D.J. Henderson's photos

158708 awaits departure from Platform 5 at Inverness with 2H87, the 17:54 to Kyle.

158714 sits in Plat. 2 at Dingwall, after arrival with 2H62, the 12:36 Wick - Inverness. The Far North line is now clear for 37423 and 975025 "Caroline" to proceed North with 2Z02, the 09:06 Motherwell - Inverness via Tain inspection saloon.

Two virtually identical shots - nine years apart, almost to the day. Very little has changed. There is, however, a nice example of how Network Rail thinks. While the ground-frame festers, a more important task has been undertaken. While new trespass signs have been erected at the platform ends, the job-sheet obviously neglected to say "Remove old posts." Never mind. Give it a year and they'll disappear into the undergrowth anyway.

These "flower bed trains" are appearing all over the country, from the main line termini to small unstaffed stations. Garve is one of the best I've seen. Quite a change from the previous shot - just four months earlier. And remember - Garve is unstaffed.

Already 20 minutes late, 158702 is held at Garve with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness. Even a brief delay on the Kyle line soon snowballs and 2H82 will have to wait for the westbound train to arrive from Dingwall.

After waiting for 158702 to arrive, 66737 "Lesia" can now set off for Kyle with 1H80, the 08:33 from Keith. The loco is named after the wife of GBRf boss, John Smith.

66737 "Lesia" stands at Achnasheen with 1H80, the 08:33 Keith - Kyle. Running about 20 minutes late, 158702 has finally arrived with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness.

Owned by the Clydemaster Preservation group in Essex, AEC Routemaster RM835 (WLT 835) appears to have arrived at its destination, parked outside the Strathcarron Hotel. I very much doubt that the original blind featured Strathcarron.

158702 stands amidst the weeds in the Up platform at Strathcarron with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness. There was plenty time for pictures as the westbound train was about 15 minutes late. The smokers don't seem to mind a short delay.

A similar view to the previous shot, 7 years later, without the hen but with the new barriers. Don't get me wrong; I'm all for safety but, could this money not have been spent at a level crossing where trains travel faster than walking speed? Here, all westbound trains stop at the station to exchange tokens, while all eastbound workings are slowing to stop at the same station, for the same reason. Even the marginally faster-moving trains, approaching from the west, are visible for hundreds of yards, before reaching the crossing. Anyone stupid enough, or blind enough, not to see the flashing lights, hear the train horn, or see the b***** train, will probably drive straight through the barrier anyway!!

Some close-up detail of the routemaster, looking pretty good for 55 years old.

Not something you see every day, at least not in Strathcarron. AEC Routemaster RM835 (WLT 835) is owned by the Clydemaster Preservation group. The rear destination blind was probably used in service in Glasgow but the front one - who knows?

AEC Routemaster RM835 (WLT 835) outside Strathcarron station. Built for London Transport in 1961, then sold to Clydeside Scottish in 1986, WLT 835 was sold into preservation in 1990 and is now owned by the Clydemaster Preservation group, Brentwood, ESSEX. I have no idea why it was at Strathcarron.

158702 runs into Plockton with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness. Repainted into Saltire livery earlier this year, 158702 also appears to have lost both it's nameplates. If any contractors/builders view this shot, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the repair work carried out on the platform edge.

A very busy 158701 stops at Plockton station with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness. A brief delay, searching for a missing wallet, caused the train to arrive in Inverness 5 minutes late, just in time to see the Glasgow connection depart from the adjacent platform - that's an "integrated passenger transport network" for you !!

158701 runs into Plockton station with 2H82, the 12:08 Kyle - Inverness.

Buffet/Bar counter in Mk1 RBR 1730, the "Buffet Restaurant" of the SRPS railtour stock. Leaning on the counter - Bill Wilson, and behind the counter - Allan Eley.

After picking-up the few brave souls who had walked down to Plockton & back, 1Z48 sets of back to Aberdeen. 47832 is on the rear, with 47854 providing the power at the front. By now, the train was about 15 minutes late, due to a fault with the RETB radio equipment in the front loco. Due to the RMT strike action, the railtour passed the NR test train at Strathcarron and then passed NO OTHER TRAINS en route to Aberdeen. Arrival in the Granite City was 10 minutes early.