the second platform side, the loop is very much on the station building side of
the station. The loops remain unused until a passing move is required.
Signals controlling the loops are unlit until a train is
routed into a loop via a colour light signal and feather indicator at the junction. When
the route is set for the loop, signals will switch themselves on in time for the
trains’ arrival. They remain lit until the passing move has been made and the train
held is allowed to continue its journey and clears the junction. Resetting the route to
Normal extinguishes the lights until next time. Don’t be fooled into thinking the
loop lines are out of use.
First booked freight for Inverness is the 4H44
02.00 Mossend – Inverness Highland Enterprise. Booked for a Class 66. The next
regular freight is the 6H45 06.45 Mossend – Inverness Highland Enterprise, booked for
a Class 66 and usually towing a spare Class 37 in addition to a heavy payload. The
southbound return working is the 13.30 ex Inverness - Mossend usually Class 66 hauled.
Other traffic is seen on a regular basis but runs as
required. There are a number of gaps in the procession of Scotrail Class 158s that allows
the movement of heavy freight. Class 56s on pipe traffic for Georgemas Junction and MoD
traffic runs as required. You may have a chance meeting with one of these trains. If you
have allowed time at the lineside, sit tight, something may turn up.
Things are to liven up further on this line with the
suggestion of new services from Virgin and the recent introduction of Scotrail Class 170s
on certain trains.
Locations: From North to South.
Culloden /
Newlands:
This location affords views over the viaduct but only offers good
photographic views of trains travelling from the South. An annoying telegraph pole can
spoil some angles. I usually photograph the Northbound Sleeper from this location on the
B9006 at Newlands (NH 763457). By the time the Sleeper reaches this location, there is
enough light for a satisfactory shot. (During the rail crisis, the Inverness Sleeper was
not run).
The next view is down a bit from Culloden Viaduct, an over
bridge at Castletown, a tiny hamlet. (NH 751428) that offers a good Highland back drop
both north and south. Ideal for the southbound Highland Chieftan to Kings Cross. You can
photograph the sleeper here too, but a drive back to Culloden to the previously mentioned
location is necessary if you want views over the viaduct.
Tomatin:
The Highland Mainline and A9 come together just
north of Tomatin offering some easily accessible line side locations. Just south of the
loop, an over bridge can be accessed from the A9 at NH 794312. Simply turn off the main
road at the Texaco filling station and turn right onto the remains of the old A9. Drive as
far as you can until you see the bridge. Park the car and walk the rest. There is a signal
visible to the south which may be used to check progress of trains. The line is visible
almost to Findhorn Viaduct in the distance, this will be worth watching as trains can be
seen well in advance.
Findhorn
Viaduct:
This stretch of line is paralleled by a dual carriage way stretch of the
A9 and is a particularly hazardous stretch of road. When heading north on the dual
carriageway, a lay-by is accessible from the northbound carriageway. It is from here the
viaduct can be seen. Park the car and walk the rest of the way, about 400 yards. The line
is on the west side of the road at this point, so access from the northbound carriageway
is the safest. Avoid photographing from the narrow footpath on the adjacent A9 viaduct,
that is a particularly hazardous place.
Slochd
Summit:
This is a great spot and one of my timing locations. A passing
loop exists at this location and access is easy. You will notice a dirt track west off the
A9 adjacent to the railway. This takes you onto the remains of the old A9 that is safe
place to park. Cross the line onto the moor to obtain the best angles from higher ground.
The only disadvantage of this spot is the main road in the background. Exposed rock does
make a spectacular back drop here.
You may wish to move a mile down the line on the incline
were an over bridge offers fine views and more spectacular backdrops.
Druimachdar
summit (1484ft):
This
location is similar to Slochd with spectacular and bleak landscape. The line is visible
from the A9 road along this stretch with several areas to park the car. Access to the line
requires some walking over rough ground.
The weather: Good outdoor
clothing is necessary because the ground in several locations is rough and the weather
very changeable. I sat for three hours in the shelter of one bridge waiting for one
northbound Highland Enterprise. When it turned up, the sun had just broken through the
cloud. Almost as soon as it passed, it started raining again. Be prepared. |
