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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  The 6A08 07.10 ex Inverness (passing Nairn at 07.25) and the 6H54 16.05 ex Elgin passing Nairn at 16.35 has been replaced by a weekly freight run as extensions to the 6H56 to and from Georgemas Jnct.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.

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.